large lyre / harp

The musical instrument that is most often translated as “harp” or “large lyre” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016: “two stringed instrument” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “instruments which have strings to praise you,” “beautiful to-be-listened-to instruments,” or kudyapi (source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Newari: sarəngi (source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi: karnaat (source: Adilabad Gondi Back-Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde: zeze (source: Nyakyusa-Ngonde back translation)
  • Mairasi: kecapi (“like a ukulele”) (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Natügu: “ukulele” (source: Brenda Boerger in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. )

In the UBS Helps for TranslatorsHuman-made Things in the Bible (original title: The Works of Their Hands: Man-made Things in the Bible) it says the following:

Description: The exact identification of the nevel is very problematic. Some take it to be a kind of harp. The harp consisted of a neck projecting out of a soundbox. Strings were stretched from the extremity of the neck down its length and into the sound box. The body of the harp was made of wood and its strings of animal intestines (perhaps from sheep). The number of strings varied.

Others place the nevel in the category of lyres, where the strings are stretched over top of and parallel to the soundbox. While this is the interpretation preferred here, we will discuss the harp-type of instrument, since the identification is problematic and many translations have preferred “harp” for nevel.

Usage: The strings were plucked either with the fingers or with a thin piece of ivory or metal to give a resonating sound, probably in a lower register than that made by the kinor.

Translation: In several Psalms (33.2; 92.3; 144.9), the nevel is linked to the Hebrew word ‘asor, which could indicate it was “ten-stringed.”

Some degree of cultural adaptation must be made in the translation of these stringed instruments since cultures differ from each other in the shape, the number of strings, and the function of their instruments. Translators will have to select an equivalent instrument in the receptor language. In most passages the most accurate translation for nevel will be “guitar” or some equivalent medium-sized stringed instrument on which the strings are stretched over a sound box and are plucked.

In those passages where nevel and kinor appear together it is recommended that the translator use an instrument that can vary in size and then render the two words as “large and small X,” for example, “large and small guitars.” Alternately, it may be possible to select two stringed instruments that are similar in construction but different in size, for example, “guitar and lute.” It is also possible to say “large and small stringed instruments” or to combine the two, saying “stringed instruments.”

Psalms 33:2: “Praise the LORD with the lyre” (New Revised Standard Version, updated edition) contains two major translation problems. The first problem is that in many languages, the phrase “with the lyre” must be changed into a verb phrase or clause; for example, the whole line may be rendered “Praise the LORD by playing music on the lyre” or “Make music with the lyre, and praise the LORD.” The second problem, which applies also to the second line of this verse, is the terms to be used for the musical instruments here. In languages in which there are several stringed instruments, translators may use one of the smaller ones for kinor (“lyre”) and a larger one for nevel (“harp” in New Revised Standard Version, updated edition). In languages where there is little or no choice, they should use the known local stringed instrument for the kinor, and a more generic expression for the nevel. Where there are no known stringed instruments, it will often be necessary to say “small instruments with strings” for kinor and “large instruments with strings” for nevel.

Harp (source: Knowles, revised by Bass (c) British and Foreign Bible Society 1994)

Quoted with permission.

complete verse (Psalm 27:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 27:14:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Wait upon Jehovah;
    be powerful and be courageous
    and wait for Jehovah.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Be on the lookout for the way of the LORD.
    Have courage, Make your heart strong.
    Be looking for the way of the LORD.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “[You (plur.)] trust in the LORD!
    [You (plur.)] be-firm and do- not -lose hope.
    [You (plur.)] trust only in the LORD!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “We must hope in God. We must believe very strongly so our hearts will be brave hoping in him.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (sing.) wait for the LORD!
    You be strong and let your heart to hard,
    then wait for the LORD!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “Oh my soul, stay courageous,
    waiting with strong faith/trust for Jehovah God.
    Yes, remain with hope/desire, waiting for Jehovah’s way.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “You be putting your hope in God!
    Do not be stomach-broken (lose hope), but be firm!
    You be trusting in God always. (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Umtumaini BWANA.
    Uwe jasiri usikate tamaa,
    tena umtegemee BWANA.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “So trust in Yahweh, all of you!
    Be strong and courageous, and wait expectantly for him to help you!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 68:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 68:19:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Praises be to the Lord, to God our Savior
    who day by day carries our heavy (things).” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Praise the LORD,
    He is God, the One who saves us.
    Every day He carries our burdens.
    Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Praise-be to the Lord, God our (incl.) savior,
    for day-(by)-day he helps us (incl.) with our (incl.) problems.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “We give praise to the Lord, to God our Savior
    who carries our suffering always.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “Give praise to the Lord who is God.
    Every day he bears our load.
    That God is the one who saves us.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Iranian Persian by Mashallah Rahman Pour Davud and Hakham Musa Zargari, Otzar haTorah (1985):
    “Blessed be the Lord, who endures us daily, and the God of our salvation.”
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Bwana awe anasifiwa kila siku,
    ambaye anatubebea mizigo yetu,
    Mungu ni wokovu wetu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Praise the Lord, who helps us carry our heavy loads every day;
    he is the one who saves/rescues us.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 103:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 103:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Praise Jehovah, you my life,
    and do not forget all his good (things).” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will praise the LORD from my inmost heart.
    I will never forget His good works.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I should greatly/[emphasis marker] praise the LORD,
    and I must not forget how good he (is).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My heart, you praise the LORD,
    and you (sing.) do not forget all of his blessing,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “My soul! Give praise/honor to Jehovah God.
    Don’t forget any merciful deeds he has done.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee moyo wangu, umsifu BWANA!
    Usisahau wema wake wote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I tell myself that I should praise Yahweh and never forget all the kind things he has done for me:” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 9:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 9:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I will praise you, You Jehovah, with all my heart;
    I will tell about all your wonders.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O LORD, I praise You from my inmost heart.
    I will keep on telling about all the marvelous deeds that You have done.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “Oh Jehovah God! With my whole heart, I will praise you.
    I will explain about your miraculous deeds.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I will-thank you (sing.), LORD, with all my heart.
    I will-tell-(of) all your (sing.) amazing deeds.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Oh God, I thank and respect you with all my breath. I will tell about all the amazing things you have already done.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “LORD, I will glorify you in all my heart.
    I will tell people matters which are amazing, which you do.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ee BWANA, nitakushukuru na moyo wangu wote,
    nitasimulia matendo yako yote matukufu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)

