« | Psalm 30 | » |
1 A psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David.
2 I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
3 O LORD, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.
4 LORD, you brought me up from Sheol; you kept me from going down to the pit.
5 Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful; give thanks to God's holy name.
6 For divine anger lasts but a moment; divine favor lasts a lifetime. At dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing.
7 Complacent, I once said, "I shall never be shaken."
8 LORD, when you showed me favor I stood like the mighty mountains. But when you hid your face I was struck with terror.
9 To you, LORD, I cried out; with the Lord I pleaded for mercy:
10 "What gain is there from my lifeblood, from my going down to the grave? Does dust give you thanks or declare your faithfulness?
11 Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper."
12 You changed my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
13 With my whole being I sing endless praise to you. O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
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.