complete verse (Psalm 44:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 44:16:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Because of the scornful words of those who mock and insult me,
    because of the enemy who has determined to revenge.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I am like this because of critical and scoffing words,
    and those who take revenge.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “because of what those (who) put- me -to-shame and insult me say,
    who were my enemies who want/desire to-repay me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “because people who are unhappy and hate me, they have only scornful and critical words about me.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “because others laugh at me, then they insult me
    when they see my enemies, that they want to revenge the matter.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “kwa sababu ya maneno ya dhihaka na matusi,
    kwa maana maadui wanataka kunirudishia kisasi mabaya.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I hear what those who sneer at me and revile me say;
    I am ashamed in front of my enemies and those who want to harm me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

Translation commentary on Psalm 44:15 - 44:16

In these verses the psalmist describes his own sense of disgrace and shame over his people’s pitiful condition. Shame has covered my face is rendered in some languages, for example, “they have taken away my praise” or “they have caused my face to burn.”

In verse 16a “from the voice of” (Revised Standard Version at the words of) refers to the enemies’ actual presence; it can be represented by something like “from being confronted by….”

In verse 16b Good News Translation has “my” and “me” as the object of the enemies’ hatred (also New English Bible, New International Version); the Hebrew text has no explicit object, however, and it could well be “our” and “us,” that is, the people of Israel, not the psalmist personally.

For enemy and avenger in verse 16b, see 8.2 and comments.

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 .

Psalm 44: Layer by Layer

The following are presentations by the Psalms: Layer by Layer project, run by Scriptura . The first is an overview and the second an introduction into the exegesis of Psalm 38.


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Copyright © Scriptura