The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Plain English · paraphraseTurn us again, God, and let your face shine on us. Then we will be saved.

O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?

Plain English · paraphraseO Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?

Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Plain English · paraphraseYou make us the subject of conflict with our neighbors, and our enemies laugh at each other.

Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

Plain English · paraphraseYou brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

Plain English · paraphraseYou made space for it ahead of time, and caused it to grow deep roots, and it filled the land.

The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.

Plain English · paraphraseThe hills were covered with its shadow, and its branches were like the fine cedars.

She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.

Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?

Plain English · paraphraseWhy then have you broken down her fences, so that everyone who walks by picks from her?

The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

Plain English · paraphraseA wild boar from the forest ruins it, and the wild animals of the field eat it up.

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

Plain English · paraphraseReturn, we ask you, O God of armies: look from heaven, and see, and visit this vine;

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the vineyard that your right hand planted, and the branch you made strong for yourself.

It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

Plain English · paraphraseLet your hand be on the man at your right hand, on the son of man you made strong for yourself.

So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseWe will not turn away from you. Give us new life, and we will call on your name.

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Plain English · paraphraseTurn us again, Lord God of armies, show your face in favor; and we will be saved.

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Plain English · paraphraseSing loudly to God, our strength. Make joyful noises to the God of Jacob.

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Plain English · paraphraseTake up a psalm. Bring here the tambourine, the pleasant harp, and the lyre.

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Plain English · paraphraseBlow the trumpet in the new moon, at the set time, on our holy day of celebration.

For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

Plain English · paraphraseThis was a rule for Israel, and a law from Jacob's God.

This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

Plain English · paraphraseHe made this happen in Joseph as a witness, when he went through the land of Egypt. There I heard a language I did not understand.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

Plain English · paraphraseI took the burden from his shoulder; his hands were freed from the pots.

Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou called out in trouble, and I rescued you. I answered you from the hidden place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

Plain English · paraphraseListen, my people, while I speak to you: Israel, if you will listen to me;

There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

Plain English · paraphraseThere will be no foreign god among you, and you must not worship any foreign god.

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Plain English · paraphraseI am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

Plain English · paraphraseBut my people would not listen to my voice; and Israel would not accept me.

So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

Plain English · paraphraseSo I let them go after their own desires. They followed their own plans.

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

Plain English · paraphraseOh, that my people had listened to me, and Israel had followed my ways!

I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

Plain English · paraphraseI would soon defeat their enemies and turn against their adversaries.

The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who hate the LORD should have submitted to him, but their time should have lasted forever.

He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Plain English · paraphraseHe should have fed them with the finest wheat, and I should have given you honey from the rock.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Plain English · paraphraseGod stands in the assembly of the powerful; he judges among the gods.

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Plain English · paraphraseDefend the poor and the fatherless. Do justice for the suffering and the needy.

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

Plain English · paraphraseHelp the poor and the ones in need. Free them from the hands of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Plain English · paraphraseThey do not know, and they will not understand. They walk in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are off course.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you will die like humans, and fall like one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Plain English · paraphraseArise, O God, judge the earth. You will inherit all nations.

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

Plain English · paraphraseYour enemies are making a great noise, and those who hate you have raised their heads.

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have made clever plans against your people and plotted against your secret ones.

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have said, "Come, let us destroy them so that the nation no longer exists, and the name Israel will never be remembered."

For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

Plain English · paraphraseThey have all agreed together. They are united against you.

The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseAssur is with them too. They have helped the children of Lot. Selah.

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

Plain English · paraphraseTreat them as you did the Midianites, as you did Sisera, as you did Jabin at the Kison River:

Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

Plain English · paraphraseWho said, "Let us take the houses of God for ourselves and claim them as our possession."

O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

Plain English · paraphraseLike fire burning wood, and like a flame setting the mountains on fire;

So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseLet their faces be filled with shame, so that they may seek your name, Lord.

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

Plain English · paraphraseLet them be confused and troubled forever. Yes, let them be disgraced and destroyed.

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

Plain English · paraphraseHow pleasant are your dwellings, O Lord of Armies!

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul longs, yes, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my body cry out for the living God.

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever walks through the valley of Baca turns it into a well; the rain also fills the pools.

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Plain English · paraphraseThey move from strength to strength; each one of them appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseO Lord God of armies, hear my prayer. Listen, God of Jacob. Selah.

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Plain English · paraphraseA day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord God is a sun and a shield. The Lord gives grace and glory. He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Plain English · paraphraseO Lord of hosts, blessed is the person who trusts in you.

Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, you have been kind to your land. You have brought back the people of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have forgiven the wrongdoing of your people. You have covered all their sins. Selah.

Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have taken away all your anger. You have turned away from the fierceness of your anger.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Plain English · paraphraseTurn us, God of our salvation, and stop your anger toward us.

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Plain English · paraphraseWill you be angry with us forever? Will you keep your anger burning for all generations?

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Plain English · paraphraseWill you not bring us back to life, so that your people can be happy in you?

Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

Plain English · paraphraseShow us your mercy, LORD, and give us your salvation.

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Plain English · paraphraseI will listen to what God the Lord has to say. He will speak peace to his people and to his holy ones. But let them not return to foolishness.

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Plain English · paraphraseMercy and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseTruth will come up from the earth. Righteousness will look down from heaven.

Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Plain English · paraphraseYes, the Lord will give what is good. Our land will produce its harvest.

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Plain English · paraphraseListen closely, Lord. Hear me. I am poor and in need.

Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Plain English · paraphraseKeep my life safe; I am holy. My God, save your servant who trusts in you.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Plain English · paraphraseHave mercy on me, Lord. I call to you every day.

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my servant’s heart be glad, for I lift my soul to you, Lord.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Plain English · paraphraseFor you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive. You are full of mercy for all who call on you.

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

Plain English · paraphraseListen, Lord, to my prayer. Pay attention to the voice of my requests.

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Plain English · paraphraseOn the day of my trouble I will call to you, because you will answer me.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Plain English · paraphraseAmong the gods, no one is like you, Lord. No one has works like your works.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseAll the nations you have made will come and worship you, Lord, and will honor your name.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Plain English · paraphraseYou are great and do amazing things. You are the only God.

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseShow me the way you want me to live, Lord. I will follow your truth. Make my heart truly care about your name.

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Plain English · paraphraseI will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart. I will honor your name forever.

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Plain English · paraphraseYour mercy toward me is great. You have delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, patient, and rich in mercy and truth.