« | Psalm 105 | » |
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
4 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!
5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He [is] the LORD our God; His judgments [are] in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever, The word [which] He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 [The covenant] which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel [as] an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,"
12 When they were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it.
13 When they went from one nation to another, From [one] kingdom to another people,
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
15 [Saying,] "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."
16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread.
17 He sent a man before them -- Joseph -- [who] was sold as a slave.
18 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons.
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.
20 The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions,
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt, And Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.
24 He increased His people greatly, And made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants.
26 He sent Moses His servant, [And] Aaron whom He had chosen.
27 They performed His signs among them, And wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made [it] dark; And they did not rebel against His word.
29 He turned their waters into blood, And killed their fish.
30 Their land abounded with frogs, [Even] in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, [And] lice in all their territory.
32 He gave them hail for rain, [And] flaming fire in their land.
33 He struck their vines also, and their fig trees, And splintered the trees of their territory.
34 He spoke, and locusts came, Young locusts without number,
35 And ate up all the vegetation in their land, And devoured the fruit of their ground.
36 He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their strength.
37 He also brought them out with silver and gold, And [there was] none feeble among His tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed, For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.
40 [The people] asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places [like] a river.
42 For He remembered His holy promise, [And] Abraham His servant.
43 He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.
44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations,
45 That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the LORD!
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.