Psalms 4:3 in 8 translations
7 distinct wordings, grouped by what each translation is trying to do. Differences from the King James text are marked below.
Early modern English
Seventeenth-century wording and sentence shape. Familiar, rhythmic, and the version most quotations you have heard are taken from.
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
1611 / 1769 · Public domain · The Authorised Version, revised to the 1769 Blayney text. Includes the Apocrypha as printed in 1611.
Literal, word-for-word
Follows Hebrew and Greek word order and grammar closely, even where the English becomes stiff. Useful for seeing what the underlying sentence is doing.
But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him that is godly: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.
1901 · Public domain · The American revision of the English Revised Version. Deliberately literal, and the base text behind several later translations.
But know that Jehovah hath set apart the pious [man] for himself: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.
1890 · Public domain · John Nelson Darby's translation, made for close study rather than public reading. Often exposes grammatical detail other versions smooth over.
And know ye that Jehovah Hath separated a saintly one to Himself. Jehovah heareth in my calling to Him.
1898 · Public domain · The most extreme word-for-word rendering here, keeping Hebrew and Greek tense and word order at the cost of natural English.
Modern English
Contemporary vocabulary and punctuation, aiming for the sentence a present-day reader would write while staying close to the source.
But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
2000s · Public domain · A modern-English update of the ASV. Reads close to contemporary speech while staying in the literal tradition. Includes the Apocrypha.
These 2 editions word this verse identically.
See! The Lord has shown me his wonderful kindness: the Lord hears, when I call to him.
in progress · Public domain (CC0) · A modern open-licensed translation, still being completed. Some Old Testament books are not yet available.
Simplified English
Built from a deliberately small vocabulary so the sense stays reachable for new readers and non-native speakers. Trades nuance for clarity.
See how the Lord has made great his mercy for me; the Lord will give ear to my cry.
1949 · Public domain · Written with roughly a thousand basic English words plus a small Bible vocabulary. The plainest reading available here.
What changes between the King James and modern wording
The modern rendering is printed below with every word that differs from the King James text marked, so the actual divergence is visible rather than left for you to spot.
But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
Word-for-word swaps
- hath→Yahweh
- that→who
- LORD→Yahweh
- unto→to
The verses either side
King James text. A comparison is easier to judge when you can see the sentence the verse sits inside.