inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 46:7)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai translation and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation use the inclusive form, because “as in most first person plural references in the Psalms, it [is] necessary to translate ‘with us’ using the inclusive pronominal reference, in order to include the psalmist and his fellow worshipers who are addressed in this psalm.”

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 47:4)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai translation and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation use the inclusive form (including the psalmist and all of Israel).

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 77:13)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse (“our God” in English translations), Bratcher / Reyburn recommend the exclusive form.

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 105:7)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai translation and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation use the inclusive form. Bratcher / Reyburn recommend the exclusive form, because “the psalmist is speaking of himself and his intended audience, those who shared the experiences alluded to.”

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 115:3)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse (“our God” in English translations), the Jarai translation selects the exclusive form, because “the psalmist is speaking of himself and his intended audience, those who shared the experiences alluded to.”

The Adamawa Fulfulde translation used the inclusive form.

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps. 135:2)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse (“our God”), the Jarai translation and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation use the inclusive form.

Translation commentary on Psalm 119:4 - 119:6

It is to be noticed that in verse 4 the Hebrew word translated precepts appears only in the Psalms. The Hebrew verb “to keep” is used in verses 4b and 5b (see its use in verse 2a); again, it means to follow, to “obey.”

In verse 5 the wish represented by O that … may be expressed by “I hope that” or “I wish that.” New Jerusalem Bible has “May my ways be steady in doing your will.”

In verse 6 be put to shame is the public shame to which a pious Israelite would be subjected who did not fully obey the law of Yahweh; failure to obey the Law would be obvious from the disgrace or the suffering which would overtake such a person. Good News Translation in verse 6 has inverted the order of the Hebrew text, putting first line b, “If I pay attention to all your commands,” so as to make the psalmist’s statement easier to understand. Revised Standard Version having my eyes fixed on means “because I have my eyes fixed on.” The Hebrew phrase “fix one’s eyes on” means to “pay attention to,” to observe, to obey. In some languages the expression be put to shame will have to be expressed in the active. Furthermore, in some languages an idiomatic phrase will be more natural; for example, “people will not cause my face to burn” or “people will not heat my blood.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Psalm 119:84 - 119:85

Verse 84a in Hebrew is “How many are the days of your servant?” (Revised Standard Version How long must thy servant endure?). This can mean “How much longer will I live?” (so New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Dahood); in the context, however, it seems better to understand it to mean “How much longer must I wait?” (that is, for Yahweh to save him, as in verses 81, 82; so Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). For thy servant see verse 17a. The psalmist is impatient for God to judge his persecutors (verse 84b); in the context the verb judge implies punishment. New Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible translate well: “When will You bring my persecutors to judgment?”

The psalmist’s enemies are again called Godless men, or better, “Proud men” (verse 85a; see verse 51). They have dug pitfalls, which is another figure taken from hunting, in which a pit is dug into which the animal will fall (see similar figure in verse 61a). They are trying to trap the psalmist, either to take him prisoner or else to lead him to wrong conduct (see similar language in 35.7 and 57.6). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “grave” (and not “pits”), which does not seem likely.

In verse 85b who do not conform to thy law translates the Hebrew “which (or, who) not according to your law.” This can mean that what they do is contrary to Yahweh’s law (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible); but it seems better, with the majority, to take this as a description of the enemies: they disregard God’s law.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .