1516 Genoa Polyglot Psalter Bifolium – Psalms 113–116 (Multiple Versions)
The First Printed Polyglot Edition of the Scriptures Accessible to the World
Giustiniani | Porro, Genoa | Darlow & Moule 1412

Featuring: Psalm 115:1

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” — Psalm 115:1 (KJV)

A Leaf of Glory, Humility, and the True Image of Christ

This original bifolium from the 1516 Genoa Polyglot Psalter preserves a remarkable sweep of the Psalms across Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Aramaic traditions. Central to this leaf is the immortal cry:

“Not unto us… but unto Thy name give glory.”

Here the Psalmist calls the faithful away from self-exaltation and back to the supreme glory of God — a theme Christ Himself fulfilled perfectly in His earthly life, suffering, and resurrection.

Historical Importance

This original bifolium (two conjoined leaves) comes from the earliest publicly released polyglot Scripture ever printed. Although the Complutensian Polyglot was completed earlier, it was not issued until 1520–1522. Giustiniani’s Psalter, printed in 1516, therefore stands as:

• The first polyglot Scripture available to the public
• The first printed polyglot Psalter
• A foundational monument of Renaissance biblical scholarship

On this opening, multiple columns of Scripture—Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Aramaic—stand side by side, with an additional column of scholia (commentary) running down the margin. It is nothing less than a miniature early-16th-century theological library.

Columbus, the New World, and the 250th Anniversary of the United States

The 1516 Genoa Polyglot is world-renowned for one extraordinary feature:

It contains one of the earliest printed references to Christopher Columbus.

In his commentary on Psalm 19:4, Giustiniani refers to the Admiral’s voyage, linking biblical prophecy with the newly discovered Western lands. A

As the United States approaches its 250th Anniversary (1776–2026), this bifolium stands as:

• One of the earliest printed connections between the Bible and the discovery of America
• A physical artefact from the generation that first heard reports of the New World
• A witness to the birth of the age that shaped modern global history

To hold this bifolium is to hold a page printed in the lifetime of those who first heard the name “Ophir” = “America.” A reproduction of the Psalm 19:4 passage with scholia is part of this offer.

Theological Reflection

Psalm 115 unfolds a spiritual drama of striking clarity:

• The Humility of the Faithful (v.1):
“Not unto us…” — the anthem of Soli Deo Gloria, fulfilled perfectly in Christ.

• The Vanity of Idols (vv.4–8):
Mouths that cannot speak, hands that cannot act — a devastating portrait of every imitation of the living Christ.

• The Confidence of God’s People (vv.9–11):
“Trust in the LORD… He is their help and their shield.” A threefold call to Israel, the priesthood, and the God-fearers — all ultimately fulfilled in the one Mediator, Jesus Christ.

• The Call to Eternal Praise (vv.16–18):
The dead cannot praise, but the redeemed shall bless His Name forever — a prophetic whisper of resurrection life.

This leaf is therefore not merely a relic — it is a proclamation of the glory of Christ in multiple ancient tongues.

Condition Report

• Text: Crisp, well-inked printing across all columns (Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Arabic, Aramaic), with excellent legibility throughout.
• Margins: Strong outer margins; light, even trimming at the edges, entirely consistent with early-16th-century handling.
• Paper: Firm, clean rag paper with gentle, honest toning appropriate to a 509-year-old artefact.
• Defects: Expected handling marks and minor edge wear. A long-retired bookworm once passed through, leaving behind a charming and characteristic signature of age.
• Display: The scholia column remains sharp and fully readable. A handsome, visually commanding bifolium — highly suitable for framed exhibition or scholarly presentation.

“Ode to a Hungry Bookworm”

A bookworm dined here long ago,
A connoisseur of folios;
He nibbled Psalms with tiny flair—
A gourmet with eclectic fare.

He sampled Hebrew, Latin too,
A little Greek before he flew;
He found the Targum quite a treat—
A multilingual midnight eat.

Now full at last, he’s moved along,
Retired from snacks and sacred song;
But left a hole to mark the day
He ate the Word—in his own way.

You Will Receive

• One original 1516 Genoa Polyglot Psalter bifolium, containing the texts above (approx. 46 × 33 cm)
• A facsimile title page (for display context) and a facsimile of Psalm 19:4.
• A Certificate of Authenticity from the Biblical Heritage Collection Archives
• 30-day return policy, no questions asked (buyer pays return shipping)

For the Collector of Conscience

This is not merely a leaf of Scripture.
It is a witness to the earliest publicly accessible polyglot Bible —
a daring work that set Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Aramaic side by side
before the Reformation shook Europe.

It belongs to the volume that first connected the Bible with the discovery of America. And as the United States approaches its 250th year, this leaf carries renewed symbolic weight.

Above all, it echoes the true heart of worship: “Not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory.”

“Non Nobis, O Christ”

Not unto us, O Christ, we cry,
Whose glory fills both earth and sky;
We bring no boast, we claim no throne —
The praise, the honour are Thine alone.

Thou walkedst low in flesh and frame,
To lift the lowly in Thy Name;
Thy cross our crown, Thy wounds our plea,
Thy resurrection victory.

So let this ancient leaf declare:
No idol’s hand, no priestly prayer —
But Christ alone, our King and Light,
To Him be glory, power, and might.

Collector’s Note on the Scholia

The right margin bears Giustiniani’s scholia —a treasury of pre-Reformation exegesis drawing from Jewish sages (Kimhi, Rashi), the early Fathers, and Renaissance philologists.

These notes reveal how Scripture was understood before Luther, before Tyndale’s fire, before Geneva’s commentaries reshaped Europe.

On this bifolium, the scholia meditate on idolatry, covenant, trust, creation,
and the call to worship —a stream of insight flowing from Hebrew syntax to Christian theology.

For the modern collector, these notes elevate the leaf from a printed page to a scholarly artefact of the highest order.

Copyright Notice

All descriptive text and research in this listing are the original work of the seller and are copyright protected. The bifolium is public domain, but the description may not be copied or reused without written permission.