Devoblogging – Day 26

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.(Psalm 28:3, KJV)

     As a rule most scholars agree that the King James Version of the Bible is not a very good translation.  I find that what it misses in translation it makes up for in rhythm and meter. If you choose to memorize a passage of scripture the KJV is probably the best place to start. I always prefer to read the Psalms in the King’s English. The strength and majesty of the words do not allow you to shrink away from their importance. Psalm 28:3 is one of those verses that proves my point:

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.  (New International Version)

Don’t shove me into the same jail cell with those crooks, with those who are
      full-time employees of evil. They talk a good line of “peace,”
      then moonlight for the Devil. (The Message, paraphrase)

Don’t drag me away, LORD, with those cruel   people, who speak kind words, while planning trouble. (Contemporary English Version)

Take me not off with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts. (Revised Standard Version)

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts. (New Revised Standard Version)

     All of these translations have both strengths and weaknesses. For the purpose of The Grand Sweep I am reading the NRSV. My wife and I are reading the International Children’s Bible to our children each night at supper.  I generally prepare my sermons using the RSV as my primary text.  No one text can do it all. Any text is a good place to start. Still when it comes to particular passages I can’t help but go back to the “authorized” version.

Say the words aloud, let them resonate, hear them again for the first time:

Draw me not away with the wicked,

and with the workers of iniquity,

which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.