The psalm closes with a final prayer for Yahweh’s protection (verses 8-10). For the language of verse 8a, see 25.15. Good News Translation “my Sovereign LORD” translates “Yahweh, my Lord,” the Covenant name used with the title of God. For I seek refuge see similar language in 7.1; 16.1. The petition “don’t let me die” (Good News Translation) translates “don’t pour out my nefesh.” The verb is the same one translated “raze it” in 137.7, and here it can be translated “don’t expose my nefesh,” that is, don’t expose me to danger (New Jerusalem Bible “do not put me in jeopardy”). The language means either “don’t leave me unprotected” (so Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “don’t let me be killed” (see New International Version), the picture of “pouring out the nefesh” being taken in the sense of violent death (see Isa 53.12).

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 .