The absorption and wavelength-modulated absorption spectra of MgSiP, single crystals are investigated in the region of the fundamental absorption edge a t 4.2, 77, and 300 K and under hydrostatic pressures up to 770 MPa. MgSiP, is determined to be a pseudodirect bandgap compound with a forbidden energy gap of 2.409,2.404, and 2.33 eV a t 4.2, 77, and 300 K, respectively. The pressure coefficient of the absorption edge is -2 X eV MPa-1. The spin-orbit splitting a t the top of the valence band of MgSiP, is close to that for phosphides of the AIIBIVCZ type. The crystal-field splitting of the higher valence band is proposed to be negative. MgSiP, B o6nacTH O C H O B H O~O KpaR npm 4,2, 77 H 300 K, a TaHlKe n p~ rmHpocTaTmsecKHx eEmeHmeM AIIBIVC? c lunpn~oii a a n p e~u e~~o i i ~O H~I 2,409,2,404 H 2,33 eV IIPH 4 , 2 , 7 7 illgSiP, 6~1~1 3~0 K TaKoBoMy AJIR apyrmx (POCQHAOB AIIBIVC;. rIpennonaraeTcfi, YTO npeACTaBJIeHb1 pe3yJIbTaTbI HCCJIeAOBaHHR CIIeKTpOB IIorJIo~eHHfi H MAB n o r n o 4 e~~f i ElaBJIeHIIFIX A 0 770 MPa. YCTaHOBJIeHO, 9 T O MgSiP, FlBJIFleTCR IICeBAOIIpFlM030HHbIM CO-II 300 I< COOTBeTCTBeHHO. KO3$l$lHIiHeHT na%JIeHHfi IIIHpHHbI 3aIIpeIUeHHOfi 30HbI PaBeH -2 X eV/MPa. CIIHH-Op6uTaJIbHOe PaCUeIIJIeHHe BepIIIHHbI BaJIeHTHOa 30HbI dcr B MgSiP, OTpHUaTeJIbHO.