« | Psalm 32 | » |
1 Of David. A maskil. I Happy the sinner whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven.
2 Happy those to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 As long as I kept silent, my bones wasted away; I groaned all the day.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength withered as in dry summer heat. Selah
5 Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD," and you took away the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Thus should all your faithful pray in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach them.
7 You are my shelter; from distress you keep me; with safety you ring me round. Selah
8 I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.
9 Do not be senseless like horses or mules; with bit and bridle their temper is curbed, else they will not come to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.
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.