NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 37:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Keep company with God, get in on the best.
9 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
9 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 37:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 37:4 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 37:4 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.
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