complete verse (Psalm 115:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 115:8:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The people who make those idols will be like them,
    likewise all who rely on those idols.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Those who make these idols
    and those who trust in them
    will all be just like these useless idols.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Those who make these little-gods/false-gods and all who trust in them will- also -be/become like them who have-no value.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The people who made these gods will be like them
    and all people who put their hearts in them.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wote ambao wanaitengeneza wamefanana nayo,
    tena wote ambao wanaitumaini.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “The people who make those idols are as powerless as those idols,
    and those who trust in those idols can accomplish nothing, just like their idols!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 115:8

This verse may be taken as a wish, that is, a curse, as Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and Bible en français courant have it, or else as a statement (Revised Standard Version and others). As a statement the verse means that the heathen who make and trust in idols are like them, without any value or power; they can accomplish nothing. “Those who trust in idols, which are nothing, are bound to become as nothing themselves” (Anderson). Or else, “Those who trust in idols, which have no power, will themselves become powerless.” The verse speaks of two different groups: (1) those who make the idols, and (2) those who trust in them. This is clear in Revised Standard Version but not in Good News Translation. The two are not distinct, however, as though the idols’ makers (line a) did not trust in them (line b). So a translation should read “May all who made them become powerless like them, as well as all others who also trust in them.”

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 .