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Critics of the Bible have often said that the writings of Genesis reflect an “unscientific view” of the universe—one that reflected the cosmology of the ancient world. One of these criticisms centers on the Hebrew word raqia used in the creation account of Genesis 1. Several Bible versions, such as the New King James, translate this word as firmament: Genesis 1:6–8, NJKV Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from...

The Daily Psalms: Wednesday Douay Rheims Version   MATINS: First Nocturn   Psalm 44Eructavit Cor Meus The excellence of Christ's kingdom, and the endowments of his Church. 1 Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the sons of Core, for understanding. A canticle for the Beloved. 2 MY heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the king: My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly. 3 Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; therefore hath God blessed thee for ever. 4 Gird...

The Daily Psalms: Saturday Douay Rheims Version   MATINS: First Nocturn   Psalm 104Confitemini Domino A thanksgiving to God, for his benefits to his people Israel. 1 Alleluia. GIVE glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles. 2 Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; his wonders, and the...

The Daily Psalms: Friday Douay Rheims Version   MATINS: First Nocturn   Psalm 77Attendite God's great benefits to the people of Israel, notwithstanding their ingratitude. 1 Understanding for Asaph. ATTEND, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning. 3 How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 They have not been hidden from their children, in another generation. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and his powers, and his wonders which...

The Daily Psalms: Tuesday Douay Rheims Version   MATINS: First Nocturn   Psalm 34Judica Domine Nocentes Me David, in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors: prophetically foreshewing the punishments that shall fall upon them. 1 For David himself. JUDGE thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me. 3 Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation. 4 Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek...

The Daily Psalms: Monday Douay Rheims Version   MATINS: First Nocturn   Psalm 13Dixit Insipiens The general corruption of men, before our redemption by Christ. 1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. THE fool hath said in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupt, and are become abominable in their ways: there is none that doth good, no not one. 2 The Lord hath looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be any that understand and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is...

Since it was published three years ago, Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" has become one of the most popular novels of all time, with more than 30 million copies in print worldwide. With a major movie based on the book due out soon, the book seems assured of a place on the bestseller lists for a considerable time to come. What has attracted readers to "The Da Vinci Code" is its central theme, which Dan Brown claims is not fiction but fact — that a mysterious European society, known as the Priory of Sion, has for centuries guarded a...