« | Psalm 31 | » |
1 For the leader. A psalm of David.
2 In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice deliver me;
3 incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.
4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead and guide me.
5 Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.
7 You hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love, once you have seen my misery, observed my distress.
9 You will not abandon me into enemy hands, but will set my feet in a free and open space.
10 Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am in distress; with grief my eyes are wasted, my soul and body spent.
11 My life is worn out by sorrow, my years by sighing. My strength fails in affliction; my bones are consumed.
12 To all my foes I am a thing of scorn, to my neighbors, a dreaded sight, a horror to my friends. When they see me in the street, they quickly shy away.
13 I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead; I am like a shattered dish.
14 I hear the whispers of the crowd; terrors are all around me. They conspire against me; they plot to take my life.
15 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."
16 My times are in your hands; rescue me from my enemies, from the hands of my pursuers.
17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.
18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put the wicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.
19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contempt and scorn.
20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.
21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies. You keep them in your abode, safe from plotting tongues.
22 Blessed be the LORD, who has shown me wondrous love, and been for me a city most secure.
23 Once I said in my anguish, "I am shut out from your sight." Yet you heard my plea, when I cried out to you.
24 Love the LORD, all you faithful. The LORD protects the loyal, but repays the arrogant in full.
25 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
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.