« | Psalm 136 | » |
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy [endures] forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy [endures] forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy [endures] forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy [endures] forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy [endures] forever;
7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy [endures] forever --
8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy [endures] forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy [endures] forever.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy [endures] forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy [endures] forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy [endures] forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy [endures] forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy [endures] forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy [endures] forever;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy [endures] forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy [endures] forever;
18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy [endures] forever --
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy [endures] forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy [endures] forever --
21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy [endures] forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy [endures] forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy [endures] forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy [endures] forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy [endures] forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! 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.