« | Psalm 48 | » |
1 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, [In] His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, [Is] Mount Zion [on] the sides of the north, The city of the great King.
3 God [is] in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.
4 For behold, the kings assembled, They passed by together.
5 They saw [it, and] so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away.
6 Fear took hold of them there, [And] pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,
7 [As when] You break the ships of Tarshish With an east wind.
8 As we have heard, So we have seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah
9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, 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.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers;
13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell [it] to the generation following.
14 For this [is] God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide [Even] to death.
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.