« | Psalm 86 | » |
1 A prayer of David. I Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed.
2 Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you.
3 You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you.
6 LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help.
7 In this time of trouble I call, for you will answer me.
8 None among the gods can equal you, O Lord; nor can their deeds compare to yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come to bow before you, Lord, and give honor to your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous deeds; and you alone are God.
11 Teach me, LORD, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, glorify your name forever, Lord my God.
13 Your love for me is great; you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a ruthless band has sought my life; to you they pay no heed.
15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most loving and true.
16 Turn to me, have pity on me; give your strength to your servant; save this child of your handmaid.
17 Give me a sign of your favor: make my enemies see, to their confusion, that you, LORD, help and comfort me.
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.