Cross listing

Throughout the study of history and many other fields of study it is important to note the bias behind any piece of work prepared in regards to that discipline. Many products that have been placed in the hands of society have been stained with the opinions of other so that the creation may prosper in a better light depending on the situation that the piece is introduced in. The beginning point of one design is usually altered in many respects by the end point of the operation. With this said it is important to scrutinize many products that have been reiterated and reproduced throughout time. In this blog I will use the “Book of Psalms”, translated by Robert Alter, and the “Bay Psalm Book”, translated by Stephen Daye, in order to show how reproductions and translations of the beginning products can be manipulated to profit the social context of one time period.

                Using two texts from each of the Psalm translations I will show the difference between translations and how these differences play a role in understanding the psalms. The second psalm in both translations deals with God and how anyone who opposes his rule and religion will be smited while those who follow may reap benefits that come with the religion or way of life. A line that stands out in the text of both translations is verse eleven. In the Bay of Psalms book it is translated as so:

         In the Book of Psalms it is translated like this: “Worship the Lord in fear, and exult in trembling”. The first translation it seems as if the translator is trying to show that if a follower truly follows and serves God then there is nothing to fear. However, if you do not serve the lord then one must expect to fear the consequences. The second translation explains, at least to me, something quite different. It reveals what I believe as the opposite. This translation makes the Lord seem darker and more intimidating. This translation states that you must worship the Lord in fear and be scared indefinitely for fear of doing something wrong. Verse five in both translations deals with David telling the lord to exile all who do not follow him and the Lords wishes. Verse eleven in the first translation is as such:. In the second translation it is seen as such: “ Let them fall by their counsels for their many sins. Cast them off, for they have rebelled against you”. In the first translation it seems as if sins is more directly for the lord and in the second translation the word sin is not used. Instead it is made to seem more of stopping the rebels from rebelling against David and not the Lord himself. Translations in either text will help to serve one party over another as is in many different products that range from religion to simple theories.