NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 9:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
27 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
25 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
LORD, have mercy on me.See how my enemies torment me.Snatch me back from the jaws of death.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Be kind to me, God; I've been kicked around long enough. Once you've pulled me back from the gates of death,
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Be gracious to me, O LORD; See my affliction from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death,
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
27 words
ESV
25 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 9:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 9:13 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 9:13 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.