« | Psalm 89 | » |
1 A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens."
3 "I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David:
4 'Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.' " Selah
5 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.
6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? [Who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all [those] around Him.
8 O LORD God of hosts, Who [is] mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.
10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
11 The heavens [are] Yours, the earth also [is] Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them.
12 The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, [and] high is Your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice [are] the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.
15 Blessed [are] the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted.
17 For You [are] the glory of their strength, And in Your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield [belongs] to the LORD, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said: "I have given help to [one who is] mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20 I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him,
21 With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him.
24 "But My faithfulness and My mercy [shall be] with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers.
26 He shall cry to Me, 'You [are] my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27 Also I will make him [My] firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him.
29 His seed also I will make [to endure] forever, And his throne as the days of heaven.
30 "If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments,
31 If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments,
32 Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes.
33 Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.
34 My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David:
36 His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me;
37 It shall be established forever like the moon, Even [like] the faithful witness in the sky." Selah
38 But You have cast off and abhorred, You have been furious with Your anointed.
39 You have renounced the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.
40 You have broken down all his hedges; You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41 All who pass by the way plunder him; He is a reproach to his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries; You have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have also turned back the edge of his sword, And have not sustained him in the battle.
44 You have made his glory cease, And cast his throne down to the ground.
45 The days of his youth You have shortened; You have covered him with shame. Selah
46 How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is; For what futility have You created all the children of men?
48 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Selah
49 Lord, where [are] Your former lovingkindnesses, [Which] You swore to David in Your truth?
50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of Your servants -- [How] I bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the many peoples,
51 With which Your enemies have reproached, O LORD, With which they have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed.
52 Blessed [be] the LORD forevermore! Amen and Amen.
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.