« | Psalm 74 | » |
1 [A Psalm] of instruction, of Asaph. Why have You rejected [us], O God, forever? [Why] has Your wrath been kindled against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Remember Your congregation which You have purchased from the beginning; You ransomed the rod of Your inheritance, this Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
3 Lift up Your hands against their pride continually; [because of] all that the enemy has done wickedly in Your holy places.
4 And they that hate You have boasted in the midst of Your feast; they have set up their standards for signs,
5 ignorantly as it were in the entrance above;
6 they cut down its doors at once with axes as in a wood of trees; they have broken it down with hatchet and stone cutter.
7 They have burned Your sanctuary with fire to the ground; they have profaned the habitation of Your name.
8 They have said in their heart, [even] all their kindred together, Come, let us abolish the feasts of the Lord from the earth.
9 We have not seen our signs; there is no longer a prophet; and [God] will not know us anymore.
10 How long, O God, shall the enemy reproach? Shall the enemy provoke Your name forever?
11 Why do You turn away Your hand, and Your right hand from the midst of Your bosom forever?
12 But God is our King of old; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
13 You established the sea in Your might, You broke to pieces the heads of the dragons in the water.
14 You broke to pieces the heads of the dragon; You gave him [as] meat to the Ethiopian nations.
15 You broke open the fountains and torrents; You dried up mighty rivers.
16 The day is Yours, and the night is Yours; You have prepared the sun and the moon.
17 You have made all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and spring.
18 Remember this Your creation; an enemy has reproached the Lord, and a foolish people have provoked Your name.
19 Deliver not to the wild beasts a soul that gives praise to You: forget not forever the souls of Your poor.
20 Look upon Your covenant; for the dark [places] of the earth are filled with the habitations of iniquity.
21 Let not the afflicted and ashamed one be rejected; the poor and needy shall praise Your name.
22 Arise, O God, plead Your cause; remember Your reproaches that come from the foolish one all the day.
23 Forget not the voice of Your enemies; let the pride of them that hate You continually ascend before You.
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.