complete verse (Psalm 78:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 78:36:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “However they were flattering him with their mouth,
    lying to him with their tongues.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “But they were only honoring Him with their lips,
    not with their inmost hearts.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “But they were- just -diminutively-praising him. They (were) liars.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They told him good word with their mouths,
    but instead they deceived him with their tongues.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Lakini walimdanganya na midomo yao,
    yote yalikuwa ya uongo ambayo walimwambia.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “But they tried to deceive God by what they said;
    their words were all lies.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 78:36 - 78:37

The psalmist says that their change of heart was not genuine (verse 36); all their professions of repentance were lies, intended to deceive God. Revised Standard Version flattered him follows King James Version and American Standard Version; the Hebrew verb, however, means to lie to, to deceive, to act the hypocrite. Bible en français courant translates the verse “But they were not sincere, what they said was not true.”

Their heart was not steadfast toward him: they were disloyal to God and disregarded the obligations they should have kept under the terms of the covenant (see verses 8c and 10). In verse 37b his covenant means either “the covenant he made with them” or “the covenant they made with him”–the former is to be preferred. For comments on covenant see 25.10.

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 .