inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Ps 2:3)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.

Translation commentary on Psalm 2:3

The rebellious kings and rulers propose to set themselves free from the dominion of Yahweh and the king of Israel. The bonds and cords are figures for “rule” and “control.” They are close synonyms and may be translated in various ways: “fetters … bonds” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible); “fetters … chains” (New English Bible); “cords … ropes” (New Jerusalem Bible). Such nonfigurative words as “rule,” “dominion,” “authority,” “control,” or “sovereignty” are equally suitable, but in some languages verbs or verbal phrases will be better than abstract nouns.

If the Revised Standard Version language is imitated, it should be clear that their bonds and their cords are the bonds and cords that Yahweh and the king of Israel have used to imprison and subdue the pagan rulers.

The parallelism of verse 3 is not to be taken as simply line b repeating line a. Line b carries a thought beyond line a, the idea being “what is more, let us get rid of their control.” Burst their bonds and cast their cords are used figuratively here, but switching to nonfigurative language may reduce the poetic impact. In many languages quoted material requires special introductory or closing forms to identify the material as a quotation. Let us burst their bonds may require recasting as direct imperatives; for example, “Break the bonds,” or with deliberate force, “We shall break the bonds.” It may be necessary to make explicit that their bonds and their cords refer to “the cords the LORD and his king have put on us.” The same applies in the nonfigurative form, where “their rule” and “their control” may require rendering “The rule of the LORD and his king over us” or “We shall free ourselves from the LORD and the king who rule and control us.”

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 .