« | Psalm 36 | » |
1 For the leader. Of David, the servant of the LORD.
2 Sin directs the heart of the wicked; their eyes are closed to the fear of God.
3 For they live with the delusion: their guilt will not be known and hated.
4 Empty and false are the words of their mouth; they have ceased to be wise and do good.
5 In their beds they hatch plots; they set out on a wicked way; they do not reject evil.
6 LORD, your love reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds.
7 Your justice is like the highest mountains; your judgments, like the mighty deep; all living creatures you sustain, LORD.
8 How precious is your love, O God! We take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
9 We feast on the rich food of your house; from your delightful stream you give us drink.
10 For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
11 Continue your kindness toward your friends, your just defense of the honest heart.
12 Do not let the foot of the proud overtake me, nor the hand of the wicked disturb me.
13 There make the evildoers fall; thrust them down, never to rise.
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.