ABSTRACT
Shortly after writing the fragments that make up Jubilate Agno, and in an enactment of his desire to reform the liturgy of the Church of England as expressed in that work, Smart produced a complete verse translation of the Psalms. The Translation of the Psalms of David also demonstrates Smart's Englishing endeavour in one of its most potent forms, both in terms of poetic diction and also in the references to Anglican worship that permeate his interpretation of the original. Mason's hint that the singing of psalms has been neglected and requires rejuvenation voices a feeling shared by the new translators. Smart's translation of Psalm demonstrates a fundamental distinction between biblical and eighteenth-century poetic traditions as the simple and powerful statements are changed into more familiar visual images. A vital feature of Smart's Christianised translation of Psalm 90 is the possibility of future change. Smart's translation of the verse emphasises the wider biblical context of David's strength.
