« | Psalm 144 | » |
1 Praise and thanks be to the Lord, my rock. He makes my hands ready for war, and my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving-kindness and my walls of strength, my strong place and the One Who sets me free, my safe-covering and the One in Whom I trust. He brings my people under my rule.
3 O Lord, what is man that You think of him, the son of man that You remember him?
4 Man is like a breath. His days are like a passing shadow.
5 O Lord, divide Your heavens and come down. Touch the mountains so they will smoke.
6 Send out lightning and divide them. Send out Your arrows and trouble them.
7 Put out Your hand from above. Take me out of trouble and away from the many waters, from the power of those from other lands.
8 Their mouths speak lies. And their right hand is a right hand that is false.
9 I will sing a new song to You, O God. I will sing praises to You on a harp of ten strings.
10 You save kings. You take Your servant David away from the sharp sword.
11 Take me out of trouble and away from the power of those from other lands. Their mouths speak lies. And their right hand is a right hand that is false.
12 May our young sons be like plants that are full-grown. And may our daughters be like the corner pieces of a great house.
13 May our store-houses be full of all kinds of food. And may our sheep grow by the thousands and ten thousands in our fields.
14 Let our cattle give birth without trouble and without loss. And may there be no cry of trouble in our streets.
15 Happy are the people who have all this. Yes, happy are the people whose God is 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.