The psalm opens with a statement of assurance of God’s protection, which he provides for all who avail themselves of it. The two lines of verse 1 are synonymous: dwells and abides; shelter and shadow; the Most High (see 7.17) and the Almighty (see 68.14). The verb in verse 1b translated abides means “spend the night” (see 55.7b). In verse 1b shadow is probably an allusion to “the wings” of Yahweh (see comments on 17.8b, and on verse 4, below). Shelter and shadow may be references to the Temple (Toombs). Translators in some languages may find it best to reduce both lines of this verse to one, as does Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, which says “He who lives under the protecting shadow of the Most High and Almighty.” In some languages “to be in the shadow” is more related to being hidden than protected. In such cases it will be better to follow the lead of Good News Translation. However, in some languages a more active construction will be required; for example, “Whoever the Almighty protects” or “Anyone whom God takes care of.” Good News Translation “goes to the LORD” is not good, and something like the following can be said:

• Whoever lives under the protection of the Most High,
whoever is kept safe by the Almighty….

In verse 2 Good News Translation uses the second person of direct address, “You are.” For refuge and fortress see comments on similar language in 14.6; 18.2. In verse 2 the Masoretic text has “I say”; Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others (following the Septuagint) mark the verb with other vowels to get the third person singular, “he will say.” It is possible to retain the first person, identifying the speaker as a worshiper. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New International Version, and New Jerusalem Bible take the psalmist to be the speaker and translate “I (will) say of the LORD….” In many languages My refuge and my fortress, as well as Good News Translation‘s “my defender and protector,” will have to be recast as verb phrases; for example, “you are the one who defends me and protects me.” My God must often be rendered “you are the God I worship.” I trust is often rendered idiomatically; for example, “I hang my heart upon you” or “I place you in my liver.”

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 .