« | Psalm 77 | » |
1 To the director: To Jeduthun. One of Asaph's songs. I cry out to God for help. I cry out to you, God; listen to me!
2 My Lord, in my time of trouble I came to you. I reached out for you all night long. My soul refused to be comforted.
3 I thought about you, God, and tried to tell you how I felt, but I could not.
4 You would not let me sleep. I tried to say something, but I was too upset.
5 I kept thinking about the past, about things that happened long ago.
6 During the night, I thought about my songs. I talked to myself, trying to understand what is happening.
7 I wondered, "Has our Lord rejected us forever? Will he ever accept us again?
8 Is his love gone forever? Will he never again speak to us?
9 Has God forgotten what mercy is? Has his compassion changed to anger?" Selah
10 Then I said to myself, "What bothers me most is the thought that God Most High has lost his power."
11 Lord, I remember what you have done. I remember the amazing things you did long ago.
12 I think about those things. I think about them all the time.
13 God, all that you do is holy. No god is as great as you are.
14 You are the God who does amazing things. You showed the nations your great power.
15 By your power you saved your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 God, the water saw you and became afraid. The deep water shook with fear.
17 The thick clouds dropped their water. Thunder roared in the sky above. Your arrows of lightning flashed through the clouds.
18 There were loud claps of thunder. Lightning lit up the world. The earth shook and trembled.
19 You walked through the water and crossed the deep sea, but you left no footprints.
20 You led your people like sheep, using Moses and Aaron to guide them.
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.