NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 5:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You don't socialize with Wicked, or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
12 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
12 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 5:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 5:4 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 5:4 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.