The psalmist uses the two spacial terms not far and near to emphasize the danger he is in. In some languages it may be more natural to phrase the request in positive terms, “Stay close to me.” In this case the second line can be “for trouble is not far away.”

The trouble refers to the enemies around him (verses 12-13). The expression trouble is near presents a problem for some languages, since such abstracts are not naturally associated with space, that is, in being in a position. However, one may often say “my enemies who trouble me are near.”

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 .