2:26a

my heart is glad: Here the word heart refers figuratively to the mind, emotions, and will of a person. It refers to the part of a person that he uses to think, feel, and make decisions.

In some languages people refer figuratively to this part of a person as his mind, throat, liver, or stomach. They are not referring literally to that physical part of the body. Translate in a natural way to refer to this spiritual part of a person.

my tongue rejoices: This clause is a figure of speech. It means “I speak joyfully.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

my words are full of joy (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I express my joy in words
-or-
I speak of my happiness

2:26b

my body also will dwell in hope: This clause is a figure of speech. It indicates that in his life on this earth David would always hope in God.

In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech in the text. For example:

I will also live in hope

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote. Here is an example footnote on the word “I”:

Literally “my body”

• Translate literally and explain the meaning of the figure of speech in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This is a figure of speech. It indicates that David would also live in hope in God.

dwell in hope: This phrase refers to continually being confident in a belief. David was always confident that God would protect him.

dwell: There are two ways that the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dwell is interpreted:

(1) It means live.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible)

(2) It means rest.

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

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