The figure of the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion can hardly be taken literally, given the great distance between Mount Hermon, in Syria, and Mount Zion (some 200 kilometers). Some take the dew of Hermon to mean “very heavy dew” (see Briggs), which seems reasonable (see New American Bible “It is a dew like that of Hermon, which comes down upon the mountains of Zion”). It was believed that dew, like rain, fell from the clouds (Pro 3.20) or from the sky (Zech 8.12). Since the comparison in verse 3 is still with living harmoniously, it may be necessary to repeat “living together in unity” at the beginning of verse 3. Hermon or Good News Translation‘s “Mount Hermon” may have to be recast to say “the mountain called Hermon.” It is possible to translate verse 3a as a parallelism; for example, “It is like the dew on the mountains called Hermon, heavy as the thick dew on Mount Zion.”

In the last part of this verse there refers to Jerusalem, where Yahweh dwells, and where he bestows (has commanded) the blessing of life for evermore. Few believe, as does Dahood, that this refers to individual immortality; most take it as meaning “a very long life” (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), or else the perpetuity of the nation, a promise that Israel will never cease to exist. With less probability Cohen takes “forever” to modify the verb “commanded,” not the noun “life.” If there is any doubt as to the referent of there, the translator should use “in Zion” or “in Jerusalem;” Bible en français courant says “for it is there, in Zion….”

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 .