And he said: New Living Translation omits this clause since it ends the previous verse with the words “gave this blessing” to introduce Solomon’s speech here. Other languages may find this helpful.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel: In some languages it will not be possible to say that people Blessed God, since only God can be the subject of the verb “to bless.” It will be necessary to say “Praise be to the LORD…” (New International Version; similarly Good News Translation) or “Thanks be to the LORD…” (God’s Word). See the comments on this expression at 1 Chr 16.36.

Who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David, my father: See 2 Sam 7.4-11 and 1 Chr 17.3-10. The translation of this part of the verse in Revised Standard Version is closer to the form of the Hebrew than is Good News Translation, but it is not a literal translation. The Hebrew says “who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and with his hand has fulfilled,” which means the LORD fulfilled what he promised to David. The same idiomatic language occurs again in verse 15. The Hebrew noun hand is often used in the Old Testament in a figurative way for “power” or “strength.” In this context it is legitimate to translate with his hand as “by his power” or “in a powerful way.” The phrase with his mouth also does not need to be rendered literally since the meaning is that God “spoke directly” (Revised English Bible, Moffatt). New Century Version provides a helpful model for this whole part of the verse, saying “He has done what he promised to my father David,” and so does Good News Translation with “He has kept the promise he made to my father David.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .