complete verse (Psalm 49:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 49:11:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Their grave will be their houses until forever,
    their dwelling place through the time of their generations,
    even though they called places their names.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “No matter how much land
    they collect in their name,
    The grave is their eternal home,
    They will stay there forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Their burial-place/grave will-be their house without end.
    They will-live/dwell there forever/[lit. until whenever] even-though they had lands that they owned.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Their tombs will be their houses forever,
    homes in which they stay years and years,
    even though they names the nations after themselves.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Makaburi yao yanakuwa ndiyo nyumba zao milele na milele,
    makao yao siku zote,
    hata kama walijiona kuwa watu wakuu sana.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Those wise people once had houses on land that they owned,
    but now their graves are their homes forever, the place where they will stay for all time!” (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 .