Verse 32 can be taken as a statement (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant) or as an exhortation (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible). Line b has the second person of direct address; Good News Translation uses the third person, parallel with line a. The oppressed translates the plural of the same noun rendered “afflicted” in verse 29a (see comments on “afflicted” in 9.12). For you who seek God see comments on 9.10b.

To what does it in see it (Good News Translation “see this”) in verse 32a refer? It could be the psalmist’s act of thanksgiving in the Temple (verse 30; Briggs), or else, as Bible en français courant has it, “The oppressed will see my deliverance,” that is, “that God has rescued me.” Translators are encouraged to make this meaning explicit.

To “revive the heart” (verse 32b) means to encourage, to give hope. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant translate “A long life to you!” and New Jerusalem Bible “let your courage revive.”

For translation suggestions on the needy, see 9.18.

The verb despise means “to ignore, neglect, forget” (see also its use in 22.24; 51.17). In bonds in verse 33b indicates they are in prison (same word used in 68.6b). New English Bible translates “those bound to his service” (similarly Dahood); it seems better, however, to take the word to mean either literal prison or exile, or else to be a figure of the bonds of suffering and oppression.

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 .