NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Psalm 5 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 5:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
10 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
O LORD, hear me as I pray;pay attention to my groaning.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
A David psalm Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings,
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For the choir director; for flute accompaniment. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
10 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 5:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 5:1 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 5:1 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.