complete verse (Psalm 49:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:6:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Those who rely on their prosperity
    and boast of the abundance of their wealth?” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They trust only in their riches,
    and are proud of their wealth,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “who trust and boast of their wealth.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They put their heart on their wealth
    and they are proud because their wealth is very great.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wadanganyifu hao wanatumaini mali yao,
    wanajisifia utajiri wao mwingi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “by evil men who trust that things will always go well for them because they are wealthy, and who boast about being very rich.” (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 .