complete verse (Psalm 133:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You see, it is surely pleasant and delightful
    when relatives stay together in fellowship!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “How good and pleasant it is
    for brothers to live in agreement.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “How good and pleasant/beautiful to-see when the people of God live-(together) with unity.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “How good, and sweet it is,
    when brothers live well together in one place in unity!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
    “A special song of David to go up the mountain to the worship place.
    The Lord’s people being in unity is good, caring for each other makes life easier.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Tazama, ni uzuri wa aina gani,
    tena ni kupendezwa kwa aina gani,
    ndugu kukaa
    pamoja na kushirikiana.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “It is very good and very pleasant
    for God’s people to gather together harmoniously.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 133:1

The adjective pleasant (see note at 16.6) means that what is so characterized brings joy, causes pleasure, and is by its very nature good.

In this verse all translations consulted have the sense of when brothers dwell in unity or “when people live together as brothers” (see New Jerusalem Bible). Only Good News Translation translates the Hebrew brothers by “God’s people.” Instead of “to live” as the translation of the form of the Hebrew verb meaning “to sit” or “to live,” New Jerusalem Bible and Bible de Jérusalem have “sit together,” which implies a communal meal as part of the festival; and New English Bible footnote has “to worship together.” Bible en français courant has simply “to be together.” Any of these is a defensible translation of the Hebrew text. In some languages the expression “sit together” is idiomatic, meaning to live harmoniously. In other languages an expression such as “tie themselves to one thing” or “tie their hearts together” carries the same meaning.

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 .

Psalm 133: Layer by Layer

The following is a presentation by the Psalms: Layer by Layer project, run by Scriptura .


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The overview in French (click or tap here to view the video):


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