Verses 8-11b are quoted, exactly as they appear in the Septuagint, in Acts 2.25-28; verse 10b is also quoted in Acts 13.35.

The idea expressed in I keep the LORD always before me means to keep him in mind; New Jerusalem Bible “I am ever mindful of the LORD’s presence”; Bible en français courant “I never lose sight of the Lord.” Also possible is “I constantly fix my mind on the LORD.” In translation Good News Translation language can be used, “I always remember that the LORD is present with me,” or it may be rendered “I know the LORD is always near me.”

He is at my right hand means he is present, near to help, available. The place at the right of a person was where his defender in a trial would stand (see 109.31). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “with him at my right, nothing can make me fail.” Being at the right hand means in some languages that one is in an honored position or is available to help. For the verb be moved see comments on 10.6. Yahweh’s presence provides security to the psalmist, and he cannot be defeated.

The relation between the two parts of the last line (because) should be formally stated or clearly implied. For Good News Translation this can be made clearer by having “he is near, and so nothing….”

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 .