A Comparison of Psalm 70:1-4

Come quickly to rescue me, O God!
Come quickly to help me, O LORD!
Let those who seek my life
be confused and put to shame.
Let those who want my downfall
be turned back and disgraced.
Let those who say, “Aha! Aha!”
be turned back because of their own shame.
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you.
Let those who love your salvation continually say,
“God is great!”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
Make haste to help me, O LORD!

Let them be ashamed and confounded
Who seek my life;
Let them be turned back and confused
Who desire my hurt.
Let them be turned back because of their shame,
Who say, “Aha, aha!”

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”
New King James Version (NKJV)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

Graciously rescue me, God!
Come quickly to help me, Lord!
Let those who seek my life
be confused and put to shame.
Let those who desire my ruin
turn back in disgrace.
Let those who say “Aha!”
turn back in their shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you,
Those who long for your help
always say, “God be glorified!”*
New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)
*Verses 2-5 in the NABRE align with 1-4 in other translations.

Save me, O God!
LORD, help me now!
May those who try to kill me
be defeated and confused.
May those who are happy because of my troubles
be turned back and disgraced.
May those who make fun of me
be dismayed by their defeat.

May all who come to you
be glad and joyful.
May all who are thankful for your salvation
always say, “How great is God!”
Good News Translation (GNT)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.