The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Plain English · paraphraseLook, as servants' eyes watch their master's hand, and as a maiden's eyes watch her mistress's hand, so our eyes wait on the Lord our God, until he shows us mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Plain English · paraphraseOur soul is very full of the mocking from those who are at ease, and of the contempt from the proud.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

Plain English · paraphraseThen they would have swallowed us up quickly, when their anger was stirred up against us:

Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

Plain English · paraphraseOur soul has escaped like a bird from the trap of the trapper. The trap is broken, and we are free.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Plain English · paraphraseOur help comes from the name of the Lord, who created heaven and earth.

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who trust in the Lord will be like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and remains forever.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseLike the mountains that surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds his people now and forever.

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked will not rule over the righteous, so the righteous won’t turn to doing wrong.

Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseAs for those who turn to their twisted paths, the Lord will lead them out with the people who do evil. But peace will be on Israel.

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the Lord turned back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

Plain English · paraphraseThen our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord has done great things for us. We are glad about them.

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

Plain English · paraphraseTurn us back, Lord, as the streams in the south return.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who sow while weeping will reap with joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Plain English · paraphraseThe one who goes out weeping, carrying valuable seed, will surely return rejoicing, bringing his harvest with him.

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Plain English · paraphraseUnless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord protects the city, the watchman stays awake but in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is useless for you to get up early or stay up late or eat the bread of sorrow, for he gives his loved ones sleep.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Plain English · paraphraseChildren are a gift from the Lord. The children a woman bears are his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Plain English · paraphraseChildren are like arrows in the hand of a strong man.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Plain English · paraphraseHappy is the man who has a full quiver of children. They will not be ashamed. They will speak with enemies at the city gate.

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Plain English · paraphraseBlessed is everyone who fears the Lord; who walks in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will eat the results of your own labor. You will be happy, and it will go well with you.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Plain English · paraphraseYour wife will be like a fruitful vine growing along the walls of your house; your children will be like olive plants around your table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseThis is how the man who fears the Lord will be blessed.

The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Plain English · paraphraseThe LORD will bless you from Zion. You will see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseYes, you will see your grandchildren, and peace will be on Israel.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

Plain English · paraphraseThey have troubled me many times since I was young. Let Israel now say:

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have troubled me many times since I was young, but they have not overcome me.

The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

Plain English · paraphraseThe plowmen plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.

The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is righteous. He has broken the ropes of the wicked.

Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them all be confused and driven back who hate Zion.

Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

Plain English · paraphraseLet them be like the grass on rooftops, which withers before it grows up.

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

Plain English · paraphraseThe mower doesn't fill his hand; the one who binds the sheaves doesn't fill his bosom.

Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who pass by do not say, "May the blessing of the Lord be upon you." Instead, they bless you in the name of the Lord.

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Plain English · paraphraseIf you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could remain?

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Plain English · paraphraseI wait for the Lord. My soul waits. I hope in his word.

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul waits for the Lord more than those who wait for the morning. I say, more than those who wait for the morning.

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, my heart is not proud, and my eyes are not high. I do not involve myself in great matters or things too high for me.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

Plain English · paraphraseI have been patient and calm, like a child who has been weaned from its mother. My soul is like a weaned child.

Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseLet Israel hope in the Lord from now on and forever.

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:

How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

Plain English · paraphraseI will not enter my house or go up to my bed.

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,

Plain English · paraphraseI will not let my eyes sleep, or my eyelids rest.

Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

Plain English · paraphraseLet your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your holy people shout for joy.

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

Plain English · paraphraseFor the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed.

The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord has promised David with truth; he will not go back on it. From the child of your body, I will place one on your throne.

If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

Plain English · paraphraseIf your children keep my covenant and my instructions that I will teach them, their children will also sit on your throne forever.

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Plain English · paraphraseGod has chosen Zion. He wants it to be his home.

This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

Plain English · paraphraseThis is my resting place forever. Here I will live, because I wanted it.

I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Plain English · paraphraseI will give her plenty of food. I will feed her poor people with bread.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Plain English · paraphraseThere I will make David’s strength grow again. I have set a light for my chosen one.

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Plain English · paraphraseI will cover his enemies with shame, but his own crown will grow strong.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Plain English · paraphraseHow good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Plain English · paraphrasePraise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord through the night.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseLift up your hands in the holy place, and bless the Lord.

The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion.

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Plain English · paraphrasePraise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise him, you servants of the Lord.

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Plain English · paraphraseGod has chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel as his special possession.

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Plain English · paraphraseWhatever the Lord wanted to do, he did in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the deep places.

He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Plain English · paraphraseHe causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning for the rain; he brings the wind from his storerooms.

Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Plain English · paraphraseWho killed the firstborn of Egypt, both people and animals.

Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

Plain English · paraphraseWho sent signs and miracles into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

Plain English · paraphraseWho struck down great nations and killed powerful kings;

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel his people.

Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

Plain English · paraphraseYour name, Lord, lasts forever; and your memory, Lord, lasts through every generation.

For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord will judge his people, and he will feel regret for his servants.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

Plain English · paraphraseThe idols of the heathen are made of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

Plain English · paraphraseThey have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see.

They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have ears, but they do not hear. There is no breath in their mouths.

They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who create them are like them. So is everyone who trusts in them.

Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:

Plain English · paraphraseBless the Lord, all you of the house of Israel. Bless the Lord, all you of the house of Aaron.

Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseBless the Lord, O house of Levi. You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseBlessed be the Lord from Zion, where he lives in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseGive thanks to the Lord; for he is good. His mercy lasts forever.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseGive thanks to the God of gods. His mercy lasts forever.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseGive thanks to the Lord of lords. His mercy lasts forever.