DESCRIPTION, FUNCTION, AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VERBAL ELEMENTS
The textual block presents the text of Psalm 7:17-8:6
and appears on folio 6
recto. The title, "PSALM OF DAVID," announces the beginning of
Psalm 8, using the abbreviated name of David according to existing conventions
of
abbreviating sacred names, including the name of God. The title and the beginning
uncial initial,
each as tall as two lines of verse script, provide visual clues that mark
the beginning of the Psalm for the reader/chanter. Glosses do not appear
on this
particular page, although the marginal illustration serves as a visual gloss,
i.e., an interpretation of Psalm 8:3.
Inscriptions and lines in red ink serve as links between a portion of the
text and the illustration and stand out visually from the main text. One
elongated
red mark, one inch long, lies under the appropriate verse, and another one,
much smaller, appears at the left top corner of the image. A red inscription
above
the illustration states "The palm branch bearing." The inscription
does not appear to relate to the Psalm text and does not resemble the title of
this particular iconography "Entry to Jerusalem." Although the palm
element exists in the illustration, the inscription "The palm branch bearing" might
refer to a particular liturgical action performed on Palm Sunday, practiced today
in the Orthodox Church. This ritual includes the priest handing over palm or
willow branches to parishioners, followed by solemn procession around the temple
building. As such, the inscription might have provided a visual signal for the
celebrant as mnemonic link or a form of "stage direction."
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUAL AND VERBAL INFORMATION
The Psalm text, proclaiming God's sovereign majesty
does not directly correspond with the illustration but is associated
with early Christian
iconography based
on Matt. 21:16. The Psalm praises the most vulnerable and helpless in society,
the nursing infants, as able to praise God, in sharp contrast to those who
oppose Him. However, the marginal illustration, portraying the Entry to Jerusalem,
portrays Jesus riding on a donkey, passing by a crowd standing behind a palm
tree. In the background, a tower of the city wall appears with a military figure
standing on the top. The illustration functions as a visual gloss, providing
an interpretation of Psalm 8:3. It compares Jesus to King David as portrayed
in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt.1:1), in which Jesus identifies himself as the
Son of David. Jesus quotes this Psalm, Psalm 8:3 (Mat. 21:16), "Out of
the mouths of babes and nursing infants, You have perfected praise, because
of Your enemies; that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."
