« | Psalm 31 | » |
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O Jehovah, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me; deliver me quickly; be my strong rock, a fortress to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake lead me and guide me.
4 Bring me out of the net that they hid for me, for You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, the God of truth.
6 I have hated those who take heed to lying vanities; but I trust in Jehovah.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy; for You have looked on my affliction; You have known my soul in troubles;
8 and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Have mercy on me, O Jehovah, for I am in trouble; my eye has become old with grief, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is ending with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones have wasted away.
11 I was a reproach among all my foes, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to my friends; those who saw me outside fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many; fear is on every side; because of their plottings together against me, they planned to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in You, O Jehovah; I said, You are my God.
15 My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your mercy.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O Jehovah; for I have called on You; Let the wicked be ashamed; let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; the lips which speak proudly against the righteous, with pride and scorn.
19 How great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You; You have worked for those who trust in You before the sons of men!
20 You shall hide them in the secrecy of Your presence from the pride of man; You shall hide them in a shelter away from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed is Jehovah; for He has worked His mercy wondrously in a besieged city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Your eyes; surely You heard the voice of my cries, when I cried to You.
23 O love Jehovah, all you saints of His; Jehovah preserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer.
24 Be strong, and He will make your heart stronger, all you who hope in 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.