complete verse (Psalm 23:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Even though I may walk
    in the valley of deep darkness,
    I will fear no evil,
    for You are with me;
    your club and your staff
    they comfort me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    “It may be that I walk in a ravine of black darkness,
    but I will not fear any kind of evil,
    for You Lord you stay with me.
    Your warclub and walking stick protect me.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “If in a deep dark valley BLACK! [bii! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses] I happen to walk,
    All [my] fear GONE! [ideophone balala!] since Chauta is right there.
    O Herdsman, you’re close by with weapons for defense,
    As for my heart, it’s completely QUIET! [ideophone phee!] at all times.” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “Though I pass through utter darkness,
    I am not frightened
    for I am together with you, oh God.
    Keep/Guard me with your staff
    and comfort me with your shepherd staff.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “Even if I walk in the valley of extreme darkness, I will not fear anything.
    Because you (emph.) stay/are with me.
    Your axe and shepherd’s-stick give me courage.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “No matter how dark the path is on which I have to go
    I will not be at all afraid, O Lord.
    For You will be with me,
    Your rod and Your staff will cause me to prosper.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Even-though I will-walk through the valley where there-is a danger of death, I will- not -be-afraid,
    because you (sing.) (are) my companion.
    Your (sing.) protection and guidance of me causes- me -to-be-happy and strengthens me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Even though I meet misfortune or excessive trouble, I am no longer afraid of anything, because God is continually with me. Like a keeper carries in his hand a staff/club and a walking stick in order to care for his sheep, like that also God continually watches over and encourages me.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Even though I walk
    in very great darkness of death,
    there will be nothing bad that I am fearing,
    because I am staying with you,
    your walking stick gives
    my heart to be strong.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Hata kama natembea katika bonde la giza ya kifo,
    sitaogopa kitu chochote,
    kwa sababu uko pamoja na mimi.
    Gongo lako na ni fimbo yako vinanifariji.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Even when I am walking through very dangerous dark ravines
    where I might be killed,
    I will not be afraid of anything because you are with me.
    You protect me like a shepherd protects his sheep.
    He uses his club and his walking stick to protect them from being attacked by wild animals.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 23:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You prepare food for me
    while my enemies are seeing.
    You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    You prepare food for me, as my enemies look on.
    You welcome me well by anointing my head with oil,
    you fill my cup to overflowing.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “Talk about food, ha! I’m a what-can-the-child-cry-for.
    You’ve prepared me a feast, my enemies can just STARE! [tong’oo! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses]
    My cup of blessings is full-up BRIM-BRIM-BRIMMING! [ideophone nde-nde-nde!]
    At your home you’ve welcomed me with two hands.” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “You prepared for me a banquet,
    in the presence of my enemies.
    You anointed me with oil of honour
    and filled my cup until it over flowed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “While my enemies are watching, you served a feast to me.
    Having applied oil on my head, you provide hospitality to me.
    You fill into my bowl/cup more than I need.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “You will prepare a feast for me, in the presence of my enemies
    You have anointed my head with oil,
    My cup overflows.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.) prepare me a feast while my enemies are-staring.
    You (sing.) poured oil on my head to honor me.
    And you (sing.) satisfied me with drinks.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “God has prepared a feast (lit. very big meal) for me before the eyes of people who hate me in order for them to see. And God welcomes me like a guest who has great authority coming to visit. Good things, blessings, he gives me like liquid that overflows (lit. liquid full greater than level).” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You had prepare for me big feast
    in middle of my enemies.
    You smear my head with the oil of blessing,
    and you allowed my cup filled up until it overflow.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Unaniandalia chakula,
    mbele ya maadui zangu.
    Unanipaka mafuta kichwani pangu,
    kikombe changu kinarefuka.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You prepare a great feast for me, in a place where my enemies can see me.
    You joyfully receive me, as people joyfully receive the guests they have invited
    by pouring olive oil over their heads.
    You have given me very many blessings!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 23:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Indeed, pleasant (things) and unchanging love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
    and I will dwell in the House of Jehovah
    forever.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
    “Truly, your good things and your love
    will stay with me all the days of my life.
    I will live in your House my whole life long.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
  • Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
    “Surely, the good things from your unchangeable love,
    They really follow after me [my] whole life down here.
    From inside your holy house, Chauta, I never leave it,
    My work is to serve you right up until FOREVER-EVER! [muyayaya! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses]” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
  • Kupsabiny:
    “In truth, your goodness shall follow me,
    and your love shall follow in my life.
    I shall stay in God’s Home(stead) forever.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Adilabad Gondi:
    “For my entire lifetime, your goodness
    and unchanging love will be with me.
    I will stay in Jehovah God’s home (emph.) forever.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “At my every step I know
    You will be loving me and doing me good.
    and I will get to live in the house of the LORD forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Surely [intensifier] your (sing.) goodness and love to me will-continue while I live.
    And I will-dwell/live in your (sing.) house, LORD, forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Surely God does good continually for me, and he loves me continually every day every night until the end of my life. And I will live with him forever.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Sure, goodness and love will follow me
    in all days of my life.
    Then I will live in
    the House LORD continually.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kweli neema yako na uzuri wako,
    vitakuja kwangu katika maisha yangu yote.
    Nitakuwa katika nyumba ya Bwana milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I am certain that you will be good to me and act mercifully toward me
    as long as I live;
    and then, O Yahweh, I will live in your home in heaven forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)