PARAPHRASING
To paraphrase is to rewrite something in your own words. I learned to do this a while ago as a bible study method and found it very valuable for digging up truths that might normally be skimmed over.
The following are some of my paraphrase studies.
Psalm 1 (Terry's Paraphrase)
1. The man who does not follow the advice of bad people is
fortunate. He doesn’t hang around with the wrong people; he doesn’t
idle with fools as they make fun of others.
2. There is joy in his heart as he examines the Word of God; it
stays with him afterward and he considers it whenever his thoughts
have time to wander.
3. He is not merely strong, but surrounds himself with goodness
which makes him stronger. As time goes on his success grows to the
point that it seems like he never fails. It is natural for him to
succeed in many good things.
4. This is quite opposite for those who are corrupt. They have an
appearance of success but it is quickly revealed as failure.
5. They will not be able to face the truth when they are examined,
nor will they be able to hang out with those that can.
6. None of this surprises God because He is familiar with the habits
of goodness and has determined those who ignore them will suffer
great loss.
Psalm 1 (New American Standard)
1. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the
wicked, nor stand in the *path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of
scoffers!
2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he
meditates day and night.
3. He will be like a tree firmly planted by *streams of water, which
yields its fruit in its season and its *leaf does not wither; and
*in whatever he does, he prospers.
4. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind
drives away.
5. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners
in the assembly of the righteous.
6. For the LORD *knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the
wicked will perish.