Letter as Ornament and Puzzle

Letters could function as ornaments and words as puzzles. The four images here appear in manuscripts transmitting the Psalms. Originally a Hebrew text, the Book of Psalms was appropriated by Christian scholars and was part of the daily routine of medieval monastic communities. In addition, the Psalms furnished royal patrons with a model of Christian rulership in the figure of King David. The Psalms also afforded an opportunity to reflect on the Jewish past.

Figure 1: Letter as Puzzle - St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 22, page 171; Photgraph: Codices Electronici AG, www.e-codices.ch

FIGURE 1:

LETTER AS PUZZLE

Here prominence is given to the first word QUAM of Psalm 72 ( Quam bonus Israhel Deus his, qui recto sunt corde: How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heart). The ornamental letter Q encloses the letters U A M . The first word QUAM functions as a puzzle and as a tool for meditation. Interestingly, we see that attention is drawn to the first line of a psalm that mentions Israel.

Figure 2: Letter as Puzzle - St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 22, page 119; Photgraph: Codices Electronici AG, www.e-codices.ch

FIGURE 2:

LETTER AS PUZZLE

Here again letters create a sense of mystery. The first word of Psalm 50 is picked out ( Miser<er>e mei Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam: Be merciful to me, O God, according to your great mercy). The letters MI of MISERERE function as a puzzle.

Figure 3: Letter as Ornament - St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 22, page 99; Photgraph: Codices Electronici AG, www.e-codices.ch

FIGURE 3: