« | Psalm 109 | » |
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O God of my praise, do not be silent;
2 for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me; they spoke against me with a lying tongue.
3 And they surrounded me with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
4 For my love they are my foes; but I am in prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6 Set a wicked man over him; and let an adversary stand at his right hand,
7 when he is judged, let him be condemned; and let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few; let another take his office.
9 Let his sons be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
10 Let his sons always beg and be vagabonds, and seek food out of their ruins.
11 Let the money-lender lay a snare for all that is his; and let strangers take the fruit of his labor.
12 Let there be none to give mercy to him; nor any to favor his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered to Jehovah; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let them be always before Jehovah, that He may cut off their memory from the earth,
16 because he did not remember to do mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, and sought to kill the broken-hearted.
17 Yea, he loved cursing, so let it come to him; he delighted not in blessing, and it was far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing, as with his robe, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be to him as the robe which covers him, and for a girdle with which he is always clothed.
20 This is the reward of my foes from Jehovah, and of them who speak evil against my soul.
21 But You, Lord Jehovah, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; because Your mercy is good, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 As a shadow when it is stretched out, I am gone; I am shaken off like the locust.
24 My knees stumble from fasting; and my flesh is losing its fatness.
25 And I became a shame to them; they looked on me; they shook their heads.
26 Help me, O Jehovah my God; save me according to Your mercy;
27 and they will know that this is Your hand; that You, Jehovah, have done it.
28 They will curse, but You will bless; they arise, and are ashamed; but let Your servant rejoice.
29 Let my foes be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own shame, as with a cloak.
30 I will greatly praise Jehovah with my mouth; yea, I will praise Him among the multitude.
31 For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn his soul.
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.