Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 51:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 51:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Truly I was a sinner when I was born,
    a sinner beginning at a time that my mother became pregnant with me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Look! I was a sinner when I was born.
    From the time I was in my mother’s womb
    I was filled with sin.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I (am) wicked and have-sinned since my birth.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I sinned really from birth,
    I really sinned from when my mother carried me in stomach.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ni mkosaji kutoka katika kuzaliwa kwangu,
    ni mtenda dhambi kutoka tumboni mwa mama yangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I have been a sinner since the day that I was born;
    truly, I have been like that since my mother conceived me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 54:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 54:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Visitors are pouring war on me;
    cruel people are seeking my life,
    people who do not care about God.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Enemies have been opposing me
    Terrifying people have been trying to kill me.
    They have no fear of God.
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “for those from-other places attack me in-order to-kill me.
    They (are) cruel/violent ones and do- not -acknowledge you (plur.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The strangers beat me,
    bad people want to kill me,
    they do not care about God.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wageni wabaya wananipiga,
    ambao hawana na huruma wanataka kuniua,
    watu ambao hawamtii Mungu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “because strangers are trying to attack me;
    proud men are wanting to kill me;
    men who do not have any respect for/ interest in you.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 56:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 56:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The whole day they turn my words;
    the whole day they prepare to injure me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They always twist my words
    [Lit.: cause my words to roll in the opposite direction].
    and they are always plotting to hit me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “What I say is- always -twisted/made-crooked by my enemies.
    What they always are-planning is to-harm me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My enemies change my word all day,
    they plot always way of doing bad to me!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Siku zote wanaharibu ambayo ninasema,
    wananiwazia peke yake ya kuniumiza.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “All day long my enemies claim that I said things that I did not say (OR, try to destroy what I am doing);
    they are always thinking of ways to harm me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 59:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 59:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Rescue me from the people (who) do evil
    and you (should) save me from people (who) shed blood.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Save me from evil people.
    Save me from those who keep killing people.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Save me from the wicked people who (are) ones-who-murders.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Save me from people who are bad,
    and from people who want to kill people.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Uniokoe kwa watenda mabaya,
    uniokoe kwa watu wauaji.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Rescue me from men who want to do what is wicked,
    men who are murderers!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 61:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 61:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “For You God you have heard my vows,
    you have given me the inheritance of those who fear your name.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God, You have heard my vow.
    You have given me the good news which those who fear you have.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “For you (sing.) have-heard, O God, my promises to you (sing.)
    and you (sing.) have-given me things which you (sing.) give to those (who) respect you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, you heard my oath,
    and you gave me to inherit the thing of people who fear your names.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Mungu, umezisikia ahadi zangu,
    umenipa urithi ambao unawapa ambao wanakutii.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God, you heard me when I solemnly promised to give offerings to you;
    you have given to me the blessings that belong to those who have an awesome respect for you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 64:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 64:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “They prepare unjust (things) and they say,
    ‘We have prepared a very good arrangement!’
    Surely the thoughts and hearts of a person are deceitful.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Making evil plans they say —
    ‘We have devised a solid plan.
    The hearts and minds of people are difficult to understand.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They plan evil
    and they say, ‘Our (incl.) plan (is) really/[emphasis marker] good!’
    The mind/[lit. thinking] and heart of a person/man can- not ever -be-fathomed!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They plan for bad matters and said that,
    ‘We planned matter which will be seen to be done.’
    True, the heart and thinking of a person is matter which be secret.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wanatafutiza kufanya mabaya,
    wanasema, ‘Tumepanga kwa ujanja vizuri!’
    Ya sirini yamefichwa katika moyo wa mtu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “because we have planned very well the crime that we are going to commit!’
    No one can fully understand what people can think and plan!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 66:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 66:15:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I will give sacrifice (of) fat animals to You
    and an offering of male sheep
    I will give male cows and goats.
    Selah” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will bring beautiful sheep to offer as a sacrifice on Your altar.
    and I will also bring a sacrifice of bulls and goats।
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I will-sacrifice/offer to you (sing.) fat animals/livestock as burnt offerings,
    like sheep, bulls/[lit. bull cows], and goats.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I will slaughter to you fat animals,
    and I will give you rams,
    I will give bulls and goats.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nitakutolea dhabihu za kuteketezwa nono,
    na dhabihu ya kondoo dume,
    nitakutolea fahali na mbuzi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I will bring sheep to be burned on the altar, and I will also sacrifice bulls and goats, and when they are burning, you will be pleased when the smoke rises up to you/ to the sky.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 68:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 68:20:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Our God is the God who saves;
    The All-powerful Lord is the one who saves us from death.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Our God is the God who saves us.
    He, the LORD, saves us from death.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Our (incl.) God, the God who saves.
    He (is) the Lord GOD who saves us (incl.) from death.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Our God, is the God who saves us.
    He is the powerful Person our LORD, who saves us from death.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mungu wetu, ni Mungu ambaye anaokoa,
    BWANA Mungu, peke yake ndiye ambaye anatuokoa katika kifo.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Our God is the God who saves us;
    He is Yahweh, our Lord, the one who allows us to escape/prevents us from being killed in battles.” (Source: Translation for Translators)