Tuesday 10 July 2012

Shakespeare's Surprising Psalm

Some people claim that William Shakespeare assisted with the poetry of the psalms when they were translated for the King James Bible.

Their evidence rests on an interesting coincidence - or else Shakespeare secretly embedded his name in a psalm.

It is a surprise to find that the following is actually true.  If you go to psalm 46, and count from the beginning, the 46th word is 'shake'.  Counting back from the end, the 46th word is 'spear'.

See for yourself.  Psalm 46:
  1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
  3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
  4. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
  5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
  6. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
  7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
    Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
  8. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
  9. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
  10. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 
Numerology is everywhere!

Small note:  'Selah' is sometimes translated as something like the more familiar Alleluia, if that makes more sense.

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