« | Psalm 35 | » |
1 Of David. I Oppose, LORD, those who oppose me; war upon those who make war upon me.
2 Take up the shield and buckler; rise up in my defense.
3 Brandish lance and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to my heart, "I am your salvation."
4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgrace. Let those who plot evil against me be turned back and confounded.
5 Make them like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Make their way slippery and dark, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Without cause they set their snare for me; without cause they dug a pit for me.
8 Let ruin overtake them unawares; let the snare they have set catch them; let them fall into the pit they have dug.
9 Then I will rejoice in the LORD, exult in God's salvation.
10 My very bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like you, Who rescue the afflicted from the powerful, the afflicted and needy from the despoiler?"
11 Malicious witnesses come forward, accuse me of things I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good and I am all alone.
13 Yet I, when they were ill, put on sackcloth, afflicted myself with fasting, sobbed my prayers upon my bosom.
14 I went about in grief as for my brother, bent in mourning as for my mother.
15 Yet when I stumbled they gathered with glee, gathered against me like strangers. They slandered me without ceasing;
16 without respect they mocked me, gnashed their teeth against me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on? Save me from roaring beasts, my precious life from lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you before the mighty throng.
19 Do not let lying foes smirk at me, my undeserved enemies wink knowingly.
20 They speak no words of peace, but against the quiet in the land they fashion deceitful speech.
21 They open wide their mouths against me. They say, "Aha! Good! Our eyes relish the sight!"
22 You see this, LORD; do not be silent; Lord, do not withdraw from me.
23 Awake, be vigilant in my defense, in my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Defend me because you are just, LORD; my God, do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha! Just what we wanted!" Do not let them say, "We have devoured that one!"
26 Put to shame and confound all who relish my misfortune. Clothe with shame and disgrace those who lord it over me.
27 But let those who favor my just cause shout for joy and be glad. May they ever say, "Exalted be the LORD who delights in the peace of his loyal servant."
28 Then my tongue shall recount your justice, declare your praise, all the day long.
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.