plunder

The Hebrew in Psalm 109:11 that is translated as “plunder” in English is reinforced in Sar with the ideophone (a word that expresses what is perceived by the five senses) gúú (“strangers take his winnings gúú“). Gúú expresses force and violence. (Source: Ngarbolnan Riminan in Le Sycomore 2000, p. 20ff. )

See also despoil.

complete verse (Psalm 109:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 109:11:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let the creditor take away what he has;
    let visitors loot the works of his hands.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May the person to whom he must repay money take all his property.
    May an outsider plunder the fruit of his work.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that his creditor will-take-(away) all his properties,
    and may-it-be that strangers will-take what he worked-very-hard-for/toiled-for.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Would you give some person to take his things because he has not yet paid the debt,
    and the foreigners will take all the things he worked for.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ambaye anamdai amnyang’anye mali yake yote,
    wageni wateke ambavyo amepata katika kazi yake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Cause that all the people to whom he owed money will seize all his property;
    Cause that strangers will take away everything that he worked to acquire.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 109:11 - 109:13

The prayer continues in the same mood; the psalmist hopes that after his enemy’s death “his creditors” (or the creditor), that is, the people or the person he owed money to, will come and take possession of all his belongings. And in the next line (verse 11b) even strangers are to get “everything he worded for” (Hebrew the fruits of his toil). For an example of the power of creditors, see 2 Kings 4.1.

In verse 12a kindness translates chesed (see 5.7), which usually is an attribute of God, “constant love.” In verse 12b the verb “to have pity” may have the active sense of “be kind to,” “be concerned about.”

Not only does the psalmist pray for his enemy’s death, but also for the death of his descendants, so that the family line will disappear (verse 13). For similar language see 9.5. In verse 13b the Masoretic text has “their name,” that is, the name of his descendants (verse 13a); many Hebrew manuscripts and the Septuagint have his name, which is preferred by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy. New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and New English Bible follow the Masoretic text. Either reading makes good sense. The second generation means the one following the generation of the man himself; so Good News Translation “the next generation.” In languages which do not use the passive, it will be necessary to adjust the expression “may his name be forgotten…” to say, for example, “may the people in the next generation forget about him,” or negatively, “… not remember who he was.”

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 .