« | Psalm 90 | » |
1 A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. O Jehovah, You have been our dwelling-place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
3 You turn man to dust, and say, Return, sons of men.
4 For a thousand years in Your sight are as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
5 You carry them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which grows up.
6 In the morning it sprouts and shoots up; in the evening it is cut down, and dries up.
7 For we are burned up by Your anger, and by Your wrath we are troubled.
8 You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your face.
9 For all our days pass away in Your wrath; we finish our years like a murmur.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by strength they are fourscore years, yet their pride is labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger? And as Your fear is, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Jehovah! How long? And give pity to Your servants.
14 Satisfy us early with Your mercy, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days of our affliction, the years in which we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their sons.
17 And let the beauty of Jehovah our God be on us; and establish the work of our hands on us; yea, the work of our hands, establish it.
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.