Most High

Click here to view graphically

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Ge’ez, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “he the completely glorified God”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Father God who is high in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has such tremendous authority”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “he who is the native of the highest place”
  • Palantla Chinantec: “the Big God Himself”
  • Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “God who has authority over all”
  • Estado de México Otomi: “most exalted God”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “God who is in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has a great rule” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Sa’a: “God, the Surpassing One” (source: Carl Gross)
  • Elhomwe: Mulluku Muullupalli or “God the Great” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Chichewa: Wammwambamwamba: A name of God. While this word is difficult to translate into English, its sense implies that God is highly above everything in his power and greatness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (Psalm 56:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 56:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “My mockers are chasing me the whole day,
    many are fighting with me proudly.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Those hostile to me pursue me all day long
    because of their very great pride
    they are even trying to attack me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Continuous the attacks of my enemies.
    Many are-fighting-against me, Most High God.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “People who are insulting me chase me all day.
    There many enemies who bring war to me in their pride.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mchana kutwa maadui zangu wananiwinda,
    wengi sana ambao wanapigana na mimi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “My enemies harass me all day long;
    there are many of them who proudly attack me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

Translation commentary on Psalm 56:1 - 56:2

In the psalmist’s opening prayer for deliverance, he describes his situation four times (verses 1b-c, 2a-b).

For Be gracious see the same verb and comments in 4.1c.

In verses 1b and 2a the psalmist twice uses a verb of uncertain meaning: trample (Revised Standard Version), “persecute” (New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), “harass” (New English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), “attack” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible).

Foemen in verse 1c and fight (Good News Translation “who fight”) in verse 2b translate participles of the same verb “to fight.”

At the end of verse 2 in Hebrew the word for “a high place” is used, which Revised Standard Version and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translate proudly; New International Version “in their pride”; Bible en français courant “(they attack me and) overcome me”; New Jerusalem Bible translates “countless are those who attack me from the heights.” New English Bible emends the text to get “Appear on high.” Most take it to be a title for God, “O Most High” (Briggs, Dahood, Anderson, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible); Good News Translation translates “O LORD Almighty” and places it at the beginning of verse 3. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project says there are two ways of interpreting this passage: (1) “for many struggle for me in the heights”–a reference to the angels; (2) “for many struggle against me, O Most High!” If the translator follows Good News Translation rather than Revised Standard Version, “LORD Almighty” of verse 3 in some languages may be rendered, for example, “Almighty God, you who are powerful” or “Almighty God, you who are great.” Note that the name for God, “Yahweh,” does not occur here, and so Good News Translation‘s “LORD” should be rendered in some other way, such as “Almighty God.”

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 .