« | Psalm 39 | » |
1 For the leader, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
2 I said, "I will watch my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will set a curb on my mouth."
3 Dumb and silent before the wicked, I refrained from any speech. But my sorrow increased;
4 my heart smoldered within me. In my thoughts a fire blazed up, and I broke into speech:
5 LORD, let me know my end, the number of my days, that I may learn how frail I am.
6 You have given my days a very short span; my life is as nothing before you. All mortals are but a breath. Selah
7 Mere phantoms, we go our way; mere vapor, our restless pursuits; we heap up stores without knowing for whom.
8 And now, Lord, what future do I have? You are my only hope.
9 From all my sins deliver me; let me not be the taunt of fools.
10 I was silent and did not open my mouth because you were the one who did this.
11 Take your plague away from me; I am ravaged by the touch of your hand.
12 You rebuke our guilt and chasten us; you dissolve all we prize like a cobweb. All mortals are but a breath. Selah
13 Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry; do not be deaf to my weeping! I sojourn with you like a passing stranger, a guest, like all my ancestors.
14 Turn your gaze from me, that I may find peace before I depart to be no more.
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.