David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Translation commentary on Psalm 142:1 - 142:2

The psalm opens with the psalmist’s cry to Yahweh for help. The Hebrew I cry with my voice means the psalmist is praying aloud; so New Jerusalem Bible has “I cry aloud … I appeal … loudly” (also New English Bible, New American Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). The two lines of verse 1 are semantically and syntactically parallel, with no intensification.

Verse 2 likewise presents two lines which are semantically parallel. However, for the purpose of avoiding monotony in Hebrew, line b reverses the word order of line a. Again there is no intensification in the movement from the first to the second line. In languages in which these verses appear to be overly repetitive, it may be necessary to reduce them to one line each. The psalmist’s complaint and trouble are those he describes in verses 3c-4, 6c-7, that is, the persecution by his enemies, which is spoken of in general terms, without any specific details.

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 .