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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (Psalm 44:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 44:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I do not rely on my bow,
    my sword does not bring me victory;” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will not put my trust in my bow,
    it is not by my sword that I will conquer.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I do- not -trust in my bow or sword which can-cause- me -to-win.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “I don’t depend on a crossbow or on a sword to make me victorious.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I do not put my heart on my bow,
    my sword does not give me victory,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa maana situmaini upinde wangu,
    nayo upanga wangu hauwezi kuniokoa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I do not trust that I will be saved
    by using my bow and arrows and my sword.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 44:6 - 44:8

In verse 6 the psalmist reaffirms in the first person singular what he had already said in the third person plural in verse 3a-b. The expression not in my bow do I trust is an example of a part of a weapon standing for the whole weapon. In some cases it will be necessary to say both “bow and arrows,” or if these are unknown, to use the generic “weapon.”

In verse 7 put to confusion translates the verb meaning “to put to shame” (see 6.10 and comment). It is the shame of defeat that is meant. Our foes and those who hate us are synonymous.

In verse 8a the verb translated we have boasted (see 10.3) can also mean “praise.” To boast In God means either “to boast of what God has done” or “to be proud of God” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy); or else, “to praise God.” Again, in verse 8b, thy name stands for “you.”

For Selah see 3.2.

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 .