Revised Standard Version, following the Hebrew, begins each verse from verse 4 to verse 17 with to him, with the implied O give thanks carrying over from verse 3. This may be effective in other languages, but in some it may be difficult for the reader. Others have “who” (see New Jerusalem Bible), without a break in the sentence. New International Version displays the antiphonal character of the psalm by printing “His love endures forever” in italics.
In this strophe Yahweh’s power as Creator of the universe is praised: great wonders (verse 4) summarizes all his wonderful works (see comments on “wonderful deeds” in 9.1). Most translate either “great marvels” or “great wonders”; usually the word refers to Yahweh’s marvelous deeds in rescuing his people from Egypt and leading them to Canaan. Here it refers to creation: the heavens (verse 5), the earth (verse 6), the great lights, the sun, the moon and stars (verses 7-9). The psalm follows the order and language of Genesis 1.1-19.
It should be noted than in verse 4 Bible de Jérusalem and New Jerusalem Bible, on the authority of the Qumran manuscript (and the Septuagint), omit “great,” which omission Anderson endorses (see also Dahood). The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project committee was divided on this: half approved the omission, regarding the Masoretic text as an expansion (which ruins the meter); the other half of the committee preferred the Masoretic text. It is possible that in many languages the translation will be the same in either case.
Who alone in verse 4 is to be taken in the sense “only he, and no one else,” not in the sense “by himself.”
The idea of Yahweh’s understanding (or “wisdom”) in creation (verse 5) is expressed also in 104.24; see also Proverbs 8.27-30. By understanding and Good News Translation‘s “By his wisdom” may be considered the instrumental or expressive function of God’s wisdom. In some languages this may have to be shifted to a causal relation; for example, “Because God is wise he could make the heavens,” or “God is wise, therefore he made the heavens,” or “God showed his wisdom when he made the heavens.”
In verse 6 the creation of the earth is described by the use of the verb “to spread out”; the picture is that of the earth as a solid layer that was spread out upon the waters, that is, on the watery abyss which Yahweh conquered at creation (see 24.2); the same verb is used in Isaiah 42.5; 44.24.
In verse 7 the great lights (see Gen 1.16) are the sun, which here is portrayed as ruler of the day (verse 8), and the moon, ruler of the night (verse 9). The psalmist also includes the stars, although in the Genesis account they are not spoken of as rulers over the night (see Gen 1.16). Nearly all the translations consulted use the verb “to rule” or “to govern”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and BÍBLIA para todos Edição Comum, however, use the verb “to illuminate, light up.” Because of the interruption of sequence caused by the refrain, it may be necessary in such verses as 8 and 9 to repeat the verb “made” from verse 7. In languages in which it may not be possible to speak of the sun “ruling,” the translator may have to say, for example, “he made the sun to be the great one during the day.” And in verse 9 “He made the moon and the stars to be the great ones at night.” Alternatively, the translator may have to say “God made the sun to shine during the day,” and in verse 9, “… the moon and stars to shine in the night.”
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 .