The Difference a Translation Makes
The Difference a Translation Makes
Early attempts to capture Psalm 23
Wycliffe Bible (Purvey Edition, 1388)
The Lord gouerneth me, and no thing schal faile to me;
in the place of pasture there he hath set me.
He nurshide me on the watir of refreischyng;
he conuertide my soule.
He ledde me forth on the pathis of rightfulnesse; for his name.
For whi though Y schal go in the myddis of schadewe of deeth;
Y schal not drede yuels, for thou art with me.
Thi yerde and thi staf; tho han coumfortid me.
Thou hast maad redi a boord in my sight;
agens hem that troblen me.
Thou hast made fat myn heed with oyle;
and my cuppe, fillinge greetli, is ful cleer.
And thi merci schal sue me; in alle the daies of my lijf.
And that Y dwelle in the hows of the Lord; in to the lengthe of daies.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
The Lorde is my shepherde, I can wante nothinge.
He fedeth me in a grene pasture,
and ledeth me to a fresh water.
He quickeneth my soule,
& bringeth me forth in the waye of rightuousnes for his names sake.
Though I shulde walke now in the valley of the shadowe of death,
yet I feare no euell,
for thou art with me:
thy staffe & thy shepehoke comforte me.
Thou preparest a table before me agaynst mine enemies:
thou anoyntest my heade with oyle,
& fyllest my cuppe full.
Oh let thy louynge kyndnes & mercy folowe me all the dayes off my life,
that I maye dwell in the house off the Lorde for euer.
Bishop’s Bible (1568)
God is my sheephearde, therfore I can lacke nothyng:
he wyll cause me to repose my selfe in pasture full of grasse,
and he wyll leade me vnto calme waters.
He wyll conuert my soule:
he wyll bring me foorth into the pathes of righteousnesse for his name sake.
Yea though I walke through the valley of the shadowe of death,
I wyll feare no euyll:
for thou art with me, thy rodde and thy staffe be the thynges that do comfort me.
Thou wylt prepare a table before me in the presence of myne aduersaries:
thou hast annoynted my head with oyle,
and my cup shalbe brymme full. Truely felicitie and mercie shal folowe me all the dayes of my lyfe:
and I wyll dwell in the house of God for a long tyme.
King James Bible (1611)
The LORD is my shepheard, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie downe in greene pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soule:
he leadeth me in the pathes of righteousnes, for his names sake.
Yea though I walke through the valley of the shadowe of death,
I will feare no euill:
for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staffe, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oyle,
my cuppe runneth ouer.
Surely goodnes and mercie shall followe me all the daies of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for euer.