« | Psalm 66 | » |
1 Make a joyful noise to God, all you lands:
2 Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, How terrible are you in your works! through the greatness of your power shall your enemies submit themselves to you.
4 All the earth shall worship you, and shall sing to you; they shall sing to your name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He rules by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holds our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved.
10 For you, O God, have proved us: you have tried us, as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net; you laid affliction on our loins.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place.
13 I will go into your house with burnt offerings: I will pay you my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth has spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer to you burnt sacrifices of fatted calves, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19 But truly God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
The American King James Version (AKJV)
The American King James Version (AKJV) is a modernized adaptation of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which seeks to retain the majesty and accuracy of the original text while updating some of the archaic language to make it more accessible to contemporary readers. The AKJV was created by Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite in the late 20th century, aiming to preserve the classic beauty and literary excellence of the KJV while ensuring that the scripture remains comprehensible to modern audiences. Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite of True Grace Ministries, claims his version is a simple word for word update from the King James English.
This translation adheres closely to the text and structure of the KJV, making only minimal changes where necessary to update outdated terms and phrases. One of the significant features of the AKJV is its commitment to maintaining the same verse structure and traditional phrasing that has made the KJV so enduringly popular. By making modest updates to the language, such as replacing thee and thou with you and your, the AKJV provides a version of the Bible that feels familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV, while being more approachable for new readers. This careful balance allows the AKJV to honor the historical and literary legacy of the KJV while meeting the linguistic needs of readers of today.
The AKJV also seeks to remain faithful to the doctrinal and theological foundations of the KJV. By preserving the original text's meaning and intent, the AKJV provides a reliable translation for study, worship, and personal devotion. Its adherence to the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament ensures that the translation remains consistent with the sources that have historically underpinned the KJV. This fidelity to the original manuscripts and theological perspectives of the KJV helps maintain the trust and respect that many readers have for this venerable translation.
Despite its strengths, the AKJV has not been without its criticisms. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation does not go far enough in updating the language, leaving certain passages still challenging for modern audiences. Others feel that any alteration to the KJV diminishes its historical and literary significance. Nonetheless, the AKJV remains a valuable resource for those who seek a Bible translation that bridges the gap between the time-honored KJV and the needs of contemporary readers, offering a version that is both reverent and readable.