inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps 122:2)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai translation uses the inclusive pronoun. The Adamawa Fulfulde translation uses the exclusive pronoun.

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

complete verse (Psalm 122:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 122:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Our feet are standing in the gates
    yours, You Jerusalem.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O Jerusalem,
    We are standing inside your gates.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “And now, we (excl.) are- already -standing at the gate of Jerusalem.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Jerusalem, our feet stand
    at your gates.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Sasa hivi tupo tumesimama,
    ndani katika ua wako, ee Yerusalemu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “And now we are here,
    standing inside the gates/ city of Jerusalem.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 122:1 - 122:2

The psalm opens with a statement of the joy the psalmist felt when he was asked to join his friends on the pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem (verse 1); the occasion would have been one of the three major annual festivals. If the indefinite they said needs to be modified, something like “I was glad when my friends (or, companions) said to me….” Bible en français courant uses the indefinite “someone said to me”; or the passive voice can be used, “… when I was invited to go to the house of the LORD.” Some, however, translate line b not as an invitation but as a statement, “We are going to the house of the Lord” (Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible); in this case “We” includes the psalmist as the person spoken to. It seems better to translate as an invitation, as do the majority. The house of the LORD is the Temple in Jerusalem, and this may need to be made explicit.

In verse 2 the psalmist addresses Jerusalem directly (see Revised Standard Version); he has now arrived in the city. Good News Translation has represented the meaning by use of a declarative statement; but if direct address to the city is meaningful, then it may be used in translation. The verb can be understood as referring to past time, “(Our feet) stood (or, were standing)” (so Dahood, New Jerusalem Bible). It seems preferable to take it as Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, New American Bible, and others have done, “We are standing.” Revised Standard Version have been standing implies they have been there quite some time. Bible en français courant has “At last our feet stand in your house, Jerusalem,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “At last our feet are standing at your gates, Jerusalem!” In some languages it is necessary to mark clearly the transition from the invitation in verse 1 to the arrival at the Temple in verse 2; for example, “Let us go to the LORD’s house. We went there, and now we are standing inside….”

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 .