« | Psalm 105 | » |
1 Hallelujah! Thank GOD! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
2 Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music!
3 Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek GOD. Live a happy life!
4 Keep your eyes open for GOD, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
5 Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered--
6 O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen.
7 He's GOD, our God, in charge of the whole earth.
8 And he remembers, remembers his Covenant-- for a thousand generations he's been as good as his word.
9 It's the Covenant he made with Abraham, the same oath he swore to Isaac,
10 The very statute he established with Jacob, the eternal Covenant with Israel,
11 Namely, "I give you the land. Canaan is your hill-country inheritance."
12 When they didn't count for much, a mere handful, and strangers at that,
13 Wandering from country to country, drifting from pillar to post,
14 He permitted no one to abuse them. He told kings to keep their hands off:
15 "Don't you dare lay a hand on my anointed, don't hurt a hair on the heads of my prophets."
16 Then he called down a famine on the country, he broke every last blade of wheat.
17 But he sent a man on ahead: Joseph, sold as a slave.
18 They put cruel chains on his ankles, an iron collar around his neck,
19 Until God's word came to the Pharaoh, and GOD confirmed his promise.
20 God sent the king to release him. The Pharaoh set Joseph free;
21 He appointed him master of his palace, put him in charge of all his business
22 To personally instruct his princes and train his advisors in wisdom.
23 Then Israel entered Egypt, Jacob immigrated to the Land of Ham.
24 God gave his people lots of babies; soon their numbers alarmed their foes.
25 He turned the Egyptians against his people; they abused and cheated God's servants.
26 Then he sent his servant Moses, and Aaron, whom he also chose.
27 They worked marvels in that spiritual wasteland, miracles in the Land of Ham.
28 He spoke, "Darkness!" and it turned dark-- they couldn't see what they were doing.
29 He turned all their water to blood so that all their fish died;
30 He made frogs swarm through the land, even into the king's bedroom;
31 He gave the word and flies swarmed, gnats filled the air.
32 He substituted hail for rain, he stabbed their land with lightning;
33 He wasted their vines and fig trees, smashed their groves of trees to splinters;
34 With a word he brought in locusts, millions of locusts, armies of locusts;
35 They consumed every blade of grass in the country and picked the ground clean of produce;
36 He struck down every firstborn in the land, the first fruits of their virile powers.
37 He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot, and not one among his tribes even stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad to have them go-- they were scared to death of them.
39 God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day and a fire to light their way through the night;
40 They prayed and he brought quail, filled them with the bread of heaven;
41 He opened the rock and water poured out; it flowed like a river through that desert--
42 All because he remembered his Covenant, his promise to Abraham, his servant.
43 Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!
44 He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations
45 So they could do everything he told them-- could follow his instructions to the letter. Hallelujah!
The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a contemporary, paraphrased translation of the Bible, crafted to bring the scriptures to life in modern, conversational English. Developed by pastor and scholar Eugene H. Peterson, The Message was published in segments starting in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson’s aim was to make the Bible accessible and engaging for today’s readers, breaking down the barriers posed by traditional, formal language. His work sought to capture the original tone, rhythm, and intent of the biblical texts, presenting them in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
One of the defining characteristics of The Message is its use of dynamic equivalence, focusing on conveying the thoughts and meanings behind the original texts rather than adhering to a word-for-word translation. This approach allows for the use of idiomatic expressions and modern phrasing, making the scriptures feel more relatable and immediate. Peterson, who had a deep understanding of both the biblical languages and modern culture, aimed to bridge the gap between the ancient world of the Bible and the everyday experiences of today’s readers.
The Message has been praised for its readability and ability to convey the emotional and narrative elements of the Bible in a fresh, vivid manner. Its accessible language makes it particularly appealing to those who might find traditional translations difficult to understand or intimidating. Many readers appreciate The Message for its ability to make familiar passages feel new and impactful, often shedding light on the scriptures in ways that resonate on a personal level. It is frequently used in personal devotions, group studies, and church services where clarity and relatability are paramount.
Despite its popularity, The Message has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who argue that its paraphrased nature can lead to oversimplification and loss of nuance. Critics contend that in striving for contemporary relevance, The Message sometimes departs too far from the original texts, potentially altering the intended meanings. However, supporters of The Message appreciate its ability to engage modern readers and spark interest in the Bible, seeing it as a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship. Overall, The Message stands out as a bold and innovative translation that has made a significant impact on how many people experience and understand the Bible.