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1 [A Psalm] of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are very great; You have clothed Yourself with praise and honor;
2 who cover Yourself with light as with a garment; spreading out the heaven as a curtain.
3 Who covers His chambers with waters; who makes the clouds His chariot; who walks on the wings of the wind.
4 Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire.
5 Who establishes the earth on her sure foundation; it shall not ever be moved.
6 The deep, like a garment, is His covering; the waters shall stand on the hills.
7 At Your rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of Your thunder they shall be alarmed.
8 They go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which You founded for them.
9 You have set a boundary which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth.
10 He sends forth His fountains among the valleys; the waters shall run between the mountains.
11 They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field; the wild donkeys shall take [of them] to [quench] their thirst.
12 By them shall the birds of the sky lodge; they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks.
13 He waters the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
14 He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and green herbs for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth;
15 and wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengthens man's heart.
16 The trees of the plain shall be full [of sap]; [even] the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted.
17 There the sparrows shall build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them.
18 The high mountains are a refuge for the goats, [and] the rock for the rabbits.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down.
20 You made the darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad;
21 [even] the young lions roar after their prey, and they seek meat for themselves from God.
22 The sun arises, and they shall be gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens.
23 Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labor till evening.
24 How great are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom have You done them all; the earth is filled with Your creation.
25 [So is] this great and wide sea; there are things creeping innumerable, small animals and great.
26 There go the ships; [and] this dragon whom You have made to play in it.
27 All wait upon You, to give them [their] food in due season.
28 When You have given [it to] them, they will gather [it]; and when You have opened Your hand, they shall all be filled with good.
29 But when You have turned away Your face, they shall be troubled; You will take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust.
30 You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created; and You shall renew the face of the earth.
31 Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall rejoice in His works;
32 who looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will sing praise to my God while I exist.
34 Let my meditation be sweet to Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let the sinners fail from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.