The main theme of this strophe (letter resh, verses 153-160) is again the psalmist’s cry to God to save him from his enemies. The Good News Translation heading may have to be restated for translation in some languages as, for example, “The psalmist asks God to help him.”

The plea in verse 153 is like the one in verse 107. The request Look on my affliction means “Pay attention to my sufferings (or, troubles).” For affliction see verse 107a. The expression Look on my affliction or Good News Translation‘s “Look at my suffering” may have to be recast in other languages in some such manner as “Look and see how much I am suffering” or “Look at me and you will see how much I suffer.” For verse 153b see verses 83b, 109b, 141b.

In verse 154 the Hebrew expression translated Plead my cause is the language of a law court, where the psalmist sees himself on trial (see 35.23-24; 43.1); he is asking God to defend him against his accusers. Redeem me (see comment, 19.14; 69.18) is parallel to give me life in line b (used also in verses 156b, 159b). In the context of this strophe, in which the setting of a trial is the background of the language, the meaning “save me from being condemned” or “preserve my life” seems preferable (see New Jerusalem Bible “preserve me”; Dahood “preserve my life”). For according to thy promise see verses 58b, 116a. In languages where no set legal expressions are available, the translator will often have to say, for example, “Defend me” or “Protect me.”

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 .