complete verse (Psalm 141:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 141:10:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let the wicked people be trapped in their nets,
    until I have passed peacefully.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May the wicked be caught in their own traps,
    at that time may I be able
    to escape and be saved.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that they themselves will-be-ensnared in their own snares, while I am-able-to-avoid/escape these.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You let them to fall in their own trap,
    and you help me to go well.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wabaya wanaswe na nyavu zao wenyewe,
    wakati mimi natembea vizuri, nimepona.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I desire that wicked people will fall into the traps they have set to catch me while I escape from them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 141:9 - 141:10

For the figures trap and snares used in verses 9-10, see 140.4-5. In verse 10 the word for nets occurs only here in the Old Testament. The Hebrew text has “his nets,” which Dahood takes to be Yahweh’s nets; Syriac has “their nets,” and this is taken by most translators to be the sense of the Hebrew text. But the word which Revised Standard Version translates together is taken by some to mean “each one,” with the result “each one (fall) into his own net,” which is possible (so New American Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible). Others take the word to mean “only, alone” and read it as the first word of the final line: “while I alone escape.” Anderson proposes “while I escape all in one piece.” For the wish expressed in verse 10a, see the statements in 7.15-16; 9.15-16; 57.6; 140.9.

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 .