complete verse (Psalm 92:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 92:11:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “My eyes have seen the defeat of my contenders,
    my ears have heard about the fall of my evil foes.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I have seen my enemies defeated,
    and I have heard the sound of the enemies weeping.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I heard and saw for-myself the defeat of my wicked enemies.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “My eyes saw the defeat of my enemies,
    and my ears heard the running
    of bad people who hated me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Nimetazama na macho yangu,
    nimewaona maadui zangu wanashindwa.
    Nimesikia na masikio yangu,
    nimesikia kilio cha maadui zangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I have seen you defeat my enemies;
    d I have heard those evil men wail/scream while they were being slaughtered.” (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 ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

Translation commentary on Psalm 92:10 - 92:11

For the figure in verse 10 exalted my horn, see 75.4, 5. As the context shows, here exalted my horn means “made me powerful.” For wild ox as a figure of brute strength, “wild bull” may be more appropriate. In many languages the comparison with the wild ox will have to be shifted to some other strong animal. Translators must make certain that unintended comparisons, such as sexual virility, are not introduced. In languages where there is not a suitable animal denoting strength, the simile may be dropped and the idea may be rendered “You have made me very strong.”

The verb in verse 10b in Hebrew seems to mean “I am anointed”; Revised Standard Version appeals to the Syriac for “you have anointed me,” but most translations follow the Masoretic text. Good News Translation has made explicit the actor implicit in the passive “I am anointed,” that is, “You anointed me.” The figure of “anoint with fresh olive oil” is taken by Good News Translation to mean causing happiness, rejoicing (see 23.5; 45.7); Anderson and others think it indicates strengthening, empowering; Briggs believes it has to do with a celebration of victory. The literal rendering “you poured fresh oil over me” (Revised Standard Version; similarly New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible) conveys no sensible meaning to readers today.

Verse 11 in Hebrew is somewhat wordy and confused: “my eye saw my enemies, my ear heard (of) the wicked who rise up against me.” The word translated enemies occurs only here in the Old Testament; it is taken to be an alternate form of the word which means “enemy, foe” (see 5.8). The meaning of the verse seems clear enough, and most translations render the text as do Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. For language similar to that in line a, see 54.7b. In languages in which a noun phrase such as downfall of my enemies will have to be shifted to a verb phrase, it may be necessary to introduce God as the agent of the actions; for example, “I have seen God defeat my enemies.” In line b the psalmist speaks of having heard the cries of defeat sounded by his evil attackers. Good News Translation fails to represent the first personal pronoun; “my wicked foes” would be better. Or else something like Biblia Dios Habla Hoy will serve: “I shall see how my enemies fall; I shall hear the complaints of those evil men!”

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 .

Psalm 92: Layer by Layer

The following are presentations by the Psalms: Layer by Layer project, run by Scriptura . The first is an overview and the second an introduction into the exegesis of Psalm 92.


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Copyright © Scriptura