NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 6:6 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. <sup>all: or, every night</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I am worn out from sobbing.All night I flood my bed with weeping,drenching it with my tears.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
I'm tired of all this—so tired. My bed has been floating forty days and nights On the flood of my tears. My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.
28 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
28 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 6:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 6:6 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 6:6 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.