The Luttrell Psalter - Pages 3 and 4

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Psalm 1, f.13

A large historiated, or story-telling, initial introduces the first psalm, marking the first of three major divisions in the text. Traditionally, the psalms were divided into three major sections, beginning at Psalms 1, 51, and 101. They are cited according to the numbering in the Latin Vulgate Bible. The Luttrell Psalter, like most English Psalters, also marks the first psalm to be read on each day of the week, according to the Roman tradition. These are distinguished by a four-line initial, while all the other psalms open with a two-line initial.