« | Psalm 34 | » |
1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who forced him to depart.
2 I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
3 My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
4 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
5 I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
7 In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
8 The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
9 Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.
10 Fear the LORD, you holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him.
11 The powerful grow poor and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
12 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
13 Who among you loves life, takes delight in prosperous days?
14 Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies.
15 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
16 The LORD has eyes for the just and ears for their cry.
17 The LORD'S face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth.
18 When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress.
19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.
20 Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.
21 God watches over all their bones; not a one shall be broken.
22 Evil will slay the wicked; those who hate the just are condemned.
23 The LORD redeems loyal servants; no one is condemned whose refuge is God.
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.