For the opening Praise the LORD, see 104.35.
In verse 1c the Hebrew text is simply “for pleasant (and) fitting a song of praise.” Revised Standard Version has for he is gracious (also An American Translation and New American Bible); while possible, it seems better, in parallel with line b (it is good to sing…), to translate as Good News Translation does, “it is pleasant…” (also New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Dahood, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). A more vivid way of saying this is “what a joy it is…!” Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, and New English Bible, on the basis of the Septuagint, omit “fitting”; it seems better to stay with the Hebrew text. It is also possible to take the Hebrew word translated “fitting” (Revised Standard Version seemly, Good News Translation “right”) not as an adjective but as a verbal infinitive, “to sing,” parallel with sing praises in line b (Anderson, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project). In this case line c would be translated “it is pleasant to sing his praise (or, to sing praise to him).” New International Version has “how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” and Bible en français courant, taking the idea of “fitting” to apply to Yahweh, translates “how good to praise him as he deserves!” Is seemly and Good News Translation‘s “it is … right” may have to be rendered by “it is good to praise him.”
Kugel (The Idea of Biblical Poetry,* page 92) cites this verse (along with Pro 10.5; Isa 60.2; Lev 19.13) as an example of “strangeifying,” that is, making the language appear a bit strange, and thereby imparting to it a special quality, inviting the reader at the same time to figure it out. Needless to say, modern exegetes and translators are doing just that and, of course, coming out with various interpretations.
The verbs in verse 2 seem to indicate that the psalm was written during the time after the Babylonian exile, when the Israelites, back in their land, were restoring the city of Jerusalem. For the meaning “rebuild” for the verb in verse 2a, see 51.18b; 102.16a. In verse 2b the outcasts of Israel are the Israelite exiles, who were being brought back to Jerusalem. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate where the exiles are being brought back to or from; for example, “he is bringing back to Jerusalem the people who were carried away” or “he is bringing back the people the Babylonian soldiers took as prisoners.”
In verse 3 the psalmist speaks of Yahweh’s care for all those in trouble and distress. The phrase translated the brokenhearted occurs only here in the Old Testament; for similar and synonymous expressions, see 34.18; 51.17. And for Yahweh as healer see 30.2.
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 .