« | Psalm 116 | » |
1 I love the LORD, who listened to my voice in supplication,
2 Who turned an ear to me on the day I called.
3 I was caught by the cords of death; the snares of Sheol had seized me; I felt agony and dread.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD, "O LORD, save my life!"
5 Gracious is the LORD and just; yes, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD protects the simple; I was helpless, but God saved me.
7 Return, my soul, to your rest; the LORD has been good to you.
8 For my soul has been freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9 I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I kept faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted!"
11 I said in my alarm, "No one can be trusted!"
12 How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me?
13 I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Too costly in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful.
16 LORD, I am your servant, your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 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.