« | Psalm 147 | » |
1 Hallelujah! I How good to celebrate our God in song; how sweet to give fitting praise.
2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers the dispersed of Israel,
3 Heals the brokenhearted, binds up their wounds,
4 Numbers all the stars, calls each of them by name.
5 Great is our Lord, vast in power, with wisdom beyond measure.
6 The LORD sustains the poor, but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; with the lyre celebrate our God,
8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, makes grass sprout on the mountains,
9 Who gives animals their food and ravens what they cry for.
10 God takes no delight in the strength of horses, no pleasure in the runner's stride.
11 Rather the LORD takes pleasure in the devout, those who await his faithful care.
12 Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem; Zion, offer praise to your God,
13 Who has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children within you,
14 Brought peace to your borders, and filled you with finest wheat.
15 The LORD sends a command to earth; his word runs swiftly!
16 Thus snow is spread like wool, frost is scattered like ash,
17 Hail is dispersed like crumbs; before such cold the waters freeze.
18 Again he sends his word and they melt; the wind is unleashed and the waters flow.
19 The LORD also proclaims his word to Jacob, decrees and laws to Israel.
20 God has not done this for other nations; of such laws they know nothing. 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.