psalms

Psalm 117 the Shortest Psalm in the Bible

In my research for this post I discovered a fair number of divergent opinions on the exact number of verses and chapters in the Bible. There are many good reasons for this — including the many variations of modern translations of the Bible.

Compare the text shown in the photo with the text below. It is different. The original King James Version (KJV) which was completed in 1611 is considered the most authoritative of the English translations in use today. It is the basis of the figures quoted here.

Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm in the Bible
Some noteworthy and remarkable facts are floating around in my head regarding Psalm 117.

There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. The very center chapter of the Bible is the 595th chapter. This is Psalm 117 which also happens to be the shortest of Psalms or chapters in the Bible.

Psalm 117

1. O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him all ye people.

2. For his merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.

What about verses? According to Snopes, there are 31,174 verses in the Bible. So, being an even number, the 15,587th and 15,588th verses are the central verses. They are verse 8 and 9 in Psalm 118. The notation for verse 9 in Psalm 118 is Psalms 118:9, which is the total number of chapters in the Bible, 1189. These two verses read:

Psalm 118

8. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

9. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

The very next Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible. What does it mean? I don’t know, but I find it interesting none the less. Photo Credit: Dit’s Photography


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7 responses to “Psalm 117 the Shortest Psalm in the Bible”

  1. Maggie Avatar
    Maggie

    Greetings John

    I found your blog this morning whilst looking up the shortest verse. I enjoyed reading
    through the comments but not surprised at what others said about the authorised KJV .
    Psalm 12 tells us that the Word was purified seven times it also tell us that His Word
    never changes . As He is the Word . He changeth not. So many trust man and their
    interpretation rather than God’s Word.

    I felt I wanted to share that with you.
    Maggie

  2. Michael Watson Avatar
    Michael Watson

    I disagree with your assertion that the KJV is considered to be the most authorative version around today. As it is over 400 years old, it does not include any of the theological research that has been completed in that time.

    For example, that the original Greek was not classic Greek as presumed by the translators 400 years ago, but Koine Greek. More modern translations include this and other theological and linguistic advances and as such are closer to the original intent of the authors and therefore more reliable and authoritative.

    1. William Ball Avatar
      William Ball

      Agreed. While the KJV had an incalculable influence on the English language, in many ways establishing a more common form of spoken and written English which could be used throughout the kingdom, it is not the most accurate or helpful. It is strange how many cling to it as the only authoritative source. One would have to examine what is meant by “authoritative” . . .

  3. simuler un pret immobilier Avatar
    simuler un pret immobilier

    très bon blog!! ces infos sont très utiles! merci beaucoup. 🙂

    1. John Avatar

      Heureux que vous ayez apprécié

  4. defiscalisation forum Avatar
    defiscalisation forum

    j’aime beaucoup ce blog car j’ai trouvé des informations très utiles! merci beaucoup. 🙂

    1. John Avatar

      Je suis content que ça vous plaira.

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