NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 7:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous — you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!
28 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
End the evil of those who are wicked,and defend the righteous.For you look deep within the mind and heart,O righteous God.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Close the book on Evil, God, but publish your mandate for us. You get us ready for life: you probe for our soft spots, you knock off our rough edges.
30 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
28 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
30 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 7:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 7:9 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 7:9 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.