Once more the psalmist complains about his enemies (verse 150) but relies upon the LORD’s presence to save him. In the Hebrew text they are described as “those who pursue wicked plans”; see New Jerusalem Bible “those who pursue intrigue” (also Hebrew Old Testament Text Project). But with the change of one vowel (as in a few Hebrew manuscripts), the text means “those who wickedly persecute me,” which most translations prefer. Revised Standard Version persecute me with evil purpose; New American Bible “malicious persecutors”; Good News Translation and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “cruel persecutors.” In line b the statement they are far from thy law means they have no use for the Law; they disregard it altogether.

In contrast with the psalmist’s enemies, who are far from the Law, Yahweh is near the psalmist, to protect and help him (verse 151a).

In verse 151b the adjective translated true can be understood to mean “firm, steadfast” (Good News Translation, New American Bible); or else the translation can be “reliable, trustworthy.” The translation here should be the same as in verse 142b.

The strophe closes with the confession that the Law (thy testimonies) is eternal. The verb in verse 152b means “to establish, found, appoint,” as though the Law were part of God’s universe, which he created to last forever. In line a the preposition “from (your testimonies)” seems to indicate that it was in the Torah itself that the psalmist had learned that Yahweh’s laws are meant to last forever; but the sense may be, as Bible en français courant has it, “For a long time I have known about your orders, that you issued them to last forever” (see Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “Since a long time ago I have known your rules, established by you eternally.”

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 .