NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 2:5 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. <sup>vex: or, trouble</sup>
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then in anger he rebukes them,terrifying them with his fierce fury.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up:
11 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying,
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
11 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 2:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 2:5 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 2:5 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.