Center of the Bible

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

Lately, I received this e-mail …

Did you know:

Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible?

1. Psalm 117, before Psalm 118 is the shortest chapter in the Bible?


2. Psalm 119, after Psalm 118 is the longest chapter in the Bible?


3. The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118?


4. If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters?


5. 1188 or Psalm 118 verse 8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible?

Should the central verse not have an important message? "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." - Psalm 118:8

Over the years, I’ve read or hear a few studies on special number, verse or word sequences within the Bible. I’ve always thought that this was interesting that the books of the bible were written without chapter or verses, (they were added later), so where was the middle then? Not to mention in written in Hebrew & Greek, not English, so how many words are in those versions? Here's the important it. The Bible is not just a book written by men thousands of years ago (as those in unbelief claim), but is “the Book” (which is the actual definition of the word Bible) written by God– the very Word of God, penned by the Holy Spirit, through inspired men. I have not checked into the authenticity of which book, chapter and verse is the exact center of the Bible, but one thing is for sure: The Bible is about the promised Messiah of God, the Son of God sacrificed as an atonement of inequity, the Redeemer of sinful mankind, the free gift by the mercy & grace of the Creator of the Universe unto forgiveness, salvation, restoration and eternal life is given through the Savior of the world; it is about Jesus Christ. And though many controversial issues seem to be majoring on minor points and knit-picking the negotiable in biblical interpretation and maters, this verse : Psalm 118:8 nails the central issue.

John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Romans 6:23 confirm that it is in the Lord that we need to trust and take refuge; not in worldly and sinful mankind. What verse is exactly in the center of the Bible? I’m not sure of that, but infinitely more important, I know who is my Lord and Savior, who I trust and take refuge in. Who is in the center of our life? Jesus. Holy Scripture verses like John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Romans 6:23 affirm this. And in the center, just to the left or a little to the right, Psalm 118:8 is a great verse from the Word of God. Let’s always remember to keep the main thing, the main thing.

2 Timothy 3:15 "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

In Christ, Brian