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Psalm 103
New English Translation

Psalm 103[a]

By David.

103 Praise the Lord, O my soul.
With all that is within me, praise[b] his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Do not forget all his kind deeds.[c]
3 He is the one who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,[d]
4 who delivers[e] your life from the Pit,[f]
who crowns you with his loyal love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your life with good things,[g]
so your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.[h]
6 The Lord does what is fair,
and executes justice for all the oppressed.[i]
7 The Lord revealed his faithful acts[j] to Moses,
his deeds to the Israelites.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful;
he is patient[k] and demonstrates great loyal love.[l]
9 He does not always accuse,
and does not stay angry.[m]
10 He does not deal with us as our sins deserve;[n]
he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve.[o]
11 For as the skies are high above the earth,
so his loyal love towers[p] over his faithful followers.[q]
12 As far as the eastern horizon[r] is from the west,[s]
so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions[t] from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,[u]
so the Lord has compassion on his faithful followers.[v]
14 For he knows what we are made of;[w]
he realizes[x] we are made of clay.[y]
15 A person’s life is like grass.[z]
Like a flower in the field it flourishes,
16 but when the hot wind[aa] blows, it disappears,
and one can no longer even spot the place where it once grew.
17 But the Lord continually shows loyal love to his faithful followers,[ab]
and is faithful to their descendants,[ac]
18 to those who keep his covenant,
who are careful to obey his commands.[ad]
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven;
his kingdom extends over everything.[ae]
20 Praise the Lord, you angels of his,
you powerful warriors who carry out his decrees
and obey his orders.[af]
21 Praise the Lord, all you warriors of his,[ag]
you servants of his who carry out his desires.[ah]
22 Praise the Lord, all that he has made,[ai]
in all the regions[aj] of his kingdom.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 103:1 sn Psalm 103. The psalmist praises God for his mercy and willingness to forgive his people.
  2. Psalm 103:1 tn The verb “praise” is understood by ellipsis in the second line (see the preceding line).
  3. Psalm 103:2 tn Or “his benefits” (see 2 Chr 32:25, where the noun is also used of kind deeds performed by the Lord).
  4. Psalm 103:3 tn This relatively rare noun refers to deadly diseases (see Deut 29:22; Jer 14:18; 16:4; 2 Chr 21:19).
  5. Psalm 103:4 tn Or “redeems.”
  6. Psalm 103:4 tn The Hebrew term שַׁחַת (shakhat, “pit”) is often used as a title for Sheol (see Pss 16:10; 30:9; 49:9; 55:24 HT [55:23 ET]).
  7. Psalm 103:5 tc Heb “who satisfies with the good of your ornaments.” The text as it stands makes little, if any, sense. The translation assumes an emendation of עֶדְיֵךְ (ʿedyekh, “your ornaments”) to עֹדֵכִי (ʿodekhi, “your duration; your continuance”), that is, “your life” (see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 [WBC], 18).
  8. Psalm 103:5 sn The expression your youth is renewed like an eagle’s may allude to the phenomenon of molting, whereby the eagle grows new feathers.
  9. Psalm 103:6 tn Heb “the Lord does fairness, and [acts of] justice for all the oppressed.”
  10. Psalm 103:7 tn Heb “made known his ways.” God’s “ways” in this context are his protective and salvific acts in fulfillment of his promise (see also Deut 32:4; Pss 18:30; 67:2; 77:13 [note vv. 11-12, 14]; 138:5; 145:17).
  11. Psalm 103:8 tn Heb “slow to anger” (see Ps 86:15).
  12. Psalm 103:8 tn Heb “and great of loyal love” (see Ps 86:15).
  13. Psalm 103:9 tn The Hebrew verb נָטַר (natar) is usually taken to mean “to keep; to guard,” with “anger” being understood by ellipsis. The idiom “to guard anger” is then understood to mean “to remain angry” (see Lev 19:18; Jer 3:5, 12; Nah 1:2). However, it is possible that this is a homonymic root meaning “to be angry” (see HALOT 695 s.v. נטר).
  14. Psalm 103:10 tn Heb “not according to our sins does he do to us.”
  15. Psalm 103:10 tn Heb “and not according to our misdeeds does he repay us.”
  16. Psalm 103:11 tn For this sense of the verb גָבַר (gavar), see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 17, 19.
  17. Psalm 103:11 tn Heb “those who fear him.”
  18. Psalm 103:12 tn Heb “sunrise.”
  19. Psalm 103:12 tn Or “sunset.”
  20. Psalm 103:12 tn The Hebrew term פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ, rebellious act”) is here used metonymically for the guilt such actions produce.
  21. Psalm 103:13 tn Or “sons,” but the Hebrew term sometimes refers to children in general.
  22. Psalm 103:13 tn Heb “those who fear him.”
  23. Psalm 103:14 tn Heb “our form.”
  24. Psalm 103:14 tn Heb “remembers.”
  25. Psalm 103:14 tn Heb “we [are] clay.”
  26. Psalm 103:15 tn Heb “[as for] mankind, like grass [are] his days.” The Hebrew noun אֱנוֹשׁ (ʾenosh) is used here generically of human beings. What is said is true of all mankind.
  27. Psalm 103:16 tn Heb “[the] wind.” The word “hot” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
  28. Psalm 103:17 tn Heb “but the loyal love of the Lord [is] from everlasting to everlasting over those who fear him.”
  29. Psalm 103:17 tn Heb “and his righteousness to sons of sons.”
  30. Psalm 103:18 tn Heb “to those who remember his precepts to do them.”
  31. Psalm 103:19 tn Heb “his kingdom rules over all.”
  32. Psalm 103:20 tn Heb “[you] mighty ones of strength, doers of his word, by listening to the voice of his word.”
  33. Psalm 103:21 tn Heb “all his hosts.”
  34. Psalm 103:21 tn Heb “his attendants, doers of his desire.”
  35. Psalm 103:22 tn Heb “all his works,” which includes mankind.
  36. Psalm 103:22 tn Heb “places.”
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Psalm 102
Psalm 104
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Revelation 4-5
New English Translation

