« | Psalm 21 | » |
1 To the director: A song of David. Lord, your strength makes the king happy. He is so happy when you give him victory.
2 And you gave him what he wanted. You gave him what he asked for. Selah
3 What wonderful blessings you gave the king. You put a golden crown on his head.
4 He asked for life, and you gave it. You gave him life that goes on forever.
5 You led him to victory that brought him great glory. You gave him honor and fame.
6 You have given him blessings that will last forever. You have given him the joy of being near you.
7 The king trusts in the Lord, and the faithful love of God Most High will keep him from falling.
8 Lord, you will show all your enemies that you are strong. Your power will defeat those who hate you.
9 When you appear, you will burn them up like a blazing furnace. In your anger, Lord, you will completely destroy them; they will be swallowed by flames of fire.
10 Their families will be destroyed. They will be removed from the earth.
11 That is because they made evil plans against you. They wanted to do things they could not do.
12 You will make them turn and run away when you aim your arrows at their faces.
13 Lord, we lift you up with our songs of praise. We sing and play songs about your power!
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.