Different Bible Translations Vary Greatly

For those of you who aren’t Christians or Jews, Bible translations differ greatly. The English versions of the Bible such as King James Version (KJV) have simpler translations compared to the Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB). 

I think it’s also interesting to note the differences in the Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) which is translated directly from the Latin Vulgate.

I’ve chosen to use Psalms 91:1-16, a prayer of protection, as an example. Compare and contrast the differences. 

I’ve noticed the KJV has a more gloom and doom feel to it, which goes to show how the meaning of words changes with different versions. It’s also worth noting that certain words are omitted in comparison to the OJB.

KJV

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

OJB

1He that dwelleth in the seter Elyon (covering, hiding place of the Most High) shall abide under the tzel Shaddai (shadow of the Almighty). 2I will say of Hashem, He is my refuge and my fortress; Elohai (my G-d); in Him will I trust. 3Surely He shall save thee from the pach yakosh ([deadly] snare of the fowler), and from the devastating dever (plague). 4He shall cover thee with His evrah (pinion, flight feathers), and under His kenafayim (wings) shalt thou find defense; His Emes shall be thy shield and buckler. 5Thou shalt not be afraid of the pachad (terror) by lailah; nor of the khetz (arrow) that flieth yomam (by day); 6Nor for the dever (plague) that walketh in darkness; nor for the ketev (pestilence, destruction) that destroyeth at tzohorayim (noon). 7An elef (thousand) may fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy yamin (right hand); but it shall not come near thee. 8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the shillumah (recompense, retribution) of the resha’im. 9Because thou hast made Hashem, which is my refuge, even Elyon, thy ma’on (habitation, dwelling; see Yn 14:2 OJBC) 10There shall no ra’ah (evil, disaster) befall thee, neither shall any nega come near thy ohel. 11For He shall give charge to His malachim (angels) concerning thee, to be shomer over thee in kol drakhim of thee. 12They [the malachim of Hashem] shall bear thee up on their palms, lest thou dash thy regel against an even (stone). 13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the tannin (serpent) shalt thou trample under foot. 14Because he hath set his longing upon Me, therefore will I rescue him; I will set him on high, because he hath da’as of Shmi (My Name). 15He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in tzoros; I will deliver him, and honor him. 16With orech yamim (length of days, long life) will I satisfy him, and show him My Yeshuah (salvation).

CPDV

1 A Canticle Psalm. On the day of the Sabbath.
2 It is good to confess to the Lord and to sing psalms to your name, O Most High:
3 to announce your mercy in the morning, and your truth throughout the night,
4 upon the ten strings, upon the psaltery, with a canticle, upon stringed instruments.
5 For you, O Lord, have delighted me with your doings, and I will exult in the works of your hands.
6 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts have been made exceedingly deep.
7 A foolish man will not know these things, and a senseless one will not understand:
8 when sinners will have risen up like grass, and when all those who work iniquity will have appeared, that they shall pass away, age after age.
9 But you, O Lord, are the Most High for all eternity.
10 For behold your enemies, O Lord, for behold your enemies will perish, and all those who work iniquity will be dispersed.
11 And my horn will be exalted like that of the single-horned beast, and my old age will be exalted in fruitful mercy.
12 And my eye has looked down upon my enemies, and my ear will hear of the malignant rising up against me.
13 The just one will flourish like the palm tree. He will be multiplied like the cedar of Lebanon.
14 Those planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
15 They will still be multiplied in a fruitful old age, and they will endure well,
16 so that they may announce that the Lord our God is righteous and that there is no iniquity in him.


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