The psalm opens with a call to Praise the LORD “in his holy place”; this may be the Temple in Jerusalem (Good News Translation) or, in parallel with his mighty firmament in the next line, it may be his heavenly abode (so Dahood). Most translations have sanctuary or “holy place,” without further definition. Good News Translation “heaven” translates the word firmament; see 19.1 and Genesis 1.6-8. In Hebrew line c is literally “Praise him in the firmament of his strength,” which can be understood in various ways. “His strength” is taken by most translations to be in apposition to “the firmament”; so New Jerusalem Bible “in the sky, His stronghold”; New English Bible “in the vault of heaven, the vault of his power”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “in the fortress of his firmament.” This seems preferable to Good News Translation “his strength in heaven.” Taking his mighty firmament as a synonym for “heaven,” the translation can be “Praise him in the heavens” or, if mighty is to be expressed, “Praise him in his mighty heavens.” For both phrases the preposition in indicates where God is, not where those are who are urged to praise him.

Verse 2 calls upon the people to praise Yahweh for all his mighty deeds, both in creation and in the history of Israel. In line b Revised Standard Version according to is not easy to understand; better “for” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), as in line a. Exceeding greatness and Good News Translation‘s “supreme greatness” is rendered in some languages, for example, “because he is great, surpassing all greatness.”

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 .