Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 119:80)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:80:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let my heart be without a fault on your teaching
    that I may not be humiliated.
    Kaf” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May I be able to obey Your law
    from my inmost heart.
    May I not have to feel shame.
    a Kaph” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that I obey/follow your decrees/[lit. what-is-to-be-followed] with my whole heart so-that I will- not -be-put-to-shame.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Would you give my heart to be pure to your words,
    so that shame would not be on me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Moyo wangu uzishike amri zako,
    ili nisiaibishwe.
    Sala ya kuomba kuokolewa” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Enable me to perfectly obey your Statutes/ what you have decreed that we should do
    in order that I may not be ashamed because of not doing that.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:112)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:112:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “My heart has settled on keeping your teachings
    up to the very end.
    Samek” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I have decided to obey Your law from now on.
    a Samekh” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I have-decided that I will- surely -obey/follow your (sing.) decrees forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My heart need all of your words,
    until I die.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nimeamua katika moyo wangu,
    kuzifuata amri zako mpaka mwisho.
    Katika sheria ya Bwana limo kimbilio” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I have decided/am determined to obey your statutes/what you have decreed that we should do until the day that I die.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:144)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:144:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Your testimony is good all the times;
    give me wisdom of understanding things that I may have life.
    Qof” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Your decrees are right forever.
    Enable me to understand, then I will continue to live.
    a Qoph” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Your (sing.) teachings (are) righteous without end.
    Give me understanding of your (sing.) teachings so-that I will- continue to -live.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Your ways are always right,
    you give me wisdom so that I know them, and I might live.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Shuhuda zako ni za ukweli milele na milele,
    unipe kuelewa ili niwe hai.
    Sala ya kuomba ulinzi” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Your requirements are/All the things that you have instructed us to do are always fair;
    help me to understand them in order that I may continue to live.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:176)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:176:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I have gone astray like a lost sheep,
    search for your servant,
    for I did not forget your laws.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Like a lost sheep I have gone on the wrong path,
    search for Your servant,
    for I have not forgotten Your commands.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I have-strayed like a lost sheep,
    therefore search-for/look-for me your (sing.) servant
    for I have- not -forgotten your (sing.) commands.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I wandered just like a lost sheep,
    you search for me, your servant,
    for I did not yet forget your commands.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Natangatanga kama kondoo ambaye amepotea,
    unitafute mimi mtumishi wako,
    kwa maana sijayasahau maagizo yako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I have wandered away from you like a sheep that has become lost;
    search for me, because I have not forgotten your commands/what you have commanded us.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 124:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 124:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “the flood would have drowned us,
    the river would have eroded us,” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The flood waves would have covered us,
    and the torrent would have flowed over our bodies.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “(It) seems-like we (incl.) would-have been-carried-away by the flood and covered by the rushing/[lit. strong] water.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “We would have been carried away by the flood,
    the big flood would have swallowed us,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “ingekuwa mafuriko yametuchukua,
    ingekuwa tumefunikwa na maji mengi,” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “They would have been like a flood that swept/carried us away;
    it would have been as though the water would have covered us,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 129:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 129:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let them be like grass that germinates on the roof of a house,
    which withers before it grows;” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May they be like grass on the roof of a house,
    which shrivels up before it gets long.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that they will-be like grass that grows on the roof of a house, which when (it) sprouts-up it then/(right-away) withers.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Would you let them to stay like the grass stays on the roof,
    which withers before it even grows,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wawe kama majani ambayo yameota juu ya nyumba,
    ambayo yanakauka wakati bado hayajakua,” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I hope/wish that they will be of no value, like grass that grows on the roofs of houses that dries up and does not grow tall;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

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 136:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 136:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Who spread the earth on top of water,
    for his unchanging love is eternal.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He spread out the earth on top of the waters,
    His faithful love endures forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He placed the earth/ground above the water.
    His love (is) without end.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He who created the land to appear up from the water,
    his love remains forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Alitandaza nchi juu katika maji,
    neema yake ni ya milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He is the one who caused the ground to rise up above the deep waters;
    his faithful love for us endures forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)