god-spell, n.n: gospel. (“god-spell”)

The gospel is the teaching or revelation of Christ. The gospels are the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which record Christ’s life and teaching.

Today is the feast of St Matthew the Apostle, one of the writers of the gospels.

…þegn unforcuð, / godspelles gleaw,   gast onsende / Matheus his   to metodsceafte / in ecne gefean.

– Old English Metrical Calendar (Menologium), lines 170b-73a

…the reputable thegn, skilled in (writing) the Gospel, Matthew, sent out his spirit, at the appointed destiny, into the eternal joy.

– translation by Kazutomo Karasawa

Kazutomo Karasawa, The Old English Metrical Calendar (Menologium) (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 2015)

St Matthew in the Gospels of Macdurnan. Ireland, 9th century. Lambeth Palace Library, MS 1370, fol. 4v. [Pinterest]