world (Chinese)

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “world” in English is translated in Mandarin Chinese with shìjiè (世界). While shìjiè is now the commonly used term for “world” in Chinese, it was popularized as such by Chinese Bible translations. (Source: Mak 2017, p. 241ff.)

See also world.

shake / rock

In Gbaya, the noise of being shaken or rocked is emphasized with ɗirr, an ideophone that expresses a distant thud; or a continuous thud in the distance like thunder or an earthquake.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

complete verse (Psalm 98:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 98:7:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let the lake roar together with everything that is in it,
    the whole world and all who stay in it.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Let the sea and every creature in it
    shout praise to Him!
    And to the earth and all who live there
    sing praise to Him with a loud voice!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Let- the earth -rejoice and all who dwell/live in it,
    including the sea and all that (is) in it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (sing.) let the sea and all things which are inside to shout with happiness,
    let all people of earth to shout with joy.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ewe bahari, uvume, na vyote ambavyo vimo,
    nchi yote na ambao wanakaa humo.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “The oceans and all the creatures that are in the oceans should roar to praise Yahweh.
    Everyone on the earth should sing!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Psalm 98:7 - 98:9

The psalm closes with an invitation for all creation to join in praising Yahweh: sea, world, floods and hills (see similar passage in 96.11-13). Verse 7a is exactly like 96.11b. In Hebrew there is no verb in verse 7b; Good News Translation has supplied “sing” as a synonym of “Roar” in line a. Revised Standard Version uses the third person imperative Let in verses 7-8; Good News Translation uses the second person imperative, directly addressing the various parts of the world.

Clap their hands in verse 8a translates a Hebrew verb used only here and in Isaiah 55.12 and Ezekiel 25.6 (in 47.1 a different verb is used). Verses 7-8 are filled with personifications which are problematic in many languages, particularly when an inanimate object is commanded to perform human actions. These may sometimes be shifted to similes, as suggested in 96.11.

The phrase before the LORD in the Hebrew text is at the beginning of verse 9; Good News Translation has placed it at the end of verse 8, since it goes with the verb sing. For a discussion of the verb translated judge (“rule”) see 96.13. Verse 9a (as arranged in Good News Translation) provides the reason for the preceding imperatives. In some languages it will be clearer to state the reason before the commands of verses 7-8. Judge the earth in some languages will have to be shifted to “the people of the earth,” in spite of the personifications in verses 7-8.

Although verse 9c-d resembles 96.13c-d closely, equity translates a different word from the one used in 96.13d; it is used in 96.10c and is a close synonym of tsedeq, righteousness.

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 .