NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Psalm 3 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 3:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
27 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
O LORD, I have so many enemies;so many are against me.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
A David psalm, when he escaped for his life from Absalom, his son. God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
27 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 3:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 3:1 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 3:1 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.