complete verse (Psalm 45:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 45:17:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I will proclaim your history in all generations;
    so all the races will praise you in times of time.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I will hold your name in honor
    from generation to generation.
    So the nations will praise you for ever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I will-cause- all generations -to-remember you (sing.).
    Therefore the nations will-praise you (sing.) forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “This song of praise can make it possible for the name of the king to remain forever. Every person can know and praise the king for all generations.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I will make your name great forever,
    therefore, the nations will praise you forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Jina lako nitalifanya kuwa la kujulikana katika kizazi vyote,
    nayo makabila yanakusifu milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “And as for me, I will enable people in every generation to remember the great things that you have done, and people will praise you forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 45:16 - 45:17

The poet concludes by addressing the king, promising him that he will have many sons who will, like his ancestors, also be “kings” and rule over the whole earth (or, “over all the land of Israel”; see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New English Bible). The Revised Standard Version translation of verse 16a is unintelligible. The Hebrew expression Instead of your fathers shall be your sons means that the king’s male descendants, his sons, will be kings, replacing, as it were, the king’s male ancestors (your fathers), who also had been kings. Princes were a kind of “rulers.” The title was not limited to sons of a king.

In verse 17 the poet promises that he will keep the king’s name, that is, his “fame,” alive forever (see comments on “name” in 5.12). For all time people will remember the king and praise him. Obviously the poet is referring to this song that he has just composed as the way in which the king’s memory will be kept alive forever, not only in Israel but in all the world. In some languages it is not possible to refer to someone’s fame as being alive. Therefore one must often say, for example, “I will cause people to remember always what great things you did.”

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 45: 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 45.


Copyright © Scriptura


Copyright © Scriptura