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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.
97:1 God’s splendour
The Glory of God’s Reign; God the Supreme Ruler
Let the earth be glad.
Let the many islands be happy.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him.
≈Doing what’s right and being fair are the foundation of his throne.
and burns up his enemies from all around.
4 His lightning lights up the world.
The earth sees >it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax ≈when Yahweh comes—
the master of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare ≈that he does what is right,
and all the nations can see his ≈splendour.
7 All those who worship carved figures will be shamed—
≈those who boast about worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you ‘gods’.
8 Tsiyyon (Zion) heard and was glad,
≈and Yehudah’s towns celebrated
because your decrees ≈are fair and right, Yahweh.
9 For you, Yahweh, are ≈the most powerful in all the earth.
≈You are far ≈greater than any other ‘gods’.
10 All you who love Yahweh, hate evil.
He protects the lives of his faithful ones—
he ≈rescues them from the schemes of wicked >people.
11 Light ≈comes for godly >people
≈and gladness for those with honest hearts.
12 Be glad in Yahweh, you ≈godly people
↑ 97 YHWH he_reigns let_it_be_glad the_earth/land islands let_them_rejoice many.
2 Cloud and_thick_darkness surround_of_him is_righteousness and_justice the_foundation_of throne_of_his.
3 Fire to/for_before_of_him it_goes and_burns_up all_around adversaries_of_his.
4 lightnings_of_his They_light_up the_world it_sees and_trembles the_earth/land.
5 Mountains like_the_wax they_melt from_to/for_face/front/presence YHWH from_to/for_face/front/presence the_master_of all_of the_earth/land.
6 They_declare the_heavens righteousness_of_his and_ all_of _see the_peoples glory_of_his.
7 Let_them_be_ashamed all_of (of)_an_image those_who_serve_of the_boast in/on/at/with_idols bow_down to_him/it Oh_all_of gods.
8 It_hears and_glad Tsiyyōn/(Zion) and_rejoice the_daughters_of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) on_account_of judgements_of_your Oh_YHWH.
9 If/because you Oh_YHWH are_most_high over all_of the_earth/land exceedingly you_are_exalted above all_of gods.
10 Oh_you_all_who_love_of (of)_YHWH hate evil he_is_protecting\f + \fr 97:10 \ft OSHB note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS.
Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.
\f* the_lives_of faithful_of_his from_hand_of wicked_people delivers_them.
11 Light\f + \fr 97:11 \ft OSHB note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS.
Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.
\f* is_sown for_the_righteous and_for_upright_of heart joy.
12 Rejoice Oh_righteous_people in/on/at/with_LORD and_give_thanks to_name_of holy_of_his.
Previous Book (JOB) PSA 96 OET Book index, Intro, and Key PSA 98 Next Book (PRO) FAQs Glossary