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Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.
Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.
Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.
The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)
See also the FAQs and the Glossary.
7:1 A prayer for justice
A Prayer for Justice; Plea for Help against Persecutors
A ≈song by David which he sang to Yahweh concerning the Benyamite, Kush.
A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.; A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjaminite.; A shiggaion: for David (which he sang to the Lord because of Cush, a Benjamite); A psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin.
7 I’ve ≈taken refuge in you, Yahweh, my God.
Save me from those who are ≈trying to get me,
2 ≈or else they’ll rip ≈me apart like a lion—
tearing me apart without anyone to rescue me.
3 Yahweh my God, if I’m ≈the cause of this,
≈if it’s my hands that have ≈done wrong,
4 if I repaid my friend with evil instead of good,
≈or ≈stole from my enemy for no good reason,
5 allow my enemy to chase ≈me and overtake me,
and trample my life into the ground,
and ≡allow my honour to disappear into the dust. (Instrumental break.)
6 Take action, Yahweh.
≈Take out your anger on my enemies
Wake up ≈for my sake—it’s you who ≈demands justice.
7 The countries have gathered around you—
return ≈to ruling them from on high.
8 Yahweh, judge those ≈people groups.
See my ≈obedience and integrity,
and ≈declare me innocent.
9 Bring the evil >activities of wicked >people to an end,
and establish ≈those who do good instead.
The righteous God examines ≈inner thoughts and motives.[ref]
≡the one who rescues people ≈who desire to do good.
11 God is a judge ≈who never does wrong.
≡He’s ≈always against evil.
12 If anyone doesn’t repent, he’ll sharpen his bow,
then bend it back ready to use,
13 because he’s prepared weapons of death—
14 Look at @that person who’s pregnant with wickedness
15 He digs a pit ≈then makes it deeper,
≈but he’ll fall into the very hole that he made.
16 His trouble returns on his own head,
≈and his violence ≈crushes his own skull.
↑ 7 A_shiggaion of_Dāvid which he_sang to/for_YHWH on the_messages_of Kūsh/(Cush) a_Ben-_of jaminite.
2 \f + \fr 7:2 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
1\f* Oh_YHWH god_of_my in/on/at/with_you I_have_sought_refuge save_me from_all pursue_of_me and_deliver_me.
3 \f + \fr 7:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
2\f* lest he_should_tear_to_pieces like_lion soul_of_my tearing and_no a_deliverer.
4 \f + \fr 7:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
3\f* Oh_YHWH god_of_my if I_have_done this if there_is unrighteousness in/on/at/with_hands_of_my.
5 \f + \fr 7:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
4\f* if I_have_repaid friend_of_my evil and_plundered foe_of_my without_cause.
6 \f + \fr 7:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
5\f* may_he_pursue an_enemy soul_of_my and_overtake and_trample to_the_ground life_of_my and_honour_of_my in_the_dust may_he_lay Şelāh.
7 \f + \fr 7:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
6\f* rise_up Oh_YHWH in/on/at/with_anger_of_your raise_yourself in/on/at/with_fury_of enemies_of_my and_awake to_me justice you_have_commanded.
8 \f + \fr 7:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
7\f* and_assembly_of nations gather_around_you and_over_it on_the_high return.
9 \f + \fr 7:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
8\f* YHWH judges peoples vindicate_me Oh_YHWH according_to_righteousness_of_my and_according_to_integrity_of_my in_me.
10 \f + \fr 7:10 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
9\f* may_it_come_to_an_end please the_evil_of wicked_people and_establish the_righteous and_test hearts and_hearts Oh_god righteous.
11 \f + \fr 7:11 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
10\f* shield_of_my is_on god a_deliverer of_people_upright_of heart.
12 \f + \fr 7:12 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
11\f* god is_a_judge righteous and_god is_indignant in_all day.
13 \f + \fr 7:13 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
12\f* if not anyone_will_repent sword_of_his he_will_sharpen bow_of_his he_has_bent and_made_ready_it.
14 \f + \fr 7:14 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
13\f* and_to/for_him/it he_has_prepared weapons_of death arrows_of_his with_fiery he_will_make.
15 \f + \fr 7:15 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
14\f* there he_is_in_labour_with wickedness and_conceives mischief and_gives_birth_to falsehood.
16 \f + \fr 7:16 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
15\f* a_pit he_digs and_hollowed_out_it and_falls in/on/at/with_hole which_he_made.
17 \f + \fr 7:17 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
16\f* trouble_of_his it_returns in/on/at/with_head_of_his_own and_on skull_of_his_own violence_of_his it_comes_down.
18 \f + \fr 7:18 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.
7.
17\f* I_will_give_thanks_to YHWH according_to_righteousness_of_his and_sing_praise the_name_of YHWH the_Most_High.
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