Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 124:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 124:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “If Jehovah did not stay on our side,
    let Israel say now,” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “If the Lord had not been on our side,
    let Israel say” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “If the LORD had- not -been-on- our (incl.) -side, what would-have happened?
    [You (plur.)] (the)-ones from-Israel answer!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “If the LORD would not have stayed with us,
    you (plur.) let the people of Israel say that,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kama BWANA hakuwa katika upande wetu,
    Israeli aseme sasa,” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You Israeli people, answer this question:
    What would have happened to us if Yahweh had
    not been helping/fighting for us?” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 129:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 129:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Plowing people cultivated on my back
    and they made on it long ridges:” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They have made deep wounds in my back,
    What they did [to my back]
    was like ploughing a field with bullocks.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They deeply wounded our (excl.) backs;
    like/as-if this (was) plowed land.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “People cut my back with hoes,
    like the furrow of cultivation.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wameniumiza sana mgongoni kwangu,
    wamenikata mgongoni kama vile mkulima ambaye analima matuta.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Our enemies struck us with whips that cut into our backs
    like a farmer uses a plow to cut deep furrows into the ground.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 132:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 132:16:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I will clothe its priests with salvation,
    and its holy hearted people will sing all the times songs of joy.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will enable the priests of this place
    to put on garments of salvation,
    and the trustworthy people who live here
    will sing songs of rejoicing.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I will- always -save his priests,
    and his faithful residents will- always -sing for joy.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I will put salvation on its priests like clothes,
    and its holy people will sing with joy.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Makuhani wake nitakuja kuwavika wokovu,
    watakatifu wake watakuja kushangilia na furaha.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I will cause the priests to behave in a manner worthy of being ones whom I have saved;
    that will be as evident as the beautiful robes that they wear;
    and all my people who live there will shout joyfully.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 136:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 136:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Thank the Lord of lords
    for his unchanging love is eternal.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Give thanks to the LORD of lords,
    His faithful love endures forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Give-thanks to the LORD who (is) above all lords.
    His love (is) without end.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You say to the Lord of lords that, thank,
    his love remains forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mshukuruni Bwana wa mabwana,
    neema yake ni ya milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Thank the Lord who is greater than all other lords/rulers;
    his faithful love for us endures forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 137:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 137:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Who will catch your little ones
    and smash them on rocks.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Blessed are those who catch your little children
    and throw them down on the rocks.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Blessed (are) they who will-take your (plur.) little children and will-dash/will-strike them against the rocks.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “the person who catches your young children.
    and smashes them on the rock.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wamebarikiwa ambao wanawashika watoto wako,
    wanawaponda katika mwamba.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “they will take your babies
    and completely smash them on the rocks.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 139:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 139:24:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “See if there is any evil movements in me,
    and you should lead me in your everlasting path.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Show [me] if I have anything that is not good.
    and take me along the everlasting way.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “See if I have an evil/wicked character/behavior
    and lead/guide me on a road/path/way that I should pass-through forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You see if I follow any bad way,
    and you take me in the way that remains forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Unitazame iwapo umo uchafu ndani mwangu,
    uniongoze katika njia ya milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Find out whether there is anything evil in my inner being,
    and lead me along the road that leads to my being with you forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 143:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 143:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Do not prosecute your servant,
    for there is no living person who is righteous before you.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Do not render a verdict on Your servant,
    there is no one righteous before You.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Do- not -judge me your (sing.) servant,
    for there-is-no one who (is) righteous before you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Don’t judge a matter against your servant,
    for there is nobody who is good who lives before you (sing.).” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Usinihukumu mimi mtumishi wako,
    kwa maana kwako hakuna aliye hai mnyofu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I am one who serves you;
    do not judge me,
    because you know that everyone has done things that are wrong.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 145:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 145:7:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “They will celebrate the abundance of your goodness,
    and sing joyfully about your righteousness.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They will celebrate with joy for all Your good works.
    People will sing songs of Your righteousness.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They will tell-(about) the fame of your (sing.) great goodness,
    and they will sing about your (sing.) righteousness.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They will be happy because of your goodness which is very great,
    and they will sing about your right matter with happiness.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Watasimulia wema wako mwingi,
    wanafurahia ya unyofu wako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “People will remember and proclaim that you are very good to us,
    and they will sing joyfully that you always act justly/fairly.” (Source: Translation for Translators)