Did Shakespeare Leave His Mark on the Bible?

Scholars differ about Shakespeare’s contribution to the translation of the King James Version of the Bible. Some believe he was a contributing writer. Others insist he was just one of King James’ closest friends. It is interesting, however, to conjecture whether the KJV translators or the bard himself slipped Shakespeare’s name into Psalm 46.
William was 46 when the King James Version of the Bible was translated. If you examine Psalm 46 in the KJV and count forward to the 46th word, you come to the word “shake,” and if you count 46 words from the end of Psalm 46, you come to the word “spear.”
It is interesting to conjecture whether Shakespeare left his mark on the Bible, but in the final analysis the matter lacks eternal significance. What is eternally significant is whether the Bible leaves its mark on us. After all, God gave the Bible to show us how to enter into a peaceful, eternal relationship with Him (2 Timothy 3:15). He also gave the Bible to instruct us in righteousness and to equip us for a spiritually productive life (verses 16, 17).
You and I may be the only Bibles some people read. Let’s live in such a way that they read a clear message about our Savior.

“But his delight in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:2, 3).


P.S. Fly the flag today! Let’s show the world we are proud to be “one nation under God” and determined to “let freedom ring.”

copyright 2007 James Dyet




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