complete verse (Psalm 135:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 135:18:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Those who made those idols will be like those idols,
    likewise those who rely on those idols.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Those who make them
    will also be like them,
    and those who put their trust in them
    will also be just like them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “The ones (who) make these little-gods/false-gods and all who trust in them will- also -be like them having-no value.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “And people who make these gods they will be like them.
    and all people who believe on these gods they will be like them too.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wote ambao wanaitengeneza wamefanana nayo,
    tena wote ambao wanaitumaini.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “The people who make those idols are as powerless as those idols,
    and those who trust in those idols can accomplish no more than their idols can!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 135:18

Verse 18 is like 115.8, which see. Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translate it here as a wish; but it can be a statement (Good News Translation footnote, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New English Bible, New International Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .