complete verse (Psalm 78:53)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 78:53:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He led them properly so that they had no fear
    but the lake sank their enemies.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Taking good care of them, He brought them along,
    So they went without fear.
    Their enemies were just swallowed by the sea.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He guided them, therefore they were- not -afraid.
    But their enemies were-drowned in the sea.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He showed them way well, so that they will not afraid,
    but instead, the sea swallowed their enemies.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Akawaongoza vizuri, hawakuwa na hofu,
    lakini bahari ikawafunika maadui zao.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He led them safely, and they were not afraid, but their enemies were drowned in the sea.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

Honorary "are" construct denoting God (“lead/guide”)

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, michibik-are-ru (導かれる) or “lead/guide” is used.

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

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Psalm 78:52 - 78:53

In verses 52-55 the psalmist gives a succinct account of the exodus from Egypt, the journey through the wilderness, the entry into Canaan, and the settlement of the tribes in the conquered land.

In verse 52 like sheep and like a flock are rendered by Good News Translation by the single “like a shepard,” applying the figure to God. Three different verbs are used in verses 52a-b, 53a for “guide, lead, drive (like a flock).” Verse 53b refers to the crossing of the sea and the drowning of the Egyptians (see verse 13). In languages in which the herding of sheep is familiar, the figurative language in this verse will normally be clear. However, in many languages some recasting will be necessary. If possible the figure of sheep should be maintained. Where pastoral care of sheep is unknown, it may be better to shift to a different simile; for example, “he led his people out of Egypt like a chief and guided them through the desert.” It is also possible to drop the shepherd image and say, for example, “he led his people out of Egypt and guided them through the desert.”

The expression the sea overwhelmed or Good News Translation‘s “came rolling over” may not suggest in some languages that the enemies were actually drowned by the sea. Therefore it may be necessary to say, for example, “but the sea drowned their enemies” or “but their enemies were drowned in the sea.”

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 .