A long time ago, maybe sixty years, Daddy expressed concern about the influx of new Bible translations—a few then, many now.
Daddy said that many different translations could/would contribute to less Bible memorizing.
Yes, true—at any rate, it makes memorizing more difficult.
It takes more conscious effort to memorize, no longer hearing the same wording of the same verse, from multiple sources.
Everyone seems most interested in communicating the Word with new and ‘better’ wording, so the listener can get it most easily.
So we hear the Bible in many different ways, and can’t remember one because we can’t pick one.
Rarely do we memorize anything, without hearing or reading it over and over in the exact same wording.
Memorizing Scripture is not memorizing concepts—it is memorizing words, that hold the concepts, that change our lives.
As a writer, very interested in the rules/principles of English grammar (since ninth grade with Mrs. Lindeman), I have concluded:
Structure Communicates, not just words.
And I believe that is precisely why the King James Version (KJV) worked so well for centuries, and continues effectively today, amid dozens? of new translations.
A bit of examination shows the grammar and sentence structure of the KJV is not only correct and balanced, it is very hard to improve on.
The NKJV takes care of the old word obstacles.
Tribute to Daddy:
— One
Daddy spent lots of time reading his Bible, in our house, and in his pickup.
By far the greatest gift, heritage, blessing that anyone can get from their dad is seeing him with his open Bible every day.*
— Two
Equal gift, heritage, blessing from Daddy—hundreds of Bible verses in my memory, with recall to this day, because Daddy repeated them every day in morning devotions, and all day long.**
And this miracle storehouse of Truth—filled with absolutely no effort of my own.***
Adding to that now takes EFFORT and TIME.
It’s certainly worth it.
Pick a translation, and stick with it.
Mark it up.
Underline.
Circle.
Write notes, dates, names.
Leave your Bible open to a verse to memorize, on a place where you will see it several times a day.
“Don’t worry about the quantity of Bible you ingest—it’s how much Bible you digest that makes you strong.”
* And, seeing Daddy on his knees, praying every day.
** “And these words which I command you this day, shall be in your heart;
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
*** “Unto whom much is given, much will be required.”
Speak Your Mind