What does "cf." stand for in a Bible quote?

[thereseozi]

Here is one example: In the July issue of MAGNIFICAT, on page 112, there is a Bible quote which reads, The Lord will give me freedom and peace. (cf. Ps 55:19)

What does the “cf.” stand for?

 

[jemfinch]

It’s an abbreviation for the Latin word confer which means, “Compare.” When it occurs in a BIble, it’s generally referring you to another passage that’s being quoted or referenced in the text.

Jeremy

 

[thereseozi]

Hi,

I’m a bit confused and need further education regarding “cf.”:

If Psalm 55:19 reads, “God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God.” What has this Bible passage have to do with “The Lord will give me freedom and peace”? And why would Ps 55:19 be attributed to “The Lord will give me freedom and peace” when Psalm 55:19 states otherwise?

Thanks for clearing this up for me!

Therese

 

[Digitonomy]

Can you give us a cite on the original verse?

This is a puzzling question. There must be quite a bit of play in the translation - my NRSV is pretty similar to your translation:
“God, who is enthroned from of old, will hear, and will humble them - because they do not change, and do not fear God.”

On the other hand, the NAB does seem to bear a relation to the other verse:

Psalm 55:19
“God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me.”

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Hi,

I’m a bit confused and need further education regarding “cf.”:

If Psalm 55:19 reads, “God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God.” What has this Bible passage have to do with “The Lord will give me freedom and peace”? And why would Ps 55:19 be attributed to “The Lord will give me freedom and peace” when Psalm 55:19 states otherwise?

Thanks for clearing this up for me!

Therese

Strange as it may seem, both​

• God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me
  and
• God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God
  are translations of the same verse The difference arises from corruption in the text of the Hebrew: there are other suggestions for amending it in addition to the two you’ve found.

See also: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2055.19;&version=49;49;47;46;9;

 

[drafdog]

I can’t believe how lazy people can be.

Go to a good dictionary and look up “cf.” (abbreviation) and read what it says.

Internet forums should never be used as a short cut to doing your homework.

Matthew

 

[thereseozi]

Matthew,

Your post clearly violates forum rules: It is unkind, uncharitable, and rude.

The dictionary states “compare”. “Compare” doesn’t explain anything to me and that’s why I posted an additional follow-up question with Bible quotes. I’m sorry but I am not an expert in the Bible, I am a 44 year old homemaker who is not lazy nor have I ever used an internet forum as a short cut to doing my homework!

The Catholic Answers Forums are here to ask questions and learn. I wonder how many other forum members you have hurt with your rude, inconsiderate, “full of yourself” replies!

Therese

I can’t believe how lazy people can be.

Go to a good dictionary and look up “cf.” (abbreviation) and read what it says.

Internet forums should never be used as a short cut to doing your homework.

Matthew

 

[raikou]

I thought these letters meant “cited from.”

In the CCC, some referenced Bible verses in the footnotes are preceded by Cf, while the others aren’t. It seems that those quoted with Cf in the footnote is merely a portion of the entire referenced verse, while those quoted in full are not preceded by Cf in the footnote.