complete verse (Psalm 94:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 94:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Can He who made the ear not be able to hear?
    Can He who made the eye not be able to see?” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He who gave you the ear, does He not hear (you)?
    He who gave you the eye, does He not see (you)?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “The God who made our (incl.) ears and eyes, can- he not -hear and see us (incl.)?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “God made our ears, would he not hear?
    God made our eyes, would he be blind?” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ambaye aliumba masikio, je, hawezi kusikia?
    Ambaye aliumba macho, je, hawezi kuona?” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God made our ears;
    so do you think that he cannot hear what you say?
    He created our eyes;
    so do you think that he cannot see the evil things that you do?” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 94:8 - 94:9

The psalmist rebukes the evil Israelite leaders for their stupidity. As often, this is lack of spiritual perception, not a lack of intelligence. The Hebrew for verse 8a is a command, as in Revised Standard Version, while verse 8b is a rhetorical question. Good News Translation has made both lines rhetorical questions. Good News Translation‘s “My people” is too mild an expression to fit the context of rebuke being uttered by the psalmist. “You evil people” would be a more appropriate address form. Good News Translation “stupid fools” translates the Hebrew for dullest and Fools, two words used also in 92.6.

How can these people think that God will not see them or take notice of what they do (verse 7), when he is himself the Creator, who planted the ears and formed the eyes? (See comments on 33.15, “fashions the hearts.”) Indeed God hears and sees. Where rhetorical questions may be misunderstood as requests for information, it may be better to use strong assertions: “Of course God hears! … Of course God sees!” Such assertions will also avoid the danger posed by the Good News Translation rhetorical questions in verses 9 and 10, which may be understood as statements of despair or frustration.

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 .