This verse in Hebrew begins with an emphatic particle, which New International Version, New American Bible, and Bible en français courant render “Yes.” Many modern versions omit it, but it is appropriate to include it. Another possible rendering is “Moreover.”

In the path of thy judgments is ambiguous. It could mean either that the people are living a life of obedience to God’s laws (so Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant), or that they are living under the threat of God’s punishment, as in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, which says “Even then, when you have to punish us.” Translators could try to express both views, as in New Jerusalem Bible, which has “Following the path of your judgments.” Most versions follow the first view. For path see the previous verse.

O LORD, we wait for thee: The vocative expression O LORD may be placed at the beginning of the verse if needed. We wait for thee expresses a longing or hope (so Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) that Yahweh will come and do something; it is usually an expression of hope that he will save his people (see 25.9). Revised English Bible omits for thee, but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project cautiously recommends keeping it.

Thy memorial name is the desire of our soul is literally “to your name and to your memory is the desire of the being.” The syntax suggests that “name” and “memory” are two distinct things. “Name” often refers to the person himself or his reputation; “memory” is what people remember about the person. For the third line New International Version and Revised English Bible have “your name and your renown,” while New American Bible says “Your name and your title.” “Title,” however, is too vague and does not convey the meaning of the Hebrew root here, which is “remember.” An alternative model is “your self/reputation and the memory of you” or “… the way we [always] remember you.” Soul renders the Hebrew word nephesh, which refers to a person’s whole being, as in Gen 9.5 (see the comments at 1.14). The English word soul does not express adequately the Old Testament concept of nephesh. Revised English Bible expresses it better with the word “heart” (also New International Version, Bible en français courant). But what does it mean for the prophet to long for the LORD’s reputation and memory with his whole being? For clarity these lines may be rendered “our whole being longs for your name and reputation to be known.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “above all else we want your name to be honored.” Good News Translation says simply “you are all that we desire.” Unfortunately this rendering omits the idea of God’s “name/reputation.”

For the translation of this verse we can say:

• O LORD, we long for you as we walk in the paths prescribed in your laws;
our whole being longs for your name and memory to be known.

• Moreover, as we follow in the way of your laws, we long for you, O LORD;
our whole being yearns for your reputation and memory to be known.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .