complete verse (Psalm 55:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 55:8:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I would have run to my place of security;
    far from the raging and stormy wind.’” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Having escaped from the whirlwind, the wind and the rain
    I would live in my own shelter.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I will-hurry to-look-for/search-for my hiding-place.
    in-order to-hide from the anger of my enemies who (were) like a strong wind or storm.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I would find a place to stay quickly,
    I be far from a strong wind’” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ingekuwa ningeharakisha sana kutafuta mahali,
    kuepuka upepo mkali na tufani.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I would quickly find a shelter from my enemies
    who are like a strong wind and rainstorm.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 55:6 - 55:7 - 55:8

The psalmist wishes that he could fly far away, like a dove, and be out of the reach of his pursuers (verses 6-7). The Hebrew text in verses 6-8 has the psalmist quoting himself (see Revised Standard Version); Good News Translation here, as elsewhere, has not represented this stylistic device.

In verse 6a some languages may find it better to say “I wish I could fly like a dove.” To say “Oh that I had the wings of a dove!” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, New English Bible) may sound strange, since a dove’s wings could hardly enable a man to fly very far. The expression O that I had wings like a dove may in its literal form only imply that one is dissatisfied with other wings. If misunderstandings are likely to arise, it may be better to say, for example, “I wish I could fly” or “I wish I could escape.”

In verse 7a the verbal phrase means “to be very far away”; see the same verb used in 22.1, “Why art thou so far…?” New English Bible has “escape far away,” others have “flee far away,” both of which are better than Revised Standard Version wander, which implies movement without much direction or purpose.

In verse 7b lodge translates a verb which means “spend the night” (see its use in 25.13; 30.5).

For Selah see 3.2.

Then, changing the figure (verse 8), the psalmist wishes he could find a shelter where he would be safe from the raging wind and the tempest, a figure for the hatred and fury of his enemies. The word translated raging occurs only here in the Old Testament.

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 .