« | Psalm 46 | » |
1 For the leader. A song of the Korahites. According to alamoth.
2 God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
3 Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
4 Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
5 Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
6 God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day.
7 Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God's voice thunders and the earth trembles.
8 The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
9 Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth;
10 Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire;
11 Who says: "Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth."
12 The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
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.