Vindicate: the Hebrew verb is “to judge” (see 7.8b and discussion), meaning here to declare innocent, to show to be guiltless. Vindicate me or “Declare me innocent” requires in some languages that the opposing party be mentioned; for example, “Make me true before my accuser.” Some languages say “make a just decision for me,” “cut the words in my favor,” or “judge my case favorably.”

The verb “to walk” in line b is used in a figurative sense, meaning to live, to conduct oneself. The declaration I have walked in my integrity means “my conduct is beyond reproach,” “my behavior is free of wrongdoing.” New International Version translates “I have led a blameless life.”

In line c the verb translated wavering means to shake, to totter (see 18.36, of feet that “slip”). In this same line Yahweh is referred to in the third person (see Revised Standard Version); for consistency, Good News Translation maintains the second person of line a.

The two verbs in verse 2a are synonymous, meaning to try, test, prove, examine. The first verb, Prove, has already appeared in 7.9, “who triest the minds”; the second verb, try, only here in the Psalms is used of God “trying” a person; elsewhere in the Psalms it is used of people putting God to the test (see 78.18).

In verse 2b test translates the Hebrew verb “refine,” meaning to take out all impurities (see comments on 12.6; 17.3).

My heart and my mind translates the Hebrew “my kidneys and my heart” (see 7.9). Most translations have “my heart and my mind”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, however, has “my thoughts and my innermost feelings,” and Bible en français courant has “my thoughts and my feelings.”

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 .