I’ve heard quite a few people argue about different versions of the Bible. Well, you know me, I’m not big on arguing. However, I do find myself gravitating toward certain versions over others.
For instance, I grew up reading the King James Version (KJV) and about a decade ago switched to the New International Version (NIV). Part of this was because I was in a Bible study where everyone had the NIV version and our pastor used it to quote from. I found that I understood this version in a different way than I did the KJV version. While I adore the poetry that the KJV provides, I also like the direct and modern NIV interpretation. There are verses that stand out to me in clearer fashion with the NIV because it more closely reflects our current language.
In addition to the NIV and KJV, I occasionally enjoy the English Standard Version (ESV) when it comes to inspiration for my art. There are also versions that don’t speak to me at all, so I focus on the ones that do.
The Bible was originally written in Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic and has been translated hundreds of times. It is my personal belief that God speaks to us through His word no matter the translation or version.
And if you want further inspiration, consider taking one of my Painting the Psalms ecourses. These ecourses are all separate projects where we create a mixed media painting with inspiration from a particular Psalm. It’s a great way to get into the beauty of the Psalms in a different way. OR, consider picking up my book, Painting the Psalms.
