NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make straight your way before me.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 5:8 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. <sup>mine: Heb. those which observe me</sup>
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Lead me in the right path, O LORD,or my enemies will conquer me.Make your way plain for me to follow.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.
10 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
10 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 5:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 5:8 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 5:8 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.