I’m one of those students of Scripture who takes the language of Scripture very seriously (especially the “original language” in which it was inspired and written) – the “verbal inspiration” of Scripture! But I gotta tell you, sometimes it helps to paraphrase the message of Scripture (and I mean by that, with devotional integrity seek to put it in your “own words!”
I did that today with one of the “Hymns of Praise” (Psalms 146-150) – they all begin and end with “Praise the Lord!” So here goes – my paraphrase of Psalm 150, the last of the “Hymns of Praise” and the last of the entire “Psalter!”
“Com’on Praise the Lord! – Ya’all praise Him! It doesn’t matter where – do it in church or anywhere else in His glorious creation! Think about all the awesome things He has done and praise Him! How great He is will blow your mind! Grab an instrument and praise Him! Pound a drum! blow a whistle! Make some noise! He gave you the breath you’re breathing – use it to praise Him! That’s right – just do it! He deserves it! I’m gonna praise the Lord! Will you join me?” Bartel’s feeble attempt at a “personal paraphrase”
Coffee With The Lord 