complete verse (Psalm 49:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Why should I fear when evil days have arrived,
    when wicked fraudsters have surrounded me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Even when I am surrounded by the enemy
    in time of trouble I will not be afraid not be,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I (am) not afraid when disaster comes,
    when/if the wicked and deceitful men surround me” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Why should I fear the bad days,
    when liars surround me?” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa nini niogope wakati shida inakuja?
    Kwa nini niogope wakati wadanganyifu wamenizunguka?” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I am not afraid when I am in trouble/ danger,
    when I am surrounded by my enemies,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 49:5 - 49:6

The psalmist declares that wealth has no lasting value, and that rich people have no advantage over the poor; so he will not be afraid of his rich enemies. The rhetorical question (see Revised Standard Version) is a way of affirming the confidence that the psalmist feels.

Times of trouble in verse 5a is defined in verse 5b as “when I am surrounded by enemies” (Good News Translation). In some languages times of trouble must be shifted to a time clause; for example, “when I have troubles,” or idiomatically, “when trouble takes hold of my throat.”

Iniquity of my persecutors translates a phrase whose meaning can only be guessed at. The literal “iniquity of my heels” (King James Version, following the Septuagint and Vulgate) would apply to the psalmist himself and would be most unlikely in this context. Dahood translates “slanderers”; New Jerusalem Bible “those who would supplant me”; New International Version “wicked deceivers”; New English Bible “treacherous foes.” Good News Translation has “enemies” in verse 5b and carries “evil” over to verse 6a. The word for “heels” is related to the name “Jacob” (that is, “supplanter”; see Gen 27.36); Cohen explains it here as “wealthy neighbours who deprive him of his rights.”

The further description in verse 6 of the psalmist’s enemies should offer no difficulty to translators. In some languages trust requires a person as object, so it may be necessary to use another verb; for example, “people who love their goods” or “people who like money more than anything.” Boast of … riches is sometimes expressed as “they talk about how much wealth they own” or “they use big words when they talk about their goods.”

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 .