\newcommand{\paren}[1]{\mathopen{}\left( {#1}_{{}_{}}\,\negthickspace\right)\mathclose{}}
\newcommand{\bracket}[1]{\mathopen{}\left[ {#1}_{{}_{}}\,\negthickspace\right]\mathclose{}}

% examples:                                            
\[ \paren{\paren{\paren{\paren{\paren{}}}}} \]
\[ \bracket{\bracket{\bracket{\bracket{\bracket{}}}}} \]