« | Psalm 115 | » |
1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love.
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see.
6 They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell.
7 They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats.
8 Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them.
9 The house of Israel trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
10 The house of Aaron trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
11 Those who fear the LORD trust in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us, will bless the house of Israel, will bless the house of Aaron,
13 Will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alike.
14 May the LORD increase your number, you and your descendants.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth is given to us.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, all those gone down into silence.
18 It is we who bless the LORD, both now and forever. Hallelujah!
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.