complete verse (Psalm 122:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 122:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “There they placed judgment seats of kingship,
    the seats of kingship of the house of David.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The throne of judgment is there,
    the throne of the lineage of David is there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Here in Jerusalem the kings of Israel who (were) descendants of David make-judgments.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The chairs of the house of king David are put there
    where the sons of his sons judge matters.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa maana humo vimewekwa viti vya hukumu,
    viti vya wafalme wa jamaa ya Daudi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “There the kings of Israel who were descendants of King David sit on their thrones
    and decide cases fairly when the people have disputes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on Psalm 122:5

Thrones for judgment were set means that Jerusalem was the place where the kings of Israel sat on their thrones to judge the people. It seems better to speak of the kings sitting on their thrones (to judge) instead of speaking of thrones for judgment as such. “To judge” means “to rule with justice” or “to render justice.” See Bible en français courant “It is also in you where the throne of the descendant of David is located, where he sits to render justice.” In verse 5b the house of David means the Davidic dynasty, that is, the descendants of King David who succeeded him as king of Israel. Good News Translation‘s “Here,” of course, refers to Jerusalem, and in many languages it will be clearer to mention Jerusalem. In languages in which sitting on a throne is meaningless, it will be best to omit it and say “In Jerusalem the kings of Israel judged the people.”

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 .