following this line of the influence of the bible upon language as the medium of literature, we find, in the next place, that it has contributed to our common speech a great number of phrases which are current everywhere. sometimes these phrases are used in a merely conventional way. they serve as counters in a long extemporaneous prayer, or as padding to a page of dull and pious prose. but at other times they illuminate the sentence with a new radiance; they clarify its meaning with a true symbol; they enhance its value with rich associations;
[24]
they are “sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.”
take for example such phrases as these: “a good old age,” “the wife of thy bosom,” “the apple of his eye,” “gathered to his fathers,” “a mother in israel,” “a land flowing with milk and honey,” “the windows of heaven,” “the fountains of the great deep,” “living fountains of waters,” “the valley of decision,” “cometh up as a flower,” “a garden enclosed,” “one little ewe lamb,” “thou art the man,” “a still, small voice,” “as the sparks fly upward,” “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,” “miserable comforters,” “the strife of tongues,” “the tents of kedar,” “the cry of the humble,” “the lofty looks of man,” “the pride of life,” “from strength to strength,” “as a dream when one awaketh,” “the wings of the morning,” “stolen waters,” “a dinner of herbs,” “apples of gold in pictures of silver,” “better than rubies,” “a lion in the way,” “vanity of vanities,” “no discharge in that war,” “the little foxes that spoil the vines,” “terrible as an army with banners,” “precept upon precept, line upon line,” “as a drop of a bucket,” “whose merchants
[25]
are princes,” “trodden the wine-press alone,” “the rose of sharon and the lily of the valley,” “the highways and hedges,” “the salt of the earth,” “the burden and heat of the day,” “the signs of the times,” “a pearl of great price,” “what god hath joined together,” “the children of light,” “the powers that be,” “if the trumpet give an uncertain sound,” “the fashion of this world,” “decently and in order,” “a thorn in the flesh,” “labour of love,” “a cloud of witnesses,” “to entertain angels unawares,” “faithful unto death,” “a crown of life.” consider also those expressions which carry with them distinctly the memory of some ancient story: “the fleshpots of egypt,” “manna in the wilderness,” “a mess of pottage,” “joseph’s coat,” “the driving of jehu,” “the mantle of elijah,” “the widow’s mite,” “the elder brother,” “the kiss of judas,” “the house of martha,” “a friend of publicans and sinners,” “many mansions,” “bearing the cross.” into such phrases as these, which are familiar to us all, the bible has poured a wealth of meaning far beyond the measure of the bare words. they call up visions and reveal mysteries.
