complete verse (Psalm 71:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 71:13:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let my accusers be destroyed in shame,
    those who want to hurt me
    let them put on an insult and shame.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May those who keep accusing me
    be defeated with shame
    and destroyed.
    May those who keep trying to kill me have to live in disgrace,
    and may they be ashamed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that those (who) accuse me will-be-put-to-shame and will-be-destroyed.
    May-it-be that those (who) want/desire/would-like to harm me, will-be-put-to-shame and will-be-mocked.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Would you give people who brings slander against me to die in shame,
    would you give people who wanted to beat me,
    to be covered with shame.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Maadui zangu wote,
    waibishwe, waangamizwe.
    Ambao wanataka kuniumiza,
    waibishwe, waibike.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Cause those who accuse me/say that I have done things that are wrong to be defeated and destroyed;
    cause those who want to harm me to be shamed and disgraced.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 71:12 - 71:13

The psalmist joins his plea for God’s help (verse 12) to a denunciation of his enemies (verse 13), an affirmation of his trust in God (verse 14), and a promise to praise him for his goodness (verses 15-16).

For the language of verse 12a, see 22.1b; 38.21b. Except for the divine name, verse 12b is identical with 40.13b (see also 22.19; 40.17). In some languages it is impossible to say my God, since God cannot be possessed like ordinary physical objects. In such cases it is often necessary to shift to a relative clause; for example, “God, whom I worship” or “God, whom I serve.”

The language of verse 13 is similar to that of 40.14. My accusers translates “the accusers of my nefesh” (see 3.2); the verb “accuse” is the same one translated “are my adversaries” in 38.20b. In English “attack” (Good News Translation) may be taken to mean a physical action, so it is better to translate “accuse, slander, denounce.”

Put to shame is translated “defeated” in Good News Translation (see comments on 6.10b); and instead of the Masoretic text consumed, some translations prefer to follow some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac, which have “be dishonored” (as in 35.4; 40.14; 70.2; see New English Bible). In languages which do not use passive constructions, it will be necessary to shift be put to shame and consumed to active constructions; for example, “defeat them and destroy them.”

With scorn and disgrace may they be covered (“be shamed and disgraced”) translates “be covered with reproach and disgrace” (see similar language in 35.26d).

Hurt here is not necessarily physical; something like “harm, damage, ruin,” conveys the sense of the word.

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 .