Canadian Friends of the École Biblique
La Bible en ses Traditions – Publication of a Volume on the Psalms
As part of the La Bible en ses Traditions project of the École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem (ÉBAF), Peeters Publishers has recently released a work by Marc Girard, Le Psautier. Livre Ier (Ps 1–41). Bonheurs de l’homme (Leuven: Peeters, 2024. II–591 p. ISBN: 9789042950788; E-ISBN: 9789042950795. €150).
For each of Psalms 1 to 41, the volume presents, side by side, a new translation, as literal as possible, of the Hebrew Masoretic text, along with the Syriac, Greek, and Latin versions. A series of notes then follows, grouped under three headings. Under the Text, the author analyzes textual variants, vocabulary, grammatical features, composition, and literary genre. Under Context, he explains, when relevant, the Sitz im Leben of each psalm in its spatial, temporal, and cultural setting. Under Reception, he explores how the Hebrew text was understood in the ancient versions, identifies terminological and thematic connections with the rest of the Bible and para-biblical writings, traces its interpretation by major Jewish and Christian commentators through the centuries, and examines its echoes in liturgy, Islam, literature, magisterial documents, philosophy, contemporary visual art, and music.
Assisted by a few collaborators and interns, Canadian scholar Marc Girard, Professor Emeritus at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and research professor at the ÉBAF, was responsible for the translations, the organization of the material, and the writing of the notes in all sections. His work received financial support from the Canadian Friends of the École Biblique. We offer him our warm congratulations and best wishes for continued success in his research.
In the midst of construction work
November 2025
In the heart of the first semester of the academic year,
dear Friends and Collaborators,
it is a joy to share with you the vitality of our research program serving lovers of Scripture and culture. You already see it day after day on Bibleart.com.
Our Project Journal immerses you in the Bible itself almost every month. Today, we invite you to meet those who are currently working on it.
In Jersulaem…
The editorial committee has resumed its intense and joyful work, sometimes under the watchful eye of journalists.
Thanks to Fanny, our communications assistant for this year, you’re receiving humorous updates on social media.
The support of the Stichting Benevolentia Foundation allows us to welcome several assistants: Baptiste, Victoria, and Pauline, not forgetting, of course, Sister Marie-Reine, who has been with us for a long time. Discover the new faces in our office.
…and elsewhere.
Our external collaborators are also making continuous progress on their respective projects within our Bible, and on their personal works.
As for our friends, scholars, and artists, they too are brimming with a wealth of activities related to Scripture.
Wonderful encounters with them all!
Thanks to you, our digital biblical cathedral continues to grow. Thank you for supporting us in this testimony offered to the One who gives humanity the Scriptures, and entrusts to them both the heart to taste their flavour and the reason to welcome their clarity.
Frère Olivier-Thomas Venard, o.p.
and the entire team of The Bible in its Traditions
1. The Editorial Committee and its members
The Editorial Committee of La Bible en ses Traditions has resumed its weekly schedule. Every Friday, discussions begin: refining translation choices, clarifying editorial principles, and monitoring the progress of volumes and collaborations. These tasks are complemented by strategic decisions regarding new directions and digital development within a dynamic framework…
2. In the “office across the hall”
At the heart of the scientific project The Bible in its Traditions, Sister Marie-Reine, whom you know well, welcomed the assistants into her office. There, she continues to write notes—mostly archaeological ones lately. Around her, each person contributes their skills and, by putting their heart into the work, contributes to the research…
3. Among our collaborators
Behind the vast project of The Bible in its Traditions stands a team of passionate collaborators: researchers, teachers, editors, and specialists in the text and its traditions. Our biblical cathedral requires collective work that blends exegesis, philological analysis, historical interpretation, knowledge of Jewish and Christian traditions, and even the history of art…
4. Among our artist friends, when art and science unite
The scent of the Song of Songs arrives for Christmas! The adventure of our botanical edition of the Song of Songs, created by Olivier-Thomas Venard and Sister Marie-Reine Fournier, continues. Thanks to the partnership with Laurent Derobert and the artists of Galerie Hus in Paris, as well as Éditions des Murmurations, the project, which had garnered considerable attention…
5. Welcome to the journalists!
The Bible in its Traditions project is generating media attention, which is helping to raise awareness of our scholarly work beyond academic circles. Since the start of hte academic year, among our journlaist visitors, all of whom have been incredibly friendly, we have received: This increased media presence is also evident on social media…
