NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 3:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. <sup>for: or, about</sup>
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me;you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 3:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 3:3 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 3:3 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.