Psalms 73:26 — Compare Translations

Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.

NIV

New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)

Dynamic equivalence
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Formal equivalence
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. <sup>strength: Heb. rock</sup>

22 words · Formal / word-for-word

ESV

English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)

Formal equivalence
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

19 words · Essentially literal

NLT

New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)

Dynamic equivalence
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

22 words · Thought-for-thought clarity

MSG

The Message · 2002

Paraphrase
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful.

14 words · Contemporary paraphrase

NASB

New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)

Formal equivalence
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

19 words · Most literal English translation

Translation Length Comparison

NIV
19 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
22 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
19 words

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 73:26?

Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 73:26 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 73:26 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.

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