« | Psalm 72 | » |
1 (By Solomon.) Please help the king to be honest and fair just like you, our God.
2 Let him be honest and fair with all your people, especially the poor.
3 Let peace and justice rule every mountain and hill.
4 Let the king defend the poor, rescue the homeless, and crush everyone who hurts them.
5 Let the king live forever like the sun and the moon.
6 Let him be as helpful as rain that refreshes the meadows and the ground.
7 Let the king be fair with everyone, and let there be peace until the moon falls from the sky.
8 Let his kingdom reach from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River across all the earth.
9 Force the desert tribes to accept his rule, and make his enemies crawl in the dirt.
10 Force the rulers of Tarshish and of the islands to pay taxes to him. Make the kings of Sheba and of Seba bring gifts.
11 Make other rulers bow down and all nations serve him.
12 Do this because the king rescues the homeless when they cry out, and he helps everyone who is poor and in need.
13 The king has pity on the weak and the helpless and protects those in need.
14 He cares when they hurt, and he saves them from cruel and violent deaths.
15 Long live the king! Give him gold from Sheba. Always pray for the king and praise him each day.
16 Let cities overflow with food and hills be covered with grain, just like Mount Lebanon. Let the people in the cities prosper like wild flowers.
17 May the glory of the king shine brightly forever like the sun in the sky. Let him make nations prosper and learn to praise him.
18 LORD God of Israel, we praise you. Only you can work miracles.
19 We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen.
20 This ends the prayers of David, the son of Jesse.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a modern Bible translation that aims to make the scriptures accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including children and those with limited English proficiency. Published by the American Bible Society in 1995, the CEV emphasizes clarity, readability, and ease of comprehension. Unlike more literal translations, the CEV uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the original meaning of the text in a way that is clear and straightforward for contemporary readers.
One of the key features of the CEV is its use of everyday language and simple sentence structures. The translators avoided theological jargon and archaic terms, instead opting for language that is commonly used in daily conversation. This makes the CEV particularly well-suited for public reading, educational settings, and outreach programs where the audience might not be familiar with traditional biblical language. The translation strives to communicate the essence of the biblical message without the barriers that complex language can sometimes create.
The CEV also pays special attention to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The translators sought to avoid expressions and idioms that might be misunderstood or offensive in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the CEV includes gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to make the text more inclusive while still remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. This approach helps ensure that Bible teachings are accessible to a diverse global audience, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures and communities.
Despite its strengths, the CEV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the CEV emphasises on simplicity and readability which can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Some theologians and scholars believe that the thought-for-thought approach may oversimplify complex theological concepts. Nevertheless, the Contemporary English Version remains a valuable resource for many readers, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that is particularly effective for those new to the scriptures or those seeking a more accessible way to engage with the biblical text.