« | Psalm 73 | » |
1 A psalm of Asaph. How good God is to the upright, the Lord, to those who are clean of heart!
2 But, as for me, I lost my balance; my feet all but slipped,
3 Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek.
5 They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others.
6 Thus pride adorns them as a necklace; violence clothes them as a robe.
7 Out of their stupidity comes sin; evil thoughts flood their hearts.
8 They scoff and spout their malice; from on high they utter threats.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, their tongues roam the earth.
10 So my people turn to them and drink deeply of their words.
11 They say, "Does God really know?" "Does the Most High have any knowledge?"
12 Such, then, are the wicked, always carefree, increasing their wealth.
13 Is it in vain that I have kept my heart clean, washed my hands in innocence?
14 For I am afflicted day after day, chastised every morning.
15 Had I thought, "I will speak as they do," I would have betrayed your people.
16 Though I tried to understand all this, it was too difficult for me,
17 Till I entered the sanctuary of God and came to understand their end.
18 You set them, indeed, on a slippery road; you hurl them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly they are devastated; undone by disasters forever!
20 They are like a dream after waking, Lord, dismissed like shadows when you arise.
21 Since my heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded,
22 I was stupid and could not understand; I was like a brute beast in your presence.
23 Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand.
24 With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor.
25 Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth.
26 Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.
27 But those who are far from you perish; you destroy those unfaithful to you.
28 As for me, to be near God is my good, to make the Lord GOD my refuge. I shall declare all your works in the gates of daughter Zion.
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.