Words of Current Interest

The words in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY designated to be read in Christian Science churches on December 7, 1969.

The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name (Ps. 89:12)

Briggs refers to these two mountains as "the chief mountain peaks of the Holy Land, Tabor commanding the great plain of Esdraelon, and Hermon, the giant of Lebanon, commanding the greater part of the entire land, representatives therefore of the mountains."

The light of thy countenance (Ps. 89:15)

The Hebrew word panim does mean "face" or "countenance," but was often employed in many figurative senses, including "person, regard, presence, favor"; while the word translated "light" often has specific reference to the light of day, or, to sunshine. Hence an alternative rendering would be, "the sunshine of Thy presence."

The strength of the hills (Ps. 95:4)

The Hebrew word rendered "strength" is in the plural, having the literal meaning of "peaks" or "heights," which thus contrast most naturally with the "deep places of the earth," mentioned in the previous clause.

Above the heavens (Ps. 8:1)

The Hebrew preposition 'al, here translated "above," is used in a wide variety of senses. Another rendering would be "upon," and in that case the thought of the Psalmist might well be that God's glory had been emblazoned on the heavens by means of the heavenly bodies. Of. the familiar reference in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God."

Every man walketh in a vain shew (Ps. 39:6)

The word here rendered "vain hew" had the more literal meaning of "image"; used metaphorically, it may mean "a mere semblance." Moffatt suggests, "Man's busy life indeed is but a phantom." "Shew" is an archaic spelling of "show."

His reward is with him, and his work before him (Isa. 40:10)

The Hebrew noun pe'ullali (work) can also mean recompense (or wages)—the thought apparently being that wages are earned by work. This alternative rendering provides a close parallel to the "reward" mentioned earlier.

Not one faileth (Isa. 40:26)

A more literal rendering of the Hebrew would be, "None was lacking." Smith translates, "Not one is missing"; Moffatt has, "Not one fails to appear."

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Signs of the Times

November 29, 1969

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