Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Psalm 1:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:6:

  • Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
    “For Jehovah watches over the movements of righteous people,
    but the movements of wicked people will perish.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “For the Lord cares for those who follow
    the path of the righteous.
    But those who follow the way
    of the wicked will be destroyed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “For the Lord guides/leads the righteous-ones
    but the way-of-living of the wicked brings them to destruction.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Whatever person does not follow the teaching of the evil person,
    or does not do according to what the sinner does, or does not follow/imitate those
    those who customarily mock God, surely that person receives blessing.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Because the Lord watches the way of good people,
    but, the way of bad people will end in death.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • West African language:
    “God will show his good ways to the ones at his back,
    but he will let sinners follow the way to perdition.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. )
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Kwa maana Bwana anazilinda njia za wanyofu,
    lakini njia za waovu ziko karibu kuangamizwa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “because he guides and protects righteous people,
    but the path that the wicked walk on leads them to where they will be destroyed/punished by God forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 1:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:1:

  • Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
    “Blessed (is) a person.
    who does not follow the counsel of sinful people,
    or stand in the path of wicked people,
    or sit in the groups of scornful people.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Blessed is the person
    who does not follow evil people,
    who does not follow the path of sinners,
    who does not go along with those
    who keep on belittling others.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Blessed is the man/person who does- not -live in the guidance/advice of the wicked people,
    does- not -follow what the sinners do,
    and does- not -join-with the people who mock/ridicule.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Whatever person does not follow the teaching of the evil person,
    or does not do according to what the sinner does, or does not follow/imitate those
    those who customarily mock God, surely that person receives blessing.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Blessed be the person
    who does not follow the instructions of bad people,
    or who does not follow the way of sinners,
    or does not stay with people who mock God.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • West African language:
    “If you want to be truly happy do not hear the advice of bad people,
    do not walk in the feet of those who refuse God?
    Do not live in the compound of those who spoil God’s name.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. )
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Amebarikiwa ambaye hayafuati maneno ya waovu,
    ambaye haendi katika njia za watenda dhambi,
    ambaye hakai katika ambao wanadharau.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “God is pleased with those who do not do what wicked people advise them to do,
    and who do not imitate the behavior of sinful people,
    and who do not join in with people who ridicule/sneer at God.” (Source: Translation for Translators)