« | Psalm 107 | » |
1 O give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness, in a desert by the way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried to Jehovah in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles.
7 And He guided them by the right way, so as to go to a city to live in.
8 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the sons of man!
9 For He satisfies the thirsty soul, and fills the hungry soul with good.
10 Those who sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, being chained in affliction and iron;
11 because they rebelled against the Words of God, and despised the advice of the Most High.
12 and He humbled their heart with labor; they fell down, and none was helping.
13 Then they cried to Jehovah in their distress, and He saved them out of their troubles.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands in two.
15 Let them praise Jehovah for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the sons of man!
16 For He has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in two.
17 Fools are afflicted because of their rebellion, and because of their iniquities.
18 Their soul hates all kinds of food; and they draw near the gates of death.
19 Then they cry to Jehovah in their distress, and He saves them out of their troubles.
20 He sent His Word and heals them, and delivers them from their pitfalls.
21 Let them praise Jehovah for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the sons of man!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing!
23 They who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;
24 these see the works of Jehovah and His wonders in the deep.
25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
26 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.
28 And they cry to Jehovah in their trouble, and He brings them out of their troubles.
29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
30 And they are glad because they are quiet; so He brings them to their desired haven.
31 Let them praise Jehovah for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the sons of man!
32 And let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the gathering of the elders.
33 He sets rivers to a wilderness and water-springs to thirsty ground;
34 a fruitful land to a salty desert, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
35 He turns the wilderness into water-ponds, and dry ground into water-springs.
36 And He makes the hungry dwell there, so that they may prepare a city to live in;
37 and sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He also blesses them, so that they are multiplied greatly; and does not allow their cattle to become few.
39 Again, they have become few, and humbled through harshness, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He pours scorn on nobles, and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no path.
41 But He raises up the poor from affliction and sets families like a flock.
42 The upright shall see and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, and will observe these things, they shall understand the mercies of 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.