Original vs. Universal Meaning of the Psalms

One of the main themes discussed recently in class has been the difference between the original and interpreted meaning of the psalms. I find this notion to be of particular interest because it really illustrates how a text can be manipulated in order to justify certain contemporary attitudes. The differences between the Alter and colonial translations of psalm 2 display this type of manipulation, showing how the colonists translated the psalms in order to justify their taking of foreign lands.

In the colonial translation of psalm 2, the language chosen is significant in justifying their intentions. The use of words like "heathens" serves to delegitimize the non-believers of their religion. As we have noted in class, "heathens" is not the exact original meaning of the text, but rather and interpretation of the original meaning. This shows how the colonists took an old text and changed it to serve their own purposes and motivate their audience.

It is this specific case of translation that raises some interesting questions about religious text. Religious texts are considered to be very sacred and absolute in the eyes of the church goers. They are meant to be read as older texts that can apply to universal situations. But these differences in translation show that sometimes these texts can be manipulated and changed to serve other purposes. It is with this in mind that religious texts should be read and studied in order to find the original meanings behind what is being read today.