The psalm closes with a statement of confident assurance in Yahweh’s justice and love. As in other places, the abstract quality righteous, applied to Yahweh, may be better translated by a phrase describing actions; for example, “The LORD always does what is right.” The righteous deeds are those which people perform and which earn for them the LORD’s approval. The upright is the same expression used in verse 2.

The expression shall behold his face (same verb as in verse 4) reflects the practice of admitting to the presence of the king only those who were qualified by reason of their proven devotion and loyalty to him. The thought in the psalm may be of the blessings which come from the presence and favor of the LORD in this life, or else of being in his presence after death.

“His presence” may not be expressed in some languages in nominal form since “presence” is not an object in which a person may live. Therefore, the translator must often say “they will live where God is,” “they will be in the place where God is,” or “they will live with God.”

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 .