« | Psalm 71 | » |
1 In you, O Lord, have I put my hope; let me never be shamed.
2 Keep me safe in your righteousness, and come to my help; give ear to my voice, and be my saviour.
3 Be my strong Rock, the strong place of my salvation; for you are my Rock, and my safe place.
4 O my God, take me out of the hand of the sinner, out of the hand of the evil and cruel man.
5 For you are my hope, O Lord God; I have had faith in you from the time when I was young.
6 You have been my support from the day of my birth; you took me out of my mother's body; my praise will be ever of you.
7 I am a wonder to all; but you are my strong tower.
8 My mouth will be full of your praise and glory all the day.
9 Do not give me up when I am old; be my help even when my strength is gone.
10 For my haters are waiting secretly for me; and those who are watching for my soul are banded together in their evil designs,
11 Saying, God has given him up; go after him and take him, for he has no helper.
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, come quickly to my help.
13 Let those who say evil against my soul be overcome and put to shame; let my haters be made low and have no honour.
14 But I will go on ever hoping, and increasing in all your praise.
15 My mouth will make clear your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for they are more than may be measured.
16 I will give news of the great acts of the Lord God; my words will be of your righteousness, and of yours only.
17 O God, you have been my teacher from the time when I was young; and I have been talking of your works of wonder even till now.
18 Now when I am old and grey-headed, O God, give me not up; till I have made clear your strength to this generation, and your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, is very high; you have done great things; O God, who is like you?
20 You, who have sent great and bitter troubles on me, will give me life again, lifting me up from the deep waters of the underworld.
21 You will make me greater than before, and give me comfort on every side.
22 I will give praise to you with instruments of music, O my God, for you are true; I will make songs to you with music, O Holy One of Israel.
23 Joy will be on my lips when I make melody to you; and in my soul, to which you have given salvation.
24 My tongue will be talking of your righteousness all the day; for those whose purpose is to do me evil have been crushed and put to shame.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.