« | Psalm 66 | » |
1 Raise the voice of joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name! Make His praise great!
3 Say to God, "How Your great works make those who hate You afraid! They will have to obey You because of Your great power.
4 All the earth will worship You and sing praises to You. They will sing praises to Your name."
5 Come and see what God has done. There is much fear because of His great works toward the children of men.
6 He changed the sea into dry land. They passed through the river on foot. There we were full of joy in Him.
7 He rules forever by His power. His eyes keep watch over the nations. Do not let those who do not obey You honor themselves.
8 Give honor and thanks to God, O people, and let all hear how great He is!
9 He keeps us alive, and does not let our feet go out from under us.
10 For You have tested us, O God. You have made us pure like silver is made pure.
11 You brought us into the net. And You laid a heavy load on our back.
12 You made men travel over our heads. We went through fire and through water. But You brought us out into a place where we have much more than we need.
13 I will come into Your house with burnt gifts. I will give You what I promised,
14 promises made by my lips and spoken by my mouth when I was in trouble.
15 I will give You burnt gifts of fat animals with the smoke of rams. I will give You bulls with male goats.
16 Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for me.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth. and praised Him with my tongue.
18 The Lord will not hear me if I hold on to sin in my heart.
19 But it is sure that God has heard. He has listened to the voice of my prayer.
20 Honor and thanks be to God! He has not turned away from my prayer or held His loving-kindness from me.
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.