As for me: this is an emphatic phrase, stressing the differences between evil people and the psalmist.

Line a of verse 11 means the same as line b of verse 1.

For be gracious see comment at 25.16; and for redeem see comment at 25.22.

Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and New International Version separate verse 12 from verse 11, thereby indicating that this last verse expresses the psalmist’s assurance that Yahweh has answered his prayer. It may indicate that the psalmist has had some sort of response to his prayer.

In verse 12 the phrase level ground may be meant literally, of the level place in the Temple court (so Briggs; see Moffatt “on the temple floor”), or figuratively, either of right conduct (see Traduction œcuménique de la Bible footnote; New Jerusalem Bible has “I take my stand on the right path”) or of a place of safety, where there is no danger of stumbling or of a sudden attack (Good News Translation; see “solid ground” in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch; see Weiser, Oesterley, Kirkpatrick).

The great congregation translates the plural of a word meaning “assembly”; this plural form occurs only here and in 68.26. It refers to the people of Israel gathered for worship in the Temple (see 22.22, 25).

In verse 12b “to bless Yahweh” means to praise him (see comment at 16.7). I will bless the LORD must often be rendered “I will say the LORD is great” or “I will say ‘LORD, you are great.’ ” Notice that Good News Translation alone uses the present tense; all other translations consulted have the future tense, which may be preferable.

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 .