Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:5:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“You prepare food for me
while my enemies are seeing.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
You prepare food for me, as my enemies look on.
You welcome me well by anointing my head with oil,
you fill my cup to overflowing.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.) - Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
“Talk about food, ha! I’m a what-can-the-child-cry-for.
You’ve prepared me a feast, my enemies can just STARE! [tong’oo! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses]
My cup of blessings is full-up BRIM-BRIM-BRIMMING! [ideophone nde-nde-nde!]
At your home you’ve welcomed me with two hands.” (Source: Ernst Wendland) - Kupsabiny:
“You prepared for me a banquet,
in the presence of my enemies.
You anointed me with oil of honour
and filled my cup until it over flowed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation) - Adilabad Gondi:
“While my enemies are watching, you served a feast to me.
Having applied oil on my head, you provide hospitality to me.
You fill into my bowl/cup more than I need.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation) - Newari:
“You will prepare a feast for me, in the presence of my enemies
You have anointed my head with oil,
My cup overflows.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“You (sing.) prepare me a feast while my enemies are-staring.
You (sing.) poured oil on my head to honor me.
And you (sing.) satisfied me with drinks.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“God has prepared a feast (lit. very big meal) for me before the eyes of people who hate me in order for them to see. And God welcomes me like a guest who has great authority coming to visit. Good things, blessings, he gives me like liquid that overflows (lit. liquid full greater than level).” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“You had prepare for me big feast
in middle of my enemies.
You smear my head with the oil of blessing,
and you allowed my cup filled up until it overflow.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Unaniandalia chakula,
mbele ya maadui zangu.
Unanipaka mafuta kichwani pangu,
kikombe changu kinarefuka.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“You prepare a great feast for me, in a place where my enemies can see me.
You joyfully receive me, as people joyfully receive the guests they have invited
by pouring olive oil over their heads.
You have given me very many blessings!” (Source: Translation for Translators)
