NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 7:16 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The trouble they make for others backfires on them.The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
That's what happens: mischief backfires; violence boomerangs.
7 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
His mischief will return upon his own head, And his violence will descend upon his own pate.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
7 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 7:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 7:16 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 7:16 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.