Orphans and widows in the Old Testament are traditionally representative of those who are defenseless, who have no one to take care of them and protect them. For Israelite society, only (adult) males had legal rights, which meant that orphans, widows, and resident aliens had no one in particular to defend their interests. The word protector translates a Hebrew word which means “judge” (see 1 Sam 24.15; see the related verb “to judge” in Psa 7.8). A just and compassionate judge would see to it that a widow’s rights were respected by all.

“His sacred Temple” translates his holy habitation, which may be a reference to heaven (so Dahood).

The desolate in verse 6a are other people who, for whatever reason, are also alone; New English Bible translates “friendless.” Instead of a home, perhaps “a family” would be more appropriate (see Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, New International Version).

Prosperity in verse 6b translates a plural word which occurs only here in the Old Testament. New English Bible has “brings out the prisoner safe and sound”; Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “in freedom and happiness”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “he frees the prisoners and makes them prosperous”; and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “he sets free the prisoners by means of a happy deliverance.” Dahood and others, on the basis of the Ugaritic, translate “to music” (see New International Version); Weiser (footnote) has “accompanied by songs of rejoicing”; Taylor “with jubilations.”

A parched land translates another word found only here in the Old Testament; it seems to mean “dry, scorched land.” The Septuagint translates “in graves.” Dahood takes the word to mean “Wasteland,” as one of some thirty biblical names for the world of the dead. The rebellious may sometimes be translated in idiomatic terms; for example, “people whose hearts are hard toward God” or “people who say ‘No’ to God as leader.”

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 .