The opening verb I will extol means not only to praise but to speak highly of (see its use in 12.8b). So the translation can be “I will proclaim your greatness” (Bible en français courant); Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New English Bible, New International Version have “exalt.” Revised Standard Version uses the future tense, Good News Translation the present tense; either is possible, but the present tense seems to be more fitting. The expression for thou hast drawn me up (from Sheol, or the Pit, in verse 3) may be translated “because you have rescued, delivered, saved me.” It expresses the reason why I will extol thee. In some languages the reason will occur before the result clause.
In these words of thanksgiving (verses 1-3) the psalmist praises God for “drawing him up” (verse 1a), a verb used of drawing water out of a well (see Exo 2.16, 19); in this instance Yahweh drew the psalmist out of Sheol, the pit in the depths of the earth (verse 3; see 28.1). This is poetic language and must not be understood literally that Yahweh had pulled the psalmist bodily from Sheol; it means that Yahweh did not allow the psalmist to die (as seen in verses 2-3).
The gloating of enemies at the psalmist’s distress (Revised Standard Version rejoice over me) is a frequent theme in Psalms (see 25.2). The expression rejoice over me, with the meaning of gloating or ridiculing, is translated in some languages in idiomatic terms such as “to turn the nose up at someone,” “to wag the head at,” or in nonfigurative language, “to say that he is no one at all.”
In verse 2 the psalmist recounts the event which prompted this prayer: he was sick and prayed for Yahweh to heal him, and Yahweh did heal him.
In verse 3a the psalmist describes his escape from death: “you brought up my nefesh (see 3.2) from Sheol” (see comment at 6.5); the thought is repeated in verse 3b, “you kept me alive from going down to the Pit.” In the graphic description of his narrow escape from death, the psalmist says that he was already in the company of the dead on their way down to Sheol (see similar language in 28.1), but Yahweh restored his life. The language could be read as though it referred to resurrection; it is, however, a vivid expression about being kept alive, about not being allowed to die (see similar language in 16.10; 56.13).
A literal translation of Good News Translation “you kept me from the grave” could mean that the psalmist was prevented from approaching a grave. Brought up my soul from Sheol can be rendered “you kept me from dying,” or stated positively, “you caused me to go on living.” Restored me to life must sometimes be said “you caused me to see life” or “you put new life into me.” Those gone down to the Pit will require considerable adjustment in many languages; for example, “I was already nearly dead” or “I had already given up living.”
Revised Standard Version‘s footnote in verse 3 translates the same Hebrew text as the Good News Translation text. The Revised Standard Version text represents a different Hebrew text, but the difference between the two is only in the Hebrew vowels. It seems better to translate the text followed by Good News Translation.
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 .