Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 109:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 109:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Choose a wicked person to oppose him;
    allow an opposer to stand to his right hand.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Choose some evil judge to judge them
    and may the person who brings the accusation
    stand on his right side.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They say, ‘We (incl.) will-look-for an evil person/man to-oppose and accuse him in court.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My enemies said that, ‘You (sing.) find an evil person, who will accuse him.
    You (sing.) send that person to accuse him in court.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Umweke hakimu mbaya, amhukumu adui yangu,
    wa kumshtaki ampeleke mahakamani.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “They said, ‘Appoint a wicked judge who will judge him,
    and bring in one of his enemies who will stand up and accuse him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 110:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 110:7:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He will drink in the river by the side of the path;
    therefore he will lift up his head.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He will drink water of a river the runs alongside the way,
    and so He will hold His head high.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.), Beloved King, will-drink from the place-where- water -flows beside the way/path/road,
    so your (sing.) strength will-be-renewed/[lit. -returned] and you will-be-victorious.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He will drink water at the river which is near the road,
    therefore he lifted up his head.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Hausa Common Language Bible:
    “He will drink water stream (from) mouth of road
    he will raise (his) head in victory.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mfalme atakuja kunywa maji ya kijito, karibu na njia,
    atakuja kuinua kichwa chake wakati ameshinda.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “But my lord the king will drink from streams near the road;
    he will be refreshed after defeating his enemies.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 114:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 114:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The lake saw and ran away,
    the river of Jordan moved backwards;” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Seeing them, the Red Sea took flight,
    The Jordan River flowed backwards.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “The Red Sea split like/as-if a man/person who was-fleeing.
    The water of the River of Jordan like a man/person who took-a-step-back.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The Red Sea came to see and it ran,
    River Jordan stopped flowing.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Bahari nyekundu wakati imewatazama, ikakimbia,
    mto Yordani ukarudi nyuma.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “When they came to the Red Sea,
    it was as though the water saw them and ran away!
    When they came to the Jordan River,
    that water in the river stopped flowing so that the Israelis could cross it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 116:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 116:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “that I may walk before Jehovah
    in the land of living people.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “In the land of the living
    I continue to obey the LORD’s commands.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “So I will-live close to the LORD here in the world of the living ones.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “so that I would walk in the presence of the LORD,
    in the land of people who are alive.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “ili niende mbele ya BWANA,
    katika nchi ya ambao wako katika uhai.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “So here on the earth, where people are still alive,
    I live knowing that Yahweh is directing me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 118:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 118:20:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “This is the gate of Jehovah
    which only the righteous hearted will get in through.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “This is the gate of the LORD,
    The righteous enter into this (door),” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “This is the gate of the LORD where only the righteous can-enter/go-inside.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “This is a big gate of the LORD,
    which is only enter by the people who do the right matter.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Hili ndiyo lango la BWANA,
    wanyofu wanaingia humo.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Those are the gates through which we enter the temple to worship Yahweh;
    godly/righteous people enter those gates.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:23:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Even if kings sit together insulting me,
    your servant will still meditate (on) your teachings.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Even though rulers sit together and tell lies about me,
    I will meditate on Your laws.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Even rulers gather to slander me,
    I your (sing.) servant will-meditate on your (sing.) decrees/[lit. what-is-to-be-follow].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Even though the leaders gather, and insult me with lies,
    I, your servant will think about your words.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Hata kama watawala wanapanga kunitendea vibaya,
    lakini mimi mtumishi wako nitazitafakari sheria zako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Rulers gather together and plan ways to harm me,
    but I will meditate on/ study your statutes/what you have decreed.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:55)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:55:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “At night I remember your name Jehovah,
    and I will keep your laws.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, in the night I have remembered Your name.
    And I have kept Your teachings.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “LORD, at night I remember you (sing.) and your (sing.) law, (as to)-how I will obey/follow this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “LORD, I think about your names at night,
    and I will keep your Law.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee BWANA, usiku nakukumbuka wewe,
    na kuishika sheria yako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Yahweh, during the night I think about you,
    and so I obey your laws.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:87)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:87:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “They were very close to remove me on earth
    but I did not throw away your laws.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They have nearly wiped me from the earth.
    But I still have not abandoned Your precepts.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They almost killed me,
    but I have- not -rejected your (sing.) decrees.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They nearly finished me,
    but, I do not reject your teaching.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Walikuwa karibu kuniangamiza,
    lakini mimi sijayaacha mausia yako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Those people have almost killed me, but I have not stopped obeying your principles of behavior/what you have declared that we should do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)