The Bay Psalm Book, published by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1640, served as one of the first and most important pieces of literature during the seventeenth century, by disseminating Puritan values and beliefs. As one of the most commonly owned books during this era, Puritans altered their translations of the Psalms, making the Bay Psalm Book their own, separate from the Anglican Church. The book promoted Puritan values and beliefs by emphasizing the need for daily actions of reconfirmation of individual faith, and by language selection and format that enabled the psalms to be sung as hymns and to be easily memorized. This explains why many passages in the Bay Psalm Book rhyme, such as in Psalm 23:5, “Goodness and mercy surely shall/…show more content… Peterson, is intended to be an easy-read, clearly-understood version of the Bible. Peterson, a Presbyterian Church pastor with a master’s degree in Hebrew, decided to write his version after observing how many in the congregation seemed unresponsive and tired of more original versions of the Bible. Peterson began by just writing a paraphrase of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, however, after its publication, he was encouraged to write the entire New Testament, and eventually, the Old Testament. By 2002, Peterson had completed translating the whole Bible. The style of The Message, has most often been described as eccentric, unorthodox, vivid, and surprising. For example, in Psalm 1:1, while the more traditional King James Version declares, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”, The Message states, “How well God must like you—you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.” Many have even debated whether The Message is truly God’s Word. Peterson’s interpretations have often been criticized as inaccurate and imprecise, however, Peterson’s goal was not to be the most accurate form of the Bible, but instead, to stimulate and enthuse those who have become indifferent to more traditional versions; Peterson’s purpose was to keep his audience attentive and engaged. Even though The Message has often been openly criticized, Dr. Billy Graham describes it as, “one of the most dynamic recent versions….Children can easily understand it, and veteran Bible readers will see Christ’s words in a fresh light.” Throughout The Message, Peterson definitely achieved his goal of revealing God’s Word in a new, exciting way that engages