Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Psalm 6 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
32 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. <sup>Sheminith: or, upon the eight</sup>
32 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
14 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your angeror discipline me in your rage.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
A David psalm Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed.
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For the choir director; with stringed instruments, upon an eight-string lyre. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath.
30 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 6:1 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).
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.
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.