Blessed is the term regularly used in the Old Testament to describe a person who is in a good situation and deserves to be congratulated. The Hebrew word does not mean precisely that God blesses, or rewards, such a person; rather it means that such a person is happy, or fortunate, deserving congratulations. It is translated in the Septuagint by the same Greek adjective used in the Beatitudes (Matt 5.3-11), and the same word or phrase should be used here that is used to translate the Greek word in Matthew. A word such as “Lucky,” which implies chance, should not be used.

In some languages the congratulation expressed here is lost when the third person is retained, and therefore requires a shift to the second person; for example, “How fortunate you are” or “What great happiness is yours.” In some languages the congratulation may be expressed more naturally at the end of the verse rather than at the beginning.

The man: “the person.” Good News Translation and others use the plural form “Happy are those who…” in order to avoid making the psalm apply only to males. Or else, “The person who … is happy (or, fortunate).”

Such a person is described by three expressions which are more or less synonymous, that is, the three describe the same kind of behavior in different ways, using the Hebrew verbs “walk … stand … sit” in a figurative way. Some scholars see a progression of thought from casual acquaintance to permanent association, but this seems unlikely.

Walks not in the counsel of the wicked: “does not behave as wicked people say he should,” “whose conduct does not follow the advice of evil men.” The Hebrew verb “to walk” is often used in a figurative sense: “to live one’s life,” “to act,” “to behave.” Counsel means “advice,” “instruction,” or “teaching” given by one person to another.

Nor stands in the way of sinners: “does not follow the path taken (or, indicated) by sinners,” “does not imitate the example of sinful people.” The English expression “to stand in someone’s way” means to block a person’s progress and is not the correct meaning here.

In some languages “advice” is closely related to opinion, and therefore it is necessary to say, for example, “who say ‘No’ to the evil words of bad people,” “who keep away from bad people’s evil words,” or “who avoid what evil people say they should do.” In some languages there are expressions such as “to follow in the footprints,” meaning to imitate the behavior of someone. In such cases the metaphor can appropriately be retained at least in part as “who do not follow in the footprints of evil men.”

The two nouns wicked and sinners are quite general and describe those who do not obey God, as God’s will is made explicit in the Torah. The third noun, scoffers, refers to people who openly scorn religion or God, people who are practicing atheists, as it were. The term is used quite often in Proverbs (see 1.22; 14.6; 24.9; 29.8).

Nor sits in the seat of scoffers: “does not join (or, associate with) people who make fun of religion (or, of God).” In many languages the verb “sit” has also the meanings of “to be” or “to exist,” and by extension “to accompany someone.” The characteristic movement in parallel lines is seen here, where the general terms wicked and sinners are replaced by the more specific scoffers.

In translation it is important to keep the thrust of the poetic imagery if at all possible. Therefore before translating walks … stands … sits as nonmetaphors, the translator should see if these expressions will fit his language naturally. If they do not, then he may find other figurative expressions which may be used. Failing this, the translator is advised to use nonfigurative expressions.

Most languages have abundant terms expressing ridicule, often accompanied by derogatory gestures. Frequently figurative language expresses ridicule; for example, “shake the finger,” “wag the head,” or “make faces.” Hence the full expression sits in the seat of scoffers is sometimes rendered “sit with people who wag their heads at God.”

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 .