Article May 31, 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 June 8, 1941.]

"Thou King of saints" (Rev. 15:3)—Manuscript authority is divided on the question of the correct form of the word which is here rendered "saints." On the whole, the form best attested would seem to be not "hagion" (saints) but "aionion" (ages), which is found in several important codices, while another well-attested reading is "ethnon" (nations). Goodspeed favors: "King of Ages"; but Moffatt: "King of nations."

"It is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely" (Ps. 147:1)—Moffatt renders the complete verse as follows: "Praise the Eternal, for he is good; make melody to our God, for he is gracious;" while Smith prefers: "Hallelujah! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious; praise befits him."

"His understanding is infinite" (Ps. 147:5)—The strictly literal meaning of the phrase as set down in the original language of the Old Testament is: "His understanding has no number," from which the thought of infinitude can readily be deduced. It may well be, however, that the Psalmist intended to stress the contrast between "the number of the stars" (verse 4) and the divine understanding, which "has no number." Moffatt suggests: "His wisdom is unsearchable."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

I am a student of Christian Science because I witnessed...