« | Psalm 71 | » |
1 Lord, I depend on you for protection. Don't let me be disappointed.
2 You always do what is right, so come and save me. Listen to me and save me.
3 Be my Rock, my place of safety. Be my fortress and protect me! You are my Rock and my protection.
4 My God, save me from wicked people. Save me from cruel, evil people.
5 My Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was a young boy.
6 I depended on you even before I was born. I relied on you even in my mother's womb. I have always prayed to you.
7 You are my source of strength, so I have been an example to others.
8 I am always singing about the wonderful things you do.
9 Don't throw me away just because I am old. Don't leave me as I lose my strength.
10 My enemies make plans against me. They have met together and are making plans to kill me.
11 They say, "Go get him! God has left him, so there is no one to help him."
12 God, don't leave me! My God, hurry and help me!
13 Defeat my enemies. Destroy them completely! They are trying to hurt me. Let them suffer shame and disgrace.
14 Then I will always trust in you and praise you more and more.
15 I will tell people how good you are. I will tell about all the times you saved me— too many times to count.
16 I will tell about your greatness, my Lord God. I will talk only about you and your goodness.
17 God, you have taught me since I was a young boy. And to this day I have told people about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don't leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness.
19 God, your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like you.
20 You have let me see troubles and hard times, but you will give me new life; you will lift me up from this pit of death!
21 You will help me do even greater things. You will comfort me again!
22 I will play the harp and praise you. My God, I will sing about your faithfulness. I will play songs on my lyre for the Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy, singing songs of praise to you for saving me.
24 My tongue will sing about your goodness all the time, because those who wanted to kill me have been defeated and disgraced.
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.