Verse 10, although printed in the Hebrew Bible as a two-part line, is lacking in any of the characteristics of parallel lines. It is a single statement with no seconding and related second part attached.

The first line, All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love (see 5.7) and faithfulness (see comments on “truth” in 15.2), means that Yahweh’s faithfulness and love are manifested as he leads his people (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “He always acts with love and truth with those…”).

In line b his covenant and his testimonies may be a literary figure known as hendiadys, that is, the two express one subject, “the commands of his covenant.” For the word translated testimonies (Good News Translation “commands”) see comments at 19.7b (where it is parallel with “law” in verse 7a). The covenant is the agreement, the pact, between Yahweh and the people of Israel, which Yahweh gave them at Mount Sinai and which the people promised to obey (see Exo 24.3-8); it was the fundamental charter for the nation.

The difficulty in expressing the phrase his covenant arises from the fact that God’s covenant results not from bargaining with his people, but rather from God’s initiative. Furthermore, the keeping of the covenant depends upon God’s faithfulness in spite of his people’s failings in the relationship. Most languages can only supply terms in which it is people who reach agreements, pacts, alliances. While these terms must be used, it will almost always be necessary to give a more detailed note in the footnotes or glossary to explain the unique features of the covenant with 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 .