NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 7:2 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. <sup>none: Heb. not a deliverer</sup>
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion,tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
If they catch me, I'm finished: ripped to shreds by foes fierce as lions, dragged into the forest and left unlooked for, unremembered.
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Or he will tear my soul like a lion, Dragging me away, while there is none to deliver.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
23 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 7:2?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 7:2 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 7:2 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.