« | Psalm 72 | » |
1 To Solomon. God, help the king be like you and make fair decisions. Help the king's son know what justice is.
2 Help the king judge your people fairly. Help him make wise decisions for your poor people.
3 Let there be peace and justice throughout the land, known on every mountain and hill.
4 May the king be fair to the poor. May he help the helpless and punish those who hurt them.
5 May people always fear and respect you, God, as long as the sun shines and the moon is in the sky.
6 Help the king be like rain falling on the fields, like showers falling on the land.
7 Let goodness grow everywhere while he is king. Let peace continue as long as there is a moon.
8 Let his kingdom grow from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the faraway places on earth.
9 May all the people living in the desert bow down to him. May all his enemies bow before him with their faces in the dirt.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and all the faraway lands by the sea bring gifts to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring their tribute to him.
11 May all kings bow down to our king. May all nations serve him.
12 Our king helps the poor who cry out to him— those in need who have no one to help them.
13 He feels sorry for all who are weak and poor. He protects their lives.
14 He saves them from the cruel people who try to hurt them. Their lives are important to him.
15 Long live the king! Let him receive gold from Sheba. Always pray for the king. Ask God to bless him every day.
16 May the fields grow plenty of grain and the hills be covered with crops. May the fields be as fertile as Lebanon, and may people fill the cities as grass covers a field.
17 May the king be famous forever. May people remember his name as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him, and may they all bless him.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel! Only he can do such amazing things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever! Let his glory fill the whole world. Amen and Amen!
20 (This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.) BOOK 3 (Psalms 73-89)
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.