Some questions on translating Psalms

shark tacos

I had a few questions on translating Psalms:

1) can folks recommend any recent critical commentaries (I have the 'Anchor' and 'Biblical' already)?

2) what are some good books that discuss issues in translating Hebrew poetry?

3) It seems to me the biggest issue is retaining the beauty and emotional poignancy of these prayers. Any advice?

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Vincent Setterholm

I posted a blog, or blogged a post, a bit back that rounded up some pre-pubs that had good materials for working with Hebrew Poetry:

http://blog.logos.com/archives/2010/03/the_other_third_of_the_hebrew_bible.html

From that list, the Hebrew Studies Collection is the one I'm most excited about for poetry helps. The BHS Helps Collection is shipping soon.

It's not in Logos format yet, but Patrick Miller's Interpreting the Psalms is a fairly friendly introduction. If you have time or inclination to dig into some of the specialist literature, the Studies on Psalms looks interesting.

Daniel Lee

I had a few questions on translating Psalms:

1) can folks recommend any recent critical commentaries (I have the 'Anchor' and 'Biblical' already)?

2) what are some good books that discuss issues in translating Hebrew poetry?

3) It seems to me the biggest issue is retaining the beauty and emotional poignancy of these prayers. Any advice?

For #1, I'm assuming you mean "Word Biblical"? Those are pretty good. See also Goldingay's volumes in the Baker OT Commentary on Wisdom and Psalms, for both #1 and #2.

Nord Zootman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131702#Comment_131702

It's not in Logos (hopefully someday) but Road Maps for the Psalms by George Zemek is good for seeing outlines and patterns of thought.

Fred Chapman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131707#Comment_131707

I found the following resource very helpful in reading and interpreting the bible, including the Psalms

http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/H2RBBLWORTH

MJ. Smith

2) what are some good books that discuss issues in translating Hebrew poetry?

I'll take this as an excuse to plug the following for inclusion in Logos: Adele Berlin's The Dynamics of Biblical Parallelism and Pierre Grelot's The Language of Symbolism: Biblical Theology,
Semantics, And Exegesis

JimTowler

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131699#Comment_131699

... good materials for working with Hebrew Poetry ...

Using Vincent's line as a lead-in ...

While not an answer to the original question, the ESV Study Bible has some good notes to Introduce the concepts of Hebrew Poetry.

In part, it talks of rhythm and sounds, and comments that they get lost in translation.

Just saying, for people like me that might read this thread, but don't intend to go translate it themselves. ESV Study Bible notes are in Logos Prepub, but I have the paper and Kindle versions, and Logos one on order.