In verse 67 the Hebrew verb Revised Standard Version translates I was afflicted is translated “you punished me” by Good News Translation (see New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible “I was punished”), since the psalmist regards his distress not as the result of human circumstances alone but of divine judgment (also verse 71). I went astray means “I disobeyed your commands,” “I stopped following the way you want me to go.” For I keep thy word see similar expressions in verses 4b, 5b. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and Bible en français courant all understand the affliction in verse 67 to be the act of God upon the psalmist, and accordingly translate afflicted as “humbled.” If translators follow those versions, in some languages idiomatic expressions must be used; for example, “Before you brought my heart low, I disobeyed your teachings” or “I used to disobey your words, then you lowered my head.”

Line a of verse 68 is a statement about Yahweh’s nature (Thou art good) and his activity (and doest good). This can be represented as a cause and effect: “Because you are good, everything you do is good.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “Always you are good and you do me such great good!” For teach me thy statutes see verse 12b.

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 .