« | Psalm 40 | » |
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for Jehovah; and He bowed down to me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and gave sureness to my steps.
3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in Jehovah.
4 Blessed is the man who makes Jehovah his trust and does not turn to the proud, nor to those who turn aside to a lie.
5 O Jehovah my God, many things You have done, Your wonderful works and Your thoughts which are toward us; they cannot be set in order to You; I will declare and speak, for they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You have not asked.
7 Then I said, Lo, I come, in the volume of the Book it is written of Me;
8 I delight to do Your will, O My God; and Your Law is within My heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not kept back My lips, O Jehovah, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not hidden Your loving-kindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Jehovah; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth always watch over me.
12 For evils without number have hemmed me in; my sins have taken hold on me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me; O Jehovah, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and humbled together, those who seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame, those who wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate as a reward for their shame, those who say to me, Aha, aha!
16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You, and the ones loving your salvation always say, Let Jehovah be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; Jehovah will care for me; You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not wait.
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.