Article July 20, 1940 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?" (Ps. 89:8)—In the original Hebrew, the phrase which is here rendered "a strong Lord" follows that which is translated "Who is like unto thee?" and is closely similar in appearance to the word rendered "mercies" in verse 1. Moffatt appears to feel that the latter word formed the original reading at this point, for he offers this translation: "Who can compare with thee, in all thy love and faithfulness?" Smith prefers to render: "O Lord, God of hosts, who is strong like thee, O Lord? And thy faithfulness is round about thee."

"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne" (Ps. 89:14)—The Hebrew term which is here translated "habitation" means more literally "foundation," "fixed or established place." Hence Moffatt translates: "Thy throne rests upon equity and justice;" and Smith has: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne."

"In thy favour our horn shall be exalted" (Ps. 89:17)—Among the early Hebrews the "horn" was constantly referred to as a symbol expressing the thought of power or might, and because of this, "to exalt one's horn" was practically equivalent to "to increase (or heighten) one's power or prestige." Briggs translates: "By thy favour Thou exaltest our horn," and then adds, by way of an explanatory note, "The horn of the nation, its honour and dignity in their king." Moffatt brings out the general sense of the passage by rendering: "Thanks to thy favour, our honour is high."

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