« | Psalm 118 | » |
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever.
2 Let Israel now say, "His mercy [endures] forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy [endures] forever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy [endures] forever."
5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me [and set me] in a broad place.
6 The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see [my desire] on those who hate me.
8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.
9 [It is] better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD [is] my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation [Is] in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, [And] I will praise the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, Through which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.
22 The stone [which] the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the LORD's doing; It [is] marvelous in our eyes.
24 This [is] the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed [is] he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
27 God [is] the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You [are] my God, and I will praise You; [You are] my God, I will exalt You.
29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever.
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.