The main theme of this strophe (letter tsade, verses 137-144) is the justice of God’s laws, which the psalmist loves and wants to obey. The Good News Translation heading may have to be adapted for translation by saying “The Law of the LORD is fair.”

In verses 137-138 the psalmist praises Yahweh’s laws as just, fair, and right, which reflects the fact that Yahweh himself is Righteous (see 116.5). Verse 137b speaks of Yahweh’s laws as right, that is, just and fair. Revised Standard Version‘s use of Righteous in line a and right in line b seems to imply that in Hebrew the two Hebrew words are related, which they are not. New English Bible seems better: “How just thou art, O LORD! How straight and true are thy decrees!”

In verse 138a Thou hast appointed thy testimonies is better translated “You have given your instructions” or “You have given your laws.” Revised Standard Version in righteousness and in all faithfulness makes the two words “righteous” and “faithful” attributes of Yahweh (also Bible en français courant). This is possible, but it seems better to take them as attributes of Yahweh’s laws, as Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy do. Good News Translation has “fair and right”; see New International Version “fully trustworthy,” and New Jerusalem Bible “firmly enduring.”

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 .