These two verses speak of Yahweh’s victories over his enemies; the thought seems to be that, after defeating the hostile kings and peoples in and around Canaan, Yahweh goes from Sinai to Mount Zion and makes his residence there.
In verse 17a mighty (chariotry) translates the superlative force of ʾelohim (as in verse 15); some have “the chariots of God” (New English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Following both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version the expression mighty chariotry must be rendered in some languages as “cars for making war” or “horse wagons for fighting.” In many languages an illustration or note will be required in the glossary, as this term occurs several times. The number of the chariots, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands, is not meant to be exact; it is a way of saying “many thousands” or “the millions” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Or else, “too many to count,” “more than can be numbered.”
Verse 17c in the Masoretic text is unclear: “the Lord (is) in them Sinai in (or, into) the holy place.” Anderson quotes with approval Aubrey Johnson’s translation of the Masoretic text: “the Lord is amid them, the God of Sinai is in the sanctuary”; but this involves taking the word “Sinai” to mean “the God of Sinai.” New Jerusalem Bible translates the Masoretic text “the Lord is among them as in Sinai in holiness,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “the Lord is among them; Sinai is in the sanctuary.” None of these is very satisfactory, and their explanations seem forced. Most translations (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New English Bible, New American Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Bible en français courant) adopt an emended text which is suggested by Deuteronomy 33.2: “The Lord came from Sinai.” Instead of into the holy place, New English Bible translates the Hebrew phrase by “in holiness.” The holy place is the Temple in Jerusalem.
In verse 18 Yahweh is addressed in the second person; Good News Translation has changed to third person, for consistency with verse 17. The high mount is probably Mount Zion (see 47.5); some, however, take it to mean heaven. Dahood takes it to mean Mt. Sinai.
Leading captives in thy train is literally “you capture captives.” In triumphal procession, like that of a victorious king, Yahweh takes captives with him as he goes up Mount Zion; they are his defeated enemies, “rebellious men” (Good News Translation) who have to pay tribute (gifts) to the victorious God.
The last line of verse 18 is not very clear in Hebrew. Following “even the rebels” come the words “for the dwelling (participle) of Yah Elohim”; but there are other possibilities. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “and even the rebels surrendered to you, Lord.” New English Bible declares the Hebrew unintelligible and translates the Syriac, “in the presence of the LORD God no rebel could live.” Bible de Jérusalem has “yes, take rebels to your dwelling, Yahweh!” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, similarly, “and even the adversaries may dwell with the LORD God.” New Jerusalem Bible has “even of those who rebel against the LORD God’s abiding there.” An American Translation, New American Bible, and Weiser are like Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. It is best to follow the example of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.
LORD translates the name Yah, as in verse 4c.
In Ephesians 4.8 part of verse 18 is quoted, following the Septuagint, with a change from “you received … from” to “he gave … to.”
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 .