Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 125:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 125:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Just as mountains surround Jerusalem,
    likewise Jehovah surrounds his people
    starting from now until forever.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “As the hills surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds His people from now on and forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “As the mountains/hills surrounding Jerusalem protect this city,
    the LORD also protects his people now and forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    like that the LORD surrounds his people,
    now and forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kama jinsi milima imeuzunguka mji wa katika Yerusalemu,
    naye BWANA anawazunguka watu wake,
    kuanzia sasa hata milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Like the hills that surround Jerusalem protect the city,
    Yahweh protects us, his people, and he will protect us forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 130:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 130:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “But to You there is forgiveness;
    that is why you are feared.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “But You are one who gives forgiveness,
    Since that is the case, You are feared.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “But you (sing.) forgive us (excl.), therefore we (excl.) respect you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “But instead, you forgive the sin,
    therefore, people fear you.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Lakini kwako tunapata msamaha,
    ili sisi tukutii wewe.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “But you forgive us,
    with the result that we greatly revere you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 135:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 135:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Praise Jehovah.
    Praise the name of Jehovah;
    praise him, you servants of Jehovah,” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Halleluja!
    Praise the name of the LORD!
    O those who serve the LORD, praise Him!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Praise the LORD! [You (plur.)] praise him, you (plur.) his servants” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (plur.) praise the LORD
    You praise the names of LORD,
    praise him you (plur.) the servants of the LORD,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Msifuni BWANA!
    Lisifuni jina la BWANA,
    msifuni, ninyi enyi watumishi wake!” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Praise Yahweh!
    You who do work for/serve Yahweh,
    praise him!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 136:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 136:12:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “With a powerful hand and stretched arm,
    for his unchanging love is eternal.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He brought them out with a strong hand
    and an outspread arm,
    His faithful love endures forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He brought- them -out by-means-of his great power.
    His love (is) without end.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “with his strong hand and his arm of lifting up,
    his love remains forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “na mkono wake wenye nguvu kuu,
    neema yake ni ya milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “With his strong hand/great power he led them out;
    his faithful love for us endures forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 139:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 139:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You Jehovah, you have analyzed me
    and you know me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, You have tested me,
    and You have known me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “LORD, you (sing.) have-examined me so you (sing.) know me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “LORD, you see inside my heart,
    and know all of me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee BWANA umenichunguza,
    tena unanijua mimi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)

complete verse (Psalm 140:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 140:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The heads of those surrounding me
    let them be covered with afflictions which their lips have started.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May the evil which they thought to do (to me)
    land on the heads of those who surround me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that the evil plans of my enemies (who) surround me will- indeed -happen to themselves.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You allow people who surround me,
    to be covered by the suffering which they said.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Maadui zangu wako na nguvu, wamenizunguka,
    mabaya ambayo wanataka kunitendea, yawarudie wao wenyewe.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Do not allow my enemies to become proud/ defeat me;
    cause the evil things that they say they will do to me to happen to them, instead.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 143:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 143:11:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Keep my life You Jehovah because of your name;
    by your righteousness bring me out of my afflictions.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, for the sake of Your name,
    protect my life.
    For the sake of Your righteousness,
    bring me out of this trouble.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Save me, LORD, so-that you (sing.) will-be-honored.
    Because you (sing.) (are) righteous, save me from trouble/difficulty.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “LORD, for the sake of your names save my life,
    by your kindness remove me from trouble.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee BWANA, kwa sababu ya jina lako unilinde,
    kwa unyofu wako unitoe katika shida.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Yahweh, restore me when I am close to dying, as you promised to do.
    Because you are righteous/good, rescue me from my troubles/difficulties!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 145:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 145:16:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You open your hand
    and fulfil the desire of every living thing.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “By Your hand you fulfill what all living beings desire.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You give them what is right and they are satisfy.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You open your hands,
    and give all the living things the thing which they desire.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mkono wako unatoa kwa ukarimu,
    kila kiumbe unakishibisha ambavyo kinataka.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You give food to all living creatures generously,
    and you cause them to be satisfied/have all the food that they need.” (Source: Translation for Translators)