« | Psalm 33 | » |
1 Rejoice, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting.
2 Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise.
3 Sing to God a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant.
4 For the LORD'S word is true; all his works are trustworthy.
5 The LORD loves justice and right and fills the earth with goodness.
6 By the LORD'S word the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 The waters of the sea were gathered as in a bowl; in cellars the deep was confined.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world show reverence.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be, commanded, and it stood in place.
10 The LORD foils the plan of nations, frustrates the designs of peoples.
11 But the plan of the LORD stands forever, wise designs through all generations.
12 Happy the nation whose God is the LORD, the people chosen as his very own.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and observes the whole human race,
14 Surveying from the royal throne all who dwell on earth.
15 The one who fashioned the hearts of them all knows all their works.
16 A king is not saved by a mighty army, nor a warrior delivered by great strength.
17 Useless is the horse for safety; its great strength, no sure escape.
18 But the LORD'S eyes are upon the reverent, upon those who hope for his gracious help,
19 Delivering them from death, keeping them alive in times of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and shield.
21 For in God our hearts rejoice; in your holy name we trust.
22 May your kindness, LORD, be upon us; we have put our hope in you.
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.