« | Psalm 68 | » |
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
2 As smoke is driven away, So drive [them] away; As wax melts before the fire, [So] let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, [Is] God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry [land.]
7 O God, when You went out before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 The earth shook; The heavens also dropped [rain] at the presence of God; Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary.
10 Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word; Great [was] the company of those who proclaimed [it:]
12 "Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home divides the spoil.
13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, [You will be] like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold."
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was [white] as snow in Zalmon.
15 A mountain of God [is] the mountain of Bashan; A mountain [of many] peaks [is] the mountain of Bashan.
16 Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of [many] peaks? [This is] the mountain [which] God desires to dwell in; Yes, the LORD will dwell [in it] forever.
17 The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [Even] thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them [as in] Sinai, in the Holy [Place.]
18 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even [from] the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell [there.]
19 Blessed [be] the Lord, [Who] daily loads us [with benefits,] The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God [is] the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord [belong] escapes from death.
21 But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in His trespasses.
22 The Lord said, "I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring [them] back from the depths of the sea,
23 That your foot may crush [them] in blood, And the tongues of your dogs [may have] their portion from [your] enemies."
24 They have seen Your procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments [followed] after; Among [them were] the maidens playing timbrels.
26 Bless God in the congregations, The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There [is] little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah [and] their company, The princes of Zebulun [and] the princes of Naphtali.
28 Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You.
30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, [Till everyone] submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples [who] delight in war.
31 Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, [which were] of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God; His excellence [is] over Israel, And His strength [is] in the clouds.
35 O God, [You are] more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel [is] He who gives strength and power to [His] people. Blessed [be] God!
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.