The Skeptics Annotated Bible (466 page)

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

(103.11-17) God has mercy on those that fear him.
132 Should we fear God?

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so
great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

(103.11)
“Great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so
the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

(103.13)
“The LORD pitieth them that fear him.”

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But
the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him
, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

(103.17) “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him.”

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

1
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:
who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain
:

(104.1-2) “God … who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain.” Galileo cited this verse in his “Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina” saying, “Astronomers seem to declare what is contrary to Scripture, for they hold the heavens to be spherical, while the Scripture calls it ‘stretched out like a curtain.’” He argued, following Augustine, that the Church should avoid interpreting such passages in a way that might later conflict with scientific understanding. Unfortunately, the Church did not take his advice.

Of course Galileo was right about Psalm 104.1-2. The heavens are not stretched out like a curtain, and today nearly all Christians take Galileo’s advice and ignore the passage, interpret it metaphorically, or make it say something other than what it clearly says.

3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

(104.5)
“Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.”
God set the earth on firm foundations “that it should not be moved for ever.”
147 Will the earth last forever?

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment:
the waters stood above the mountains.

(104.6)
“The waters stood above the mountains.”
Noah’s flood covered the highest mountains, just like it says in Genesis 7.20.

7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.

11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

15 And
wine that maketh glad the heart of man
, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

(104.15)
“Wine that maketh glad the heart of man.”
71 Is it OK to drink alcohol?

16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

21
The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

(104.21) “The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.” God gives the lions their meat. The cruelty and brutality of nature are all part of God’s plan.

22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.