« | Psalm 69 | » |
1 To the director: To the tune of "The Lilies." A song of David. God, save me from all my troubles! The rising water has reached my neck.
2 I have nothing to stand on. I am sinking down, down into the mud. I am in deep water, and the waves are about to cover me.
3 I am getting weak from calling for help. My throat is sore. I have waited and looked for your help until my eyes are hurting.
4 I have more enemies than the hairs on my head. They hate me for no reason. They try hard to destroy me. My enemies tell lies about me. They say I stole from them, and they demand that I pay for things I did not steal.
5 God, you know my faults. I cannot hide my sins from you.
6 My Lord God All-Powerful, don't let me embarrass your followers. God of Israel, don't let me bring disgrace to those who worship you.
7 My face is covered with shame. I carry this shame for you.
8 My own brothers treat me like a stranger. They act as if I came from a foreign land.
9 My strong devotion to your Temple is destroying me. Those who insult you are also insulting me.
10 When I spend time crying and fasting, they make fun of me.
11 When I wear sackcloth to show my sorrow, they tell jokes about me.
12 They talk about me in public places. The beer drinkers make up songs about me.
13 As for me, Lord, this is my prayer to you: Please accept me! God, I want you to answer me with love. I know I can trust you to save me.
14 Pull me from the mud, and don't let me sink down deeper. Save me from those who hate me. Save me from this deep water.
15 Don't let the waves drown me. Don't let the deep sea swallow me or the grave close its mouth on me.
16 Answer me, Lord, from the goodness of your faithful love. Out of your great kindness turn to me and help me!
17 Don't turn away from your servant. I am in trouble, so hurry and help me!
18 Come save my soul. Rescue me from my enemies.
19 You know the shame I have suffered. You know all my enemies. You saw how they humiliated me.
20 I feel the pain of their insults. The shame makes me feel like dying! I wanted some sympathy, but there was none. I waited for someone to comfort me, but no one came.
21 They gave me poison, not food. They gave me vinegar, not wine.
22 Their tables are covered with food. Let their fellowship meals destroy them.
23 Let them go blind and their backs become weak.
24 Show them how angry you are. Let them feel what your anger can do.
25 Make their homes empty. Don't let anyone live there.
26 They try to hurt people you have already punished. They tell everyone about the suffering you gave them.
27 Punish them for the bad things they have done. Don't show them how good you can be.
28 Erase their names from the book of life. Don't let their names appear on the list of those who do what is right.
29 I am sad and hurting. God, lift me up and save me!
30 I will praise God's name in song. I will honor him by giving him thanks.
31 The Lord will be happier with this than with the offering of an ox or a full-grown bull as a sacrifice.
32 Poor people, you came to worship God. You will be happy to know these things.
33 The Lord listens to poor, helpless people. He does not turn away from those who are in prison.
34 Praise him, heaven and earth! Sea and everything in it, praise him!
35 God will save Zion. He will rebuild the cities of Judah. The people will settle there again and own the land.
36 The descendants of his servants will get that land. Those who love his name will live there.
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.