The Amazing Scene in Heaven

4 After these things I looked, and there was[a] a door standing open in heaven![b] And the first voice I had heard speaking to me[c] like a trumpet[d] said: “Come up here so that[e] I can show you what must happen after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit,[f] and[g] a throne was standing[h] in heaven with someone seated on it! 3 And the one seated on it was like jasper[i] and carnelian[j] in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald[k] encircled the throne. 4 In[l] a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were[m] dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns[n] on their heads. 5 From[o] the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring[p] and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,[q] were burning in front of the throne 6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.[r]

In[s] the middle of the throne[t] and around the throne were four living creatures[u] full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The[v] first living creature was like a lion, the[w] second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man’s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. 8 Each one of the four living creatures had six wings[x] and was full of eyes all around and inside.[y] They never rest day or night, saying:[z]

“Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful,[aa]
Who was and who is, and who is still to come!”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor,[ab] and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground[ac] before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns[ad] before his[ae] throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
since you created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created!”[af]

The Opening of the Scroll

5 Then[ag] I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back[ah] and sealed with seven seals.[ai] 2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3 But[aj] no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. 4 So[ak] I began weeping bitterly[al] because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then[am] one of the elders said[an] to me, “Stop weeping![ao] Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered;[ap] thus he can open[aq] the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then[ar] I saw standing in the middle of the throne[as] and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed.[at] He had[au] seven horns and seven eyes, which[av] are the seven[aw] spirits of God[ax] sent out into all the earth. 7 Then[ay] he came and took the scroll[az] from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne, 8 and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground[ba] before the Lamb. Each[bb] of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).[bc] 9 They were singing a new song:[bd]

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals
because you were killed,[be]
and at the cost of your own blood[bf] you have purchased[bg] for God
persons[bh] from every tribe, language,[bi] people, and nation.
10 You have appointed[bj] them[bk] as a kingdom and priests[bl] to serve[bm] our God, and they will reign[bn] on the earth.”

