NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 4:3 — 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 know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You can be sure of this:The LORD set apart the godly for himself.The LORD will answer when I call to him.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Look at this: look Who got picked by God! He listens the split second I call to him.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 4:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 4:3 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 4:3 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.