« | Psalm 107 | » |
1 "Give thanks to the LORD who is good, whose love endures forever!"
2 Let that be the prayer of the LORD'S redeemed, those redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 Those gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some had lost their way in a barren desert; found no path toward a city to live in.
5 They were hungry and thirsty; their life was ebbing away.
6 In their distress they cried to the LORD, who rescued them in their peril,
7 Guided them by a direct path so they reached a city to live in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
9 For he satisfied the thirsty, filled the hungry with good things.
10 Some lived in darkness and gloom, in prison, bound with chains,
11 Because they rebelled against God's word, scorned the counsel of the Most High,
12 Who humbled their hearts through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help.
13 In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,
14 Led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains asunder.
15 Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
16 For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.
17 Some fell sick from their wicked ways, afflicted because of their sins.
18 They loathed all manner of food; they were at the gates of death.
19 In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,
20 Sent forth the word to heal them, snatched them from the grave.
21 Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
22 Let them offer a sacrifice in thanks, declare his works with shouts of joy.
23 Some went off to sea in ships, plied their trade on the deep waters.
24 They saw the works of the LORD, the wonders of God in the deep.
25 He spoke and roused a storm wind; it tossed the waves on high.
26 They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths; their hearts trembled at the danger.
27 They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail.
28 In their distress they cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril,
29 Hushed the storm to a murmur; the waves of the sea were stilled.
30 They rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the harbor they longed for.
31 Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
32 Let them praise him in the assembly of the people, give thanks in the council of the elders.
33 God changed rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 Fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its people.
35 He changed the desert into pools of water, arid land into springs of water,
36 And settled the hungry there; they built a city to live in.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards, brought in an abundant harvest.
38 God blessed them, they became very many, and their livestock did not decrease.
39 Where they were diminished and brought low through misery and cruel oppression,
40 But he poured out contempt on princes, made them wander the trackless wastes,
41 While the poor were released from their affliction; their families increased like their flocks.
42 The upright saw this and rejoiced; all wickedness shut its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise will take note of these things, will ponder the merciful deeds of the LORD.
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.