The question is asked by pilgrims as they stand in front of the gates of the Temple in Jerusalem, as though they were visitors asking for lodging. The Temple is called “your tent” (see 27.4-5; 61.4), which recalls the Tent (or, Tabernacle) which was Yahweh’s dwelling place during the wanderings in the wilderness, and the tent which David built on Mount Zion to shelter the Covenant Box (2 Sam 6.12, 16-17). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and New International Version translate “your sanctuary.” Yahweh’s holy hill also refers to the Temple; it is Mount Zion, on which the Temple was built (see comments on 2.6). Good News Translation adds “Zion” to make this clear.

The two verbs sojourn and dwell are nearly synonymous, although some see sojourn as referring to temporary residence and dwell as referring to permanent residence. (But see 61.4, where the Hebrew for sojourn is used with the addition “for ever.”) New English Bible has “lodge … dwell”; Dahood “be a guest … dwell.” Good News Translation has abandoned the figure and uses the words that would actually apply to the situation: “enter” and “worship.” Bible en français courant has “who can be received … and find lodging.”

Translators may be able to stay closer to the Hebrew parallelism than Good News Translation has done, provided sojourn and dwell are to be contrasted in terms of permanence. This contrast is somewhat strengthened by the final line, “never be moved.” The question should not be asked as simply a future tense but should be expressed as permission to be granted, as in Good News Translation “may.” In some languages this may be rendered “Who is able?” or “Who is empowered to?” It may also be “Whom do you allow?”

Tent will normally not serve as a basis for the meaning of “Temple,” which in many languages must be rendered by an expression indicating “prayer house,” “worship house,” “singing house,” or “sacrifice house.” Translators should avoid using the New Testament term used to translate “synagogue.” If Good News Translation‘s “enter” is followed, in some cases “enter your Temple” must be completed by a phrase of purpose; for example, “who are the people who may enter your Temple to worship you?”

Good News Translation has named thy holy hill as “Zion,” which has some advantage, since it is a place name which recurs frequently in the Psalms. Holy hill should not be rendered by a phrase meaning “tabooed mountain” but be expressed by a term or terms indicating that the hill is dedicated to the service of God.

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 .