Praise the LORD

The Hebrew that is translated as “Praise the Lord” in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with Tamandani Yehova. While in the English translation it’s not discernible whether a single or many people are addressed, the Chichewa translation is in the imperative plural form so it’s addressed to more than one. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

praise (God)

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The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “praise (God)” in English is translated in a nuymber of ways:

In Dan a figurative expression for praising God is used: “push God’s horse.” “In the distant past people closely followed the horses ridden by chiefs, so ‘pushing’ them.” (Source: Don Slager)

Psalm 150

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Image taken from the Wiedmann Bible. For more information about the images and ways to adopt them, see here . For other images of Willy Wiedmann paintings in TIPs, see here.

Painting by Sawai Chinnawong, used with permission by the Overseas Ministries Study Center (OMSC) at Princeton Theological Seminary. You can purchase this and many other artworks by artists in residence at the OSMC in high resolution and without a watermark via the OSMC website .

“Sawai Chinnawong of Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, [is] an ethnic Mon whose Buddhist ancestors migrated to Thailand from Myanmar, Mr. Chinnawong committed his life to Christ while in his twenties. Today he is a member of the United Church of Christ of Thailand. His love for art began when he was a child in Thailand when he saw some old men painting on a Buddhist temple wall. He says he would watch them for hours each day. Sawai’s interest in art persisted into adulthood, and he studied art in a vocational school in Bangkok, Thailand. It was at this time that Sawai became a Christian. He says that a missionary was witnessing on the street one day, and soon after, he began to study the Bible every day after art class.

“After completing his art studies, Sawai attended the McGilvary Faculty of Theology at Payap University in Chiang Mai. He was deeply influenced by a series of lectures on the history of Christian Art given there in 1984 by artist and professor Nalini Jayasuriya, another of our OMSC artists. He began creating liturgical art while attending seminary, and designed the artwork for the chapel there. Today his art is appreciated in many places for its portrayal of Christian themes through a Thai graphic idiom that is inspired by Thai culture.

“‘My work represents influences from many styles…I believe Jesus Christ is present in every culture, and I have chosen to celebrate his presence in our lives through Thai traditional cultural forms. My belief is that Jesus did not choose just one people to hear his Word, but chose to make his home in every human heart. And just as his Word may be spoken in every language, so the visual message can be shared in the beauty of the many styles of artistry around the world.’ (Sawai Chinnawong” (Source )

For more images by Sawai Chinnawong in TIPs see here.

The following is a stained glass window in the Chichester Cathedral in England by Marc Chagall from 1967:

Photo by Jules & Jenny, hosted by Wikimedia Common under the cc-by-2.0 license

See this essay about the history of the window .

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

complete verse (Psalm 150:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 150:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let every living thing that breathes praise Jehovah.
    Praise Jehovah.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May the LORD be praised by all living beings that have breath.
    Hallelujah!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Let- everything that lives -praise the LORD.
    Praise the LORD!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (plur.) allow all living things to praise the LORD.
    You (plur.) praise the LORD!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Viumbe hai vyote vimsifu BWANA.
    Msifuni BWANA!” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I want all living creatures to praise Yahweh!
    Praise Yahweh!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete Psalm 150 (Natügu)

The Natügu translation of Psalm 150 features “indigenous instruments and body movements associated with [a traditional] dance to reflect the high praise of the composition.” The English back-translation follows (the Natügu original can be read right here ):

1 Let’s exalt Yahweh in his being in the House-for-worshipping.
And in his being in the High Heaven.
2 Let’s make-songs-about him for his exceeding greatness
In doing powerful things.
3-5 Let’s dance to him with leg-rattles
and strongly beat the drum to him.
Let’s dance to him by our banging things,
our smacking things, and by our shaking things in our hands.
Let’s blow the conch shell and bamboo flutes (to him).
And let’s strum the guitar and ukulele in our exalting him.
6 We who are alive should rejoice in Yahweh.
Our praising Yahweh is forever and ever.

(Source: Brenda Boerger in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. )

Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa)

