« | Psalm 86 | » |
1 A Prayer of David Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I [am] poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I [am] holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You!
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.
4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, [are] good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.
8 Among the gods [there is] none like You, O Lord; Nor [are there any works] like Your works.
9 All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name.
10 For You [are] great, and do wondrous things; You alone [are] God.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
13 For great [is] Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent [men] have sought my life, And have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, [are] a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see [it] and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
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.