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NASB | Psalm 102:16 For the LORD has built up Zion; He has appeared in His glory. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 102:16 For the LORD has built up Zion; He has appeared in His glory and brilliance; |
Bible Question:
Psalm 102:16 in the NASB states, "For the Lord has built up Zion; He has appeared in His glory." Other translations (NRSV, NIV, KJV)I've checked have "the Lord will appear" and "He will build up" instead. Why does the NASB translate the verbs in the past tense ("has appeared" and has built up")? Unless I knew the difference between and among translations, I would have assumed God's actions here (Ps 102:16)were already past instead of future. What was the NASB translators reasons for using the past tense? |
Bible Answer: Greetings MrArnold2345! This is an example of what is called a prophetic perfect. A perfect tense is usually past action with enduring results. However, in prophetic passages (both in Greek and Hebrew) a perfect can be used of a future action which is so certain that it can be spoken of as completed already - hence the perfect tense. The only problem is how does one determine if it is a regular perfect or a prophetic perfect? In this case, various translators have apparently taken different stands on that point. In light of verses like v. 18, I would go with the prophetic perfect. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |