MISHMASH ON PSALM NUMBERS DATES TO ANCIENT TIMES

Q: How can we get the several Christian churches and Jewish congregations to agree on the sequence and numbers of the Psalms? Passages from the Psalms are too important to endure the confusion we witness. - P. and K., Raleigh, N.C., via godsquadquestion@aol.com

A: Welcome to the wonderful world of Psalm counting! The problem arose when the Bible was translated into Greek from the original Hebrew. This translation is called the Septuagint and it was done in Alexandria, Egypt, between the third and first centuries before the common era. This translation was the basis for the Vulgate, the translation of the Bible from Greek to Latin by St. Jerome. So there is a Hebrew Bible and a Greek Bible translation.

In the Greek (Septuagint) translation, Psalms 1-8 are the same as in the Hebrew text. Psalm 9 and 10 in the Hebrew are combined into Psalm 9 in the Septuagint. Psalms 114-115 in the Hebrew are combined into Psalm 113 in the Septuagint. Psalm 116 in the Hebrew is divided into Psalms 114-115 in the Greek. Psalm 147 in the Hebrew is divided into Psalms 146-147 in the Greek. Psalms 148-150 are the same in both.

Got that? If not, check out the Wikipedia entry on Psalms, which in addition to this concise summation, has more information.

The reason for this mishmash in the Psalter reflects the different traditions and ancient texts. The only constant was that all traditions accepted that there were 150 Psalms, so however they changed the numbering, they all had to end up with 150 (although a 151st Psalm is included in the Septuagint, and a copy of this Psalm was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls).

Protestants follow the Hebrew numbering. Greek Orthodox translations follow the Greek (of course!). Roman Catholic official liturgical texts follow the Greek numbering, but modern Catholic translations often use the Hebrew numbering while adding the Greek numbering as well.

The important point, however, is what the Psalms say, not how they're numbered, but I share your frustration that although we all speak the same words of God, we count them up in different ways. Some day, perhaps we will not only pray the Psalms in one voice, but also count them in the same way...the Hebrew way, of course!

Q: Can children of Catholic parents have Jewish godparents? P.S.: How is Father Tom Hartman doing? - M., via godsquadquestion@aol.com

A: Regarding your first question, nope. Since the traditional responsibility of godparents is to provide a personal example and guarantee a full Catholic life for a child if his/her parents are unable to provide it, they obviously must be Catholic. They cannot even be Christians of another denomination; Catholic godparents must be Catholic.

Also, there's no such thing as Jewish godparents. Although some Jewish families ask relatives or friends to be godparents for their children, the commandment, "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children..." (Deut 6:7) is interpreted by Judaism as meaning that the responsibility to teach our children our faith cannot be transferred to someone else.

Thank you and others who write regularly to ask about Tommy's health. Your prayers and your love for him are by far his best medicine in his fight against Parkinson's disease. He has good days and bad days, and it's hard to predict what today will bring. He is tired and a little slow in the joints, but his spirit, his optimism and his faith in God are as strong as ever. We've even been able to tape a few new episodes of our cable TV program, "The God Squad."

Bishop Murphy and Father Jim Vlaun have been great in allowing Tom to do what he can, when he can. We're both looking forward to golf season and Tom has promised to ride along with me when I play and bark at me, "You call yourself a golfing rabbi! That shot was pathetic! Come one, bear down, pretend this one is to beat Tiger!" All that priestly trash talking doesn't make me play any better but it makes both of us feel better in a place that only best friends know about. Keep Tommy in your prayers.

NOTE: My friend Father Frank Pizzarelli wrote to correct my recent statement that a Catholic priest cannot officiate outside a church: "A Catholic priest can officiate at a Jewish/Catholic Wedding in a building that is not a church ... catering halls, living rooms ... in Rockville Center Diocese as long as it is a building (MG: I presume this means no tents) and the non-Catholic is not a Christian," he states.

Thanks, Father Frank, and hello, Leonard's Catering Hall!

(Send QUESTIONS ONLY to The God Squad, c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or email them to godsquadquestion@aol.com.