In this strophe (letter qof, verses 145-152) the psalmist pleads with Yahweh to save him from his enemies, and once more he affirms his devotion to the Law. The Good News Translation heading may require some adjustment for translation. It may be possible to say, for example, “The psalmist prays that God will save him.”

In verses 145-147 the psalmist calls to Yahweh for help. Again we must suppose that his enemies are fellow Israelites who do not obey the Law (verse 150). In contrast with the psalmist’s enemies, who are far from the Law, Yahweh is near the psalmist (verse 151a), to protect and help.

In verse 145a cry does not mean “weep”; it means to call out to Yahweh, an urgent plea for him to save the psalmist. And answer me is a request that Yahweh do what the psalmist is asking him to do. For I will keep thy statutes in verse 145b, see similar statements in verses 55b, 67b, 134b.

Verse 146 is practically the same as verse 145; for observe see verse 8a. In both verses 145 and 146, I cry translates the same verb “to call,” which is the first word in the line (it begins with the letter qof).

In verse 147a cry for help translates a different Hebrew verb; the meaning, however, is the same as cry in verses 145, 146. For verse 147b see the same language in verses 81b, 114b. One form of the Hebrew text has the plural “your words” (Revised Standard Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New American Bible); another form of the text has the singular “your word,” which the majority of translations prefer. The plural “your words” is qere (also many Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, Targum); the singular “your word” is ketiv (the Septuagint).

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 .