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)