11 Then[bo] I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their[bp] number was ten thousand times ten thousand[bq]—thousands times thousands— 12 all of whom[br] were singing[bs] in a loud voice:

“Worthy is the lamb who was killed[bt]
to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then[bu] I heard every creature—in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them—singing:[bv]

“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power[bw] forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the ground[bx] and worshiped.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 4:1 tn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
  2. Revelation 4:1 tn Or “in the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
  3. Revelation 4:1 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”
  4. Revelation 4:1 sn The phrase speaking to me like a trumpet refers back to Rev 1:10.
  5. Revelation 4:1 tn The conjunction καί (kai), much like the vav-consecutive in Hebrew, appears to be introducing a final/purpose clause here rather than a coordinate clause.
  6. Revelation 4:2 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
  7. Revelation 4:2 tn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
  8. Revelation 4:2 tn BDAG 537 s.v. κεῖμαι 2 gives the translation “stand” for the term in this verse.
  9. Revelation 4:3 tn Grk “jasper stone.”sn Jasper was a semiprecious gemstone, probably green in color (L&N 2.30).
  10. Revelation 4:3 sn Carnelian was a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36).
  11. Revelation 4:3 tn Or “a rainbow emerald-like in appearance.”
  12. Revelation 4:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  13. Revelation 4:4 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were” to indicate the connection to the preceding material.
  14. Revelation 4:4 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
  15. Revelation 4:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  16. Revelation 4:5 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
  17. Revelation 4:5 sn Some interpret the seven spirits of God as angelic beings, while others see them as a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.
  18. Revelation 4:6 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.
  19. Revelation 4:6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  20. Revelation 4:6 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
  21. Revelation 4:6 tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zōon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”
  22. Revelation 4:7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  23. Revelation 4:7 tn Both here and before the phrase “the third,” καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  24. Revelation 4:8 tn Grk “six wings apiece,” but this is redundant with “each one” in English.
  25. Revelation 4:8 tn Some translations render ἔσωθεν (esōthen) as “under [its] wings,” but the description could also mean “filled all around on the outside and on the inside with eyes.” Since the referent is not available to the interpreter, the exact force is difficult to determine.
  26. Revelation 4:8 tn Or “They never stop saying day and night.”
  27. Revelation 4:8 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”sn A quotation from (or an allusion to) Isa 6:3.
  28. Revelation 4:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  29. Revelation 4:10 tn Grk “the twenty-four elders fall down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  30. Revelation 4:10 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
  31. Revelation 4:10 tn The pronoun “his” is understood from the demonstrative force of the article τοῦ (tou) before θρόνου (thronou).
  32. Revelation 4:11 tc The past tense of “they existed” (ἦσαν, ēsan) and the order of the expression “they existed and were created” seems backwards both logically and chronologically. The text as it stands is the more difficult reading and seems to have given rise to codex A omitting the final “they were created,” 2329 replacing “they existed” (ἦσαν) with “have come into being” (ἐγένοντο, egeneto), and 046 adding οὐκ (ouk, “not”) before ἦσαν (“they did not exist, [but were created]”). Several mss (1854 2050 MA sa) also attempt to alleviate the problem by replacing ἦσαν with “they are” (εἰσιν, eisin).
  33. Revelation 5:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  34. Revelation 5:1 tn Grk “written on the inside and the outside” (an idiom for having writing on both sides).
  35. Revelation 5:1 tn L&N 6.55 states, “From the immediate context of Re 5:1 it is not possible to determine whether the scroll in question had seven seals on the outside or whether the scroll was sealed at seven different points. However, since according to chapter six of Revelation the seals were broken one after another, it would appear as though the scroll had been sealed at seven different places as it had been rolled up.”
  36. Revelation 5:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  37. Revelation 5:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of no one being found worthy to open the scroll.
  38. Revelation 5:4 tn Grk “much.”
  39. Revelation 5:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  40. Revelation 5:5 tn Grk “says” (a historical present).
  41. Revelation 5:5 tn The present imperative with μή (mē) is used here to command cessation of an action in progress (ExSyn 724 lists this verse as an example).
  42. Revelation 5:5 tn Or “has been victorious”; traditionally, “has overcome.”
  43. Revelation 5:5 tn The infinitive has been translated as an infinitive of result here.
