Although both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have four printed lines, verse 1 is best analyzed as a tricolon, or three-line verse, following the same pattern as verses 2-6. For example, “I said, ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue / I will put a muzzle on my mouth / so long as the wicked are in my presence.’ ” There is characteristic focusing in the second line which carries the meaning of “more than that, I will even put a muzzle over my mouth.” The function of the third line is to reveal something about the significance of the first two.
The psalmist had resolved not to say anything, not to complain to God about his suffering (see Job’s silence, Job 1.22; 2.10), especially in the presence of the wicked, who would use the occasion to pour out their scorn on the suffering man and raise doubts about the goodness of God.
In line a I will guard my ways means “I will watch how I behave” (New Jerusalem Bible), “I will keep close watch over myself” (New English Bible), with particular reference to his vow to keep quiet. In some languages it will be clearer for the reader if the quotation is addressed to someone. Here it appears to be to the writer himself. Therefore one may say “I said to myself.” Or else one may follow Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, “I had promised to be careful about my behavior and not sin with my tongue.” The expression sin with my tongue will require some adjustment in some languages; for example, “I will not let the words I speak cause me to sin” or “I will not say sinful things.”
Line c has a word that appears nowhere else in the Old Testament, “muzzle, bridle,” a picturesque description of the psalmist’s firm resolve to keep silent. In English it is more natural to speak of a “muzzle” rather than a bridle on one’s mouth: “I will keep a muzzle on my mouth” (New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Translators who are attempting to keep poetic images will need to find a receptor language equivalent for I will bridle my mouth. The context makes it clear that the term refers to keeping silence, not to subjection, as a bridle may imply. In some languages this is expressed “I will keep my hand on my lips” or “I will tie my lips.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .