Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 39:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 39:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “But when I was quiet
    not saying even anything good
    my problems continued to increase.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “When I remained like that without speaking,
    even when I remained without saying anything good,
    it became even more difficult for me to be patient.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “So I just was-silent; I did-not say anything at-all.
    But this was-not-able-to-help me,
    for my anguish/[lit. the pain of my feelings] increased even more.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “I didn’t say one thing, not even anything good. But my hardship, it continued to grow more.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “But instead when I was quiet, and silent,
    and I did not tell even good word,
    my suffering came and increased.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nilikuwa bubu,
    hata hivyo hakukunisaidia kitu chochote.
    Lakini uchungu ulizidi,” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “So I was completely silent, and I did not even talk about things that were good,
    but it was useless, because I began to suffer even more.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 41:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 41:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I said, ‘You Jehovah, Have mercy on me;
    heal me for I have sinned against you.’” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I said, ‘O LORD, I have sinned against You.
    Have mercy on me, and heal me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I said, ‘LORD, have-mercy on me.
    Heal me, for I have-sinned against you (sing.).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “But me, I request like this: "God! I have done many sins against you. Request you have mercy and discard my sin, and heal me."” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Then I prayed by said that,
    ‘ LORD, have pity on me,
    let me be heal, because I sinned against you,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mimi nilisema, ‘Ee Bwana, unihurumie,
    uniponye, kwa maana nimekutendea mabaya.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “When I was sick, I said, ‘Yahweh, be merciful to me and heal me;
    I know that I am sick because I have sinned against you.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 44:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 44:7:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “but You defeat our enemies for us,
    you shame (those) who hate us.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “But You are the one who saves us from our enemies,
    And who made those who hate us feel ashamed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “For you (sing.) (are) the one (who) causes- us (excl.) -to-win against our (excl.) enemies.
    You (sing.) put-to-shame those (who) go-against/oppose us (excl.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “But you alone allow us to be victorious over those who war against us. And you make those who hate us be put to shame.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “but, you are the one who gives us victory to defeat our enemies,
    you give shame to people who hate us.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Lakini ni wewe unatuokoa kwa maadui zetu,
    unawaibisha ambao wanatuchukia.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “No, it is you who have rescued us from our enemies,
    it is you who have caused those who hate us to become ashamed because they were defeated.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 45:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 45:13:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Very beautiful is a child of the king in her room,
    her cloth is woven with cotton and gold.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The princess is in the royal palace,
    How beautiful she is.
    Her clothes are woven with gold thread.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “How beautiful you (sing.) (are) inside your (sing.) room.
    Your (sing.) dress has embroidery with gold.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “The woman who the king marries is in his house. She is very beautiful. That woman wears clothes made from gold thread.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You the bride of the king, you are beautiful in your house,
    the gold is interwoven in your cloth.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Binti mfalme ambaye anaolewa anaingia, mzuri sana,
    nguo yake ya arusi, ina na uzi wa dhahabu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “O king, your bride will be entering the palace wearing beautiful robes made from gold thread.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 48:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 48:8:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “As to how we heard,
    so we saw
    in the city of Jehovah Almighty,
    in the city of our God.
    God will protect it forever.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “In the city of the Lord Almighty,
    in the city of our God,
    we saw it happen
    just like we had always heard that it would.
    He always keeps on protecting this city.
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “We (excl.) have-heard before what God has-done
    and now we (excl.) see these-(things God has-done) in the city of our (excl.) God, the LORD Almighty.
    He will-strengthen this city forever/[lit. until forever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “As we heard of the mighty works of God,
    we now come and see them to be true,
    in the great city of the LORD Almighty,
    in the great city of our God,
    God helped it years and years.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Yote ambayo tumesikia tumejionea,
    katika mji wa BWANA wa majeshi,
    katika mji wa Mungu wetu,
    ambao ameuimarisha kuwako milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “We had heard that this city is glorious, and now we have seen that it is.
    It is the city in which Yahweh, the almighty one, lives.
    It is the city which God will preserve/protect forever.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 50:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 50:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “And the heavenly nations are announcing his justice,
    for God himself is a judge.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “God Himself is judge.
    Let the sky proclaim His righteousness!
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “The heavens proclaim/reveal that God (is) righteous,
    for he (is) the-one (who) judges.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Heaven tells about goodness of God,
    because he himself is judge of the matters.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mbingu inatangaza unyofu wake,
    kwa maana Mungu mwenyewe ni hakimu.
    Mungu anasema,” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “The angels in heaven declare,
    ‘God is righteous,
    and he is the supreme judge.’
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 51:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 51:15:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You Lord open my lips,
    and my mouth will announce your praises.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, open my mouth,
    and I will praise You.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Lord, help me to-say praises to you (sing.),
    and I will-praise you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “LORD, open my mouth,
    and my mouth will praise you.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee Bwana, unisaidie kusema,
    mdomo wangu utangaze sifa zako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “O Yahweh, help me to speak
    in order that I may praise you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 55:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 55:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I said, ‘Surely, if I had the wings of dove!
    I would have flown far and rested.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Then I said —
    ‘If I had wings like a dove,
    I would fly away and live with peace of mind..” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “If I would/[wish particle] have wings like dove, I would-fly and look-for/search-for a place-to-rest.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I was saying that, ‘I would have the wings of pigeon!
    and then I could fly, and find rest.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nikasema, ‘Iwapo ningekuwa na mabawa kama vile njiwa,
    ningerukia mbali kwenda kupata pumziko.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I said, ‘I wish that I had wings like a dove!
    If I had wings, I would fly away and find a place to rest.” (Source: Translation for Translators)