Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 49:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “that he should have life up to eternity
    and not go to the grave.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He will not live forever,
    he will not avoid decay (in the grave).” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “so-that a person/man will-live without end and will- not -die.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “that would give him to live forever,
    and his body not to rot.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “kuwa mtu awe hai milele na milele,
    asife kamwe.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “with the result that he will live forever and never die and be buried!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 50:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 50:21:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You have done these and I was quiet;
    you thought that I am equal to you
    but I will rebuke you
    and I will oppose you in your eyes.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Even though you did like this I didn’t say anything.
    You thought that I did not know anything.
    Now I will accuse you,
    and I will expose your faults one by one.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “When you (plur.) have-done these things, I just kept-silent,
    and you (plur.) thought that I (was) just like you (plur.).
    But I will-rebuke you (plur.) and I will-show you (plur.) how wicked you (plur.) are.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You did these matters, and I am keeping quiet,
    you think that, I am staying with you.
    But now, I will rebuke you,
    and accuse you in your face.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Umefanya hayo yote, mimi niko kimya.
    Je, unasema mimi niko kama wewe?
    Lakini sasa nakukemea,
    nakaripia peupe.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You did all those things, and I did not say anything to you,
    so you thought that I was a sinner just like you.
    But now I rebuke you and accuse you, right in front of you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 53:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 53:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “God in heaven looks down
    on children of people
    to see if there is anyone wise,
    seeker of God.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Are there any who have wisdom?
    And are there any who seek for God?
    — so thinking,
    God looks down from heaven
    upon the people [of the earth].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “There in heaven God is-looking- upon people/men -(to see) if there-are any who understand the truth and (who) take-refuge/go-for-help in him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God sees from heaven people on all the earth,
    so that to see if there are any people who know God
    or any people who are looking for God.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kutoka mbinguni Mungu anawatazama watu,
    ili aangalie kama yupo mmoja mwenye hekima,
    ambaye anamtafuta Mungu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God looks down from heaven and sees humans; he looks to see if anyone is very wise, with the result that he seeks to know God.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 55:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 55:21:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “His words are smooth more than butter
    however war is in his heart;
    his words are very smooth more than oil,
    but those words are swords that are drawn.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “His voice is
    as smooth as ghee,
    but his heart is
    full of discord,
    his words seem as soft as ghee,
    [but they] are sharper than a sword.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He (is) gentle and good in-speech/well spoken
    but bears-a-grudge in his heart,
    and what he speaks can- indeed/[surprise particle] -wound like a sharp sword.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “His voice is like oil for smearing,
    but instead, he hates people in his heart,
    his words are like the oil for smearing,
    but instead they are like sharp knife.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Maneno yake matamu kuzidi siagi,
    lakini mawazo yake yamejaa vita.
    Usemi wake wa upole kuzidi mafuta,
    lakini umekata kama vile upanga mkali.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “What he said was easy to listen to, like butter is easy to swallow,
    but in his inner being he hated people;
    his words were soothing like olive oil,
    but they hurt people like sharp swords do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 58:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 58:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Dismantle the teeth in their mouth, You God,
    Jehovah remove the teeth of the lions!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God, Break their fangs !
    O LORD, Dislocate the jaws of these lions!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “LORD God, take-away their ability to cause-harm as if you (sing.) are-extracting the teeth of the lions.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, break their teeth,
    LORD, break their teeth which are like the teeth of lions,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Mungu, uwavunje meno yao, uwang’oe.
    Ee Bwana, uyang’oe meno ya simba hao.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God, as for these enemies who want to attack me like young lions,
    break their teeth!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 60:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 60:10:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Is it not You God, You who has rejected us
    and you do not go out together with our groups of war.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O God, What! Have You really abandoned us?
    Will You now no longer go with our armies?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Is-it not you (sing.), O God, who has-rejected us (excl.) and does- not -go-with our (excl.) soldiers anymore?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God, is it not you who has really rejected us,
    and you do not go together with our soldiers.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Mungu, je, umetuacha kabisa?
    Je, huendi na askari wetu?” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “So, God, we desire/hope that you have not truly abandoned us,
    and that you will go with us when our armies march out to fight our enemies.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 62:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 62:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “My life finds rest in God alone;
    my salvation comes from Him.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “My spirit rests only in God.
    My salvation is only from Him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “In God only I have rest;
    my salvation comes-from him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My heart receives rest from God only,
    my salvation comes from him.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa Mungu peke yake ndiko ambako nakuwa salama,
    wokovu wangu unatoka kwake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God is the only one who can give me peace in my inner being,
    and he is the one who saves me from my enemies.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 64:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 64:10:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Allow the righteous to rejoice in Jehovah
    and hide in Him,
    all the straight-hearted should praise Him!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “All righteous people will rejoice in the work of the LORD.
    and take refuge in Him.
    Those who obey Him from their inmost hearts
    will all praise Him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “All righteous will-rejoice/be-happy and praise the LORD because of what he has-done.
    And they will-ask-for protection from him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (plur.) let good people to rejoice in the LORD
    and they hide in him.
    Let all people who have good heart to praise him.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wanyofu watashangilia kwa Bwana,
    na kukimbilia kwake,
    weupe katika mioyo watamsifu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Righteous people should rejoice because of what Yahweh has done;
    they should go to him to find protection/be safe;
    and all those who are godly will praise him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)