NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 3:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I cried out to the LORD,and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 3:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 3:4 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 3:4 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.