The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Plain English · paraphraseHide your face from my sins. Erase all my wickedness.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Plain English · paraphraseMake my heart clean, God. Put a right spirit in me again.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Plain English · paraphraseBring back to me the joy of your salvation. Hold me up with your generous spirit.

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Plain English · paraphraseO Lord, open my lips; my mouth will declare your praise.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Plain English · paraphraseThe sacrifices God wants are a broken spirit. A broken and sorrowful heart, God, you will not reject.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Plain English · paraphraseDo good to Zion as you choose. Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Plain English · paraphraseThen you will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Plain English · paraphraseWhy do you boast in your evil, O strong man? God's kindness lasts forever.

The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Plain English · paraphraseThe tongue plans evil, like a sharp razor that works deceptively.

Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou love evil more than good, and lying rather than speaking what is right. Selah.

Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

Plain English · paraphraseYou love words that destroy, O false tongue of mine.

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseGod will destroy you forever. He will take you away, pull you from your home, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous will see it and be afraid, and they will laugh at him.

Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Plain English · paraphraseI will praise you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good in the sight of your holy people.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Plain English · paraphraseThe fool said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt and have done terrible evil. No one does good.

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Plain English · paraphraseGod looked down from heaven on the people of the earth to see if anyone understood or sought God.

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Plain English · paraphraseEvery one of them has gone back. They are all completely filthy. No one does good, not even one.

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

Plain English · paraphraseThere they were, full of fear, even though there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You have made them look foolish, because God has rejected them.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Plain English · paraphraseOh that Israel’s salvation would come from Zion! When God brings back his people from captivity, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.

Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

Plain English · paraphraseSave me, O God, by your name. Judge me by your strength.

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Plain English · paraphraseHear my prayer, God. Listen to the words I speak.

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseStrangers have risen up against me, and oppressors are seeking my life. They do not regard God. Selah.

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

Plain English · paraphraseGod helps me. The Lord is with those who support my life.

He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

Plain English · paraphraseHe will pay evil to my enemies. Cut them off in your truth.

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Plain English · paraphraseI will offer sacrifices to you freely. I will praise your name, Lord, because it is good.

For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Plain English · paraphraseHe has rescued me from all my troubles. My eyes have seen his desire for my enemies.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Plain English · paraphraseListen to me and hear me. I grieve in my complaint and make a noise;

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

Plain English · paraphraseBecause of the enemy's voice, because of the wicked's oppression: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

Plain English · paraphraseMy heart aches deeply, and the fears of death have come upon me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Plain English · paraphraseFear and trembling have come to me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseThen I would wander far away and stay in the wilderness. Selah.

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

Plain English · paraphraseI want to hurry and escape from the stormy wind and tempest.

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

Plain English · paraphraseDay and night they walk around it along its walls. Trouble and sorrow are inside it.

Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

Plain English · paraphraseWickedness is in the city. Deceit and trickery never leave her streets.

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Plain English · paraphraseFor it was not an enemy who insulted me; then I could have endured it. Nor was it the one who hated me who rose up against me; then I would have hidden from him.

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

Plain English · paraphraseBut it was you, a man like me, my leader, and my friend.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

Plain English · paraphraseLet death take hold of them and let them go quickly down to hell, for wickedness is in their homes and among them.

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Plain English · paraphraseIn the evening, in the morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry out loud. And he will hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe has saved my life in peace from the battle against me, for there were many with me.

God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

Plain English · paraphraseHe has put his hands against those who were at peace with him. He has broken his covenant.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Plain English · paraphraseHis words were smooth and sweet like butter, but war was in his heart. His words were soft as oil, yet they were like drawn swords.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Plain English · paraphrasePut your burden on the Lord, and he will hold you up. He will never let the righteous be shaken.

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men who are bloody and deceitful will not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Plain English · paraphraseHave mercy on me, God. A man wants to swallow me up. He fights against me every day and oppresses me.

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

Plain English · paraphraseMy enemies would swallow me up every day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

Plain English · paraphraseThey gather together, they hide, they watch my steps, as they wait for my life.

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Plain English · paraphraseShall they escape by doing evil? In your anger, cast down the people, O God.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Plain English · paraphraseYou know all my wandering. You put my tears into your bottle. Are they not written in your book?

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen I call to you, my enemies will turn away. I know this: God is on my side.

In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

Plain English · paraphraseI will praise his word in God; I will praise his word in the Lord.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Plain English · paraphraseI have trusted in God. I will not be afraid of what people can do to me.

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Plain English · paraphraseYou have saved my life from death. Will you not also keep my feet from slipping, so I can walk before God in the light of the living?

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Plain English · paraphraseBe merciful to me, God. Be merciful to me. My soul trusts in you. Yes, I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until these troubles pass.

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

Plain English · paraphraseI will cry out to God Most High, to God who does all things for me.

He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Plain English · paraphraseHe will send from heaven and save me from the one who tries to destroy me. Selah. God will send out his mercy and his truth.

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseBe exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be above all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have set a trap for my steps; my soul is crushed. They have dug a pit, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah.

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Plain English · paraphraseWake up, my honor; wake, lyre and harp. I myself will wake early.

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

Plain English · paraphraseI will praise you, Lord, among the people. I will sing to you among the nations.

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Plain English · paraphraseYour mercy reaches to the heavens. Your truth reaches to the clouds.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseBe exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be above all the earth.

Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

Plain English · paraphraseDo you truly speak what is right, you assembly? Do you judge fairly, you people?

Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseYes, in your hearts you do evil things. You measure the violence of your actions on the earth.

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

Plain English · paraphraseWhich will not listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillfully they charm.

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them melt away like flowing water. When he bends his bow to shoot arrows, let them be broken like pieces.

As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a snail that melts away, let each of them disappear. Like a baby born too early, let them not see the sun.

Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous will be glad when he sees the punishment. He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseSo that a man will say, There is a reward for the righteous. He is a God who judges in the earth.

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Plain English · paraphraseDeliver me from my enemies, O my God. Defend me from those who rise up against me.

Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

Plain English · paraphraseDeliver me from those who do evil, and save me from the men who shed blood.

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

Plain English · paraphraseThey run and prepare themselves, not because of my fault. Wake up and help me, and watch.

Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou, therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, wake up to punish all the nations. Do not show mercy to any wicked rebels. Selah.

They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

Plain English · paraphraseLook, they spit out words from their mouths; swords are in their lips. "Who," they say, "is there to hear?"

But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you, O Lord, will laugh at them. You will mock all the nations.

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.