« | Psalm 68 | » |
1 A David psalm. Up with God! Down with his enemies! Adversaries, run for the hills!
2 Gone like a puff of smoke, like a blob of wax in the fire-- one look at God and the wicked vanish.
3 When the righteous see God in action they'll laugh, they'll sing, they'll laugh and sing for joy.
4 Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider. Enjoy GOD, cheer when you see him!
5 Father of orphans, champion of widows, is God in his holy house.
6 God makes homes for the homeless, leads prisoners to freedom, but leaves rebels to rot in hell.
7 God, when you took the lead with your people, when you marched out into the wild,
8 Earth shook, sky broke out in a sweat; God was on the march. Even Sinai trembled at the sight of God on the move, at the sight of Israel's God.
9 You pour out rain in buckets, O God; thorn and cactus become an oasis
10 For your people to camp in and enjoy. You set them up in business; they went from rags to riches.
11 The Lord gave the word; thousands called out the good news:
12 "Kings of the armies are on the run, on the run!"
13 While housewives, safe and sound back home, divide up the plunder, the plunder of Canaanite silver and gold.
14 On that day that Shaddai scattered the kings, snow fell on Black Mountain.
15 You huge mountains, Bashan mountains, mighty mountains, dragon mountains.
16 All you mountains not chosen, sulk now, and feel sorry for yourselves, For this is the mountain God has chosen to live on; he'll rule from this mountain forever.
17 The chariots of God, twice ten thousand, and thousands more besides, The Lord in the lead, riding down Sinai-- straight to the Holy Place!
18 You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow, your arms full of booty from rebels, And now you sit there in state, GOD, sovereign GOD!
19 Blessed be the Lord-- day after day he carries us along.
20 He's our Savior, our God, oh yes! He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us. Lord GOD knows all death's ins and outs.
21 What's more, he made heads roll, split the skulls of the enemy As he marched out of heaven,
22 saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots, put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
23 You can wade through your enemies' blood, and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots.
24 See God on parade to the sanctuary, my God, my King on the march!
25 Singers out front, the band behind, maidens in the middle with castanets.
26 The whole choir blesses God. Like a fountain of praise, Israel blesses GOD.
27 Look--little Benjamin's out front and leading Princes of Judah in their royal robes, princes of Zebulon, princes of Naphtali.
28 Parade your power, O God, the power, O God, that made us what we are.
29 Your temple, High God, is Jerusalem; kings bring gifts to you.
30 Rebuke that old crocodile, Egypt, with her herd of wild bulls and calves, Rapacious in her lust for silver, crushing peoples, spoiling for a fight.
31 Let Egyptian traders bring blue cloth and Cush come running to God, her hands outstretched.
32 Sing, O kings of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord!
33 There he is: Sky-Rider, striding the ancient skies. Listen--he's calling in thunder, rumbling, rolling thunder.
34 Call out "Bravo!" to God, the High God of Israel. His splendor and strength rise huge as thunderheads.
35 A terrible beauty, O God, streams from your sanctuary. It's Israel's strong God! He gives power and might to his people! O you, his people--bless God!
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.