Verses 7-8 speak of the security of the person who trusts in Yahweh. He knows that Yahweh will take care of him, and so he is not worried or afraid, and even evil tidings strike no terror in his heart. His confidence and assurance are described in two ways: his heart is firm (verse 7b) and His heart is steady (verse 8a). In verse 8a the same verb is used that appears in 111.8a (“are established”).

Verse 8b until he sees his desire on his adversaries is literally “until he looks upon his enemies” and is much like 54.7b; the meaning is “until he sees their defeat.” New Jerusalem Bible translates “in the end he will see the fall of his foes,” New International Version “in the end he will look in triumph on his foes,” and New English Bible “in the end he will gloat over his enemies” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible). Sees his desire on his adversaries is not clear; the meaning is expressed better by Good News Translation‘s “see his enemies defeated.” This passive form may have to be transformed in some languages into the active, in which God will have to be introduced as the subject; for example, “he will see God defeat his enemies.”

The Hebrew text in verse 9a is “he scatters, he gives to the poor”; and in verse 9b the Hebrew is the same as in verse 3b (except for the initial “and” in verse 3b): “his tsedaqah endures forever.” In the context here the Hebrew word probably means “kindness” (Good News Translation), or “generosity” (New American Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Dahood), or “beneficence” (New Jerusalem Bible). Bible en français courant translates the same as in verse 3b: “God’s approval is his forever.” Verse 9a-b is quoted in 2 Corinthians 9.9.

For horn in verse 9c, a symbol of power, see 18.2; 75.4-5, 10. “To exalt the horn” is to make someone powerful, proud, victorious. New English Bible has “in honor he carries his head high,” and Bible en français courant “His strength increases with his glory.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translates “his forehead is held high in pride,” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “Therefore power and honor will be bestowed on him.”

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 .