complete verse (Psalm 83:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 83:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “They are saying that, ‘Come’ they say, ‘Let us destroy this entire race
    for the name of Israel not to be remembered again.’” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They said,
    "Come, let us destroy them so that their nation will no longer exist,
    and Israel will be forgotten by everyone for all time."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They say, ‘[You (plur.)] come, let- us (incl.) -destroy the nation of Israel so-that this will-be-forgotten forever/[lit. until whenever].’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They said that, ‘We come to destroy their land,
    so that the names of the people of Israel will not be remember forever.’” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Hao wanasema, ‘Njooni, tuangamize kabisa kabila lao,
    kuwa jina la Israeli, lisikumbukwe hata mara moja.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “They say, ‘Come, we must destroy their nation, with the result that no one will remember that Israel ever existed!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 83:2 - 83:4

The people remind God that those nations conspiring against Israel are for that very reason his enemies and hate him (verse 2; see the similar expression in 68.1). The initial For lo is a way of calling God’s attention to what the psalmist is about to say. In verse 2b raised their heads is a figure of defiant behavior, parallel with in tumult (in line a), which means “stir themselves up” (Bible en français courant), that is, are in a state of hostility and hatred. New Jerusalem Bible “assert themselves” seems a bit too mild. Both lines of this verse have much the same meaning. However, line b shifts from the common term enemies to the more specific those who hate thee, and tumult in line a is raised in intensity by means of the poetic figure raised their heads. Therefore it is not advisable to reduce the two lines to one, but rather to translate the element of intensification in the movement from line a to line b; for example, “Your enemies are becoming hostile; but even more, the people who hate you are defying you.”

Israel’s enemies have joined forces and are plotting the destruction of Israel (verses 3-4). The purpose is not to kill all Israelites but to conquer the country and reduce it to a vassal state, no longer a free and independent nation. The destruction they plan will be so complete that even the existence of Israel as a country “will be forgotten forever” (see similar language in 9.6).

In verse 3b thy protected ones is parallel with thy people in verse 3a; Dahood, however, takes it as a singular (so Jerome, Symmachus), perhaps a reference to the Temple. This does not seem very likely. The Hebrew verb translated “protect” means “to hide,” and the meaning may be “Your treasured ones” (New Jerusalem Bible), “your treasure” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New English Bible), “those you cherish” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version).

In many languages the source of the quote in verse 4 (They say) cannot be inserted into the quote, as in Good News Translation. It may be necessary in some cases to avoid the use of the second pronoun and say, for example, “Come, let us destroy Israel.” Line b must often be recast with an active verb; for example, “so that no one will ever remember Israel.”

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 .

Translation commentary on Psalm 84:3 - 83:4

The psalmist proclaims the happiness of those who live in God’s Temple. Even the sparrow and the swallow are to be envied; they live in the Temple, with their nests near the altars. The text of verse 3 is not altogether clear; Briggs and Dahood rearrange the text in two different ways. But the Masoretic text as it is may be taken to mean what Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others have. Kirkpatrick refers to the fact that in ancient times birds which had their nests in temples were considered sacred.

There were two altars in the Temple built by Solomon: the altar for burnt offerings, at the entrance to the Temple, and the gold altar for burning incense, in front of the Most Holy Place. Here the plural altars may simply be emphatic; some, like New Jerusalem Bible, translate “Your altar.”

In languages where the sparrow and swallow are not known, other local birds may be substituted, provided they are birds which are known for building their nests inside buildings. It is also possible to employ a generic term for birds, even as the Hebrew term translated sparrow may be generic. In areas where birds are not known to build nests in buildings, an explanatory note may be required.

Lay her young, at thy altars refers to the laying of the eggs in the nest near the altar and not the placing of the young near the altar for sacrifice, as Good News Translation makes clear.

The double form of address, my King and my God, should not be taken by the reader as two persons. It may be necessary therefore to say, for example, “my king who is my God,” or in some languages “the king who rules over me and who is the God I worship.”

For translation suggestions on Blessed are in verse 4, see 1.1. The words those who dwell in thy house may be meant literally, referring to the permanent staff of priests and Levites; or else, in a more general sense, it means all people who regularly worshiped in the Temple (see Anderson; see the language in 15.1; 24.3). Thy praise means “praise (offered) to you.”

For Selah see 3.2.

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 .