Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 40:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 40:10:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I spoke about your faithfulness and your salvation.
    I do not cover your love and your truth
    at the great assembly.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I have not just hidden in my heart
    the good news that You have saved [us].
    I am always proclaiming that you are trustworthy
    and the one who gives salvation.
    In the great assembly I have also been proclaiming
    that You are trustworthy
    and that Your mercy endures forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I do- not -hide in myself/[lit. my own self] your (sing.) saving me.
    I tell that you (sing.) (are) faithful and save.
    I do- not -keep-(to myself) your (sing.) love and truth when we gather-together with your (sing.) people.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “I have not kept salvation for myself only. But before the eyes of those who gather to worship you, I continually say that you are faithful and save people. I do not hide your truth and great love.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I do not hide your goodness in heart,
    I am talking about your goodness and your salvation.
    I do not hide your love
    and your true matter in a crowd which is big.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Sijazificha habari za wokovu wako, kuwa zangu peke yangu,
    nimetangaza ukweli na wokovu wako.
    Sijaficha neema na ukweli wako,
    katika mkutano wa watu wengi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “And I have not kept to myself the news that you always act justly/fairly;
    when many of your people have gathered together to worship you in the temple,
    I have told them that you are faithful to us and save us.
    I have not concealed/openly told people that you faithfully love us and act loyally toward us.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 43:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 43:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Show my innocence, You God;
    and you should say my case opposing the ungodly race;
    rescue me from the hands of the fraudsters and wicked people.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God,
    Show that I am one who has no guilt.
    Protect me from all people who do not recognize you.
    Save me from liars and from wicked people.।” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Prove, O God, that I do- not -have sin,
    and take- my -side against those ungodly/[lit. not godly] men/people.
    Save me from deceitful and wicked men/people.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Oh God! Request that you say that I have no sin at all. And I request you help me by replying to those who don’t honor you. Request you help me to avoid wicked people who are only deceitful.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, you say that I am innocent,
    and help me from people who do not obey to you,
    save me from people who lie and be evil.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Mungu, unitetee, sio mkosaji,
    unilinde kwa kabila ambalo sio nyofu,
    uniokoe kwa watu waongo tena waovu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God, declare that I am innocent/have not done things that are wrong.
    Defend me when ungodly people/people who do not worship you say things against me,
    rescue me from people who deceive and say things about me that are not true.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 45:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 45:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You are very good more than all the people
    and your lips were anointed with the unchanging love of God,
    for God has blessed you for eternity.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “You are the most beautiful of people.
    Your lips are full of kindness.
    so God Almighty you to all time for
    blessing given has.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Beloved/highly-esteemed King, you (sing.) (are) the-most-handsome of all men,
    and you (sing.) speak words which can-do-good to others,
    for God always blesses you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “You are more handsome than anybody else. You are very clever at speaking. Therefore blessings from God are continually with you.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You are better than all men,
    you know how to talk well,
    because God blessed you completely.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wewe uko mzuri kuwazidi watu wote,
    katika midomo yako inatoka neema.
    Mungu amekubarki milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “O King, you are the most handsome man in the world,
    and you always speak eloquently, because God has always blessed you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 47:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 47:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our king, sing praises.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Sing praise to God, Sing hymns!
    Sing praise to our King, Sing hymns!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “[You (plur.)] sing praises to God.
    [You (plur.)] sing praises to our (incl.) king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You sing praise to God, sing praise,
    sing praise to our King, sing praise.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mumwimbie Mungu sifa, mumwimbie!
    Mumwimbie mfalme wetu sifa, mumwimbie!” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Sing songs to praise our God!
    Sing to praise him!
    Sing to God, our king!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 49:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:15:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “But God will redeem my life from the grave;
    Surely He will take me to Himself.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “But God will save me.
    He will save me from the power of death.
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “But God will-save me from the power of death, for he will-take me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “But instead, God will help my life from the hole,
    truly, he will take me to find him.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Lakini Mungu atanifungua kutoka katika wafu,
    kwa maana atakuja kunipokea.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “But it is certain that God will rescue me
    so that I am not kept in the place of the dead.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 51:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 51:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “In opposition to You, You alone, I have sinned
    and I have done evil (things) before you,
    So that you have found that you are righteous
    when you speak (that) is when you judge.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God, I have done things that You have said are not good,
    I have sinned only against You,
    So Your judgment against me is correct,
    It is right that You have proven me to be a sinner.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “To you (sing.) only have- I -sinned.
    I have-done things which you (sing.) consider wicked.
    Therefore you (sing.) (are) right of what you (sing.) had-said against me.
    You (sing.) have- not -made-a-mistake in your (sing.) judging of me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I sinned against you alone much
    and I did bad thing against you,
    so that your word be right, when you talk
    then your word be true when you will judge.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nimetenda dhambi kwako wewe mwenyewe,
    nimefanya mabaya mbele yako.
    Uamuzi wako wa unyofu,
    hukumu yako ya ukweli.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You, you only, are the one that I have really sinned against,
    and you have seen the evil things that I have done.
    When you say that I am guilty, you are right/ correct,
    and when you judge me, you justly say that I deserve to be punished.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 54:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 54:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Hear my prayer, You God
    listen to the voice of my mouth.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God!
    Hear my prayer!
    Listen to my voice!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Listen to my prayers” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, hear my prayer,
    hear matters of my mouth.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Mungu, usikie sala yangu,
    usikilize ambayo ninasema.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God, listen to my prayer;
    listen to what I say to you,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 56:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 56:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “In God, whom his words I praise,
    in God I rely on; I will not be afraid.
    What can a person who dies do to me?” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I am praising God’s word,
    and God is the one in whom I have put my trust.
    I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “O God, I praise you (sing.) because of your (sing.) promise.
    I will- not -be-afraid for I trust in you (sing.).
    A person/man can- not -harm/[lit. can- not -do-whatever-to] me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, I praise you, because of the matters that you said,
    I put my heart with God and I will not fear.
    What would a mere human do to me?” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nalisifu neno la Mungu,
    namtumaini Mungu, siogopi.
    Mtu atanitendea nini?” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God, I praise/thank you because you do what you have promised;
    I trust in you, and then I am not afraid.
    Ordinary humans certainly cannot harm me!” (Source: Translation for Translators)