“When you walk they will lead you”: The picture created in this line is that of the learner walking behind a guide or leader. Note that the Revised Standard Version footnote shows the Hebrew text has “it” in place of “they”. The reference is to the commandments and teachings, so “they” is more natural for many languages. “Walk” is to be taken in a general sense of “anywhere you may go.” It is not in contrast to some other form of movement, such as running or jumping.

“When you lie down, they will watch over you”: “Lie down” means for the purpose of sleeping, that is, “When you go to bed” or “While you sleep.” “Watch over” means to guard, protect, or take care of. The language is clearly figurative, and in some languages it must be shifted to a simile; for example, “watch over you as a night watchman [guard] while you sleep.”

“When you awake, they will talk with you”: This may need to be adjusted to say, for example, “. . . will talk to you like a friend.” “Talk” is to be taken as more than making conversation, for example, “to give advice,” “to instruct,” or “to counsel you.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “They will lead you in your work, protect you while you sleep, and counsel you when you are awake.” Note also Good News Translation “. . . protect you at night, and advise you during the day.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .