| BEFORE 1970 Latin Vulgate/Douay Rheims Versions: Psalm 42 | AFTER 1970 Modern English Translations: Psalm 43 |
Why is this change important?
The Catholic Church has used the Septuagint/Vulgate numbering (inherited from St. Jerome’s 4th-century Latin Vulgate) for over 1600 years. The shift to Masoretic numbering happened shortly after Vatican II, driven primarily by those trying to accommodate others who who disagree with St. Jerome and the Septuagint. This appears to be a disguised apology from those Catholics who are either insecure in their faith or malefactors actively trying to undermine it. In effect saying “We apologize for our forefathers who got it wrong for 1600 years”. Sadly, this is typical of the “doormat” version of Christianity illustrated by those who fold whenever there is the controversy. It is good to try find common ground with those with whom we disagree, but no lasting unity is possible without being built on the foundation of truth.
Additional Notes
Pope Leo XII said “To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe. The only ones who win when Christians stay quiet are the enemies of truth. The silence of Catholics is particularly disturbing because frequently a few bold words would have vanquished the false ideas… Christians are born for combat” and need to be “professing openly and unflinchingly the Catholic doctrine”.