In these verses the psalmist again exhorts the people to Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving and to play music to him upon the lyre (for lyre see comments on 33.2a).

The psalmist dwells on God’s blessings in nature: the clouds that bring the rain, which makes grass grow upon the hills. The language recalls 104.14-16; and verse 8 here seems incomplete with only three lines. The Septuagint has line d, “and plants for man to use” (from 104.14b), which is included by New English Bible, New American Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, and New Jerusalem Bible (see Briggs, Weiser). The Hebrew text may be preferred (so Hebrew Old Testament Text Project), but the Septuagint does make for a better balance of lines.

In verse 9 the word translated beasts may mean domesticated animals only, specifically cattle (New English Bible, New American Bible, New International Version, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Dahood). seems preferable to understand the Hebrew in verse 9b to mean “when they call” (either to God, as the Septuagint has it, or for food), and not which cry (Revised Standard Version). Bible en français courant has “when they cry for hunger.” The verse recalls the statements in 104.27-28; 145.15-16. Anderson suggests that young ravens are mentioned because it was the popular notion (although not true) that ravens neglect their young. The translator may need to substitute a different bird for the raven in areas where the raven is unknown.

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 .