rock

The Hebrew that is translated as “rock” in English is translated in the Chichewa as thanthwe. “Thanthwe” normally is a big stone that spreads over a large area either visible or lying underneath and cannot be lifted or moved. In Chewa religious context, “thanthwe” was a sacred rock which people believed to be the place of worship. This place was safe because it was associated with the presence of the Supreme Being. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

save

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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (Psalm 71:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 71:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Be my rock of refuge,
    where I would go all the times;
    command that I (should be) saved.
    for You are my rock and my fortress.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Be the rock
    [where] it is always safe for me to hide.
    Give the order to save me,
    For You are my fortress and the place where I take refuge.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Protect me for you (sing.) are-like a place-of-refuge rock;
    in you (sing.) I will- always -take-refuge/go-for-help.
    You (sing.) send-order that I will-be-saved, for you (sing.) (are) my place-of-protection/refuge stone and strong defender.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Keep me, and you are my mountain where I hide,
    where I would go always.
    Tell your word to save me,
    because you are my mountain that is fenced to be strong.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Uwe mwamba wangu wa kukimbilia,
    mahali pa kupita muda wote.
    Amuru kuwa niokolewe,
    kwa maana wewe ni mwamba wangu,
    tena ni ngome yangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Be like an overhanging rock under which I can be safe/protected;
    be like a strong fortress in which I am safe.
    You continually command (OR, Continually command) your angels to rescue me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 71:1 - 71:3

The psalm opens with a prayer for help; verses 1-3 are practically the same as 31.1-3a. For comments on In thee … do I take refuge, see 2.12. I take refuge can sometimes be rendered in a more active sense as “You protect me.”

For a similar translation of put to shame, see 6.10. If the passive is to be avoided, it will be necessary to introduce “enemies” as the agent of shame or defeat; for example, “don’t allow my enemies to defeat me.”

For righteousness in verse 2a, see comments on 5.8.

For incline thy ear in verse 2b, see 17.6.

In verse 3a the Masoretic text has “a rock a place”; some Hebrew manuscripts have “a rock of refuge,” which most translations follow.1-3 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project is of the opinion that the Masoretic text should be followed, even though it is not the original text. The ancient versions represent an assimilation to Psalm 31.2c and do not reflect the original text either. For the figures in verse 3, see 18.2; 31.2. In some languages it will be possible to maintain the figure rock of refuge, provided some adjustment is made; for example, “be like a rock to protect me” or “protect me as a rock protects a person who hides under it.”

In verse 3b the Masoretic text is “to come (or, go) always you have commanded to save me,” which is hard to understand. New English Bible, however, translates the Masoretic text “where I may ever find safety at thy call”; New Jerusalem Bible connects “to go always” with the preceding line, as follows: “Be a sheltering rock for me to which I may always repair,” followed by the imperative “decree my deliverance.” New Jerusalem Bible has “you have determined to save me”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and New International Version are similar.1-3 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project also prefers the Masoretic text (“C” decision), which it translates “accessible always, you decided (to save me).” Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy follow the Septuagint and emend the text to a strong fortress (the plural form of the same word in verse 3c; see also 31.2). In some languages it may be possible to say in line b of verse 3 “be like a house with strong walls to protect me” or “protect me as a house with strong walls protects people.”

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 .