« | Psalm 92 | » |
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
2 It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night,
3 with harps, and with music of praise.
4 For You have made me glad by what You have done, O Lord. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
5 How great are Your works, O Lord! How deep are Your thoughts!
6 A man who cannot reason does not have much learning. A fool does not understand this.
7 Even if the sinful grow up like grass and all goes well with wrong-doers, they will be destroyed forever.
8 But You, O Lord, rule from Your high place forever.
9 For, look, those who hate You will be lost from You forever, O Lord. All those who do wrong will be destroyed.
10 But You have lifted up my horn like that of a wild bull. New oil has been poured upon me.
11 My eyes have seen those who wait to hurt me. My ears hear the bad men who rise up against me.
12 The man who is right and good will grow like the palm tree. He will grow like a tall tree in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they will grow well in the home of our God.
14 They will still give fruit when they are old. They will be full of life and strength.
15 And they will show that the Lord is faithful. He is my rock. There is nothing in Him that is not right and good.
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.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.