« | Psalm 103 | » |
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul. And all that is within me, praise His holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness.
3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases.
4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity.
5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.
6 The Lord does what is right and fair for all who suffer under a bad power.
7 He made His ways known to Moses and His acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of loving-pity and kindness. He is slow to anger and has much loving-kindness.
9 He will not always keep after us. And He will not keep His anger back forever.
10 He has not punished us enough for all our sins. He has not paid us back for all our wrong-doings.
11 For His loving-kindness for those who fear Him is as great as the heavens are high above the earth.
12 He has taken our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord has loving-pity on those who fear Him, as a father has loving-pity on his children.
14 For He knows what we are made of. He remembers that we are dust.
15 The days of man are like grass. He grows like a flower of the field.
16 When the wind blows over it, it is gone. Its place will remember it no more.
17 But the loving-kindness of the Lord is forever and forever on those who fear Him. And what is right with God is given forever to their children's children,
18 to those who keep His agreement and remember to obey His Law.
19 The Lord has set up His throne in the heavens. And His holy nation rules over all.
20 Praise the Lord, you powerful angels of His who do what He says, obeying His voice as He speaks!
21 Praise the Lord, all you armies of His who work for Him and do what pleases Him.
22 Praise the Lord, all His works in all places under His rule. Praise the Lord, O my soul!
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.