In verse 110 the psalmist uses the familiar figure of a snare (which is used to catch a bird) to describe his enemies’ attempts to destroy him (see similar language in verses 61, 85). He repeats that he has not disobeyed Yahweh’s commands (verse 110b); see similar expressions in verses 87b, 102a.
In the last two verses of this strophe the psalmist promises to obey God’s laws all his life. For heritage in verse 111a, see 28.9. Heritage as used in this verse normally refers to the land in terms of the covenant. Here, however, the psalmist speaks of God’s testimonies being his heritage for ever. The problem for the translator is to make clear how testimonies can be said to be inherited. In many languages this requires shifting away from the idea of inheritance to a valuable possession; for example, “Your laws are a valuable gift to me for all times,” or “Your laws teach me things I will value for ever,” or “I will keep for ever the things you teach me in your laws.” For the joy of my heart in verse 111b, see similar expressions of “delight” in verses 47a, 70b, 77b. They are the joy of my heart must often be recast to say “they cause my heart to be glad” or “they make me very happy.”
I incline my heart in verse 112a means “I have decided,” “I have made up my mind.” New Jerusalem Bible has “I am resolved.” In verse 112b the Hebrew reads “forever to the end” (see a similar expression in verse 44). The Hebrew word translated to the end (so An American Translation, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) may mean “reward,” as in verse 33 (so New English Bible “they are a reward that never fails”; similarly Weiser, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant); New Jerusalem Bible translates “to the utmost,” and New American Bible “to the letter.” It may be best to translate “reward.”
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 .