Bible Study: Psalm 19

Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. KJV
I think there is a big difference in the translation of this verse. The bold texts were added. While the NASB and Chinese Union translations took the original meaning:
Psa 19:3 无言无语,也无声音可听。
Psa 19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

I take note of this because Stephen Tong famously used it to refer to radio wave and I think that is a good one. I believe also that the original text intended the text to be without those added words and not the new meaning. The added words though make sense, oversimplify the whole passage. So God's glory is seen in the visible and audible, so what? But if we go with the original meaning - even the invisible and the inaudible - God's glory and statutes are recognized as well.

Though one is not wrong, but one interpretation is definitely more superior than the other one, both in originality and in meaning.

I heard Tong spoke of how the Chinese Union translation came about, 90+ scholars, and spent on the average, 11 hours, for each verse's translation. Remarkable indeed.

v.7-10:
PS: It's likely v.9b is connected to v10-11, as the Chinese translation alluded. It also likely act as summary including all of the above (law, testimony, statutes, etc.)

Loader Loading...
EAD Logo Taking too long?

Reload Reload document
| Open Open in new tab

v.9 This fear of the Lord, is even in the Messiah (Isa 11:2-3) and it delights Him. Fear with the right recognition, pure, no ulterior motives. The Chinese's translation 道理 is the only translation that's a bit off here. I don't know why.

This entry was posted in Theologization. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.