throat

The Hebrew that is translated as “throat” in English is translated in Sar as “belly of my neck.” (Source: Ngarbolnan Riminan in Le Sycomore 2000, p. 20ff. )

In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated with the word for “neck,” which in some cases can also refer to “throat.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

feel (terror / pain / suffering / anxiety / thirst)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “feel (terror, pain, suffering, anxiety, thirst)” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) in association with the verb kumva or “hear,” “as if the feeling is heard in the ear.”

In Psalm 115:7 the stand-alone “feel” is also translated as “hear.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also angry

complete verse (Psalm 115:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 115:7:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “they have hands but when they touch they do not hear a thing;
    they have feet but do not walk;
    or on their neck bringing out words.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They have hands but they cannot feel,
    They have feet but they cannot go walking,
    With their throats
    they cannot even produce a sound.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “(They) have hands, but can- not -hold (anything);
    (they) have feet, but can- not -walk,
    and even a sound you (sing.) can- not -hear.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They have hands, but they do not feel anything,
    they have feet, but they could not walk,
    or could they even talk with their voice.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Iko na mikono, lakini haigusi,
    iko na miguu, lakini haitembei,
    makoo yao hayatoi sauti.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “They have hands, but they cannot feel anything; they have feet, but they cannot walk, and they have throats but cannot even make any sounds!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 115:3 - 115:7

The power of the invisible God of Israel is contrasted with the weakness of the gods of the Gentile nations, who are lifeless, powerless, ineffective.

In verse 3 the psalmist proclaims Yahweh as the all-powerful God in the heavens, who does whatever he pleases; his will is supreme, his power is limitless.

The “gods” of the heathen are only idols that people manufacture; they are objects made of silver and gold (verse 4). Their idols stands in sharp contrast to Our God in the previous verse, and in some languages it may be necessary to mark the contrast. They have no life in them, no power to act, no feeling (verses 5-7); see a similar passage in 135.15-17. Since verse 5a describes the idols’ inability to speak, it may be that in verse 7c they do not make a sound in their throat means that there is no breath going in and out of their windpipe; they do not breathe, they are dead (as the different language in 135.17b means). But no translation consulted gives this meaning. (As commentaries point out, this extra line in verse 7 departs from the pattern used and repeats, so it seems, the thought of verse 5a. It looks like a later addition to the text.)

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 .