Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
1
And for cursing and lying which they speak.
2
Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they shall be no more:
3
And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob,
4
Unto the ends of the earth.
5
[Selah
6
And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog,
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing: then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
3
Jehovah hath done great things for us; [and] we are joyful.
4
Turn our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the south.
5
They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing:
6
He goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for scattering; he cometh again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
1
A Song of Degrees. Except the Lord build the house, they that build labour in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.
2
It is vain for you to rise early: ye rise up after resting, ye that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved.
3
Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.
4
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of those who were outcasts.
5
Blessed is the man who shall satisfy his desire with them: they shall not be ashamed when they shall speak to their enemies in the gates.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Canticum graduum Salomonis. Nisi Dominus ædificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui ædificant eam. Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem, frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.
2
Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris. Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum:
3
ecce hereditas Domini filii: merces, fructus ventris.
4
Sicut sagittæ in manu potentis: ita filii excussorum.
5
Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.
4
Restore our fortunes again, LORD, like the streams in the Negev.
5
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
6
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
A Song of the Ascents. In Jehovah's turning back <FI>to<Fi> the captivity of Zion, We have been as dreamers.
2
Then filled <FI>with<Fi> laughter is our mouth, And our tongue <FI>with<Fi> singing, Then do they say among nations, `Jehovah did great things with these.'
3
Jehovah did great things with us, We have been joyful.
4
Turn again, O Jehovah, <FI>to<Fi> our captivity, As streams in the south.
5
Those sowing in tears, with singing do reap,
6
Whoso goeth on and weepeth, Bearing the basket of seed, Surely cometh in with singing, bearing his sheaves!
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).