complete verse (Psalm 49:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:10:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “For all see that all wise people die;
    the stupid and (those) without wisdom alike perish
    and they leave their wealth to other people.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Like fools and people who lack wisdom
    wise people also have to die,
    and will have to leave their wealth and property
    behind for their descendants.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “For all can-see that even wise/bright-(people/men) die, the-same also (are) the foolish ones and senseless/stupid ones.
    And when they (are) now dead they will- just -leave their wealth to others.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “For all people see that wise people die,
    and people who are fools die,
    and leave their wealth to other people.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wote wanajua kuwa wenye hekima wanakufa,
    wapumbavu na wajinga kama hivyo hivyo.
    Wote wanawaachia mali yao wengine.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “We see that foolish and stupid people die, but we see that wise people also die;
    they all leave their wealth, and others inherit it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 49:10 - 49:11

The universality of death is such an obvious fact as to dispense with all comment. But the psalmist’s point is that riches are not permanent, and so people should rather put their faith in God. The wise … the fool and the stupid all must die, and their wealth goes to others (verse 10), while they themselves remain in Their graves forever (verse 11a-b).

In verse 11a Their graves (in Hebrew qibram) is the text supported by the ancient versions; the Masoretic text is qirbam “their inner (thoughts).” Practically all modern translations and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project favor the versional text. Line b in Hebrew is exactly parallel to line a.

In line c the Hebrew is a bit obscure, but most commentators and translators agree that the meaning is that expressed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Named lands their own probably refers to obtaining land through a legal transfer of ownership. It is equivalent to saying “though they once held title to their own lands.” Translators should use the expression that indicates legal ownership of land; for example, “though they ate in agreement on the land they acquired.” New Jerusalem Bible sees not the idea of wealth, property, but of importance: “of those once famous on earth.” In some languages it may be more effective to imitate Bible en français courant and place as the first line of verse 11, “Even though they had lands of their own, their graves….”

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 .