NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 9:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But the needy will not be ignored forever;the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
No longer will the poor be nameless— no more humiliation for the humble.
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 9:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 9:18 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 9:18 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.