Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Ann Nyland Translates Psalm 8

Ann Nyland has translated the Psalms in a new volume published with her notes just last month (March 2, 2010).  Her translation of Psalm 8 follows (from pages 15 - 16 and page 213, which you might compare with other translations and appropriations I've been looking at recently).

8.

For the music director.  According to the gittith,26 a psalm of David.
1 Yahweh, our Adon,27
how majestic is your name throughout the earth,
you who place your magnificence upon the heavens.
2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies
you establish strength because of your enemies,
so that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers,
and see the moon and the starts, which you established,
4 what is humankind, that you should notice them,
5 and make them a little less that the elohim?28
You crown humankind with honor and magnificence,
6 you permit them to rule over works of your hands,
you have place everything under their authority,
7 including all the sheep and cattle,
as well as the beasts of the fields,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that moves through the currents of the seas.
9 Yahweh, our Adon,
how majestic is your name throughout the earth!

26  The Septuagint has, "For the end, concerning the wine presses, a psalm of David."
27  Adon, a divine name.  Used of a lord, a master, a ruler, a prophet, a priest, or a king.  Used for example as "master" in Psalm 12:4
28  Elohim, a divine name, also used for rulers, heavenly beings, divine possessions.  Not translated here as referent unknown.

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