silence

The Hebrew in Psalm 115:17 that is translated as “silence” in English is reinforced in Sar with the ideophone (a word that expresses what is perceived by the five senses) kúkúkú (“a place which is silent kúkúkú“). Kúkúkú expresses “calm (lack of noise), slow movement, or something fixed. Examples: the sky which is covered with big clouds, the great calm which reigns in the middle of the night, the clouds which move, very slowly, without wind, rain or noise.” (Source: Ngarbolnan Riminan in Le Sycomore 2000, p. 20ff. )

See also silent (to me), silent, and silence.

complete verse (Psalm 115:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 115:17:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “It is not the dead people who praise Jehovah,
    who descend to the grave;” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Those who have died will not praise the LORD.
    Those who have arrived in hell will not praise Him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “(It is) not the dead ones (who) will-praise the LORD, for indeed they can- no-longer -make-a-sound,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “People who died do not praise the LORD,
    for they are silent.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wafu hawamsifu BWANA,
    au ambao wamekwenda kwa wafu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Dead people are not able to praise Yahweh;
    when they descend into the place where dead people are,
    they are unable to speak and cannot praise him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 115:16 - 115:18

In this closing hymn of praise, Yahweh is praised as the one to whom the heavens belong; he alone is supreme in his realm, but he has entrusted the earth to humankind. In the Masoretic text verse 16a reads “the heavens (are) heavens of Yahweh”; the ancient versions translated “the heaven of the heavens,” that is, “the highest heavens,” which is probably what the Hebrew phrase means. Most translations have either “the heavens” or “heaven.” For comments on the Hebrew phrase the sons of men, meaning humankind, see 11.4, “children of men.”

For the idea in verse 17 that the dead do not or cannot praise Yahweh, see 6.5; 30.9; 88.10. Line b is strictly synonymous with line a and does not speak of a separate group, as Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible imply. Here Sheol, the world of the dead, is called “the land of silence” (Good News Translation; see 94.17 and comments). Verses 16-17 reflect the concept of the whole universe as consisting of heaven, the earth, and the underworld. In verse 17 the LORD translates the name Yah (see comments on 68.4).

In verse 18 Good News Translation, in order to make clear the contrast with The dead of verse 17, translates the pronoun we by “we, the living” (as is done in the Septuagint and Vulgate; so Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible); for bless meaning “give thanks,” see comments on 16.7.

For the concluding Praise the LORD, see 104.35.

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 .