The Hebrew that is translated as “sustain” or “uphold(er)” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with amandichirikiza. This word is used to refer to a kind of support that is given to hold something that is at risk of falling. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
early rain
The Hebrew in Psalm 84:6 that is translated as “early rain” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with “light rains.” In Malawi context, where Chichewa is mostly spoken, the light rain in reference is the type of rain that comes in the months of September or October to mark the end of the dry season. During the dry season, most bushes are set on fire. This makes the bushes to be covered with black ashes from the fire. The understanding is that the light rains cool the soil from the heat of the bush-fire and also remove the black ashes. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also rain in abundance.
still waters
The Hebrew in Psalm 23:2 that is often translated as “still waters” in English is translated as “water at the mouth of a well” in Dan since “the imagery of ‘still water’ is seen as something negative, water that is dirty since it isn’t moving.”
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated as “clean/good drinking water.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
rod
The Hebrew in Psalm 23:4 that is translated as “rod” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with chibonga which means “club.” In Chewa culture, a “chibonga” is a stick of about 75cm long with a round head of the size of a fist of an adult on one end used for hunting animals (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
do not hide
The Hebrew in Psalm 55:1 that is translated as “do not hide” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with musakufulatire or “do not show your back.” This describes an act of looking aside and bending your back against someone or something. It has a sense of abandoning or rejecting. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
prey
The Hebrew in Psalm 104:21 that is translated as “prey” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with nyama which can be translated either as “animals” or “meat.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
familiar friend
The Hebrew in Psalm 55:13 that is translated as “familiar friend” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with bwenzi langa la pondaapanʼpondepo, lit. “a friend of step-here-I-also-step-there,” i.e. someone with whom one is a deep friendship with. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also close friend.
stronghold
The Hebrew that is translated in English as “stronghold” is translated in Chichewa with linga. In Chewa culture, the word has its background in the context of war. Before the 1950s, there were a lot of tribal wars. The word “linga” was used to refer to a place, mostly a cave in a mountain or hill, where people were hiding in times of wars. Sometimes they used this place to hide their weapons. This was a safe place to be in times of danger. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also fortress.