« | Psalm 118 | » |
1 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever.
2 Let the house of Israel say: God's love endures forever.
3 Let the house of Aaron say, God's love endures forever.
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, God's love endures forever.
5 In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me?
7 The LORD is with me as my helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.
8 Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in mortals.
9 Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
11 They surrounded me on every side; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like fire among thorns; in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
13 I was hard pressed and falling, but the LORD came to my help.
14 The LORD, my strength and might, came to me as savior.
15 The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in the tents of the victors: "The LORD'S right hand strikes with power;
16 the LORD'S right hand is raised; the LORD'S right hand strikes with power."
17 I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open the gates of victory; I will enter and thank the LORD.
20 This is the LORD'S own gate, where the victors enter.
21 I thank you for you answered me; you have been my savior.
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
25 LORD, grant salvation! LORD, grant good fortune!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the LORD'S house.
27 The LORD is God and has given us light. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, I give you thanks; my God, I offer you praise.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever.
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.