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Two of the most important influences on the English language were the King James Version of the Bible and the plays of William Shakespeare. These works helped standardize the language and make it what it is today. Given their importance to our language, it is not surprising that they also had an influence on each other.

One would think that perhaps the King James Version of the Bible influenced Shakespeare, but this is not so. If Shakespeare wrote any plays after the KJV Bible was published in 1611, they were few and relatively unimportant. Further, it is unlikely that he wrote anything after 1613.

Shakespeare probably had an influence on the KJV Bible, however. The translators would have been familiar with his work and it seems that they imitated his language and style in some places. Some go so far as to claim that Shakespeare helped to translate the KJV. For proof of this, they point to the rather curious fact that the 46th Psalm in the KJV seems to contain a hidden message that references Shakespeare!

Take a look at Psalm 46...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

If one counts 46 words from the beginning of the chapter, one comes to the word "shake." Discounting the word Selah (the Hebrew equivalent to Amen), we find the same thing at the end of the chapter. The word "spear" is 46 words from the end of the chapter. Remarkably, Shakespeare was 46 in 1610 when the text was being prepared for printing!

Sadly, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the claim

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