faithful

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The Greek, Hebrew, and Ge’ez that is rendered as “faithful” in English is (back-) translated in various ways:

See also faith / believe.

serve

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “serve,” “minister,” “walk with,” or “service” is translated in Igede as myị ẹrụ or “agree with message (of the one you’re serving).” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In Quetzaltepec Mixe, “serve” is translated as “obey.” (Source: Robert Bascom)

complete verse (Psalm 101:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 101:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
    that they live together with me;
    he whose movements are blameless
    he will serve me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will only choose and keep in my palace
    those people who trust in God.
    I will only keep good people in my service.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “But I will-show goodness to my fellowmen who (are) faithful to God and live without blame.
    They will-be my companions because I will-allow them to serve me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My eyes will see the people who are faithful on earth,
    so that they stay together with me,
    a person who is without sin,
    he will advise me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nitawatazama wanyofu wa duniani,
    ili ndio wawe pamoja na mimi.
    Watu ambao wanatembea bila kadoa kokoote,
    ndio ambao watanitumikia.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I will approve of people in this land who are loyal to/faithfully obey God,
    and I will allow them to live with/work for me.
    I will allow those who behave in such a way that no one can criticize them to serve me/be my officials.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 101:6

This verse is the complement of verse 5; the king will “approve of” (literally “my eyes are on”) the faithful in the land, that is, the faithful Israelites; and they will be his associates and advisors. In languages where dwell with me or “live in my palace” will be taken only in a literal sense, it will be better to say, for example, “will work for me in my palace.” The second half of verse 6 repeats the promise in a different way: “completely honest” people (or “of blameless conduct”; literally “walk in a perfect way”; see verse 2a) will minister to the king as officials in the government.

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 .