« | Psalm 69 | » |
1 For the end, [A Psalm] of David, for alternate [strains]. Save me, O God; for the waters have come in to my soul.
2 I am stuck fast in deep mire, and there is no standing: I have come in to the depths of the sea, and a storm has overwhelmed me.
3 I am weary [of] crying, my throat has become hoarse; my eyes have failed by my waiting on my God.
4 Those that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; my enemies that persecute me unrighteously are strengthened. Then I restored that which I took not away.
5 O God, You know my foolishness; and my transgressions are not hidden from You.
6 Let not them that wait on You, O Lord of hosts, be ashamed on my account; let not them that seek You, be ashamed on my account, O God of Israel.
7 For I have suffered reproach for Your sake; shame has covered my face.
8 I became strange to my brethren, and a stranger to my mother's children.
9 For the zeal of Your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached You have fallen upon me.
10 And I bowed down my soul with fasting, and that was made my reproach.
11 And I put on sackcloth for my covering; and I became a proverb to them.
12 Those that sit in the gate talked against me, and those that drank wine sang against me.
13 But I [will cry] to You, O Lord, in my prayer; O God, it is a propitious time: in the multitude of Your mercy hear me, in the truth of Your salvation.
14 Save me from the mire, that I stick not [in it;] let me be delivered from them that hate me, and from the deep waters.
15 Let not the floodwater drown me, nor let the deep swallow me up; neither let the well shut its mouth upon me.
16 Hear me, O Lord; for Your mercy is good: according to the multitude of Your compassions, look upon me.
17 And turn not away Your face from Your servant; for I am afflicted; hear me speedily.
18 Draw near to my soul and redeem it: deliver me because of my enemies.
19 For You know my reproach, and my shame, and my confusion; all that afflict me are before You.
20 My soul has waited for reproach and misery; and I waited for one to grieve with me, but there was none; and for one to comfort me, but I found none.
21 They gave [me] also gall for my food, and made me drink vinegar for my thirst.
22 Let their table before them be for a snare, and for a recompense, and for a stumbling block.
23 Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.
24 Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let the fury of Your anger take hold of them.
25 Let their habitation be made desolate; and let there be no inhabitant in their tents;
26 because they persecuted him whom You have smitten; and they have added to the grief of my wounds.
27 Add iniquity to their iniquity; and let them not come into Your righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and let them not be written with the righteous.
29 I am poor and sorrowful; but the salvation of Your countenance has helped me.
30 I will praise the name of my God with a song, I will magnify Him with praise;
31 and [this] shall please God more than a young calf having horns and hoofs.
32 Let the poor see and rejoice; seek the Lord diligently, and you shall live.
33 For the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners.
34 Let the heavens and the earth praise Him, the sea, and all things moving in them.
35 For God will save Zion, and the cities of Judah shall be built; and [men] shall dwell there, and inherit it.
36 And the seed of His servants shall possess it, and those that love His name shall dwell in it.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.