complete verse (Psalm 135:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 135:16:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “They have mouths but they do not speak
    they have eyes, but they do not see;” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “They have mouths but are not able to speak,
    They have eyes but are not able to see.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “These have mouths, but can- not -speak,
    have eyes, but can- not -see,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They have mouths, but instead they do not speak,
    they have eyes, but they do not see,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Iko na midomo, lakini haisemi,
    iko na macho, lakini haioni.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Their idols have mouths, but they cannot say anything;
    they have eyes, but they cannot see anything.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 135:15 - 135:17

In these verses the psalmist describes the pagan idols as completely powerless and ineffective, in contrast with the all-powerful Yahweh, the God of Israel. For translation suggestions regarding idols see 31.6; 96.5; 106.38; 115.4. The nations refers, of course, to foreign nations, and must sometimes be rendered “the nations that do not worship you.” The work of men’s hands is sometimes translated as “they are things that people make.” Verses 15-17a repeat the thought and the language of 115.4-6a. Verse 17b has no parallel in 115.4-8; the meaning of nor is there any breath in their mouths is that the gods of the other nations are lifeless, inert, dead (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “They even have no life!”). The Hebrew has “mouth”; there is no need to change the text, as New English Bible does, to “nostril” (see Hebrew Old Testament Text Project).

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 .