« | Psalm 104 | » |
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, You are very great; You have put on honor and majesty,
2 covering Yourself with light as with a robe; and stretching out the heavens like a curtain;
3 He lays the beams of His upper rooms in the waters. He sets the clouds as His chariots; He walks on the wings of the wind;
4 He makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire.
5 He laid the earth on its foundations; it shall not be shaken forever.
6 You covered the deep as with a robe; the waters stand above the mountains.
7 At Your rebuke they flee; at the voice of Your thunder they hurry away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys to the place which You have founded for them.
9 You have set a bound that they may not pass over, so that they do not turn again to cover the earth.
10 He sends the springs into the valleys; they flow between the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses break their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens will have their place of rest; they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the hills from His upper rooms; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for the service of man, to bring forth food out of the earth,
15 and wine cheers the heart of man, and oil makes his face shine, and bread sustains the heart of man.
16 The trees of Jehovah are full, the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted;
17 where the birds make their nests; the fir trees are the house of the stork.
18 The high hills are for the wild goats, and the rocks are a refuge for the badgers.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down.
20 You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises; they are gathered, and go to their dens to lie down.
23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Jehovah, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your riches.
25 This is the great and wide sea, in which are creeping things without number, both small and great animals.
26 There the ships go; You made this great sea animal to play in it.
27 These all wait on You, that You may give them their food in due season.
28 You give to them, they gather; You open Your hand; they are filled with good.
29 You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.
31 The glory of Jehovah shall endure forever; Jehovah shall rejoice in His works.
32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to Jehovah as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My thoughts of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in Jehovah.
35 Let the sinners perish from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Praise Jehovah!
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.