In a ritual in the Temple, after claiming his innocence, the psalmist confirms his claim by ritually washing his hands (see Deut 21.6-9; Matt 27.24) and marching around the altar (see 42.4; 118.27).

The word translated innocence is literally “empty, bare”–that is, there is no wrongdoing in him. In innocence will require saying in some languages “I have done no wrong.”

To bring out the ritual aspect of the march, New Jerusalem Bible translates “join the procession around your altar”; Good News Translation tries to do the same with “march in worship around the altar.” The idea of marching around the altar may require a footnote in order to make its meaning clear. Thy altar must often be rendered “the place where people worship you.”

Singing translates the infinitive of the causal form of the verb “to hear,” meaning “cause to be heard.”

Song of thanksgiving must often be translated “a song in which people give thanks to God.”

For telling and wondrous deeds see comments at 9.1. Wondrous deeds may sometimes be translated “the great things you have done.”

Verse 7b gives the content of the thanksgiving song of verse 7a, and so the translation can be “I sing a hymn of thanks to you, in which I tell of all the wonderful things you have done.”

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 .