complete verse (Psalm 121:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 121:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You see, He who keeps Israel
    will not doze or sleep.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Look! He who takes care of Israel will never doze off to sleep.
    He will not cause sleep to come.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Listen! The preserver/one-who-takes-care of Israel does- not -let-(himself)-to-be-sleepy or sleep.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Truly, he who watches the people of Israel
    he will not sleep.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kweli mlinzi wa Israeli,
    hatakuja kusinzia au kulala usingizi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “The one who protects us Israeli people
    never gets sleepy, nor does he sleep.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 121:3 - 121:4

The statement in verses 3-8 seems to be made by a different speaker from the one in verses 1-2. If these verses are thought of as a blessing, the speaker is probably a priest. Some would like to read in verse 3 the first person pronoun instead of the second person of the Hebrew text (see Taylor), so that it also would be, as in verse 1, the psalmist’s words: “May he not let me fall, may my protector stay awake!” This is very attractive but has no support in the text. The switch in pronouns may cause some problem in understanding. If the understanding of the psalm is seriously affected, the translator may introduce a subtitle before verse 3; for example, “This is how the LORD protects you” or, since this part of the psalm is a benediction, “God’s protection is a blessing.”

He will not let your foot be moved means “He will not let you stumble (or, fall),” a figure for “falling” into misfortune or trouble (see 66.9). The Good News Translation expression “not let you fall” may be rendered idiomatically in some languages; for example, “He will not let you see misfortune” or “He will not let trouble grab hold of you.”

Some take the negative not in the Hebrew of verse 3 to be an interrogative particle (see Briggs, Oesterley, Weiser, Taylor, Kirkpatrick); so New English Bible has “How could he…?” (so the Septuagint); Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant have “May he not let….” Most translate as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation do. In verse 3b he who keeps you means “your guardian,” “your protector”; and slumber means “sleep, fall asleep.”

The reassurance in verse 4 picks up the language of verse 3 and makes it even more emphatic, neither slumber nor sleep. This can be expressed in a positive way, “is always awake and alert.” And here Yahweh is called he who keeps Israel (like he who keeps you in verse 3). Israel is the people of Israel, not the country as such.

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 .