« | Psalm 102 | » |
1 A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Jehovah. Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and let my cry come to You.
2 Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; bow down Your ear to me; in the day I call, answer me quickly.
3 For my days go up like smoke, and my bones glow like a firebrand.
4 My heart is stricken, and dried like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the voice of my groaning, my bones hold fast to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the house top.
8 My enemies curse me all the day; and they who are mad against me are sworn against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and have mixed my drink with weeping,
10 because of Your anger and Your wrath; for You have lifted me up and cast me down.
11 My days are like a shadow stretched out; and I wither like grass.
12 But You, O Jehovah, shall endure forever; and Your memory to all generations.
13 You shall arise, and have mercy on Zion; for the time to pity her, yea, the set time, has come.
14 For Your servants take pleasure in its stones, and pity its dust.
15 So the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.
16 When Jehovah shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.
17 He will turn to the prayer of the forsaken and not despise their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people who shall be created shall praise Jehovah.
19 For He has looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from Heaven Jehovah beheld the earth;
20 to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to set free the sons of death;
21 to declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms have gathered together to serve Jehovah.
23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; Your years are through the generation of generations.
25 Of old You have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall become old like a garment; like a robe You shall change them, and they shall be changed;
27 but You are He, and Your years shall have no end.
28 The sons of Your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before You.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.