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 January 22, 1967.

I have laid help upon one that is mighty (Ps. 89:19)

Many Hebrew scholars feel that instead of the form 'ZR (help) we should read the closely similar term NZR, which means "crown." Consequently Smith translates, "I have placed a diadem upon a warrior"; and Moffatt, "I have crowned a hero." It may be added that the concluding phrase of the verse, "I have exalted one chosen out of the people," forms a logical parallel to the crowning of the mighty one.

Amen, and Amen (Ps. 89:52)

(a'men'—a as in ace, e as in end; often a'men'—a as in arm, e as in end—always in singing). The word occurs in many languages, and its repetition, as in this verse, would imply emphasis. Moffatt suggests, "Even so, even so!" The Hebrew root with which Amen is connected implies stability, faith, constancy and truth.

On thee do I wait (Ps. 25:5)

The verb rendered "wait" also has the meaning of "look eagerly for." Smith has, "For thee do I long continually," while the early Genevan Version gives the rendering, "In thee doe [sic] I trust all the day."

The horn of my salvation (Ps. 18:2)

The word "horn" is repeatedly used in the Old Testament, and sometimes in the New (cf. Luke 1:69), in the figurative sense of power or strength. The symbolism is derived from the use of the horns of certain animals for offensive purposes.

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isa. 40:3)

The verb rendered "make straight" was often used in the sense of "to make level" or "to make smooth." Moffatt translates, "Level a highroad for our God across the desert."

Recuperative

(re-ku' per-a'tiv—first e as in event, second as in maker, u as in cube, a as in ace, i as in is; or -a-tiv—a as in sofa, i as in is). Tending to recovery; restorative.

Coasts of Cæsarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13)

(ses' a-re' a—first e as in end, second as in eve; both a's as in sofa; fi-lip'i—first i as in charity, second as in is, third as in ice). In this context "coasts" means "regions," not "seacoasts." Cæsarea Philippi lay some 30 miles from the Mediterranean and 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.

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