complete verse (Psalm 135:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 135:17:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “they have ears, but they do not hear
    and in their mouth there is no any breath.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They have ears but they are not able to hear,
    there is no breath in their mouths.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “have ears, but can- not -hear,
    and these do- not -breath.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “they have ears, but instead, they do not hear,
    or they do not breath with their mouths.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Iko na masikio, lakini haisikii,
    tena haiwezi kupumua.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “They have ears, but they cannot hear anything, and they are not even able to breathe.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 135:15 - 135:17

In these verses the psalmist describes the pagan idols as completely powerless and ineffective, in contrast with the all-powerful Yahweh, the God of Israel. For translation suggestions regarding idols see 31.6; 96.5; 106.38; 115.4. The nations refers, of course, to foreign nations, and must sometimes be rendered “the nations that do not worship you.” The work of men’s hands is sometimes translated as “they are things that people make.” Verses 15-17a repeat the thought and the language of 115.4-6a. Verse 17b has no parallel in 115.4-8; the meaning of nor is there any breath in their mouths is that the gods of the other nations are lifeless, inert, dead (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “They even have no life!”). The Hebrew has “mouth”; there is no need to change the text, as New English Bible does, to “nostril” (see Hebrew Old Testament Text Project).

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 .