The psalm closes with an appeal (Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New English Bible) for the listener (or reader) to pay attention to what the psalmist has written, and to reflect on Yahweh’s steadfast love for his people. The verb in line b means “consider, ponder, think about”; see its use in 28.5a, “regard.” In Hebrew steadfast love is the plural of chesed (see 5.7); New American Bible has “the favors,” Dahood “the mercies,” Weiser “gracious deeds” (see comments on 89.1).

New Jerusalem Bible joins verse 42 to verse 43 as the closing strophe and translates as statements, not as wishes: “The upright see it … The wise man will take note … he will consider.” The meaning may also be “Whoever wishes to be wise should think about these things.” It seems better to follow the example of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.

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 .