« | Psalm 80 | » |
1 For the leader; according to "Lilies." Eduth. A psalm of Asaph.
2 Shepherd of Israel, listen, guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself
3 to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Stir up your power, come to save us.
4 O LORD of hosts, restore us; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
5 LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger while your people pray?
6 You have fed them the bread of tears, made them drink tears in abundance.
7 You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors; our enemies deride us.
8 O LORD of hosts, restore us; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
9 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove away the nations and planted it.
10 You cleared the ground; it took root and filled the land.
11 The mountains were covered by its shadow, the cedars of God by its branches.
12 It sent out boughs as far as the sea, shoots as far as the river.
13 Why have you broken down the walls, so that all who pass by pluck its fruit?
14 The boar from the forest strips the vine; the beast of the field feeds upon it.
15 Turn again, LORD of hosts; look down from heaven and see; Attend to this vine,
16 the shoot your right hand has planted.
17 Those who would burn or cut it down-- may they perish at your rebuke.
18 May your help be with the man at your right hand, with the one whom you once made strong.
19 Then we will not withdraw from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
20 LORD of hosts, restore us; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
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.