The psalm closes with a promise to praise the LORD publicly, in the Temple, because he answered the psalmist’s prayer (see similar language in 22.22; 107.32).

In verse 30a give great thanks means to be lavish and persistent in praising Yahweh; “I will praise him greatly.” This does not necessarily involve “loud thanks,” as Good News Translation says. The throng in verse 30b is the people assembled in the Temple for worship.

In verse 31a Good News Translation “he defends” translates “he stands at the right of” (see 16.8b; 110.5a). Here it appears that the person’s defender stood at that person’s right (see verse 6, above). Or the meaning may be “he stands ready to help the needy.” The needy (see 12.5) translates the singular form in Hebrew; here a plural form, “the needy” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), is better than Good News Translation‘s generic singular “the poor man.”

In verse 31b the Hebrew is “to save him from those who judge his nefesh,” which is taken by most as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done. New English Bible emends the text to get “from his accusers,” but this seems hardly necessary.

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 .