Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 140:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 140:12:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I know that Jehovah gives righteous judgment to poor people,
    and he protects the goals of needy people.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, I know that You take sides
    with those caught by trouble
    and who do not have enough,
    and You give them justice.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “LORD, I know that you (sing.) protect the rights of the lowly-ones;
    you (sing.) give the poor/needy justice.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I know that the LORD judges the poor in a good way,
    and he cares for people who are suffering.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ninajua kuwa BWANA Mungu,
    anawatetea wadhaifu mahakamani,
    maskini anawatetea kwa haki.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Yahweh, I know that you defend those who are oppressed,
    and that you do what is just/ fair for those who are needy/poor.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 144:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 144:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He is my God of love and my safe place,
    my fortress and my savior,
    my shield in which I take refuge,
    who defeats races of people under me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He is a fortress and the God who has mercy on me,
    He is my rock and the one who saves me.
    He is my shield and the place where I take shelter.
    He makes other people subject to me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He (is) my loving God and strong defender/[lit. hiding place].
    He (is) my place-of-refuge and savior.
    He (is) my shield and from him I ask for protection.
    He causes- the nations -to-subject-(themselves)-under me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He is my God who loves me,
    my place which is fenced to be strong and my Savior,
    he is my shield where I hide.
    and he made people obey my commands.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ndiye rafiki yangu, tena ngome yangu,
    nguzo yangu, tena mwokozi wangu.
    Yeye ni ngao yangu, kwake ni kimbilio langu,
    anayashinda makabila na kuyaweka chini yangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He is the one who protects me;
    he is like a fortress in which I am safe, he protects me like shields protect soldiers,
    and he gives me refuge.
    He defeats other nations and then puts them under my power.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 145:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 145:19:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He fulfils the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him,
    and He hears their requests and saves them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You give what the desire of those who trust in you;
    you listen to their calling,
    and you save them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He gives people who fear/obey him, the things they desire.
    He hears their crying, and he saves them.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Anawashibisha ambao wanamtii,
    anasikia kilio chao na kuwaokoa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “To all those who revere him, he gives them what they need.
    He hears them when they cry out to him, and saves/rescues them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 147:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 147:20:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He has never done this to any race of people;
    those other people do not know his laws.
    Praise Jehovah.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He has not done like this for any other nation,
    they do not know His decrees.
    Halleluja” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He has- not -done these-(things) to other nations;
    they do- not -know his commands.
    Praise the LORD!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He had not yet shown to other nations his word,
    they have not yet known his laws.
    You praise the LORD.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Lakini hakufanya kama hivyo kwa wapagani,
    watu wengine hawazijui sheria zake.
    Msifuni BWANA!” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He has not done that for any other nation; the other nations do not know his laws.
    Praise Yahweh!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:2:

  • Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
    “But his delight is in the laws of Jehovah
    and in his laws he meditates day and night.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “But he rejoices in the law of the Lord.
    Night and day he meditates on His law.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Instead, he (is) happy in following the teachings that (come) from the Lord,
    and he meditates on these day-(and)-night.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “But that person, he is very happy/delighted with the law of God only.
    And he spends time thinking about the book of that law all night and all day.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “But, he will rejoice in the Law of Lord,
    and he thinks the Law of Lord day and night.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • West African language:
    If you want to be truly happy, let your belly be sweet on God’s command words.
    Let your mind eat them day and night.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. )
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Bali sheria za Bwana ndizo ambazo zinampendeza,
    anaziwaza mchana na usiku.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Those whom God is pleased with delight in doing the things that he has instructed/taught us to do.
    They read and think about Yahweh’s requirements, day and night.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 4:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 4:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’
    The light of your face shines on us, You Jehovah.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Many of them are asking – ‘Who will show us the right way ?’
    O LORD! Let the light of Your face shine upon us.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Many are-saying,
    ‘LORD, may-it-be that our (excl.) way-of-living will-be/will-become abundant. Show your (sing.) goodness to us (excl.)!’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Many people continue to pray like this: "Oh God, we ask you to let fall many more blessings. We ask that you look upon us with mercy."” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “There are many people who asked said that,
    ‘Who really would be merciful to us?’
    LORD, let the light of your face to shine up on us.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wengi wanaongea wanasema,
    ‘Ni nani wa kutuonyesha mema?’
    Ee BWANA, utumulikie kwa upole wako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Some people ask, ‘Who will allow good things to happen to us?’
    But I say, ‘Yahweh, continue to act kindly toward us.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 7:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 7:8:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Jehovah, judge the people of the other races.
    Judge me You Jehovah, according to my righteousness,
    according to my perfect life, You the One in the Highest.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The LORD will judge the people of all nations.
    O LORD, Give me justice,
    and show how innocent and righteous I am,
    O God most high!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.), LORD, (are) the one-who judges the peoples.
    Prove that I do-not-have sin,
    for you (sing.) know that I (am) righteous
    and I have-done nothing bad.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Oh God, you judge all people on this earth. Request that you also judge me according to the straight good things I have done, and according to my good heart.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Our LORD judges matter of all people.
    LORD Almighty, judge my matter,
    and then show me that I am righteous and innocent.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “BWANA anahukumu watu.
    Ee BWANA, unitetee mimi,
    kufuatana na unyofu wangu,
    kufuatana na ukweli ambao niko nao.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Yahweh, judge the people of all nations!
    And, Yahweh, show that I have done nothing that is wrong.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 9:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 9:14:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “that I may declare your praise
    on the gates of the female children of Zion
    that there I may rejoice in your salvation.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Then, at the gates of Zion
    I will be able to speak your praise.
    Because you saved me I will be rejoicing.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “so-that I can-tell the people there at the gates of Zion your (sing.) deeds,
    which have-become the reason that I am-praising you (sing.).
    I will-rejoice there because you (sing.) have-saved me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Then I will be able to sing praises to you in front of the eyes of the people living in Jerusalem. I will tell of all the things that you helped me. I feel very happy that you have already cared for and saved me.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “so that would I tell your glory,
    to people of Zion at the gate,
    and I rejoice there from your salvation.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “ili nitangaze sifa zako,
    mbele ya watu wa katika Sayuni,
    nifurahi kwa sababu umeniokoa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I want to live in order that I can praise you at the gates of Jerusalem
    and to rejoice because you rescued me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)