« | Psalm 79 | » |
1 A psalm of Asaph. I O God, the nations have invaded your heritage; they have defiled your holy temple, have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have left the corpses of your servants as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your faithful for the beasts of the earth.
3 They have spilled their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and no one is left to bury them.
4 We have become the reproach of our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us.
5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your rage keep burning like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on nations that reject you, on kingdoms that do not call on your name,
7 For they have devoured Jacob, laid waste his home.
8 Do not hold past iniquities against us; may your compassion come quickly, for we have been brought very low.
9 Help us, God our savior, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, pardon our sins for your name's sake.
10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes make clear to the nations that you avenge the blood of your servants.
11 Let the groans of prisoners come before you; by your great power free those doomed to death.
12 Lord, inflict on our neighbors seven fold the disgrace they inflicted on you.
13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all ages we will declare your praise.
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.