The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Plain English · paraphraseI have always kept the Lord in my sight: because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Plain English · paraphraseFor you will not leave my soul in hell; you will not let your Holy One see decay.

Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Plain English · paraphraseHear what is right, Lord. Listen to my cry. Pay attention to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my judgment come forth from your presence; let your eyes see what is fair.

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have tested my heart; you have examined me in the night; you have tried me, and will find nothing; I have made up my mind that my mouth will not sin.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

Plain English · paraphraseBecause of what you said, I have stayed away from the paths of the destroyer.

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

Plain English · paraphraseI have called to you, because you will listen, God. Turn your ear toward me and hear what I say.

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Plain English · paraphraseShow your amazing love, O you who save with your right hand those who trust you from those who attack them.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a lion eager for its prey, and like a young lion hiding in secret places.

Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

Plain English · paraphraseArise, O LORD, let him be disappointed. Throw him down. Use your sword to deliver my soul from the wicked.

From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

Plain English · paraphraseFrom men who are your hand, O Lord, from men of the world, who have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hidden treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their children.

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Plain English · paraphraseAs for me, I will see your face in what is right. I will be satisfied when I wake up, seeing your image.

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Plain English · paraphraseI will love you, Lord, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Plain English · paraphraseThe LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my rescuer; my God, my strength, the one I trust; my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Plain English · paraphraseI will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise. He will save me from my enemies.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

Plain English · paraphraseThe sorrows of death surrounded me, and the floods from wicked men made me afraid.

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

Plain English · paraphraseThe sorrows of hell surrounded me. The traps of death blocked my way.

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Plain English · paraphraseIn my trouble I called to the Lord and cried out to my God. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry came before him, right into his ears.

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of the hills also moved and were shaken, because he was angry.

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

Plain English · paraphraseSmoke rose from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth destroyed. Burning coals were lit by it.

He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he rode on a cherub and flew; yes, he flew on the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

Plain English · paraphraseHe made darkness his hiding place; his shelter was surrounded by dark waters and thick clouds from the sky.

At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

Plain English · paraphraseBefore him, the thick clouds passed, with hailstones and fireballs.

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the channels of water were revealed, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at your command, Lord, at the blast of the breath from your nostrils.

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.

They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Plain English · paraphraseThey stopped me on the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe brought me out into a wide, open place. He rescued me because he was pleased with me.

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Plain English · paraphraseGod rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he gave me what was due.

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Plain English · paraphraseI have followed the ways of the Lord and have not turned away from my God in evil.

For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, the Lord has given me what is right, because my hands are clean in his eyes.

With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;

Plain English · paraphraseWith the merciful you will be merciful; with an upright man you will be upright;

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will save the people in trouble. But you will bring down the proud.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will light my candle; the Lord my God will shine in my darkness.

For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Plain English · paraphraseBecause of you, I ran through a group of enemies. Because of my God, I jumped over a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is God who gives me strength and makes my path perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

Plain English · paraphraseHe makes my feet like the feet of hinds, and puts me on my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Plain English · paraphraseHe teaches my hands to fight, so that a steel bow is broken by my arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have made my steps stable, so my feet did not slip.

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

Plain English · paraphraseI have wounded them so they could not rise. They have fallen under my feet.

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have given me strength for battle. You have defeated those who rose against me.

Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have also given me the necks of my enemies, so that I might destroy those who hate me.

They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

Plain English · paraphraseThen I crushed them as fine as dust in the wind. I threw them out like dirt on the streets.

Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have rescued me from the conflicts of the people, and you have made me the leader of the nations. A people I did not know will serve me.

As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.

Plain English · paraphraseThe strangers will disappear and be terrified from their hidden places.

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Plain English · paraphraseGod lives. Praise to my rock! Let the God who saves me be honored.

It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is God who avenges me and subdues the people under me.

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Plain English · paraphraseHe delivers me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You have delivered me from the violent man.

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praises to your name.

Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Plain English · paraphraseHe gives great rescue to his king and shows mercy to his chosen one, to David and to his descendants forever.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Plain English · paraphraseThe heavens declare the glory of God. The sky shows his work.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Plain English · paraphraseDay speaks to day, and night shows knowledge to night.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Plain English · paraphraseThere is no speech and no language where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Plain English · paraphraseTheir message has spread across the whole earth, and their words reach to the ends of the world. In them, he has made a home for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is like a bridegroom coming out of his room, full of joy like a strong man ready to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Plain English · paraphraseHe comes from one end of the sky and moves all the way around to the other end. Nothing is hidden from his heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Plain English · paraphraseThe fear of the Lord is pure and lasts forever. The Lord’s judgments are true and completely righteous.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Plain English · paraphraseThey are more desirable than gold, even than much pure gold. They are also sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Plain English · paraphraseAlso, your servant is warned by them. Great reward comes from keeping them.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Plain English · paraphraseWho can know all my mistakes? Cleanse me from hidden sins.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Plain English · paraphraseKeep your servant away from proud sins. Let them not rule over me. Then I will be straight, and I will be innocent of great wrongdoing.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Plain English · paraphraseLet the words from my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my strength and my savior.

The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Plain English · paraphraseLet the Lord hear you in the day of trouble. Let the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

Plain English · paraphraseSend help to you from the sanctuary, and strengthen you from Zion;

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

Plain English · paraphraseGive you what is in your heart and make all your plans come true.

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Plain English · paraphraseWe will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will raise our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your requests.

Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Plain English · paraphraseThe king will be glad because of your strength, Lord. How greatly he will rejoice in your salvation!

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have given him what he wanted most and did not refuse what he asked for. Selah.

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

Plain English · paraphraseYou meet him with the blessings of goodness. You place a crown of pure gold on his head.

He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

Plain English · paraphraseHis glory is great because of your salvation. You have given him honor and majesty.

For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

Plain English · paraphraseFor you have made him very blessed forever; you have made him very happy with your presence.

For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Plain English · paraphraseThe king trusts in the Lord, and because of the mercy of the Most High, he will not be shaken.

Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

Plain English · paraphraseYour hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.