(See illustration jmp Ancient Hebrew Concept of the Universe|fig:Universe_Image0.jpgjmp*.)

In this strophe (verses 5-9) the psalmist describes the creation of the earth in terms of the defeat and control of the watery chaos (see Gen 1.2) which prevailed before creation (see 74.13-15; 89.9-10).

Yahweh placed the earth solidly on its foundations (see 24.2; 102.25a); this reflects the idea that the earth was a flat disk that rested on pillars under the ground, which reached down into the underworld. (Note the illustration on page 878.) In some languages it will be necessary to shift from the noun foundations to a clause; for example, “You have firmly built the earth” or “You … founded the earth.”

Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, and others (New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New American Bible, Dahood) take the Hebrew text of verse 6 to mean that Yahweh spread the ocean (the primeval deep) over the earth as part of the creative process. But this seems strange, since it implies that the surface of the earth lay submerged under the primeval waters, which would have to refer back to the condition of the earth before creation; or else it would have to refer to the Flood, which seems most unlikely (see Kirkpatrick). It seems preferable, with Weiser, New English Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, to make a slight change in the Masoretic text (from kisito “you covered it” to kisatah “it covered”), and to understand the text to refer to the condition of the earth before creation, and then to connect verse 6 with verse 7, which tells what happened when the LORD’s creative word was uttered.5-6 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not consider this possibility. This interpretation would lead Good News Translation to be:

• 6 The ocean was lying over the earth like a robe,
and the water covered the mountains;
7 but when you rebuked the waters, they fled….

If the translator follows Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation, it may be necessary to say, for example, “You put the ocean over the earth as a person puts on clothing” or “You laid the ocean over the earth, covering it as with a cloth.” The second line is understood as consequence, “and water covered the mountains,” or “so that the water covered the mountain,” or “and the mountains were beneath the water.” If the second interpretation is followed, it may be necessary to make the time reference explicit; for example, “When you began to create, the ocean was lying over the earth…” or “Before you created the world, the ocean covered….”

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 .