« | Psalm 83 | » |
1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. Keep not silence, O God; do not be speechless, and be not still, O God.
2 For lo, Your enemies roar; and those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They take shrewd counsel against Your people, and plot against Your hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, so that the name Israel may be remembered no more.
5 For with one heart they have plotted together; they have made a covenant against You--
6 the tents of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarites;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the people of Tyre;
8 and Assyria has joined with them; they have helped the sons of Lot. Selah.
9 Do to them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin at the torrent Kishon;
10 who perished at Endor; they became as dung for the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes like Zebah, and like Zalmunna;
12 who said, Let us take possession for ourselves of the houses of God.
13 O my God, make them like a wheel; like the stubble before the wind.
14 As the fire burns a forest, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire,
15 so pursue them with Your tempest, and make them afraid with Your storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O Jehovah.
17 Let them be ashamed and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame, and lost;
18 so that men may know that Your name is JEHOVAH, that You alone are the Most High over all the earth.
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have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time.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.