« | Psalm 8 | » |
1 O Lord, our Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth. You have set Your shining-greatness above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of children and babies, You have built up strength because of those who hate You, and to quiet those who fight against You.
3 When I look up and think about Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in their place,
4 what is man, that You think of him, the son of man that You care for him?
5 You made him a little less than the angels and gave him a crown of greatness and honor.
6 You made him to rule over the works of Your hands. You put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and cattle, all the wild animals,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and all that pass through the sea.
9 O Lord, our Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth!
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.