The Center of the Bible

~ Maybe Not What You Think ~

Where is the center of the Bible? In the last post I mentioned the significance of Isaiah 53 and pointed out it can be considered the heart of the Bible as it contains the core message of the Bible! There are other ways to determine the center of the Bible. What follows is one of the more common determinations of the center of the Bible.

DISCLAIMER: It is relevant to mention two things: (1) All calculations are based on the Authorized Version (widely referred to as the King James Version). (2) Chapter and verse divisions were not inserted into the Bible until 1205 and are not divinely inspired in the same manner as Scripture.

Psalm 118

Psalm 118 was Martin Luther’s favorite psalm. It begins by giving thanks to the LORD and comes full circle, ending with the same message of giving thanks to the LORD.

It is also a messianic psalm—a psalm which speaks of the coming Messiah. Verse 22 begins a reference to the coming of Christ.

Psalm 118:28 contains the greatest statement that anyone can make, “Thou art my God.”

Psalm 118 is widely reported to be the central chapter of the Bible—but is it?

Psalm 117

Psalm 117 with just two verses is the shortest chapter in the Bible and is a good summary of what the entire Bible has to say to mankind. “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.”

There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible and there are 594 chapters before Psalm 117 and 594 chapters after it. Psalm 117 is the center chapter of the Bible.

Center Verses: Psalm 118:8-9

The central verse of the Bible is often stated as Psalm 118:8. To be more precise, there are 31,174 verses in the Bible—an even number of verses and therefore no one center verse. Rather the center verses are Psalm 118:8-9.

What is the message of these pivotal two verses? “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”

This coincides nicely with the message of 118:28 mentioned previously. If God is truly our God, then we should put all our trust in Him as these central verses state. If all Christians always kept that principle in mind, what a better place this world would be!

In summary, the central verses and the central chapter of the Bible contain central truths of the Bible! These central concepts are relevant guides to every aspect of the daily lives of all Christians everywhere.

CONTEMPLATE: This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book! (author unknown)