For the initial Praise the LORD, see comments on 104.35.

In verse 1b the servants of the LORD are the people of Israel, gathered for worship. The verb halal “to praise” is used twice in verse 1; in verse 2 the passive form of the synonymous verb barak “to bless” is used (see comments on 18.46). The translator has the option in verse 2a of using the passive form, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done; if it is preferred, however, the active form may be used, “Praise the name of the LORD,” which repeats exactly the language of verse 1c.

In verse 3a From the rising of the sun to its setting is probably to be taken in a spatial sense, “From the east to the west,” that is, all over the world (see 50.1); some, however, take it in a temporal sense, “from morning until night.” If the translators interpret From the rising of the sun … to be spatial, they will have to employ the local designations used for the extremes of east and west. If it is taken as referring to time, in most languages the Hebrew form as found in Revised Standard Version will most often serve. In verse 3b the verb halal is used again, this time in the passive voice: “praised be the name of Yahweh.” “Praise the name of the LORD” (Good News Translation) is the same as “Praise the LORD.”

In verse 4a “Yahweh is high above all the nations” means that he rules (from heaven) over the nations (see the similar expression in 99.2b). For Yahweh’s glory in verse 4b, that is, his majestic presence, see 26.8b and comments; and for the expression above the heavens, see text and comments at 8.1; 57.5, 11; 108.5.

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 .