All people of the world are called upon to worship and praise Yahweh with songs. In verse 1a Make a joyful noise translates a verb which means “to shout” (see its use in 47.1b; 98.4a), and so it may be preferable to translate “Sing loudly.” New Jerusalem Bible translates “Raise a shout.” All the lands, or Good News Translation‘s “all the world,” must often be rendered by “everyone” or “all the people of the world.” In this psalm only one subject actor, all the lands, is expressed, but it is implied with each of the commands found in verses 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 4c. In some languages it will be necessary to repeat the ones to whom the commands are addressed.

In verse 2a Good News Translation “Worship” translates a verb which in most contexts means “to serve” (Revised Standard Version); here, however, in connection with the Temple worship (parallel with Come into his presence in line b), it is clear that the “service” is that of worship (so New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, New International Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). The phrase his presence refers specifically to the Temple, where Yahweh was present with his people. It will be noted that Good News Translation has “come before him” in verse 2b and “go into” in verse 4b. In many languages it will be necessary to maintain a consistent speaker point of view.

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 .