mercy

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin terms that are typically translated as “mercy” (or “compassion” or “kindness”) in English are translated in various ways. Bratcher / Nida classify them in (1) those based on the quality of heart, or other psychological center, (2) those which introduce the concept of weeping or extreme sorrow, (3) those which involve willingness to look upon and recognize the condition of others, or (4) those which involve a variety of intense feelings.

While the English mercy originates from the Latin merces, originally “price paid,” Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Corsican, Catalan) and other Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Danish — Barmherzigkeit, barmhärtighet and barmhjertighed, respectively) tend to follow the Latin misericordia, lit. “misery-heart.”

Here are some other (back-) translations:

See also steadfast love.

steadfast love

The Hebrew that is translated as “steadfast love,” “lovingkindness” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “love of enduring.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bura-Pabir it is translated as hyirkur na a palidzi wa or “love which cannot be-changed” and in the Hausa Common Language Ajami Bible as kaunarsa marar canjawa or “his love without changing.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In Pijin tinghevi long or “think heavy about” is used. “The Pijin expression ‘think heavy about’ is very much within the domain of committed relationships. The relationship between father and child, husband and wife, God and His people. There is a very strong element of ‘loyalty’ in this expression.” (Source: Bob Carter)

See also mercy and pain-love.

Translation commentary on Psalm 144:1 - 144:2

The psalm opens with praise to Yahweh; for Blessed be … my rock see 18.46, and for rock as a metaphor for God, see comments on 18.2 (the “third” metaphor). Yahweh is the one who gives the king strength and skill in battle (verse 1b-c); the two lines are parallel and synonymous: my hands … my fingers and war … battle (see similar language in 18.34a). In languages in which the metaphor will be fully meaningful, it is possible to retain the image of the rock, or to combine the image with its meaning; for example, “he protects me like a rock.” It may be desirable in some languages to reduce lines b and c to a single line.

In verse 2 the psalmist uses language similar to that in 18.2: the first metaphor my rock (Good News Translation “my protector”) follows the text of 18.2 (also 2 Sam 22.2); the Hebrew text here has “my steadfast love,” which New Jerusalem Bible translates “my faithful one,” New Jerusalem Bible “my faithful love,” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “my ally,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “my faithful friend,” and Bible en français courant “my assurance.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project translates the Hebrew term “my loyal help, my protection.” (If nothing else, the various translations of this one Hebrew word demonstrate that translation is not an exact mechanical performance.) Good News Translation‘s noun phrases “my protector” and “my … defender” may have to be recast in some languages as verb phrases; for instance, “the one who protects me” and “the one who defends me.”

The next three metaphors (as in Revised Standard Version) are also used in 18.2: fortress (number two in the comments on 18.2), stronghold (number six), shield (number four); and deliverer and he in whom I take refuge are also used in 18.2. Good News Translation has not attempted to provide a separate word for each metaphor, since they are all so closely synonymous.

In the last line of verse 2, the Masoretic text has “my people”; many Hebrew manuscripts have “peoples” (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers the form of the Masoretic text and says that there are two possible interpretations of it: “(he gives me power) over my people” or “(he gives me power) over the peoples.” One form of the text has “under me,” another form has “under him” (which An American Translation and Revised Standard Version prefer); most translations, like Good News Translation, prefer “under me.” See similar language in 18.47b (and 2 Sam 22.48b). If the translator follows Good News Translation‘s “subdues the nations under me,” it may be necessary in some languages to make explicit the resulting relation of the subjected nations to the king; for example, “He defeats the other nations and puts them under my power” or “He defeats the other nations and gives them to me to rule.”

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 .