In verse 3 the psalmist acknowledges his sin, and the sins of all. Were the LORD strict in his judgment, no one would escape punishment. In line a of this verse O LORD translates the name Yah (see 68.4); Lord in line b translates adonai. “Kept a record” (Revised Standard Version mark) translates the verb “to keep”; it could mean “keep in mind, remember” (see its use in Gen 37.11), but here it probably means keep an account, a list (see Moffatt “keep a strict tally”). The verb stand at the end of the verse can mean “stay alive” (Anderson; see Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, Dahood “survive”) or “remain in the Lord’s presence” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), or “escape being condemned” (by the judge in court; Toombs, Taylor). Good News Translation has taken it in this last sense. If the translator follows Good News Translation‘s “kept a record,” this will be rendered in some languages as “wrote a list.” If the translator follows Good News Translation‘s “escape being condemned,” this expression may have to be recast as a question; for example, “is there anyone you would not condemn?” As a statement it can be “there is no one you would not condemn,” or better, “you would have to condemn everyone.”

But Yahweh is not a strict, merciless judge; he is always ready to forgive (verse 4; see 103.3). He does this so that his people should “fear” him (see 15.4). For translation suggestions on be feared, see 65.8.

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 .