[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

OOPS: This was posted in error in this thread as I had intended to start a new thread on the 23rd Psalm. I don't know how to delete posts when posted to the wrong thread. Sorry about that !


One of my favorite personal prayers is the very insightful 23rd Psalm, which I repeat many times a day and actually use it to time my yoga postures. (I say the 23rd Psalm when I start certain postures, and move on to the next posture once the 23rd Psalm is completed.)

There was one passage that somewhat troubled me for a while, but my difficulties with it were all completely resolved at a Quaker meeting of all places.

"Thou preparest a place before me in the presence of mine enemies."

Initially, I attributed that to possibly a poor translation as the statement definitely not resonate with me. Now, however, after the Quaker meeting, it makes complete sense and resonates completely.

During the Quaker meeting, which is observed in complete silence for those who are unfamiliar with Quaker services, an elder stood up halfway through the service with a very insightful comment. (If some one is inspired to speak, they can stand up and speak whatever inspiration came during the silent meditative service.)

He said that a passage in the 23rd Psalm had long puzzled him: "Thou preparest a place for me in the presence of mine enemies". He mentioned that he had no enemies so he was not sure what the passage really meant. However, he added, upon meditative reflection, he realized that he DID INDEED have enemies: Pride, lust, anger, greed, gluttony, envy, sloth. He then interpreted the passage to mean that he was placed in the presence of these internal "enemies" so that he could overcome them.

While the whole 23rd Psalm is very meaningful to me, that particular passage took on a very deep positive meaning for me after that Quaker spoke out during the otherwise silent service. I have never forgotten that ! Years later, I saw him at another Quaker service and reminded him of how his meditative statement had had such a lasting impact of me. He remembered that day and indicated that it was a major breakthrough for him as well since he had been contemplating that passage for years before the breakthrough.

I just thought that I would share that here, and I'm curious if anyone has alternative interpretations of that particular passage. If you want to discuss any of the other passage in that Psalm, it would be most welcome as I consider that Psalm to be a Spiritual Masterpiece.

֍ When I hear 23rd Psalm; I double it - 46th Psalm. ֎


It begins with a flowing charisma “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea......”

and then in the King James Bible I look at the 46th word which is "shake"and then I look at the 46th word counting from the last word backwards which is "spear". Put the two words together and you get Shakespear.

A valid explanation is that some people believe that William Shakespeare did not write almost none, if not none of the works associated with him. His literary works bring out all the various personalities of mankind, something that many claim can not be done by one single person. There appears to be evidence to support that many people were responsible for writing the many literary works attributed to William Shakespeare. Some believe that Francis Bacon may have been the main person instrumental in bringing many writers together in which they were able to express the many personalities and situations found in the writings. Incidentally, Francis Bacon held many titles, and played many roles. During King James’s reign, the same King that brought about the King James Bible. He held the important position as Solicitor General and was a direct adviser to the King on national matters. He was not part of the Privy Council, the council involved in bringing about the King James Authorized Bible, but he could have influenced the council on how the Bible was to be translated. If so, he could have ‘hidden’ this little secret in a coded fashion for people of the future to try to unravel. What is interesting is that the King James Authorized Version of the Bible was finished in 1610 and then printed in 1611. William Shakespear was 46 years old when this Bible was finally translated. What is even more interesting is that no other translations have placed these two words in the same place.