Only here in the Old Testament is Yahweh called my light; this means he is the source of life and vitality (see 18.28). He is also called my salvation, that is, the one who saves me; the stronghold of my life is a figure of protection and security. Bible en français courant has “the protector of my life,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “The Lord defends my life.” Both declarations (lines a and c) are followed by rhetorical questions, which use two synonymous verbs: “Of whom shall I be afraid/be terrified?” These questions are emphatic ways of stating that the psalmist, because of his confidence in Yahweh’s power to protect him, is not afraid of anyone.

The LORD is my light and my salvation requires restructuring in many languages, because light and salvation can not be expressed as possessed objects of the psalmist, as they appear in many translations. Recast as verb phrases it is possible to say, for instance, “The LORD is the one who gives me life and who saves me.” If it is preferable to retain the idea of light in the first clause, it is possible in many languages to say “The LORD is the one who brightens my way and who saves me.”

The expression stronghold of my life may require recasting as a clause, as in Good News Translation or Biblia Dios Habla Hoy. However, it may sometimes be retained as a noun, if the meaning is fully clear. This may require shifting to a simile; for example, “The LORD is like a fortress for me,” or with an associated verb, “The LORD protects me like a fortress.”

Many translators will prefer to follow the Revised Standard Version model, making lines b and d rhetorical questions. However, if this is done, one must reply to those questions where such replies are the natural style in the language. The reply here will be “No one.” If instead of rhetorical questions the translator chooses to use declarative statements, as Good News Translation does, it may be advisable to make the connection between the statement and the consequence quite clear by means of “and so” or “therefore,” as follows: “The LORD … salvation, and so I will fear no one. The LORD … from danger; therefore I will never be afraid.”

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 .