« | Psalm 88 | » |
1 A Song. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. On Mahalath, to make humble. A Poem of Heman the Ezrahite. O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You.
2 Let my prayer come before You; bow down Your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near the grave.
4 I am counted with those who go down to the Pit; I am like a feeble man;
5 free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom You remember no more; and by Your hand they are cut off.
6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
7 Your wrath lies hard on me, and You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah.
8 You have taken my friends away from me; You have made me a hateful thing to them. I am shut up, and I cannot go out.
9 My eye mourns because of affliction; O Jehovah, I have called daily on You; I have stretched out my hands to You.
10 For will You do wonders to the dead? Shall the dead rise and praise You? Selah.
11 Shall Your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in ruin?
12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark, and Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But to You I have cried, O Jehovah; and in the morning my prayer shall go before You.
14 O Jehovah, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up; while I suffer Your terrors, I pine away.
16 Your fierce wrath goes over me; Your terrors have cut me off.
17 They surrounded me like waters all the day long; they have come together around me.
18 You have taken lover and friend far from me, and those who know me into darkness.
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.