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 and the Adamawa Fulfulde translations both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 124:7:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“Our life has been freed like a bird
that was entangled in the trap of the hunter
the trap is broken,
and we have survived.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“Like a bird saved from the hunter’s net,
we have been saved,
their net was torn and we were saved.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“We (incl.) were-able-to-escape like a bird that gets-free from a broken snare.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“and we ran like birds from a trap,
the trap was broken and we ran.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Tumepona kama vile ndege katika mtego,
mtego umekatika, tumefunguliwa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“We have escaped from our enemies like a bird escapes from the trap that hunters have set;
it is as though the trap that our enemies set for us was broken
and we have escaped from it!” (Source: Translation for Translators)
While the Greek word strouthion is certainly the name for the sparrow, the Hebrew tsippor is actually an inclusive word that refers to sparrow-sized birds in general. These small birds, especially sparrows, were caught in nets and traps and were an important part of the diet of poor people.
There are three types of sparrow that are common in Israel, the House Sparrow Passer domesticus, the Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis, and the Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus. All three are small speckled brown birds. Additional small birds that abound around towns and settlements are members of the bunting, finch, and tit families. Sparrows in particular are usually found in fairly large numbers roosting and nesting together. All are seed eaters and live mainly on grass seeds and grain.
Sparrows were considered clean birds and were associated with the poor.
Sparrows or sparrow-like small birds are found all over the world. Finding a local word is not usually difficult. The reference to “a lonely bird on the housetop” in Psalms 102:7 takes on additional meaning if the sparrow was intended, since it is a bird that is seldom seen alone. It would then indicate the psalmist’s sense of loneliness at being separated from those with whom he belongs.
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “survive,” “escape,” “save,” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) in these verses with pulumuka, describing someone whose life was in danger but who has freed himself or herself. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
In these verses the people give thanks to Yahweh for having saved them from their enemies.
For Blessed be in verse 6a, see 18.46. The enemy is compared to a wild animal whose teeth quickly kill its victim (see similar language in 7.2).
In verse 7 the enemy is compared to a hunter who sets out his trap to catch birds (see 91.3; 119.110). Revised Standard Versionfowlers is the name given those who trap birds (see comments at 91.3). The Hebrew is plural, fowlers; but it is more natural to translate by a singular, “fowler” (so most English versions). Yahweh has set his people free from their enemies: the snare is broken, and we have escaped! The language as such does not directly say that Yahweh broke the trap (the snare is broken), but that is probably implied (Briggs). It may be necessary to recast “from a hunter’s trap” to say “caught in a hunter’s trap.” Many languages have specific terms which apply to bird snares, according to their construction and according to the types of birds they are used for. A snare appropriate for small birds will be adequate. If the active is used with the LORD as the agent, it will probably be well to use it in both parts; for example, “The LORD has broken the snare and has freed us.”
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 .
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