Following is a translation of Psalm 150 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Ɛsɔwazaa. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii [shouts of joy]
Praise the Eternal, eee.
In heaven in his house, eee.
Praise him in heaven, eee.
For his power, eee.
For his works, eee.
For his greatness, eee.
Which has no end, eee.
Eee which has no end, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Take the horn, eee.
Every stringed instrument, eee.
Drums and flutes, eee.
Bring them and let us praise him with them, eee.
With the cymbals, eee.
Big and small, eee.
On his throne, eee. (4 times)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Are you alive? yes.
Come and let us praise God, eee. (3 times)
Everything that breathes, eee.
Eee Praises God, eee.
Eee Let us praise God, eee. (2 times)
Trees and birds, eee.
(They) praise God, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Praise the Eternal, eee. (2 times)
Eee Praise the Eternal, eee.
Praise the Eternal, eee.
He is so good, eee.
He is so big, eee.
He is so vast, eee.
Shout to praise him with shouts, eee.
Shout to praise him, eee.
Stoop down to praise him, eee. (4 times)
Rise up to praise him, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Dance to praise him, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 times)
Praise the Eternal, eee. (4 times)
He is so good, eee.
He is so just, eee.
He is so vast, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii [cris d’allégresse]
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Au ciel dans sa maison, eee.
Louez-le au ciel, eee.
Pour sa puissance, eee.
Pour ses oeuvres, eee.
Pour sa grandeur, eee.
Qui n’a pas de fin, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 fois)
Prenez la corne, eee.
Tout instrument à cordes, eee.
Tambours et flutes, eee.
Amenez et louons-le avec, eee.
Avec les cymbales, eee.
Grandes et petites, eee.
Sur son trône, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Es-tu vivant ? oui.
Viens et louons Dieu, eee. (3 fois)
Tout ce qui respire, eee.
Eee Loue Dieu, eee.
Eee Louons Dieu, eee. (2 fois)
Arbres et oiseaux, eee.
Louent Dieu, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, eee. (2 fois)
Eee Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Il est tellement bon, eee.
Il est tellement grand, eee.
Il est tellement vaste, eee.
Acclamez pour louez-le avec, eee.
Acclamez pour le louer, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Abaissez-vous pour le louer, eee. (4 fois)
Levez-vous pour le louer, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Dansez pour le louer, eee. (4 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, eee. (4 fois)
Il est tellement bon, eee.
Il est tellement juste, eee.
Il est tellement vaste, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Ɛsɔdaa ɛ-ɖɩɣa taa, eee.
Ɛ́samɩ-ɩ ɛsɔdaa, eee.
E-ɖoŋ yɔɔ, eee.
Ɛ-tʋma yɔɔ, eee.
Ɛ-sɔsɔtʋ yɔɔ, eee.
Tɩfɛyɩ kamaɣ kaʋ, eee. (2 fois)
Eee tɩfɛyɩ kamaɣ kaʋ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 fois)
Ɛ́kpaɣ nɔndɔŋ nee, eee.
Cɩmɩŋ tɩŋa payɩ, eee.
So nɛ hɩsɩ, eee.
Ɛ́kɔna nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee.
Nɛ cɩmɩŋ tɛlɛmnaa, eee.
Sɔsɔma nɛ Cikpema nee, eee.
E-kewiyaɣ kpelaɣ taa, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Ŋwɛ wezuu yaa we? ɛɛɛ.
Kɔɔ nɛ ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee. (3 fois)
Mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, eee.
Eee Pɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee.
Eee Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee. (2 fois)
Tɩŋ nɛ sumasɩ, eee.
Pɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee. (2 fois)
Eee Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Praise the Eternal, eee.
Ɛwɛ ɖeu pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛkpaɣlaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛwalaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛ́kpalɩ nɛ ɛ́samna-ɩ, eee. (3 fois)
Ɛ́kpalɩ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Éluŋ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (4 fois)
Ɛ́kʋyɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee. (4 fois)
Ɛwɛ ɖeu pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛtʋʋzaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛwalaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Ɛsɔwazaa members: Pouwèdéou Noëline Mizou, Tchilalou Atakora, Poyodi Pounegue, Ezolina Françoise Tayele.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

See also Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa).

Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm)

Following is a translation of Psalm 150 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii [shouts of joy]
Let us praise God, the Eternal, God, Eternal.
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yoo, God, Eternal.
Let us praise God, the Eternal, God, the Eternal!
Yee let us praise God, the Eternal yee, God, the Eternal!
Eee let us praise him in his house yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
Eee where he shows his power, God, Eternal. (2 times)
In his royal house yeee, the Eternal, God, Eternal!
In his royal house, the Eternal yooo, God, Eternal!
In his royal house, the Eternal yeee, God, Eternal!
God, the Eternal yee, God, the Eternal.
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yeee, God, Eternal.
His works are many, God, Eternal.
His works are numerous yeee, God, Eternal.
Hmmmm, My God is great, God, Eternal.
He is so big yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
With what should we praise him? God, Eternal.
Let us say, “With what should we praise him yeee?” God, Eternal.
Hummm Eternal God yee, Eternal God.
Eternal God, Eternal God. (3 times)
Let us praise him with horns yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (3 times)
Ooo let us praise him with horns yeee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise him with flutes yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let us praise him with drums yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Aaa let us praise him with drums yeee, let’s praise the Eternal.
Let us praise him with drums and dances yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let us praise him with flutes yeee, let us praise the Eternal.
Aaa let us praise him with flutes yeee, Let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise God, he is eternal yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Who must praise God? Everything that God has made and created and that lives must come and praise God.
Let everything that breathes, praise God.
Eee let everything that breathes, praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let all humans praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let boys and girls praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let women and men praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Ooo let us praise the Eternal yee, Let us praise the Eternal.
Let the animals praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the wind praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the flowers praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Hummm, praise the Eternal yee, praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the flowers praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
May all humans praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise the Eternal yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let the idolaters praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let the Christians praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Dance with glory to praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Dance with glory to praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Dance with glory to praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Hɩmmm praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Everything that breathes, praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Praise the Eternal, praise the Eternal, praise the Eternal. (2 times)

