complete verse (Psalm 146:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 146:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Do not rely on kings,
    temporary people, who cannot manage to save.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Do not trust rulers,
    do not trust any person either,
    for no person will be able to save you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “[You (plur.)] do- not -trust in mighty/powerful men/people and in whoever,
    for they can- not -save you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (plur.) do not put your hearts to your leaders,
    or on people, who would not help you.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Usiwatumaini viongozi,
    hao ni watu tu, hawawezi kuokoa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You people, do not trust in your leaders;
    do not trust humans because they cannot save/rescue you from your difficulties/problems.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Psalm 146:3 - 146:4

For the sentiment expressed in verse 3 see 118.8-9. The psalmist warns against depending for help on anyone, including princes, that is, people with power and authority (see comments, 118.9b). It is better to translate princes as “human leaders,” as does Good News Translation, or to use its equivalent. Princes, which are sometimes translated “sons of chiefs,” may fail to suggest persons in authority. In this case it will be better to follow Good News Translation. In verse 3b a son of man means person, human being, anyone (see the plural form in 11.4).

In verse 4 the psalmist stresses the mortality of human beings. For the thought of verse 4a, see 104.29. Breath translates the Hebrew word ruach, “spirit, wind, breath,” the presence of which means life, and its absence, death. The phrase to his earth is better translated “to the dust” (New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Good News Translation) or “to the earth” (New Jerusalem Bible). In death the body returns to the earth, the soil, from which it was made (see Gen 3.19; Eccl 12.7). Good News Translation “return to the dust” is expressed in some languages as “join with the ground” or “return to the soil.” The Hebrew word translated plans occurs only here in the Old Testament. It may be translated “purposes”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and Bible en français courant translate “projects.”

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 .