Article April 27, 1935 Issue

Bible Notes

"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged" (Prov. 16:6)—The Hebrew word "chesed" can be rendered "mercy," as here and inPsalms 89:14, but the connotation of the term is much broader than is suggested by that single translation. In Psalms 89:33, and many other passages, the word "chesed" is translated "lovingkindness," while it also means "love, kindness, benevolence, good-will, favor, benefit, grace, piety, beauty" (see Feyera-bend: Hebrew Lexicon). It may be added that the term translated "iniquity" comes from a root which suggests "erring" or "wandering" from the true path (cf. Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p.730), and has sometimes been translated "perversity."

"Who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?" (Ps. 89:8)—In the original the phrase rendered "a strong Lord" follows "who is like unto thee," and is similar in appearance to a word meaning "thy lovingkindness" ("chesed"—cf. Prov. 16:6); and Moffatt concludes that the latter word formed the original reading—hence his translation: "Who can compare with thee, in all thy love and faithfulness?"

"With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him" (Ps. 89:21)—In Bible the "arm" is constantly used in a metaphorical sense, and, when thus employed, it has been referred to as denoting "influence, power, means of support, or conquest," and especially "the power of God to redeem, judge, protect, punish" (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, p. 246). The "hand," and especially the "right hand." is employed in a closely similar sense.

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