(3) This arrangement should be kept, whether for the Tripos we prescribe a book in the Authorised text or in the Revised.  As a rule, perhaps—­or as a rule for some years to come—­we shall probably rely on the Authorised Version:  but for some books (and I instance “Job”) we should undoubtedly prefer the Revised.

(4) With the verse we should, I hold, go farther even than the Revisers.  As you know, much of the poetry in the Bible, especially of such as was meant for music, is composed in stanzaic form, or in strophe and anti-strophe, with prelude and conclusion, sometimes with a choral refrain.  We should print these, I contend, in their proper form, just as we should print an English poem in its proper form.

I shall conclude to-day with a striking instance of this, with four strophes from the 107th Psalm, taking leave to use at will the Authorised, the Revised and the Coverdale Versions.  Each strophe, you will note, has a double refrain.  As Dr Moulton points out, the one puts up a cry for help, the other an ejaculation of praise after the help has come.  Each refrain has a sequel verse, which appropriately changes the motive and sets that of the next stanza: 

(i)

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way;
They found no city to dwell in. 
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,
  And he delivered them out of their distresses.
He led them forth by a straight way,
That they might go to a city of habitation.
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
  And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul,
And filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

(ii)

Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death,
Being bound in affliction and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And contemned the counsel of the most High: 
Therefore he brought down their heart with labour;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,
  And he saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And brake their bands in sunder.
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
  And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass,
And cut the bars of iron in sunder.

(iii)

Fools because of their transgression,
And because of their iniquities, are afflicted,
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat;
And they draw near unto death’s door.
  Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,
  And he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sendeth his word and healeth them,
And delivereth them from their destructions.
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
  And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare his works with singing: