« | Psalm 36 | » |
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of Jehovah. The oracle utters transgression to the wicked within my heart. There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes in order to find his iniquity, to hate it.
3 The words of his mouth are evil and deceit; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.
4 He plots evil on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not hate evil.
5 Your mercy, O Jehovah, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Jehovah, You keep man and beast.
7 How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of Your wing.
8 They shall be satisfied with the fatness of Your house; and You shall make them drink of the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
10 O continue Your loving-kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of pride come against me, and do not let the hand of the wicked move me.
12 There the evil-doers have fallen; they are cast down, and cannot rise.
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have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time.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.