psalm 139:13

[System_1]

Young’s Literal Translation

13For Thou – Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou dost cover me in my mother’s belly.

(New American Standard Bible)

13For You (A)formed my inward parts;
You (B)wove me in my mother’s womb.

(New International Version)

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Douay-Rheims

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother’s womb.

Which translation is correct? Is this verse referring to God creating the writer in the womb i.e knitting him together or protecting him i.e covering him? I noticed all the translations have either one or the other translation, so I was curious what you all thought about it.

 

[Manfred]

Young’s Literal Translation

(New American Standard Bible)

(New International Version)

Douay-Rheims

Which translation is correct? Is this verse referring to God creating the writer in the womb i.e knitting him together or protecting him i.e covering him? I noticed all the translations have either one or the other translation, so I was curious what you all thought about it.

As you may know, this verse is often cited as proof that there IS life “from (the time I was in) my mother’s womb.”

“Reins” is an archaic term referring to the kidneys (think “renal”), once thought to be the center of our inner self.

Oddly enough, I think any of these renderings captures the essence fairly well.