« | Psalm 88 | » |
1 A song from the Korah family. To the director: About a painful sickness. A maskil from Heman the Ezrahite. Lord God, you are my Savior. I have been praying to you day and night.
2 Please pay attention to my prayers. Listen to my prayers for mercy.
3 My soul has had enough of this pain! I am ready to die.
4 People already treat me like a dead man, like someone too weak to live.
5 Look for me among the dead, like a body in the grave. I am one of those you have forgotten, cut off from you and your care.
6 You put me in that hole in the ground. Yes, you put me in that dark place.
7 Your anger presses down on me like a heavy weight. It's like one wave after another pounding against me. Selah
8 You made my friends leave me. They all avoid me like someone no one wants to touch. Like a prisoner in my house, I cannot go out.
9 My eyes hurt from crying. Lord, I pray to you constantly! I lift my arms in prayer to you.
10 Do you do miracles for the dead? Do ghosts rise up and praise you? No! Selah
11 The dead in their graves cannot talk about your faithful love. People in the world of the dead cannot talk about your faithfulness.
12 The dead who lie in darkness cannot see the amazing things you do. Those in the world of the forgotten cannot talk about your goodness.
13 Lord, I am asking you to help me! Early each morning I pray to you.
14 Lord, why have you abandoned me? Why do you refuse to listen to me?
15 I have been sick and weak since I was young. I have suffered your anger, and I am helpless.
16 Your anger covers me like a flood. Your attacks are killing me.
17 They surround me on every side. I feel like a drowning man.
18 You caused my friends and loved ones to leave me. Now darkness is my closest friend.
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.