complete verse (Psalm 39:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 39:1:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “I said, ‘I will take care of my paths
    and I will keep my tongue so that I do not sin;
    I will close my mouth with a lid
    all the time the wicked is before me.’” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “I said to myself,
    ‘I will examine carefully the work that I do,
    and I will not allow sin to be uttered by/from my mouth.
    When in the presence of evil people I will be keeping my mouth shut.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “I said to myself/[lit. my own self],
    ‘I will- carefully -watch my behavior,
    and I will-avoid sinning in my speech.
    I will- surely -keep my mouth from complaining to God
    while the wicked men (are) there beside me.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “I think in my heart like this: "I must be careful about the things I do, and my tongue doesn’t want to speak any kind of sin." So I close my mouth and remain silent, not wanting to say anything when wicked people are near me.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “I say that, ‘I will watch my ways
    and I will not destroy with my mouth.
    I will not talk,
    in all days when I stay with people who are bad."” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Niliongea nilisema, ‘Nitazichunga njia zangu,
    nisije kutenda dhambi kwa usemi wangu.
    Nitanuna sana,
    wakati wabaya wako karibu na mimi.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I said to myself, ‘I will be careful not to sin by the things that I say.
    I will not say anything to complain
    while wicked people are near to me and can hear me.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on Psalm 39:1

Although both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have four printed lines, verse 1 is best analyzed as a tricolon, or three-line verse, following the same pattern as verses 2-6. For example, “I said, ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue / I will put a muzzle on my mouth / so long as the wicked are in my presence.’ ” There is characteristic focusing in the second line which carries the meaning of “more than that, I will even put a muzzle over my mouth.” The function of the third line is to reveal something about the significance of the first two.

The psalmist had resolved not to say anything, not to complain to God about his suffering (see Job’s silence, Job 1.22; 2.10), especially in the presence of the wicked, who would use the occasion to pour out their scorn on the suffering man and raise doubts about the goodness of God.

In line a I will guard my ways means “I will watch how I behave” (New Jerusalem Bible), “I will keep close watch over myself” (New English Bible), with particular reference to his vow to keep quiet. In some languages it will be clearer for the reader if the quotation is addressed to someone. Here it appears to be to the writer himself. Therefore one may say “I said to myself.” Or else one may follow Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, “I had promised to be careful about my behavior and not sin with my tongue.” The expression sin with my tongue will require some adjustment in some languages; for example, “I will not let the words I speak cause me to sin” or “I will not say sinful things.”

Line c has a word that appears nowhere else in the Old Testament, “muzzle, bridle,” a picturesque description of the psalmist’s firm resolve to keep silent. In English it is more natural to speak of a “muzzle” rather than a bridle on one’s mouth: “I will keep a muzzle on my mouth” (New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Translators who are attempting to keep poetic images will need to find a receptor language equivalent for I will bridle my mouth. The context makes it clear that the term refers to keeping silence, not to subjection, as a bridle may imply. In some languages this is expressed “I will keep my hand on my lips” or “I will tie my lips.”

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 .