Shakespeare and Psalm 46

From Miscellanies:

A few curious facts to consider:

• The Authorized Version was first published 400 years ago, in 1611.


• In 1611 William Shakespeare was 46 years old.


• In the AV translation of Psalm 46 …


• … the 46th word from the top is translated “shake” (v. 3)


• … the 46th word from the bottom is translated “spear” (v. 9)

It is highly doubtful this was pulled off by Shakespeare himself. But perhaps this was the work of a sneaky translator or editor? Perhaps this acknowledges Shakespeare’s literary influence on the AV translators? Or perhaps this is just a mere coincidence of great statistical proportion? We will probably never know.