Your Bible trivia questions answered by Phil Logos...

What is the middle verse of the Bible?

Answer: Psalm 103:1 and Psalm 103:2

Many trivia enthusiasts and curious minds often find themselves pondering questions related to various aspects of the Bible, such as its longest word or the middle verse. While Psalm 118:8 has been widely believed to be the middle verse of the Bible, this article will explore why this claim is erroneous and shed light on the true middle verse(s) of the Bible.

The Myth of Psalm 118:8

Psalm 118:8 has been widely circulated as the middle verse of the Bible, particularly in the context of the King James Version (KJV). The verse reads, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” The claim is based on the assumption that the Bible’s structure is perfectly symmetrical, with an equal number of verses before and after Psalm 118:8. However, this assumption is incorrect, and the actual number of verses in the KJV does not support this claim.

The True Middle Verse(s) of the Bible

In the King James Version of the Bible, there are a total of 31,102 verses, with the Old Testament containing 23,145 verses and the New Testament consisting of 7,957 verses. Given that the total number of verses is even, there cannot be a single middle verse. Instead, there are two middle verses: Psalm 103:1 and Psalm 103:2. These verses read as follows:

Psalm 103:1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

Why Psalm 118:8 is Not the Middle Verse

The misconception surrounding Psalm 118:8 as the middle verse of the Bible likely stems from a miscounting of the verses or the inclusion of additional verses in certain translations, resulting in an uneven number of total verses. However, when considering the accurate verse count in the King James Version, it becomes evident that Psalm 118:8 cannot be the middle verse.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize that various Bible translations and editions may have slight differences in their verse counts due to factors such as translation methodology, textual variants, or editorial decisions. Consequently, the middle verse(s) might differ across translations, making it essential to verify the verse count for each specific translation when determining the middle verse(s).

Conclusion

While the myth of Psalm 118:8 being the middle verse of the Bible has persisted, an accurate examination of the King James Version reveals that the true middle verses are Psalm 103:1 and Psalm 103:2. This example highlights the importance of verifying claims related to the Bible’s structure and content. By recognizing that various Bible translations and editions may have differing verse counts, we can avoid perpetuating misconceptions and instead promote a more accurate understanding of this sacred text.