« | Psalm 44 | » |
1 O God, we have heard with our ears. Our fathers have told us what work You did in their days, in the days long ago.
2 With Your own hand You made the nations leave, and put our fathers in the land. You brought trouble upon the nations, and You spread them out.
3 It was not by their sword that they took the land. Their own arm did not save them. But it was Your right hand, and Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You favored them.
4 You are my King, O God. Jacob wins because You say it must be so.
5 Through You we will push away those who hate us. Through Your name we will walk over those who rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust my bow, and my sword will not save me.
7 But You have saved us from those who fight against us. You have put to shame those who hate us.
8 In God we have had our pride all day long. And we will give thanks to Your name forever.
9 But now You have turned from us and have put us to shame. You do not go out with our armies.
10 You made us turn away from those who fight against us. And those who hate us have robbed us.
11 You give us up to be eaten like sheep. You have spread us out among the nations.
12 You sell Your people for nothing, and become no richer from their price.
13 You have made us a shame to our neighbors. Those around us laugh and make fun of us.
14 You have made us hated among the nations. The people laugh at us.
15 All day long my shame is with me and has become too much for me.
16 Those who talk against me, and who hate me are around me and want to punish me.
17 All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten You. We have not been false to Your agreement.
18 Our heart has not turned away. And our steps have not turned from Your way.
19 But You have crushed us in a place of wild dogs, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God, or put out our hands to a strange god,
21 would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
22 But we are killed all day long because of You. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed.
23 Awake, O Lord! Why do You sleep? Rise up! Do not turn away from us forever.
24 Why do You hide Your face? Why do You forget our troubles and our suffering?
25 For our soul is brought down to the dust. Our body holds on to the earth.
26 Rise up and help us! Save us because of Your loving-kindness.
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.