« | Psalm 22 | » |
1 To the director: To the tune of "The Deer of Dawn." A song of David. My God, my God, why have you left me? You seem too far away to save me, too far to hear my cries for help!
2 My God, I kept calling by day, and I was not silent at night. But you did not answer me.
3 God, you are the Holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted you. Yes, they trusted you, and you saved them.
5 They called to you for help and escaped their enemies. They trusted you and were not disappointed!
6 But I feel like a worm, less than human! People insult me and look down on me.
7 Everyone who sees me makes fun of me. They shake their heads and stick out their tongues at me.
8 They say, "Call to the Lord for help. Maybe he will save you. If he likes you so much, surely he will rescue you!"
9 God, the truth is, you are the one who brought me into this world. You made me feel safe while I was still at my mother's breasts.
10 You have been my God since the day I was born. I was thrown into your arms as I came from my mother's womb.
11 So don't leave me! Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.
12 My enemies have surrounded me like angry bulls.
13 Their mouths are opened wide, like a lion roaring and tearing at its prey.
14 My strength is gone, like water poured out on the ground. My bones have separated. My courage is gone.
15 My mouth is as dry as a piece of baked pottery. My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth. You have left me dying in the dust.
16 The "dogs" are all around me— a pack of evil people has trapped me. They have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I can see each one of my bones. My enemies are looking at me; they just keep staring.
18 They divide my clothes among themselves, and they throw lots for what I am wearing.
19 Lord, don't leave me! You are my strength— hurry and help me!
20 Save me from the sword. Save my precious life from these dogs.
21 Rescue me from the lion's mouth. Protect me from the horns of the bulls.
22 I will tell my people about you. I will praise you in the great assembly.
23 Praise the Lord, all you who worship him! Honor him, you descendants of Jacob! Fear and respect him, all you people of Israel!
24 He does not ignore those who need help. He does not hate them. He does not turn away from them. He listens when they cry for help.
25 Lord, because of you I offer praise in the great assembly. In front of all these worshipers, I will do all that I promised.
26 Poor people, come eat and be satisfied. You who have come looking for the Lord, praise him! May your hearts be happy forever.
27 May those in faraway countries remember the Lord and come back to him. May those in distant lands worship him,
28 because the Lord is the King. He rules all nations.
29 The people have eaten all they wanted and bowed down to worship the Lord. Yes, everyone will bow down to him— all who are on the way to the grave, unable to hold on to life.
30 Our descendants will serve him. Those who are not yet born will be told about him.
31 Each generation will tell their children about the good things our Lord has done.
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.