Translation is Key: What is being put into a translation?

Q: For your next blog read the assigned psalms for Wednesday, then look at the Bay Psalm Book, for which there is a link on our Moodle site. Read Psalm 2 in the Bay Psalm Book and then also look for how another psalm that you enjoy is translated in it. For your third assigned blog you will discuss some difference or transformation that happens in this translation. How do the psalms change as they move into another social context? Support your argument with at least two citations from the Bay Psalm Book.


A: It's incredibly interesting to see the ways in which the Psalms have changed, and the ways in which they have not. After re-reading Psalm 2 in Alter's book, and then reading it in the Bay Psalm Book, a few things stood out to me. Generally, the greatest differences were in structure and in clarity of wording, however a few particular phrases stood out.

One selection that caught my eye in particular was verse 11, of the second Psalm. What surprised me was the difference in tone between the BPB version and Alter's version. The use of the word "reverence" invokes a sort of true awe, which makes this line a little bit less stern than the one in The Book Of Psalms, which reads, "Worship the LORD in fear, and exult in trembling." To me, this is much more foreboding, and far less inviting.


Another line which interesting me was verse 10, mostly because of the second line of the verse, which has a rather indecipherable word in it, but seems to read "judges."Again, perhaps this is a perspective which will be shared by none other, but the use of "judges" in the original text, as compared to the use of "rulers" in the more modern translation, brings about an entirely different image of the role of these kings in society. Granted, rulers often have ultimate authority in judgment, but judges are not usually seen as rulers.


The last verse in Psalm 2 that interested me is really one that struck a purely curious chord in me, for I'm not sure exactly what the original text might have meant, if I am indeed reading it correctly.

It's entirely possible that I'm misreading this line, but it seems to read, "Kisse yee the Sonne..." which is contrasted by, "With purity be armed..." I'm can't tell you what the difference is (besides the obvious wording), but but it seems like there's something slightly different being said here.


Next, I looked at one Psalm which I was particularly entranced by when I first read it, Psalm 8.
Aside from obvious linguistically differences between the original translation and the more modern one, a single specific line stood out.

In Alter's translation, he uses "gods" in verse 6, whereas here "Angells" is used.
These are both possible inferences of what Alter attributes the original Hebrew to be (elohim which, as Prof. Amihay mentioned, is often used as a personal name of God, written as GOD/G-D, but is actually the plural of eloha, the word for a generic god).


This all brings me to my point: Translation is key. Today in 'Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,' which Prof. Amihay teaches, he mentioned something about Alter's translations in general, which is that he has no theological leanings in his translation. In the BPB, the translators wanted the readers to enjoy and gain spiritual comfort from the words, but Alter does not care so much about this because his translations likely not intended for use in a service. I think it's really important to read different translations of ancient texts, especially religious ones, because there are always different messages to be found.