« | Psalm 48 | » |
1 A Song and Psalm for the Sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.
2 Beautiful on high, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God is known in her strongholds for a refuge.
4 For, lo, the kings were gathered; they passed by together.
5 They saw, so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hurried away.
6 Fear took hold on them there, and pain, like a woman in labor.
7 You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind;
8 as we have heard, so we have seen in the city of Jehovah of Hosts, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. Selah.
9 We have thought of Your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of Your temple.
10 According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness; let mount Zion rejoice!
11 Let the daughters of Judah shout for joy because of Your judgments!
12 Walk around Zion, and go all around it; count the towers of it,
13 Set your heart on its ramparts, pass between its strongholds; so that you may tell it to the coming generation.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.
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have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time.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.