« | Psalm 102 | » |
1 The prayer of one afflicted and wasting away whose anguish is poured out before the LORD.
2 LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.
3 Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
4 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn away as in a furnace.
5 I am withered, dried up like grass, too wasted to eat my food.
6 From my loud groaning I become just skin and bones.
7 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
8 I lie awake and moan, like a lone sparrow on the roof.
9 All day long my enemies taunt me; in their rage, they make my name a curse.
10 I eat ashes like bread, mingle my drink with tears.
11 Because of your furious wrath, you lifted me up just to cast me down.
12 My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither like the grass.
13 But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; your renown is for all generations.
14 You will again show mercy to Zion; now is the time for pity; the appointed time has come.
15 Its stones are dear to your servants; its dust moves them to pity.
16 The nations shall revere your name, LORD, all the kings of the earth, your glory,
17 Once the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in glory,
18 Heeding the plea of the lowly, not scorning their prayer.
19 Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the LORD:
20 "The LORD looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven,
21 To attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die."
22 Then the LORD'S name will be declared on Zion, the praise of God in Jerusalem,
23 When all peoples and kingdoms gather to worship the LORD.
24 God has shattered my strength in mid-course, has cut short my days.
25 I plead, O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days. Your years last through all generations.
26 Of old you laid the earth's foundations; the heavens are the work of your hands.
27 They perish, but you remain; they all wear out like a garment; Like clothing you change them and they are changed,
28 but you are the same, your years have no end.
29 May the children of your servants live on; may their descendants live in your presence.
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU)
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible known for its rigorous adherence to the original languages of Scripture. First published in 1995 by the Lockman Foundation, the NASU is an update of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which was originally completed in 1971. The NASU seeks to improve upon the NASB by enhancing readability and modernizing the language while maintaining the translation’s reputation for being one of the most literal translations available. This makes the NASU a preferred choice for serious Bible study, preaching, and teaching.
A key feature of the NASU is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation philosophy. The translators aimed to produce a text that is as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This approach ensures that the NASU captures the precise meaning and structure of the original texts, providing readers with a highly accurate and reliable representation of the Scriptures. The use of formal equivalence makes the NASU particularly valuable for those who desire a deep and detailed understanding of the Bible, including scholars, theologians, and students of the Word.
In updating the NASB, the NASU made several important changes to improve clarity and readability. While maintaining the accuracy and literalness of the translation, the NASU incorporates modern English expressions and smoother sentence structures. This makes the text more accessible to contemporary readers without compromising the precision that the NASB is known for. The NASU also includes updated cross-references and footnotes, which provide additional context and insights, further aiding in the study and understanding of the biblical text.
Despite its many strengths, the NASU has faced some criticism. Some readers and scholars argue that the translation’s emphasis on literalness can sometimes result in a text that feels stiff or less fluid than more dynamic translations. Additionally, while the NASU’s updated language makes it more accessible, some feel that it could go further in adapting to contemporary usage without losing its accuracy. Nevertheless, the New American Standard Updated Version remains a highly esteemed translation, valued for its fidelity to the original texts and its usefulness for in-depth study and precise interpretation of the Bible.