Miranda Alfaro September 6, 2013 Introduction to the Old Testament Part 1 Journal Analysis Verse Translation (Compare and

Contrast)

This selection is about Gods Word and how it is what holds us together even when we go astray. It tells that Gods way is the right way and will lead us to joy, but we must make the choice to follow, which is not always easy. This verse reassures us that Gods Word will warn us of danger. His love allows us to start each day fresh, as we beg Him to keep us from our past, our sins and the mindset of thinking we can make it on our own without Him. The NRSV and the NKJV are both similar in verses one through three. The only differences are slight vocabulary differences such as declare and telling, proclaims and shows, pours forth and utters, reveals and declares, words and language. Generally these mean the same thing because the words are synonyms to one another. The NIV slightly differs from the NRSV and NKJV because in verse two it words the sentence differently, yet means the same as the other versions. Instead of firmament, which means heavens and skies, it just says skies, and the work of his hands instead of handiwork. Again, these generally have the same meanings, just uses similar words. In the NRSV, NKJV, and NIV, verse two all generally say regardless of minor word order changes that night to night reveals or declares knowledge. However, The Message states that Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. This can be taken as what is taught in the day, spoken to us, reflects in our knowledge at night. Meaning the same as, night after night they display knowledge which is said in the other versions.

In verse four, the NRSV says that In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, and the NKJV says, In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun. This is a major difference in text because is the tabernacle set within the people or in the heavens? In NIV it also says that it is set in the heavens, and the message just says that God makes a superdome for the sun. The following verses, seven through fourteen, each mean the same message and are very closely similar. The only differences version to version are small grammatical changes, however, these word changes do not change the meaning of the verse. Comparing Psalm 19 in different versions of the Bible was very interesting. It amazed me to see that the way something is worded can change the meaning of the verse, or it could keep it the same. It makes me wonder if any of these changes could have been so major within in the past thousand and more years that the meaning of some sentences may have entirely been changed. This would question the validity of the Bible, which must be why some people believe that not every word could be true within the text. However, I believe that every word in the Bible is true, not just due to my faith, however, due to the truth these verses have brought in my own life and people around me.