Article June 12, 1937 Issue

Bible Notes

"For his mercy endureth for ever" (Ps. 136:1)—The Hebrew term "chesed" has a much wider meaning than can be represented by the use of any one English word such as "mercy." In our Authorized Version it is sometimes rendered "goodness" (Hos. 6:4) or "lovingkindness" (Hos. 2:19), and includes the ideas of "kindliness, tenderness, loyalty and love." Consequently, Moffatt sometimes renders it as "love" (e.g., in Hos. 6:6), but in Psalms 136:1, and other passages, "His kindness never fails;" just as Smith has: "His kindness is everlasting." George Adam Smith renders the word "chesed" as "leal love" (cf. Book of the Twelve Prophets: Vol. I, p. 265).

"The counsel of the Lord ... the thoughts of his heart" (Ps. 33:11)—Another possible rendering of the word here translated "counsel" would be "design" or "purpose" (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 420). Smith suggests: "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart throughout the ages;" Moffatt: "The Eternal's purpose stands for ever, and what he plans will last from age to age;" and Kent; "Jehovah's counsel standeth forever, the plans of his mind from all generations."

"Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me" (Isa. 45:11)—The Hebrew text of this verse can be read as implying a command (as in our Common Version) or, alternatively, as a question. In consequence, Smith renders: "Will you question me concerning my children, or give me orders regarding the work of my hands?" while Moffatt suggests: "Would you question me about the future? Would you dictate to me about my work?"

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