Posted on 07/25/2006 12:21:17 PM PDT by lunarbicep
IRELAND'S national museum today hailed what it said was one of the most significant discoveries in decades - and perhaps centuries - after an ancient prayer book was found by chance in an Irish bog.
The National Museum of Ireland said fragments of what appeared to be an ancient Psalter or Book of Psalms, written around AD 800, were uncovered by a bulldozer in a bog in the south Midlands.
"In discovery terms this Irish equivalent to the Dead Sea Scrolls is being hailed by the Museum's experts as the greatest find ever from a European bog," the museum said in a statement.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the mid 20th century, are considered to be of enormous religious and historical significance since they include some of the earliest known surviving Biblical documents.
The Irish discovery, recovered from bogland last Friday, comprises extensive fragments of what is thought to be an Irish Early Christian Psalter, written on vellum, a fine animal skin parchment.
"In my wildest hopes, I could only have dreamed of a discovery as fragile and rare as this," Museum Director Pat Wallace said, adding it was not so much the fragments themselves, but what they represented, that was of such "staggering" importance.
"It testifies to the incredible richness of the Early Christian civilisation of this island and to the greatness of ancient Ireland," he said.
The museum said it did not know how the manuscript ended up in the bog.
"It may have been lost in transit or dumped after a raid, possibly more than a thousand to twelve hundred years ago."
Part of Psalm 83, a lament to God over other nations' attempts to wipe out Israel, is legible but the museum said the extent to which other Psalms or additional texts are preserved would only be determined by lengthy work by a team of experts.
Bernard Meehan, Head of Manuscripts at Trinity College Dublin, who was invited to advise on the context and background of the manuscript, said he believed it was the first discovery of an Irish Early Medieval manuscript in two centuries.
Initial impressions placed the composition date of the manuscript at about AD 800, a time of Viking raids in Ireland.
"In discovery terms this Irish equivalent to the Dead Sea Scrolls is being hailed by the Museum's experts as the greatest find ever from a European bog," the museum said in a statement.
What if I were to tell you that next to the prayerbook was found a boarding ticket for Al & Alma's Lake Minnetonka Cruise? Hmmmmm?
Vikings don't use boarding tickets for their cruises...they just take the boat. Therefore, a boarding ticket to any cruise on Lake Minnetonka would be pure fabrication!
There was also found disgusting preserved pickled fish.
That can mean only two things: Vikings or Jews (and the Jews wouldn't have left this behind).
Ok, now I've got some concerns...this must be investigated further.
Some of the nations listed in Psalm 83:
Edom [Jordan]
Moab [Jordan]
Ammon [Jordan]
Assyria [Syria]
Philistia [Gaza]
Tyre [Lebanon]
Disclaimer: Current locations determined by a quick eyeballing of the map. Still - gives me chills too!
a lament to God over other nations' attempts to wipe out Israel.
Interesting that THIS passage should manifest itself at this time...
= = = =
INDEED.
I'm of the opinion that God will be highlighting such facts and issues all the more as HE sets up evil to be 100% trounced and eradicated after some vivid preliminary object lessons for all creation to observe.
Perhaps that's what so many representatives from "all creation" are doing dinking around with and observing our little globe . . . being attracted here so that they are witness for the concluding object lessons/festivities.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee.my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind... My God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
= = =
INDEED!
LET GOD ARISE!
And His enemies be scattered!
Incredibly apt.
= = =
INDEED!
Particularly for those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
This is the eeriest discovery I've ever heard of, especially given current events. It actually sends chills up my spine.
= = = =
PRAISE GOD for your spiritual sensitivity and great reality testing!
God's best to you and yours in this most INERESTING of eras.
So true. Now why don't the Irish get some cojones (don't know the Gaelic), get an Army and go fight for Israel.
It is extremely relevant to what is going on in the Middle East right now.
= = = =
For sure. And it boggles my mind to the max that any Believer could read Scripture--and a current news text and think otherwise.
The Internet is the samizdat of liberty
= = =
And may the net long be so . . . as long as possible.
Then God had to go a create whiskey and it was all downhill from there.
Actually, some Jews believe the Irish are the "lost tribe."
Thanks. That old text was very edifying and oddly encouraging to me just now. Much appreciated.
Rabbis around the world are calling for the saying of this Psalm at 6:00 p.m. Israeli time every day, along with 130 and 142.
Any pics?
>>
For sure. And it boggles my mind to the max that any Believer could read Scripture--and a current news text and think otherwise.<<
I agree.
As I mentioned...I have been listening to Psalms on my iPod, and it is almost like listening to a conservative commentator taling about today's headlines (only more profound, of course, since it's Scripture).
I have read Psalms MANY times, and never has it just about screamed its relevance to the Middle East.
God is really speaking to us through His Word right now (as always, of course), if we'll listen.
I wish everyone reading this would consider getting their Bibles and going through Psalms again. It will affect you.
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