« | Psalm 40 | » |
1 To the director: A song of David. I called to the Lord, and he heard me. He heard my cries.
2 He lifted me out of the grave. He lifted me from that muddy place. He picked me up, put me on solid ground, and kept my feet from slipping.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see what he did and worship him. They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 What great blessings there are for those who trust in the Lord, for those who do not turn to demons and false gods for help.
5 Lord my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us— too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.
6 Lord, you made me understand this: You don't really want sacrifices and grain offerings. You don't want burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 So I said, "Here I am, ready to do what was written about me in the book.
8 My God, I am happy to do whatever you want. I never stop thinking about your teachings."
9 I told the good news of victory to the people in the great assembly. And, Lord, you know that I will never stop telling that good news.
10 I told about the good things you did. I did not hide these things in my heart. I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us. I did not hide your love and loyalty from those in the great assembly.
11 Lord, do not hide your mercy from me. Let your love and loyalty always protect me.
12 Troubles have surrounded me. They are too many to count! My sins have caught me, and I cannot escape them. They are more than the hairs on my head. I have lost my courage.
13 Please, Lord, rescue me! Lord, hurry and help me!
14 People are trying to kill me. Please disappoint them. Humiliate them completely! They want to hurt me. Make them run away in shame!
15 May those who make fun of me be too embarrassed to speak!
16 But may those who come to you be happy and rejoice. May those who love being saved by you always be able to say, "Praise the Lord!"
17 My Lord, I am only a poor, helpless man, but please pay attention to me. You are my helper, the one who can save me. My God, don't be too late!
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.