« | Psalm 76 | » |
1 For the leader; a psalm with stringed instruments. A song of Asaph.
2 I Renowned in Judah is God, whose name is great in Israel.
3 On Salem is God's tent, a shelter on Zion.
4 There the flashing arrows were shattered, shield, sword, and weapons of war. Selah
5 Terrible and awesome are you, stronger than the ancient mountains.
6 Despoiled are the bold warriors; they sleep their final sleep; the hands of all the mighty have failed.
7 At your roar, O God of Jacob, chariots and steeds lay still.
8 So terrible and awesome are you; who can stand before you and your great anger?
9 From the heavens you pronounced sentence; the earth was terrified and reduced to silence,
10 When you arose, O God, for judgment to deliver the afflicted of the land. Selah
11 Even wrathful Edom praises you; the remnant of Hamath keeps your feast.
12 Make and keep vows to the LORD your God. May all present bring gifts to this awesome God,
13 Who checks the pride of princes, inspires awe among the kings of earth.
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.