« | Psalm 68 | » |
1 To the director: A praise song of David. God, get up and scatter your enemies! May all your enemies run from you.
2 May your enemies be scattered like smoke blown away by the wind. May your enemies be destroyed like wax melting in a fire.
3 But let good people be happy. Let them gather before God and enjoy themselves together.
4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Prepare the way for the one who rides on the clouds. His name is Yah. Worship before him with joy.
5 God, who lives in his holy palace, is a father to orphans, and he takes care of widows.
6 God provides homes for those who are lonely. He frees people from prison and makes them happy. But those who turn against him will live in the desert.
7 God, you led your people out of Egypt. You marched across the desert. Selah
8 The ground shook and rain poured from the sky when God, the God of Israel, came to Sinai.
9 God, you sent the rain to make a tired, old land strong again.
10 Your people came back to live there, and you provided good things for the poor.
11 My Lord gave the command, and many people went to tell the good news:
12 "The armies of powerful kings ran away! At home, the women divide the things brought from the battle.
13 Those who stayed home will share in the wealth— metal doves with wings covered in silver and feathers sparkling with gold."
14 God All-Powerful scattered the kings like snow falling on Mount Zalmon.
15 Mount Bashan is a great mountain with many high peaks.
16 But, Bashan, why are you jealous of Mount Zion? That is where God has chosen to live. The Lord will live there forever.
17 With his millions of chariots the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.
18 You went up to your high place, leading a parade of captives. You received gifts from people, even those who turned against you. The Lord God went up there to live.
19 Praise the Lord! Every day he helps us with the loads we must carry. He is the God who saves us. Selah
20 He is our God, the God who saves us. My Lord God saves us from death.
21 God will smash the heads of his enemies. He will punish those who fight against him.
22 My Lord said, "If they run up to Bashan or down to the depths of the sea, I will bring them back.
23 So you will march through pools of their blood, and there will be plenty left for your dogs."
24 God, everyone can see your victory parade— the victory march of my God and King into his holy place!
25 Singers come marching in front, followed by the musicians; they are surrounded by young girls playing tambourines.
26 Praise God in the meeting place. Praise the Lord, people of Israel!
27 There is the smallest tribe, Benjamin, leading them. And there comes a large group of leaders from Judah. Following them are the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28 God, show us your power! Show us the power you used for us in the past.
29 Kings will bring their wealth to you, to your Temple in Jerusalem.
30 Punish the people in Egypt. They are like cattle in the marshes, like bulls among the calves. You humiliated them. You scattered them in war. Now let them come crawling to you, bringing their pieces of silver.
31 Messengers from Egypt will come bearing gifts. Ethiopia will offer God their tribute.
32 Kings on earth, sing to God! Sing songs of praise to our Lord! Selah
33 Sing to him who rides his chariot through the ancient skies. Listen to his powerful voice!
34 Tell everyone how powerful he is! He rules over Israel. His power fills the skies.
35 God, you are awesome in your Temple! The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to his people. Praise God!
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.