« | Psalm 136 | » |
1 Thank GOD! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits.
2 Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits.
3 Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits.
4 Thank the miracle-working God, His love never quits.
5 The God whose skill formed the cosmos, His love never quits.
6 The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations, His love never quits.
7 The God who filled the skies with light, His love never quits.
8 The sun to watch over the day, His love never quits.
9 Moon and stars as guardians of the night, His love never quits.
10 The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, His love never quits.
11 And rescued Israel from Egypt's oppression, His love never quits.
12 Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand, His love never quits.
13 Split the Red Sea right in half, His love never quits.
14 Led Israel right through the middle, His love never quits.
15 Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea, His love never quits.
16 The God who marched his people through the desert, His love never quits.
17 Smashed huge kingdoms right and left, His love never quits.
18 Struck down the famous kings, His love never quits.
19 Struck Sihon the Amorite king, His love never quits.
20 Struck Og the Bashanite king, His love never quits.
21 Then distributed their land as booty, His love never quits.
22 Handed the land over to Israel. His love never quits.
23 God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits.
24 Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits.
25 Takes care of everyone in time of need. His love never quits.
26 Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!
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.