Japanese benefactives (michibīte)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, michibīte (導いて) or “lead/guide” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Psalm 143:9 - 143:10

Again in these two verses the psalmist prays for protection (verse 9) and guidance (verse 10). Good News Translation has reversed the two lines of verse 9 for a more logical progression of thought. Good News Translation “I go to you for protection” translates the text of one Hebrew manuscript, which has the verb “seek refuge”; the Masoretic text has the verb “to cover,” which seems hardly to make sense (“to you I have hidden”). New Jerusalem Bible, however, translates it “to You I look for cover” (with a note “Meaning of Heb. uncertain”). One other Hebrew manuscript has “to you I flee,” which Revised Standard Version prefers (fled … for refuge). An American Translation, New English Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy do as Good News Translation has done. Bible en français courant and New Jerusalem Bible follow the Vulgate, “with you I am protected (or, safe).”

The request in verse 10a is similar to the one in verse 8c. Verse 10a may need to be adjusted in some languages to say, for example, “You are the God I worship; teach me to do the things you want me to do.” The second request in verse 10 is translated by Revised Standard Version Let thy good spirit lead me (similarly New Jerusalem Bible “Let Your gracious Spirit lead me”). The Hebrew text is “your spirit (is) good; lead me…” or, perhaps, “your spirit (is) good; may it lead me….” Here spirit can be taken to mean power or influence; so New English Bible “in your gracious kindness,” while good may be taken not as an attribute of “spirit” but as its effect, “may your spirit do good (or, be good) to me,” which Good News Translation represents by “Be good to me.” Bible en français courant translates “may your Spirit lead me with good will.” Cohen defines “your good spirit” as “the graciousness of God toward his creatures.” The translator should take care that the translation of “spirit” not lead the reader to think of it in terms of the New Testament teaching about the Holy Spirit.

On a level path is figurative language for a life that is free of difficulties and toil; the word path translates the text of many Hebrew manuscripts (as in 27.11b); the Masoretic text here is “ground” or “land” (so New Jerusalem Bible “level ground”). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers the Masoretic text, which it translates “on an even land.”

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 .