sorrow

The Greek, Latin and Hebrew that is translated in English as “painful” or “sorrow” is translated in Huba as “cut the insides.” David Frank explains: “Huba has just one expression that covers both ‘angry’ and ‘sad.’ They don’t make a distinction in their language. I suppose you could say that the term they use means more generically, ‘strong emotional reaction’ (source: David Frank in this blog post ). Similarly, in Bariai it is “the interior is severed/cut” (source: Bariai Back Translation).

In Noongar it is translated as koort-warra or “heart bad.” (Source: Bardip Ruth-Ang 2020)

In Enlhet it is translated as “going aside of the innermost.” “Innermost” or valhoc is a term that is frequently used in Enlhet to describe a large variety of emotions or states of mind (for other examples see here). (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. )

See also grieving / sorrowful.

complete verse (Psalm 116:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 116:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The ropes of death surrounded me,
    the dangers of the land of dead people fell on me;
    I found problems and sorrow.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Death tied me up with ropes.
    and the torture of the grave came upon me.
    Sorrow and trouble covered me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I (was) afraid for I felt that I was- just -about-to die soon;
    death (was) like/as-if a cord/rope that was-entangling me.
    I (was) so troubled and worried,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The rope of death caught me,
    the pain of death came to me,
    and the trouble and sadness overpowered me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kamba za kifo zilinizunguka,
    kuogopa kwa wafu kulinipata,
    nilishikwa na taabu na huzuni.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Everything around me caused me to think that I would die;
    I was very afraid that I would die and go to the place where dead people are.
    I was very distressed/worried and afraid.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 116:3 - 116:4

For verse 3a-b see similar language in 18.4-5. The two lines are parallel: The snares of death in line a is synonymous with the pangs of (that is, caused by) Sheol in line b. Death is pictured as a hunter with nets and traps trying to catch its victim. In line b the word translated the pangs occurs elsewhere in the Old Testament only in 118.5 and Lamentations 1.3 (Revised Standard Version “distress”), and seems to have the general meaning of “distress, anguish” (the Septuagint translates “dangers”); so Good News Translation “horrors.” It does not seem precisely parallel to snares, but the Hebrew for pangs resembles laid hold on me, so a play on words may be involved. Some propose the conjecture “hunting-net” (so Bible de Jérusalem; New Jerusalem Bible translates the two figures “bonds of death” and “snares of Sheol”). Dahood translates “emissaries of Sheol.” In some languages where snares and traps are common, it may be possible to keep the figurative language, provided, of course, that it is natural to speak of snares of death. In some languages it will be necessary to shift to a simile; for example, “death surrounds me like a snare.” In languages in which a simile will not serve, it may be possible to say “death is trying to destroy me.” In languages in which death cannot be an active agent, it may be necessary to say “I was always in danger of dying.” Verse 3b may sometimes be rendered “I was filled with the fear of dying” or “I was afraid that I would die.”

Both lines portray the psalmist as almost dead; it seemed that death had caught him and would not let him go. This vivid language emphasizes how desperate the psalmist was; he felt that he would soon die. But in verse 4 the psalmist “called to the LORD” (literally “the name of Yahweh”; for “name” see 5.11) and begged him to save him (Hebrew “save my nefesh”; see 3.2).

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 .