« | Psalm 6 | » |
1 For the leader; with stringed instruments, "upon the eighth." A psalm of David.
2 Do not reprove me in your anger, LORD, nor punish me in your wrath.
3 Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are trembling.
4 In utter terror is my soul-- and you, LORD, how long...?
5 Turn, LORD, save my life; in your mercy rescue me.
6 For who among the dead remembers you? Who praises you in Sheol?
7 I am wearied with sighing; all night long tears drench my bed; my couch is soaked with weeping.
8 My eyes are dimmed with sorrow, worn out because of all my foes.
9 Away from me, all who do evil! The LORD has heard my weeping.
10 The LORD has heard my prayer; the LORD takes up my plea.
11 My foes will be terrified and disgraced; all will fall back in sudden shame.
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.