Translation Contest - Psalms

Last summer, my friend Powell Burke suggested I start a literary magazine. I had never thought of it until then but was intrigued. I think I will someday but not yet (for one thing, thinking up a good journal name is difficult). But for a first step, I sponsored two contests - one for translation of Martial and one for homophonic translation of Horace. The submissions were excellent and the winners (read here and here), stellar. This is the kind of thing I would like to start a magazine of: poetry, translation, and essays. If you, dear reader, have a good idea for a journal name, let me know. So, onward: a new contest for the translation of the Psalms in time for Lent.

Rules: Pick any biblical Psalm and translate it into English (foreign language entries welcome with literal translation included). No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary. Entries will be judged (by panel) on originality, musicality, accuracy, and aesthetics. Send entries to MatthewDLandrum(at)gmail(dot)com.

Prize: $50 and a beat-up copy of George Steiner's "After Babel - Aspect of Language and Translation." Winners will be published on this blog.

Deadline: Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2012)

Resources: Hebrew/English interlinear Psalms, Interlinear Bible, Matthew Henry commentary, Thomas Aquinas commentary w/ Latin-English translation.