In the first part of this verse the psalmist confesses himself to be free of all “pride” (my heart is not lifted up) and “arrogance” (my eyes are not raised too high); see similar language in 18.27; 101.5. Expressions of pride are rendered by many idiomatic terms; for example, the translator may render line a “I am not a person with a swollen heart” or “I do not have big thoughts about myself.”

It is not easy to determine precisely what the psalmist means in the last part of this verse. He writes: “I do not walk in things too great or wonderful for me.” Good News Translation “great matters” and “subjects to difficult” is a possible interpretation; New Jerusalem Bible has “I do not aspire to great things or to what is beyond me”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “I do not attempt great and extraordinary accomplishments which are beyond my reach”; another possible version is “affairs which are too great or too difficult for me.” It is possible to infer from this that the psalmist was a man of some importance and power; Dahood believes he was the king. I do not occupy myself with things too great or Good News Translation‘s “I am not concerned with great matters” may sometimes be rendered “I do not try to do things that are too difficult for me.” Good News Translation‘s “subjects too difficult” may sometimes be rendered “I do not think about things that are for wise old men” or, stated positively, “I think only about things that are simple.” It is possible that the Hebrew term translated (things) … too marvelous refers to God’s great deeds, so that the psalmist is saying he does not attempt to deal with God’s wonderful deeds, which are beyond his comprehension. This interpretation is not defended by many.

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 .