Tarshish is generally taken to mean Spain (see comments on 48.7), the extreme western boundary of the known world at that time. The isles are in the Mediterranean; the Hebrew word probably includes also the countries along the seacoasts. Sheba and Seba are generally thought to be a kingdom in southern Arabia and a kingdom in north Africa, in the territory now occupied by Ethiopia (see Good News Translation footnote); but this is not certain.

Translators must pay particular attention when transliterating Spain, Tarshish, Sheba, and Seba, to ensure that no inappropriate word is created. A transliterated word sometimes sounds very much like another word in the language, and the meaning of the original word attaches to the transliterated word; or, in other cases, a vulgar word may result which makes public reading awkward.

The psalmist sees all foreign nations sending tribute and gifts to the king of Israel as proof of their submission to him; however, as McCullough points out, nothing is said about their worshiping Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Verse 11 offers no difficulties for the translator; in line b all nations may be translated “the people of all the countries in the world,” or simply “all the tribes.”

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 .