With verse 7 the psalmist begins to exhort all earthly beings and things to praise Yahweh from the earth (see “from heavens” in verse 1). Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version are able to maintain the parallel expressions from the heavens and from the earth in verses 1 and 7. Translators should attempt to do likewise. For sea monsters see 74.13 and comments; all deeps is a way of speaking of the deep waters which Yahweh conquered at creation (see 89.9-10; 104.6-7); they are all his servants and so must praise him. See verses 3-4 for use of the simile in connection with commands to nonhumans.

In verse 8 the natural phenomena are also commanded to join the chorus of praise; fire is lightning. In the same line frost translates a word that means “smoke” elsewhere (Gen 19.28; Psa 119.83); the Septuagint translates “ice” (so New English Bible and Revised Standard Version); Good News Translation and New International Version have “clouds”; An American Translation “fog”; Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “mist”; New Jerusalem Bible and Dahood “smoke,” that is, volcanic smoke. The translator is invited to take his or her pick. For substitutions for snow see comments on 147.16.

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 .