« | Psalm 144 | » |
1 A Psalm of David. Blessed is Jehovah my Rock, who teaches My hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2 He is my goodness and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield and He in whom I trust; who humbles my people under me.
3 O Jehovah, what is man that You take knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that You esteem him?
4 Man is like vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes away.
5 Bow down Your heavens, O Jehovah, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning and scatter them; shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
7 Send Your hand from above; rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of a foreigner's sons;
8 because their mouth has spoken vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of lies.
9 I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You.
10 It is You who gives salvation to kings; who delivers David His servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rescue me, and deliver me from the hand of foreigners' sons, because their mouth has spoken vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood;
12 so that our sons may be like plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters may be like corner-stones, polished like a palace building;
13 and our storehouses may be full, furnishing kind to kind; and our flocks may breed thousands and ten thousands outside;
14 and our oxen may be loaded; there is no breaking in nor going out and no crying in our streets.
15 Blessed are the peoples who are so; blessed are the peoples to whom Jehovah is their God.
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have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time.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.