Talk:Psalms of Thomas

Latest comment: 14 years ago by Algabal in topic untitled

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Dear Wikipedia editors,

There are actually 20 numbered psalms in the Psalms of Thomas. Psalm 13 is the longest, but this is because it actually comprises two psalms running consecutively.

Admittedly, that I referred to the internet for the references has misled the editors to revise the text into claiming that there are only 12 psalms - understandable in view of only the first twelve 12 psalms appearing in internet versions. That 12 psalms only were put on the internet seems to be because there is a loose narrative in these psalms. The narrative connection in the later psalms is present but much weaker. Conversely, the hidden second psalm in psalm 13 is but a moral exhortation.

The definitive reference is the "Coptic Manichaean Psalm-book part II" edited & translated by C. R. C. Allberry with a contribution by Hugo Ibscher, W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart (1938). The Psalms of Thomas occupy pages 203-227.

Mlofts 03:20, 16 July 2007 (UTC)M. LoftsReply

The claim that Manichaeism descended from Mandaeism is no longer scholarly supported. See Gardner in Lieu in Manichaean Texts from the Roman Empire: the Cologne Mani-Codex strongly disfavors this old-fashioned idea. Disturbing to see how uncritically it was trumpeted here. Algabal (talk) 11:20, 15 April 2010 (UTC)Reply