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for all your help. Although neither of the two suggested terms were used, I am grateful for the input. This was a poetic translation, where both meaning and rhythm had to be considered, which meant that it could not be a straight translation with rigorous adherence to the exact translation of terms.
564354352 (X)
Denmark
The gist
10:21 May 7, 2013
I think the gist of the verse is that life is not always easy, but keep believing in God and walk with him, then you will reach the goal in the end. The 'run the good race' story ...
564354352 (X)
Denmark
Hmmm
10:19 May 7, 2013
Paths where God is not present would need an 'ej' before 'tør', as in 'Veje Gud ej tør kende'. And it would seem contradictory to say 'be bold when you walk along paths where God is not present, even if it means you don't reach your target until you get to heaven'. That would be like saying 'God is always there, so be bold and continue along whatever path you are on, even if God is not present, because he will redeem you in the end', which is contrary to general Christian belief, I think.
I have seen the translation you refer to, and it communicates the meaning well. I would like to be closer to the literal text as this is a personal note from one friend to another. I was wondering if "når du går, veje Gud tör kende" could mean "when you are going down paths where God does not seem present". I came across this article by Finn Erik Vinje, a well-known Norwegian linguist, and he has also had problems with this term: http://www.finnerikvinje.no/blog/?p=15276
564354352 (X)
Denmark
Traditionally sung at funerals
09:30 May 7, 2013
Don't know whether this may be of interest to you, but it does say something about the meaning of this particular verse of the hymn, that it is traditionally sung at funerals, i.e. when the deceased has come to 'verdens ende', at least the world as they knew it. So, it is seen as some kind of encouragement, i.e. that you reach 'målet', the target when you pass on to eternal life, and that life's struggles are now over.
564354352 (X)
Denmark
As I said, tricky
09:23 May 7, 2013
I agree - God does not 'need' to know anything (he already knows everything), nor is there any point in 'allowing' him to know (for the same reason, he already knows). I have always understood this to mean 'do not fear when you walk along a righteous path, be bold and continue even if you don't reach the goal until the end of life' (i.e. until you get to heaven). But that is not in the least bit as poetic as the original and beautiful words.
Just googled 'altid frejdig når du går', and I came across this interesting (if not at all literal) translation (second song from the top):
Thank you for your suggestion, Gitte. It is certainly a better term than "dare" or "have the courage to". Your reference is interesting. I found under item 8.1 that it means "behøve" (need). This was in 1867, and the psalm was written in 1867. Still I wonder, since God is "everywhere", if either term conveys the actual meaning of the psalm.
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Answers
18 mins confidence:
allow
Explanation: Present tense of the verb 'turde', obviously used in an old form in this lovely old hymn.
Turde today means 'to have the courage to'.
Tricky, but as you may deduct from the quoted web reference, in this old usage, it means that something is allowed. In this hymn, it means that you should always be bold when you walk a path where you have nothing to hide, i.e. you are confident to 'allow' God to know your path.
Scroll down to item 6.2, which includes a reference to the quoted lines from this hymn.
Explanation: The stanza is basically saying, May peaceful be the road you travel, by the grace of God, even if you first reach your goal at the end of the world.
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