Psalms 8:9 — 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
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Formal equivalence
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

13 words · Formal / word-for-word

ESV

English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)

Formal equivalence
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

13 words · Essentially literal

NLT

New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)

Dynamic equivalence
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

10 words · Thought-for-thought clarity

MSG

The Message · 2002

Paraphrase
God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world.

9 words · Contemporary paraphrase

NASB

New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)

Formal equivalence
O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

13 words · Most literal English translation

Translation Length Comparison

NIV
13 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
10 words
MSG
9 words
NASB
13 words

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 8:9?

Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 8:9 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 8:9 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.