« | Psalm 104 | » |
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great. You are dressed with great honor and wonderful power.
2 He covers Himself with light as with a coat. He spreads out the heavens like a tent.
3 He makes His home on the waters. He makes the clouds His wagon. He rides on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes the winds carry His news. He makes His helpers a burning fire.
5 He set the earth in its place so that it will stay that way forever.
6 You covered it with the sea as with a coat. The waters stood above the mountains.
7 The waters left at Your strong words. They went away in a hurry at the sound of Your thunder.
8 The mountains went up and the valleys went down to the place that You made for them.
9 You set a place that they may not pass over. The waters will never cover the earth again.
10 He sends rivers into the valleys. They flow between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the animals of the field. The wild donkeys drink until they are no longer thirsty.
12 The birds of the sky nest beside them. They sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from His home above. The earth is filled with the fruit of His works.
14 He makes the grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to use. So He may bring food from the earth,
15 wine that makes man's heart glad, oil to make his face shine, and food to make his heart strong.
16 The tall cedar trees that the Lord planted in Lebanon drink their fill.
17 The birds make their nests there. The stork has its nest in the green trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a safe place for the badgers.
19 He made the moon to mark the time of year. And the sun knows when to go down.
20 You make darkness and it becomes night. Then all the wild animals among the trees come out.
21 The young lions make a loud noise as they go after meat. And they get their food from God.
22 They go to their homes and lie down when the sun rises.
23 Then man goes out to his work and works until evening.
24 O Lord, how many are Your works! You made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of what You have made.
25 There is the wide sea full of both large and small animals. There are too many for us to number.
26 The ships sail there. And the very large sea animal You have made plays in it.
27 They all wait for You to give them their food at the right time.
28 You give it to them and they gather it up. You open Your hand and they are filled with good things.
29 They are troubled and afraid when You hide Your face. And when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
30 They are made when You send Your Spirit. And You make the land of the earth new again.
31 May the shining-greatness of the Lord last forever. May the Lord be glad in His works.
32 He looks at the earth and it shakes with fear. He touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May the words of my heart be pleasing to Him. As for me, I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be destroyed from the earth. And let the sinful be no more. Honor the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
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.