NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 7:15 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. <sup>He made a pit: Heb. He hath digged a pit</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
They dig a deep pit to trap others,then fall into it themselves.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
See that man shoveling day after day, digging, then concealing, his man-trap down that lonely stretch of road? Go back and look again—you'll see him in it headfirst, legs waving in the breeze.
33 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the hole which he made.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
33 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 7:15?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 7:15 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 7:15 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.