In general, 80% of the time, the English translation is a very faithful rendering of the original languages.
However its strange choice of wording YHWH as the capitalised LORD occasionally messes things up.
For instance, Psalm 91:2 reads:
'I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."'
If we make some adjustments to the translation above to be more conservative towards the original language, we will see it read:
'I will say to YHWH, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."'
The modification captures the nuance more because terms LORD and God has almost become interchangeable.
But the simple rendering above shows the real gist of the Psalmist intentions. He is declaring YHWH as his God and not Baal. He declares that YHWH is his refuge and not anything else. The use of YHWH's name in the Hebrew personalises who the Psalmist is talking about. Not God as in a general concept of God but YHWH, the God who revealed Himself.
However its strange choice of wording YHWH as the capitalised LORD occasionally messes things up.
For instance, Psalm 91:2 reads:
'I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."'
If we make some adjustments to the translation above to be more conservative towards the original language, we will see it read:
'I will say to YHWH, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."'
The modification captures the nuance more because terms LORD and God has almost become interchangeable.
But the simple rendering above shows the real gist of the Psalmist intentions. He is declaring YHWH as his God and not Baal. He declares that YHWH is his refuge and not anything else. The use of YHWH's name in the Hebrew personalises who the Psalmist is talking about. Not God as in a general concept of God but YHWH, the God who revealed Himself.
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