In verses 5-9 the psalmist praises the power and goodness of Yahweh. For the God of Jacob in verse 5a, see 46.7. In verse 5b Good News Translation “depends on” (Revised Standard Version hope is in) translates a word found only here and in 119.116; see the related verb in 145.15a, “look to.” The his of the phrase the LORD his God has as its antecedent he, that is, the person of line a, not Jacob. LORD his God may sometimes be recast to say “on the LORD, who is the God he worships.”

For the thought of verse 6a-b see 95.4-5; 115.15b. Yahweh is the Creator of all that exists, the physical universe as well as all living beings (see Exo 20.11). Translators in some languages may find that it is easier to follow Revised Standard Version‘s relative clause who made heaven and earth rather than the apposition of Good News Translation.

Beginning with verse 6c the psalmist praises Yahweh’s goodness and love, the care he shows for the oppressed, the poor, the destitute. For verse 6c see 145.13c. Instead of the Hebrew for ever, New English Bible and Dahood change the text to read “the oppressed.” This makes good sense, but there is no textual support for it (see Hebrew Old Testament Text Project). Keeps faith for ever means that he is trustworthy, reliable. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “he always keeps his word”; Bible en français courant “One can always count on him.”

For verse 7a see 103.6, and for verse 7b see 107.9b. For translation suggestions concerning the oppressed, see 9.9.

It is impossible to determine whether verse 7c is meant to be taken literally of release from prison, slavery, or exile, or is figurative of trouble and distress in general (see an extended statement of this same theme in 107.10-16). It is difficult to think that verse 8a is meant literally, since the restoration of sight to blind people was a very rare occurrence; it seems better to understand the language figuratively, meaning “to help the helpless” (so Kirkpatrick, Cohen, Briggs). In any case they are among the needy and oppressed whom Yahweh helps. All translations consulted have retained the figures of the freeing of prisoners and the giving of sight to the blind, and translators are advised to do the same.

Verse 8b is like 145.14b; the righteous in verse 8c are God’s people, those who obey him and follow his commands. This half line has no real connection with the immediate context; Bible de Jérusalem and New Jerusalem Bible shift it to before verse 9c, where it fits much better (see 145.20 for a combination of similar lines). There is, however, no textual support for this change.

Verse 9a-b speaks of three classes of people in Israelite society who needed special care and protection (see the same three in 94.6): the resident aliens (sojourners), the widows, and the orphans (fatherless).

In verse 9c brings to ruin translates a verb meaning to turn aside, to make crooked (see its use in 119.78b, rendered “subverted”); the same thought is expressed in a different fashion in 1.6b. New English Bible translates “but turns the course of the wicked to their ruin,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “he causes the wicked to lose their way.” Bible en français courant translates way here as “projects” (as in verse 4).

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 .