I recently agreed to review the books of Psalms and Proverbs in the newly published First Nations Version of the Bible (in this context, First Nations being the first inhabitants of what is now the USA and Canada).
It’s written in English, not in any of the many First Nations languages, but it incorporates writing styles and terminology that will be familiar to First Nations peoples.
The FNV is a retelling of Creator’s story from the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, attempting to follow the tradition of the storytellers of our oral culture.
I am not from the USA and do not have any family connection to any US First Nations tribes. But I welcome any translation that makes the Bible more accessible to people who need to hear the Good News (which, let’s face it, is everyone).
I also enjoy reading new and different Bible versions, which is why I asked to review this.
Psalm 23 in the First Nations version provides a good illustration of how reading a different version of the Bible can open our minds to seeing the text – and perhaps God – in new ways.
For example, the First Nations Version refers to God as grandfather. That’s a little jarring at first, as many of us will have heard the line about God having only children, not grandchildren. This is true, the way we think. First Nations use the term to refer to God as the honored elder … which perhaps reminds us that we don’t always give God the honor He is due.
Verse 1 then states:
My lodge will always have plenty
We are probably more used to reading:
I shall not want (King James version)
or
I lack nothing (New International Version)
The English versions use the pronoun “I”, which emphasize the individual – I will have plenty, but you might not.
In contrasts, the First Nations version uses “lodge”, which implies community – we will all have plenty.
Which translation is more consistent with how God would want us to act? What would it mean to the way we live if we truly saw ourselves as part of a greater whole, and that our role as Christians is to focus less on self and more on the wider community? I suspect it would make it obvious who was a Christian and who was not.
Verse 6 says:
Your goodness and love … will chase after me.
Chase? God will chase us? This feels a lot more active than what I read in the common English translations. The King James Version says:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
The New International Version is similar:
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.
Goodness and mercy following us implies we are leading … surely not? We should allow God to lead us. It also feels slow and reactive – especially if we’re going in the wrong direction?
Chasing, on the other hand, is fast and immediate and active, and suggests we might not be going the right way – which is one reason we’re being chased, to bring us back onto the right path.
Love, to me, goes both ways: God loves us and we love God. Mercy, on the other hand, is the result of a difference in power: God extends his mercy to us, but we don’t show mercy to God. How could we? Why would we?
As you can see, I am enjoying this new translation. For those who are interested, there is also a full New Testament available.
Thanks to IVP and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About First Nations Version | Psalms and Proverbs
Discover the rich tapestry of human emotion and divine wisdom with the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs. The latest volume from the critically acclaimed First Nations Version translation brings the ancient Sacred Songs and Wise Sayings of the Hebrew Scriptures to life through the vibrant, poetic imagery of Native American oral storytelling.
Discover Psalms and Proverbs Reimagined Through the Poetic Language of Native Storytellers:
Father Sky is telling us the story of the shining-greatness of the One Above Us All. The starry tent above us shows the beauty that Creator’s hands have made. Day after day, the story is told, and night after night, their wisdom fills the sky. Even though the skies above have no spoken words, all creation has heard their message. Psalm 19:1-3
From the strength of your heart, put all your trust in Grandfather, and do not hold yourself up with weak human thinking. As you walk the road of life, make every step a prayer. Grandfather will then make your eyes straight and your paths safe. Proverbs 3:5-6
Whether you’re seeking solace, strength, or spiritual insight, the First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs will guide you with its profound expressions of praise and trust in the Creator. Step into the harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and indigenous tradition to discover a spiritual experience that speaks directly to your heart.
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