« | Psalm 107 | » |
1 Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.
2 That is what those whom the Lord has saved should say. He has saved them from the enemy
3 and has gathered them from other lands, from east and west, north and south.
4 Some people had wandered in the desert lands. They found no city in which to live.
5 They were hungry and thirsty, and they were discouraged.
6 In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their troubles.
7 He led them on a straight road to a city where they could live.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love and for the miracles he does for people.
9 He satisfies the thirsty and fills up the hungry.
10 Some sat in gloom and darkness; they were prisoners suffering in chains.
11 They had turned against the words of God and had refused the advice of God Most High.
12 So he broke their pride by hard work. They stumbled, and no one helped.
13 In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their troubles.
14 He brought them out of their gloom and darkness and broke their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love and for the miracles he does for people.
16 He breaks down bronze gates and cuts apart iron bars.
17 Some fools turned against God and suffered for the evil they did.
18 They refused to eat anything, so they almost died.
19 In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their troubles.
20 God gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from dying.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love and for the miracles he does for people.
22 Let them offer sacrifices to thank him. With joy they should tell what he has done.
23 Others went out to sea in ships and did business on the great oceans.
24 They saw what the Lord could do, the miracles he did in the deep oceans.
25 He spoke, and a storm came up, which blew up high waves.
26 The ships were tossed as high as the sky and fell low to the depths. The storm was so bad that they lost their courage.
27 They stumbled and fell like people who were drunk. They did not know what to do.
28 In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their troubles.
29 He stilled the storm and calmed the waves.
30 They were happy that it was quiet, and God guided them to the port they wanted.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love and for the miracles he does for people.
32 Let them praise his greatness in the meeting of the people; let them praise him in the meeting of the older leaders.
33 He changed rivers into a desert and springs of water into dry ground.
34 He made fertile land salty, because the people there did evil.
35 He changed the desert into pools of water and dry ground into springs of water.
36 He had the hungry settle there so they could build a city in which to live.
37 They planted seeds in the fields and vineyards, and they had a good harvest.
38 God blessed them, and they grew in number. Their cattle did not become fewer.
39 Because of disaster, troubles, and sadness, their families grew smaller and weaker.
40 He showed he was displeased with their leaders and made them wander in a pathless desert.
41 But he lifted the poor out of their suffering and made their families grow like flocks of sheep.
42 Good people see this and are happy, but the wicked say nothing.
43 Whoever is wise will remember these things and will think about the love of the Lord. A song. A psalm of David.
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.