Article April 5, 1941 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. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on April 13, 1941.]

"The Lord is the strength of my life" (Ps. 27:1)—The Hebrew word which is translated "strength" in this verse can also mean "a place of safety," and so "a refuge" or "a fortress." As a consequence, Smith prefers the translation: "The Lord is the refuge of my life;" and the Greek Version had "the defender."

"Who redeemeth thy life from destruction" (Ps. 103:4)—A literal rendering of the original would be "from the pit" ("the pit" being a term used by the Hebrews to describe the supposed subterranean dwelling of the departed); or, as one might put it in more modern terms, "from the grave" or "from death." The sixteenth century Genevan Version had: "which redeemeth thy life from the grave;" and Moffatt renders it: "He saves your life from death."

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