Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX. I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.
The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.
If you want to know more, click on the following links.
- Why Christians Should Prefer the Septuagint over the Masoretic Text.
- Some Insights Gained through Comparing the Masoretic Text to the Septuagint
- More side by side comparisons of the Masoretic Text (MT) to the Septuagint (LXX).
| Masoretic Text | Septuagint | Significance |
|
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. Psalm 29:1–2 (NASB95) |
1 Bring to the Lord, O children of God, bring to the Lord offspring of rams. Bring to the Lord glory and honor. 2 Bring to the Lord glory in his name. Worship the Lord in his holy court. Psalm 28:1–2 (LES2) |
The Hebrew word yahab is translated as “ascribe” in the MT in verse 1. It call also mean “to give, come, place, or provide.” Ascribe fits what follows in the MT, but the LXX uses the Greek word phero, which means “to carry or bring.” The MT says to ascribe to God glory and strength, but the LXX says to bring the offspring of rams, as well as glory and honor. The MT says to worship God wearing holy adornment, but the LXX says to worship him in his holy court. |
|
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. Psalm 29:3–6 (NASB95) |
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. The God of glory thundered. The Lord is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is in strength; the voice of the Lord is in majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord who breaks cedars; the Lord crushes the cedars of Lebanon. 6 And he will crush them, even Lebanon, as the young bull, and the beloved will be as the offspring of the unicorn. Psalm 28:3–6 (LES2) |
If one accepts the cosmology of Genesis and the Bible as a whole, we understand that God separated the waters above from the waters below when he created the solid dome of the firmament. (Genesis 1:6) Psalm 104:2, in the LXX says: 2 throwing off light as a garment, stretching the heavens as a cloak; 3 the one who covers his upper parts with waters, the one who places clouds as his steps, the one who walks about upon the wings of the wind, Psalm 103:2–3 (LES2) The Greek word for “cloak” is deppis, which means “leather covering or curtain” – a tent. “Upper parts” is from the Greek huperoon, which means and “upstairs room or attic.” Literally, the Greek says “who roofs his upper room with waters.” This agrees with the MT’s rendering to some extent. 2 Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; Psalm 104:2–3 (NASB95) If we believe that God’s Word is literally true, except where it is obvious that we should interpret it symbolically, we will take these words as a description of reality, not mere poetry. Doing so will require that we reject many of the theoretical claims of modern astrophysics, which denies the truth of the Bible. What is my point? In the LXX and the MT, David here describes God’s glorious voice resounding or thundering from heaven upon the waters. What a glorious picture of the heavenly reality! In verse 6, the MT says that God makes Lebanon skip like a calf, but the LXX says that he will crush Lebanon, which fits the previous analogies. Sirion is another name for Mt. Hermon, which the MT says will skip like a young wild ox (Hebrew – reem). The LXX is quite different. It says the “beloved” will be as the son of the “monokeros” or single-horned beast, which could have been a rhinoceros. The idea in both the MT and LXX is that this was a powerful animal. Who is this “beloved”? It seems that it is perhaps a veiled reference to Christ, son of the almighty Father. The horn of God’s authority is unmatched. (1 Samuel 2:10, Psalm 18:2) |
|
7 The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, “Glory!” Psalm 29:7–9 (NASB95) |
7 The voice of the Lord who cuts through a flame of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord who makes the desert tremble; the Lord will shake the desert of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord who creates deer and will uncover woods. In his temple everyone says, “Glory!” Psalm 28:7–9 (LES2) |
This passage essentially agrees. |
|
10 The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:10–11 (NASB95) |
10 The Lord establishes the flood, and the Lord will sit as King for eternity. 11 The Lord will give strength to his people. The Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 28:10–11 (LES2) |
Both the MT and LXX agree that God was king over the Noahic flood and will remain king forever. This passage shows agreement in both versions. |
Summary: There are some interesting and important differences between the MT and LXX in this psalm, as well as passages that agree. The most striking difference, as noted above, is in the last part of verse 6.