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii [cris d’allégresse]
Louons Dieu, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel.
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternal. (2 fois)
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yoo, Dieu, Eternel.
Louons Dieu, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel!
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternel!
Eee louons-le dans sa maison yee, Dieu, Eternal! (2 fois)
Eee là où il montre sa puissance, Dieu, Eternel. (2 fois)
Dans sa maison royale yeee, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel!
Dans sa maison royale, l’Eternel yooo, Dieu, Eternel!
Dans sa maison royale, l’Eternel yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternel.
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Ses œuvres sont nombreuses, Dieu, Eternel.
Ses œuvres sont nombreuses yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Hmmmm, Mon Dieu est grand, Dieu, Eternel.
Il est tellement grand yee, Dieu, Eternel.(2 fois)
Avec quoi devons-nous le louer? Dieu, Eternel.
Disons avec quoi devons-nous le louer yeee? Dieu, Eternel.
Hummm Dieu Eternel yee, Dieu Eternel.
Dieu Eternel, Dieu Eternel. (3 fois)
Louons-le avec des cornes yeee, louons l’Eternel. (3 fois)
Ooo louons-le avec des cornes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons-le avec des flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louons-le avec les tambours yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Aaa louons-le avec les tambours yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons-le avec des tambours et des danses yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louons-le avec de flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Aaa louons-le avec de flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons Dieu, il est éternel yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Qu’est-ce qui doit louer Dieu ? Tout ce que Dieu a fait et créé et qui vit doit venir et louer Dieu.
Que tout ce qui respire, loue Dieu.
Eee que tout ce qui respire, loue l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que tous les humains le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les garçons et les filles le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les femmes et les hommes le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Ooo louons l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les animaux le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et le vent le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et les fleurs le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Hummm, louent l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et les fleurs le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que tous les humains le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que les idolâtres le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que les chrétiens le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer yee, louons l’Eternel.
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer, louons l’Eternel.
Hɩmmm louez l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Tout ce qui respire, loue l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, louez l’Eternel, louez l’Eternel. (2 fois)

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yoo, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
Eee ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ ɛ-ɖɩɣa taa Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam! (2 fois)
Eee ɖenɖe ɛwɩlɩɣ e-ɖoŋ yɔ, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yooo, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ-tʋma labʋ ɖɔwa, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ-tʋma labʋ ɖɔwa yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm, Mɛ-Ɛsɔ, ɛpaɣlaa, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛpaɣlaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛbɛ pʋmʋnaa pasamna-ɩ kɛ? Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Se ɛbɛ pʋmʋnaa pasamna-ɩ yeee? Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (3 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ nɔndɔŋ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (3 fois)
Ooo ɖɩkpaɣ nɔndɔŋ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ so nɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Aaa Ɖɩkpaɣ so nɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
So nɛ payɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Aaa ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, ɛwɛ tam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛbɛ pʋwɛɛ se pɩsa Ɛsɔ? Mbʋ Ɛsɔ laba, ɛlu nɛ pʋwɛɛ wezuu yɔ, pʋwɛɛ se pɩ-tɩŋa payɩ lɛ, pʋkɔɔ pɩsa Ɛsɔ.
Mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, pɩsa Ɛsɔ.
Eee mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, pɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛyaa tɩŋa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Evebiya nɛ pɛlaa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Halaa nɛ abalaa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ooo ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɛtɛ kpɩna ɛsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ heelim pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ hɛtʋ pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Hmmm pɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ hɛtʋ pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛyaa kpeekpe pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Se sɩɩnaa layaa, pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Nɛ Kɩrɩsɩtʋ piya pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́kʋndɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́canɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ́paa nɛ éɖeɣyi nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Hɩmmm louez l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)Hɩmmm praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Se mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔɔ, pɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm members: Piwèlong Tamassi, Kézié Daniel Bataba, Toï Mèhèza Meba, Essokamhaou Pagana, Mamalinèwè Pekpissi.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

See also Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa).

Translation commentary on Psalm 150:6

In this verse “all living creatures” (everything that breathes) are called upon to praise Yahweh; the psalmist may have included not just humankind but all other living beings as well.

The psalm and the book close with the final halelu-yah, Praise the LORD!

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 .