This strophe (verses 7-11) relates how Yahweh made a covenant, successively, with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In verse 7a the translation can be “Yahweh is our God” (Good News Translation) or, better, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “He, Yahweh, is our God,” or “He is Yahweh, our God” (most translations). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch‘s rendering seems preferable (see Briggs). In verse 7b judgments (Good News Translation “commands”) translates the same Hebrew word used in verse 5. The meaning may be the same; here the emphasis is on their universal application, in all the earth (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “he rules over all the earth”; similarly Dahood, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). The psalmist is speaking of himself and his intended audience, those who shared the experiences alluded to. Therefore in languages in which exclusion or inclusion is obligatory, the translator must use the inclusive form for our God.

In verse 8 covenant in line a is parallel with “his promises” (literally the word that he commanded) in line b (New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible have “the promise”). For ever and for a thousand generations are also used synonymously (see Deut 7.9). For translation suggestions regarding covenant see 25.10. He is mindful of means that he always keeps the terms of the covenant he made with his people. For ever and for a thousand generations are parallel expressions, the latter intensifying the poetic effect by being more specific. The meaning, however, is for an unlimited time, endlessly, and it is semantically equivalent to for ever. The two lines should be translated as a single unit; for example, “He will keep his covenant for ever, and will never, never forget the promises he has made to you.” Duplication is used here as an example of heightening the intensity in line b.

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 .