complete verse (Psalm 23:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Jehovah is my shepherd,
    I will not lack anything.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    “Chauta [see tetragrammaton (YHWH)] he is my herdsman,
    I will surely not lack a [little] thing, not at all.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “Herdsman of mine he’s so good-hearted.
    Chauta is that most famous name of his.
    In him, as for me — I lack nothing, not at all.” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “God is my guard/keeper,
    I do not lack anything.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)(Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “Due to Jehovah God being my shepherd,
    I will not lack anything.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The LORD is my Shepherd,
    I will not lack anything.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.), LORD, are my shepherd,
    so I will- not -be-lacking (anything).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “God cares me. So I don’t lack anything. He cares for me like a keeper ordinarily cares for his sheep.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The LORD is my shepherd,
    there will be nothing I want.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Bwana ni mchungaji wangu,
    sipungukiwi kitu chochote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Yahweh, you care for me like a shepherd cares for his sheep.
    So I have everything that I need.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 23:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He lays me in green pastures,
    He leads me to clean drinking water,” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    “He lays me down on a pasture of new grass.
    He guides me to still waters to go and rest there.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “DOWN! [Gonee! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses] on fresh greens he makes me lie down.
    [My] resting place is at quiet waters,” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “He makes me graze where there is green grass, and makes me sleep/lie there.
    He leads me to the water that flows in silence.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “He (emph.) causes me to lie down in green grass.
    He leads me to slow flowing clean/good water.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He causes me to lie down in green grass,
    He takes me along to ponds of clear water.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I (am) like a sheep that you (sing.) cause- me -to-rest in a pasture which (has) abundant grass
    and is-being-led to calm/quiet water(s).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “He leads me to go to a beautiful good place, like a keeper ordinarily leads his sheep to rest in a field of very good green grass, a place that has clear water flowing and is quiet.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He gives me rest in a place where the grass stays good,
    he takes me to the place where water stays still,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ananilaza penye nyika penye majani mazuri.
    Ananipeleka penye maji mazuri.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You encourage me
    and give me peace;
    you are like a shepherd
    who leads his sheep to places where there is plenty of green grass for them to eat,
    and lets them rest beside streams where the water is flowing slowly.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 23:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “he revives my life.
    He leads me in the paths of righteousness
    because of his name.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    “He revives my life-force.
    He leads me in a righteous path in accordance with the glory of his name.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “My life he always revives it right there.
    Along straight paths he leads me in them,
    According to his well-known name — Chauta!” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “He restores my strength,
    and leads me along the right path for the sake of his name.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “He (emph.) gives new strength to my life/soul.
    According to his name, he leads me on righteous paths.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He gives me new life,
    For the sake of His name
    He takes me along the path of righteousness.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.) strengthen me.
    You (sing.) guide me in the right/proper path/road so-that you (sing.) will-be-honored.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “When I feel sad or weak, then he comforts/encourages my heart to become strong again. And he gives/allows me to be straight good, because he has already promised that.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “he makes my spirit to be strong again.
    He takes me to the ways which are right,
    because of his names.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Anauburudisha moyo wangu,
    ananiongoza katika njia nyofu,
    ili liheshimiwe jina lake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You renew my strength.
    You guide me along the roads that are the right ones for me
    in order that I can honor you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)