The first two lines of this verse exhibit another case of parallelism, where the Rock of Israel is another, more poetic way of saying The God of Israel and adds a clearer allusion to the fact that God protects his people. The words has said to me say essentially the same thing as has spoken, except that they make more explicit the fact that the speaking is addressed to David.

While The God of Israel refers to the God worshiped by the people of Israel, the Rock of Israel is a way of saying that this same God is the one who protects his people. The parallelism may be retained by saying something like “The God that Israel worships has spoken; yes, the one who protects the people of Israel has said to me….” The connecting word between the two parallel statements will be very important in many languages. Some may use a term or expression that means “indeed…” or “that is to say, ….”

The quotation within the larger quotation of David’s last words stating what God had said to him may have to be made indirect in many languages. This quotation begins in the middle of this verse and continues through to the end of the following verse.

The words When one rules and ruling represent the same word in Hebrew, and the parallel structure shows clearly that justly and in the fear of God are synonymous expressions. Contemporary English Version simplifies the structure but retains the essential meaning by saying “A ruler who obeys God and does right….” It is the participle that shows clearly that the intended subject is a king or ruler. This explains the renderings of Contemporary English Version and Good News Translation.

Ruling in the fear of God: this expression is an enlargement on what is meant by rules justly in the previous line. So translators should ensure that the readers do not think of a completely different matter. The words in the fear of God mean showing proper respect for God by doing what he wants. Translators should choose this kind of meaning rather than a translation that focuses on fright or apprehension.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .