Here the psalmist states how Yahweh saved him from death, probably death in battle. So he is able now, and will be able in the future, to proclaim what Yahweh has done for him, recount the deeds of the LORD. This he will do in public worship in the Temple.

In the context of this psalm, the statement in verse 18, The LORD has chastened me sorely, seems to refer to the battle against the enemies; this is seen as Yahweh’s punishment of the speaker (so Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible “punished me severely”). Ordinarily this kind of expression refers to some other disaster that was nearly fatal, such as a grave illness or an attack by personal enemies. In any case the psalmist’s life has been spared; Yahweh has not let him die (verse 18b).

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 .