28 July 2006

The Irish Psalter: Open to Psalm 84 (Not 83)

A few days ago, an early medieval psalter was found in an Irish bog. It was reported to have been open to Psalm 83, which apparently it was. The hard core Christians went wild.

But it was Psalm 83 of the Latin Vulgate Bible, not of the Protestant versions (such as the KJV or NIV), which number the Psalms differently. Psalm 83 of the Vulgate is Psalm 84 of the King James.

What a difference a chapter can make!

Psalm 83 (of the KJV) contains these verses.

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

What a fine coincidence it was, too -- a clear message from God about the end times to come. Here's how the excited and credulous "Live From" CNN host, Kyra Phillips, introduces the topic.

So dig this. A man was bulldozing a bog in central Ireland the other day when he noticed something unusual in the freshly turned soil. Turns out he'd unearthed an early medieval treasure: an ancient book of Psalms that experts date to the years 800 to 1000. Experts say it will take years of painstaking work to document and preserve this book, but eventually it will go on public display.

Now here's the kicker. The book, about 20 pages of Latin script, was allegedly found opened to Psalm 83. Now, if you're a scholar, as you know, Psalm 83: "God hears complaints that other nations are plotting to wipe out the name of Israel."

But shucks! It wasn't Psalm 83 after all, but the very boring Psalm 84. Here is the verse (7) that the Psalter was open to.

Transeuntes in valle fletus fontem ponent eam (In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.)

But don't despair, hard core Christians. There is still a way to interpret this verse as a warning from God about the coming destruction. It's all laid out clearly in Hot Air.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not that we don't fear death nor the future, that we don't value life itself.
Take a look around you and see how Christians live, we try to live in harmony with nature and respect all other people. What makes you think we would start a war?
Bless you.

Anonymous said...

Regardless of the ancient page found opened. Regarless of what Christians say. There is no other book (like the Bible) that tells the future of a nation (and nations) before hand with such authority. Israel is the only nation I know of that has been dead and gone for 2000 years and then came back to life just as predicted in Ezekiel 37 (written 571 BC). In addition to resurecting a whole nation, their language, writting and culture have been brought back to life. You may not like the supernatural starring you in the face every day as it leaps off the front page of your news paper but fasten your seat belt because more confirmation is on the way!

Unknown said...

Romans 14:13- Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Living through True Christian faith, is summed up as this, follow the Ten commandments and avoid the seven deadly sins. The seven deadly sins all together amount to "hate" for ones self and for others. Within the ten commandments, is "thou shalt not kill". If you live for Jesus/God through the bible/God's word, and not through other people's perspective of it(false prophets), then there is not to be war/hate or even disrespect for any of our brethren, no matter who you are. Only forgiveness. For, all religions of the world contain "Extremists" per say, Even atheism. So we cannot persecute the many for the faults of the few who follow the wrong path claiming the name of God.

Matthew 7:
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Furthermore, and for the sake of example,... I live in the United States of America. Founded as a Christian nation. Accepting of all as citizens, so long as its through the proper channels. The American constitution and amendments there in, were written under God's law(one nation,under God). These laws were written, keeping the bible in mind,.. giving us freedom of religion, expression, speech, etc., not to be manipulated, as it is now, for one's personal gain, self worth or against someone else. Americans are slowly removing God from all aspects of itself. There is why America is at war, even within itself. Also, FYI, God is the same God for the Christians, Muslims or Jews.(Allah means God) The main difference is in the debate on who is the messiah,... Jesus, The Prophet Muhammad or if he is yet to come. Any hate for any of these religions is based in ignorance, AKA lack of knowledge, and ignorance is no excuse. Hope this helps u. Seek him through his word, for, i am a warrior of God.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

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