« | Psalm 21 | » |
1 For the leader. A psalm of David.
2 LORD, the king finds joy in your power; in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
3 You have granted him his heart's desire; you did not refuse the prayer of his lips. Selah
4 For you welcomed him with goodly blessings; you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
5 He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever.
6 Great is his glory in your victory; majesty and splendor you confer upon him.
7 You make him the pattern of blessings forever, you gladden him with the joy of your presence.
8 For the king trusts in the LORD, stands firm through the love of the Most High.
9 Your hand will reach all your enemies; your right hand will reach your foes!
10 At the time of your coming you will drive them into a furnace. Then the LORD'S anger will consume them, devour them with fire.
11 Even their descendants you will wipe out from the earth, their offspring from the human race.
12 Though they intend evil against you, devising plots, they will not succeed,
13 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at them with your bow. III
14 Arise, LORD, in your power! We will sing and chant the praise of your might.
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.