complete verse (Psalm 49:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:17:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “For he will not take a thing together with him when he dies,
    his glory will not go together with him.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “For when he dies,
    he will not be able to take anything with him.
    His property will not go with him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “For they can- not -bring those (with) when they die;
    they can- not -take their wealth to the burial-place/grave.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “because there will be nothing he will take when he die,
    his wealth will not be buried together with him in grave.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa maana wakati anakufa hatakuja kuchukua kitu chochote,
    hatakuja kushuka nacho kitu chochote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “because when he dies, he will take nothing with him;
    his wealth will not go with him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 49:16 - 49:17

In verse 16 the psalmist advises others to be like him (see verses 5-6) and not “be upset” because some people prosper. The verb is “to be afraid” (see Revised Standard Version), which Good News Translation and Bible en français courant take in the sense of being upset, disquieted. New Jerusalem Bible and New International Version “overawed” is good. But the same Hebrew consonants can be given vowel points to mean “look,” possibly yielding “look with envy” (see New English Bible, Dahood). This makes good sense, and a translator may choose to follow this interpretation.

In verse 16b the glory of his house (or, “the honor…”) may mean “the wealth of his family” (New English Bible) or “his household goods” (New Jerusalem Bible).

The two lines of verse 17 are synonymous: no one takes his riches with him when he “goes down” to Sheol, the world of the dead. Revised Standard Version has kept the meaning glory in the text of verses 16b and 17b, with “wealth” as an alternative translation. It seems best to say “wealth” or “riches” in the text (so Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible; New International Version “splendor”; New Jerusalem Bible “goods”). In some languages it is not possible to speak of his glory going down or “his wealth will not go with him,” as if wealth had animate characteristics. One may often say “his wealth will not be with him in the grave” or “he will not be able to use his money in the grave.”

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 .