Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 80:10:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“Mountains were covered by its shadow,
powerful cedars and its branches.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“The mountains were covered by our shadows.
Our branches also covered the large cedar trees.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“The mountains and the huge cedar trees were-covered-with-shade by its branches.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“The shade of a tree of wine covered the mountains,
and its branches covered big trees.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Milima ifunikwe na kivuli chake,
matawi yake, marefu kuzidi miti mirefu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“Like huge grapevines cover the hills with their shade
and their branches are taller than big cedar trees,” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Long ago the majestic cedars of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) completely covered the upper slopes of the Lebanon Mountains on the western and northern sides. Now only a few pockets of these mighty cedars remain. At that time they were mixed, as they are today, with other trees such as Cilician fir, Grecian juniper, cypress, and Calabrian pine.
We know from 1 Kings that Solomon used cedar wood in his palace and in the Temple. Cedar was used for beams, boards, pillars, and ceilings. Historians tell us that the Assyrians also hauled cedars to their land for use in buildings. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon also imported cedars from Lebanon. In some versions of Isaiah we read that people made idols of cedar and oak (44:14-20). Finally, when the Temple was rebuilt by the returning exiles (Ezra 3:7), they again cut down cedar trees to grace the house of God.
In 2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles and Ezra, when Lebanon is specifically mentioned, there can be no doubt that ’erez is Cedrus libani, the “cedar of Lebanon,” although it is possible that sometimes the word was used loosely to include various evergreen trees.
In the description of the purification rituals (Leviticus 14:4 at al.), the word ’erez probably refers to the Phoenician juniper tree, since that was the only cedar-like tree in the Sinai Desert.
Description Cedar trees can reach 30 meters (100 feet) high with a trunk more than 2 meters (7 feet) in diameter. The leaves of true cedars are not flat like those of most trees, but consist of tufts of dark green, shiny spines. (The cedars in North America have a flatter type of spine than the biblical cedar.) The wood is fragrant and resistant to insects. Cedars bear cones and can live to be two or three thousand years old.
The cedar of Lebanon is famous for its large size (see Isaiah 2:13 et al.), and for the fragrance of its wood. Psalm 92:12 links the cedar to righteousness, that is, presumably, to its straightness and height above other trees. The cedar is the national emblem of Lebanon.
Cedrus species are found in the mountains of North Africa, in the Himalayas, in India, and in North America. Translators in these places, should, of course, use the local name in nonfigurative references. In sub Saharan Africa, translators can transliterate from Hebrew (’erez), Greek (kedar), English (sedar), or another major language, or they can take a generic solution such as “large, beautiful tree.” In poetic passages (wisdom literature and prophecy), some translators may wish to use a cultural equivalent with these traits. In Africa, according to Burkhill (The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, volume 4. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, 1985), the Pink Mahogany Guarea cedrata is also called the pink African cedar because of the cedar-like scent of its timber. Likewise, some people in India and Australia use “cedar” to refer to the toon because of its reddish wood. I do not recommend such substitutes in historical passages, since the ’erez is not related to these trees. In some figurative passages, however, the substitution could be effective, since all are large trees with reddish wood. However, each passage has to be evaluated to determine the intended effect of the image.
These verses describe the extension of Israel’s dominion over all the country as far west as the Mediterranean Sea and as far east as the Euphrates River. It is probable that in verse 10a The mountains refer to the southern part of the country, and the mighty cedars in verse 10b refer to the northern part, that is, Lebanon (see 29.5; 37.35 and comments).
In verse 10b the Hebrew is “and its branches the cedars of God,” which is taken by most to follow the structure of verse 10a, meaning, “its branches overshadowed the mighty cedars.” Revised Standard Version does not repeat the verb in this line; the sense is “the mighty cedars were covered with its branches.” Some, however, have “its branches were like giant cedars” (also New English Bible), indicating the size of the vine. The Hebrew for mighty cedars is an example of the use of ʾel “God” as a superlative; see 36.6 for further discussion.
For the sea (the Mediterranean) and the River (the Euphrates), see discussion at 72.8.
Should the figurative language in verses 10-11 also be difficult, the following may be attempted:
• 10 They took possession of the whole country,
from the south all the way north to the Lebanon Mountains.
11 They extended the country’s borders
from the Mediterranean Sea
all the way to the Euphrates River.
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 .
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