« | Psalm 59 | » |
1 For the director. Do not destroy. A miktam of David, when Saul sent people to watch his house and kill him.
2 Rescue me from my enemies, my God; lift me out of reach of my foes.
3 Deliver me from evildoers; from the bloodthirsty save me.
4 They have set an ambush for my life; the powerful conspire against me. For no offense or misdeed of mine, LORD,
5 for no fault they hurry to take up arms. Come near and see my plight!
6 You, LORD of hosts, are the God of Israel! Awake! Punish all the nations. Have no mercy on these worthless traitors. Selah
7 Each evening they return, growling like dogs, prowling the city.
8 Their mouths pour out insult; sharp words are on their lips. They say: "Who is there to hear?"
9 You, LORD, laugh at them; you deride all the nations.
10 My strength, for you I watch; you, God, are my fortress,
11 my loving God.
12 May God go before me, and show me my fallen foes. Slay them, God, lest they deceive my people. Shake them by your power; Lord, our shield, bring them down.
13 For the sinful words of their mouths and lips let them be caught in their pride. For the lies they have told under oath
14 destroy them in anger, destroy till they are no more. Then people will know God rules over Jacob, yes, even to the ends of the earth. Selah
15 Each evening they return, growling like dogs, prowling the city.
16 They roam about as scavengers; if they are not filled, they howl.
17 But I shall sing of your strength, extol your love at dawn, For you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble.
18 My strength, your praise I will sing; you, God, are my fortress, my loving 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.