« | Psalm 59 | » |
1 O my God, take me away from those who hate me. Put me up high above those who rise up against me.
2 Take me away from those who do wrong. And save me from those who kill.
3 For, look, they lie in wait for my life. Strong men are gathering together to fight me, but not because of my wrong-doing or my sin, O Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, but they get ready to fight against me. Rise up to help me.
5 You, O Lord God of All, God of Israel, rise up to punish all the nations. Show no loving-kindness to those people who cannot be trusted and plan sins.
6 They return at evening. They sound like dogs and go around the city.
7 See, they spit with their mouth. Swords are in their lips. And they say, "Who can hear us?"
8 But You laugh at them, O Lord. You laugh at all the nations.
9 O my Strength, I will watch for You. For God is my strong place.
10 My God in His loving-kindness will meet me. God will let me look at those who come against me and know that I will win the fight.
11 Do not kill them, or my people may forget. Divide them by Your power and bring them down, O Lord, our safe-covering.
12 Let them be caught in their pride for the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips. For the lies and bad things they say,
13 destroy them in anger. Destroy them so that they will be no more. Let it be known that God rules in Jacob and to the ends of the earth.
14 They return at evening. They make sounds like dogs and go around the city.
15 They go around looking for food and they show their teeth if they are not filled.
16 But as for me, I will sing of Your strength. Yes, I will sing with joy of Your loving-kindness in the morning. For You have been a strong and safe place for me in times of trouble.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to You. For God is my strong place and the God Who shows me 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.