Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 133:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You see, it is surely pleasant and delightful
    when relatives stay together in fellowship!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “How good and pleasant it is
    for brothers to live in agreement.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “How good and pleasant/beautiful to-see when the people of God live-(together) with unity.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “How good, and sweet it is,
    when brothers live well together in one place in unity!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
    “A special song of David to go up the mountain to the worship place.
    The Lord’s people being in unity is good, caring for each other makes life easier.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Tazama, ni uzuri wa aina gani,
    tena ni kupendezwa kwa aina gani,
    ndugu kukaa
    pamoja na kushirikiana.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “It is very good and very pleasant
    for God’s people to gather together harmoniously.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 133:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “It is like expensive oil poured on the head,
    that descends to the beards,
    to the beards of Aaron,
    that flows up to the collar of his gown.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “It is like the precious oil that that was put on Aaron’s head,
    flowed down on his beard
    [and] even reached the collar of his clothing.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “This (is) like a precious oil poured-out on the head of Aaron and flows-(down) his beard to the collar of his garment.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “It be like a good oil pour on the head
    that flows going into the beard
    that flows goes to the beard of Aaron,
    down to the edge of his clothes.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
    “Like oil on Aaron’s head poured, with a beautiful smell, flowing down the beard, spreading like oil along the edge.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kuko kama mafuta mazuri,
    ambayo yanatiririka kichwani,
    yanashuka mpaka katika ndevu za Haruni,
    kufika shingoni mwa kanzu yake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “It is as delightful as the precious/ expensive olive oil/perfume
    that runs down from the Supreme Priest Aaron’s head onto his beard when he is anointed
    and runs down onto the collar of his robes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 133:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “It is like the dew of Hermon
    that descends on the mountain of Zion.
    For there Jehovah gives on it blessings,
    and that is everlasting life.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “This is like the falling of the dew of Hermon on Mount Zion,
    there the Lord pours out his life forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Or this (is) like dew on the Mountain of Hermon which reached/(fell-upon) the mountains/hills of Zion.
    And here in Zion the LORD has-promised a blessing, which is life without end.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “It would be like the dews of Mountain of Hermon
    which be poured on the Mountain of Zion.
    The place where LORD promises his blessing to his people
    life which last forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
    “Like cool dew poured from the top of Mount Hermon. On the mountain of Zion it spread cool like a light breeze. From the top of Mount Zion is the Lord’s spoken word. The spoken word of blessing is the giving of eternal life.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kunafanana na umande wa katika mlima Hermoni,
    iwapo katika mlima Sayuni!
    Huko BWANA aliahidi kuwabariki watu wake,
    kuwapa uzima wa milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Gathering together harmoniously is as delightful as the dew that falls on Hermon Mountain
    and the dew that falls on the hills near Zion Hill.
    Yahweh has promised to bless his people there in Jerusalem
    by giving them everlasting (OR, a long-lasting) life.” (Source: Translation for Translators)