The word psalms is derived from the Greek: Psalmoi, originally meaning "songs sung to a harp", from psallein "play on a stringed instrument", Ψαλμοί. -- WikipediaThe psalms are said to be beautiful, poetry-like songs. Inspiring. Uplifting. Spiritual.
Like this beautiful ditty from the bible: Psalm 137:9
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.Well, now.... Wait a minute.... That can't be right. This is meant to be sung accompanied by a HARP?!
I know, I know -- that was the King James Version. Maybe it's a bad translation -- ya know, a less uplifting version of the bible....
Other versions must present this psalm correctly. Ya know, more inspiring. More harp-worthy.
Let's see....
New American Standard BibleHow blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock.GOD'S WORD TranslationBlessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.American King James VersionHappy shall he be, that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.American Standard VersionHappy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.Bible in Basic EnglishHappy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.Douay-Rheims BibleBlessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.Darby Bible TranslationHappy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.English Revised VersionHappy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.Webster's Bible TranslationHappy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.World English BibleHappy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock. By David.And, my fave of this medley of melodies . . .
Young's Literal TranslationO the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!Ahhhhh..... Those are MUCH better. (Imagine them sung to the tune of "This Land Is Your Land" -- you'll see just how BEAUTIFUL this psalm can be.....)
- T
[thanks to bible.cc for the quotes!]