complete verse (Psalm 75:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 75:3:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “When the earth and all its people tremble,
    I am (the one) who upholds its pillars strongly.
    Selah” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “When the earth quakes and the people and the earth tremble,
    I will give support to its foundations.
    Interlude” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “When the earth shakes and its residents tremble in fear, I will-be-the-one (who) will-strengthen its foundation.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “When the land is shaking with its people,
    I am the one who hold its pillars firmly.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ijapokuwa nchi na ambavyo vimo vinatetemeka,
    ni mimi nimezisimamisha vizuri nguzo zake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “When the earth shakes
    and all the creatures on the earth tremble,
    I am the one who will keep its foundations steady/prevent it from being destroyed.
    (Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)

1st person pronoun referring to God (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also pronoun for “God”.

Translation commentary on Psalm 75:2 - 75:3

In verses 2-5 God speaks; in the worship service in the Temple these words were probably spoken by a prophet or a priest. This psalm may cause translators problems due to the switching of speakers. Therefore it is important to keep clear the pronominal references when pronouns are used. In order to make clear the change in verse 2 to God as speaker, it will often be necessary to begin by inserting “God says:…” or by following Good News Translation.

God announces the coming judgment, which will take place At the set time, that is, at the time he chooses. Then he will judge with equity (see comments on 9.8; 67.4).

The language suggests a final judgment, when the earth and its inhabitants “dissolve” (Revised Standard Version totters) in fear; the same verb is translated “melts” in 46.6b. Good News Translation uses two synonymous verbs, “tremble” for the inhabitants of the world (literally “those dwelling in it,” which probably includes all living creatures, and not just human beings), and “be shaken” for the earth. Many languages will prefer the active of Revised Standard Version the earth totters rather than the Good News Translation passive.

The last line of verse 3 is literally “I have adjusted its pillars,” in the sense of make firm, keep steady. The pillars of the earth were thought of as the mountains, which reached down to the underworld, where they were based, and which supported the surface of the earth (see 24.2 and comments). In some languages the clause “though every creature…” or “even if every creature…” will be placed after the clause “I will keep its foundations.”

For Selah see 3.2.

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 .