In this strophe (letter waw, verses 41-48), each line in Hebrew begins with the letter waw, which often functions as the conjunction “and.” The Good News Translation heading will require adjustment for translation into some languages; for example, “The psalmist trusts the Law of the LORD,” or sometimes “The psalmist rests his heart on the words the LORD teaches him.”

In verse 41 the psalmist prays for Yahweh’s steadfast love (see 5.7) and his salvation; the two words are used here as synonyms (see 40.10 and comments). The specific meaning here is probably deliverance or rescue from the psalmist’s enemies. Let … come to me is a way of asking Yahweh, who loves the psalmist, to act on his behalf. Good News Translation “Show me…” is a way of asking for God’s action, that is, to prove through his saving action that he loves the psalmist. In verse 41b the Hebrew “word” means promise. In some languages it will be necessary to translate 41a as “Show me your love,” and line b as “and show me your salvation as you said you would.” These lines may also be rendered as in Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, which says “Lord, show me your love and salvation just as you have promised.” Where verb phrases must be used in place of nouns, it is possible to say, for example, “Love me and save me….”

In verse 42 the psalmist states the result of Yahweh’s activity: he, the psalmist, will be able to refute his enemies (see verses 21-22), who say that Yahweh has abandoned him. Word in line b means Yahweh’s promise to save; it is not a reference to the Torah as such, although the Torah is the written record of Yahweh’s promises to the people of Israel.

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 .