It is not certain whether the Hebrew “bloods” (Revised Standard Version bloodguiltiness) in verse 14a refers to the psalmist’s own shed blood “death” (see Revised Standard Version footnote) or to the shedding of the blood of others, “murder.” The former is the choice of Kirkpatrick, Anderson, Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Revised Standard Version footnote, New English Bible footnote; the latter the choice of Good News Translation footnote, Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation, New American Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy. Some change the Hebrew text slightly (see Oesterley, Taylor) to get “deliver me from silence,” either in the sense of the psalmist’s being silent, that is, not praising God, or else, the silence of the grave, which seems more likely. (It is assumed that Revised Standard Version bloodguiltiness, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version “bloodguilt,” New American Bible “blood guilt,” and at “blood-guiltiness” mean guilt of murder already committed, or murder yet to be committed; the expression is ambiguous.) One possible version is “from deadly sin”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translates literally and in a footnote gives three possible interpretations: (l) exempt me from having to offer sacrifices; (2) don’t allow my blood to be shed; (3) purify me from the blood I have shed. Even on the assumption that the psalm was written by David, if “bloods” refers to the murder of Uriah (so some Jewish commentators), the only possible meaning would be that the psalmist is asking forgiveness for the murder; and it seems impossible that the psalmist should ask God to keep him from murdering someone (as Briggs points out, such a meaning is not sustained by usage). On the whole it seems better to understand the words as a request that God spare the psalmist from violent and premature death (see Weiser). So Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “God, you are my savior! I deserve death, but spare me!”
Thou God of my salvation: “You are the God who saves me” (see 25.5; comments on 24.5).
Deliverance translates tsedeq (see comments on “right” in 4.1); New Jerusalem Bible “beneficence”; Revised Standard Version deliverance is possible in this context. Bible en français courant has “how you have saved me,” New Jerusalem Bible “your saving justice.” Kirkpatrick defines “righteousness” here as “His faithfulness to His character and covenant … exhibited in the pardon of the penitent.” The expression “proclaim your righteousness” in some languages must be shifted to a verb phrase; for example, “I will be glad and tell people that you are good.”
The psalmist’s request in verse 15 is to be understood as a reference to forgiveness; while unforgiven he is unable to praise God, but if God forgives him, then he will be able to praise him. A literal translation of open thou my lips could give a totally wrong impression of the psalmist’s request, which is a request that God enable him to praise. In verse 14b my tongue is used as a part for the whole person. In verse 15a-b lips and mouth again are used as images representing the whole person. The translator should examine carefully the usage of tongue, lips, and mouth to see which organ is most naturally associated with sing in verse 14c and praise in verse 15. If none is appropriate the translator may follow Good News Translation, which replaces these images with verbs.
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 .