NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 1:6 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 1:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 1:6 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Psalms 1:6 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.