The psalmist’s anger toward his enemies (verse 53) is contrasted with the songs he composes about Yahweh’s statutes (verse 54). The Hebrew word for “song” here is taken by some in the same sense it has in 118.14a (which see); the meaning then would be “your commands give me strength” (so New Jerusalem Bible; Dahood “my defenses”). The meaning of the line is well expressed by Bible en français courant: “your decrees are the theme of my songs.” The Hebrew phrase the house of my pilgrimage may be taken to indicate that the psalmist was living in exile (so New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible; see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “in this land where I am a foreigner”); or the meaning may be the same as in verse 19, that is, the expression is a way of speaking of life here on earth as a temporary abode. The latter seems more probable; see Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “So long as I am a guest on this earth.” Good News Translation has reversed the order of the two lines in this verse for greater ease of understanding.

In verse 55 the psalmist speaks of the night, the time when he would feel fears and anxieties; he comforts himself by remembering Yahweh (literally “your name, Yahweh”). In line b the verb “to keep” means to obey (see verses 4b, 5b). New English Bible, however, has “and dwell upon thy law,” and Good News Translation “and I think about your law.”

Verse 56 in Hebrew begins with “This has happened to me”; what “This” refers to is left undefined. It may point forward to line b, “that I keep your commands,” or else it may refer generally to the psalmist’s confidence, or to the blessing (Revised Standard Version) or “happiness” (Good News Translation) that is his in obeying Yahweh’s commands. New Jerusalem Bible uses a neutral term, “This has been my lot”; New International Version has “this has been my practice.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, and Bible en français courant give the general sense of “this is what is expected of me” or “this has been my privilege” (so Kirkpatrick). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is more explicit: “Always to live according to your laws is my charge and my greatest good fortune.” Dahood understands it to mean “this indignity” (that is, the scorn of the psalmist’s enemies).

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 .