  44. Revelation 5:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  45. Revelation 5:6 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
  46. Revelation 5:6 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.” The phrase behind this translation is ὡς ἐσφαγμένον (hōs esphagmenon). The particle ὡς is used in Greek generally for comparison, and in Revelation it is used often to describe the appearance of what the author saw. This phrase does not imply that the Lamb “appeared to have been killed” but in reality was not, because the wider context of the NT shows that in fact the Lamb, i.e., Jesus, was killed. See 13:3 for the only other occurrence of this phrase in the NT.
  47. Revelation 5:6 tn Grk “killed, having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “he.”
  48. Revelation 5:6 sn The relative pronoun which is masculine, referring back to the eyes rather than to the horns.
  49. Revelation 5:6 tc There is good ms evidence for the inclusion of “seven” (ἑπτά, hepta; P24 א 2053 2351 MK). There is equally good ms support for the omission of the term (A 1006 1611 MA). It may have been accidentally added due to its repeated presence in the immediately preceding phrases, or it may have been intentionally added to maintain the symmetry of the phrases or more likely to harmonize the phrase with 1:4; 3:1; 4:5. Or it may have been accidentally deleted by way of homoioteleuton (τὰ ἑπτά, ta hepta). A decision is difficult in this instance. NA28 also does not find the problem easy to solve, placing the word in brackets to indicate doubts as to its authenticity.
  50. Revelation 5:6 sn See the note on the phrase the seven spirits of God in Rev 4:5.
  51. Revelation 5:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  52. Revelation 5:7 tn The words “the scroll” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  53. Revelation 5:8 tn Grk “fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  54. Revelation 5:8 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  55. Revelation 5:8 sn This interpretive comment by the author forms a parenthesis in the narrative.
  56. Revelation 5:9 tn The redundant participle λέγοντες (legontes) has not been translated here.
  57. Revelation 5:9 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.”
  58. Revelation 5:9 tn The preposition ἐν (en) is taken to indicate price here, like the Hebrew preposition ב (bet) does at times. BDAG 329 s.v. ἐν 5.b states, “The ἐν which takes the place of the gen. of price is also instrumental ἠγόρασας ἐν τῷ αἵματί σου Rv 5:9 (cp. 1 Ch 21:24 ἀγοράζω ἐν ἀργυρίῳ).”
  59. Revelation 5:9 tc The Greek text as it stands above (i.e., the reading τῷ θεῷ [tō theō] alone) is found in codex A. א 2050 2344 M sy add the term “us” (ἡμᾶς, hēmas), either before or after τῷ θεῷ, as an attempt to clarify the object of “purchased” (ἠγόρασας, ēgorasas). A few mss (1 vgms) delete the reference to God altogether and simply replace it with “us” (ἡμᾶς). This too is an attempt to remove ambiguity in the phrase and provide an object for “purchased.” The shorter reading, supported by the best witness for Revelation, best accounts for the other readings.
  60. Revelation 5:9 tn The word “persons” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  61. Revelation 5:9 tn Grk “and language,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  62. Revelation 5:10 tn The verb ἐποίησας (epoiēsas) is understood to mean “appointed” here. For an example of this use, see Mark 3:14.
  63. Revelation 5:10 tc The vast majority of witnesses have αὐτούς (autous, “them”) here, while the Textus Receptus reads ἡμᾶς (hēmas, “us”) with insignificant support (pc gig vgcl sa Prim Bea). There is no question that the original text read αὐτούς here.
  64. Revelation 5:10 tn The reference to “kingdom and priests” may be a hendiadys: “priestly kingdom.”
  65. Revelation 5:10 tn The words “to serve” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the word “priests.”
  66. Revelation 5:10 tc The textual problem here between the present tense βασιλεύουσιν (basileuousin, “they are reigning”; so A 1006 1611 MK) and the future βασιλεύσουσιν (basileusousin, “they will reign”; so א 1854 2053 MA lat co) is a difficult one. Both readings have excellent support. On the one hand, the present tense seems to be the harder reading in this context. On the other hand, codex A elsewhere mistakes the future for the present (20:6). Further, the lunate sigma in majuscule script could have been overlooked by some scribes, resulting in the present tense. All things considered, there is a slight preference for the future.
  67. Revelation 5:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  68. Revelation 5:11 tn Grk “elders, and the number of them was.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  69. Revelation 5:11 tn Or “myriads of myriads.” Although μυριάς (murias) literally means “10,000,” the point of the combination here may simply be to indicate an incalculably huge number. See L&N 60.9.
  70. Revelation 5:12 tn The words “all of whom” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied to indicate the resumption of the phrase “the voice of many angels” at the beginning of the verse.
  71. Revelation 5:12 tn Grk “saying.”
  72. Revelation 5:12 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.”
  73. Revelation 5:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  74. Revelation 5:13 tn Grk “saying.”
  75. Revelation 5:13 tn Or “dominion.”
  76. Revelation 5:14 tn Grk “fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
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