The sudden change to praise and thanksgiving seems to indicate that the LORD has answered the psalmist’s prayer to punish his enemies, and so the psalmist calls on the people to praise the LORD; literally “Blessed be Yahweh” (see comments on 18.46). Some languages require that the content of the praise or blessing be explicit; for example, “I say that God is wonderful,” or in direct address, “My God, you are wonderful.”
The voice of my supplications: see verse 2.
In verse 7a the word strength is used not only by Revised Standard Version but by most other translations; the Hebrew word may mean “fortress,” and so Good News Translation has “protects.” For shield see comment at 3.3. Some take the two nouns strength and shield as a hendiadys: Dahood “my strong shield”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “my mighty protector.” In languages where the shield is well known and can serve as a figurative manner of speaking of the LORD’s protection, it should be used. Otherwise one can follow the lead of Good News Translation.
My heart trusts: for the verb see its use in 13.5, and for heart see comments on 4.7. Here the translation can be “I trust him with all my heart,” “I rely on him completely.”
I am helped: it may be better to use the active voice of the verb, with Yahweh as subject. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “I trusted in him completely, and he helped me.”
My heart exults: “I am happy,” “I am filled with joy.”
In line d the Masoretic text has “with my song”; the Septuagint has “with my will (or, desire).” New English Bible changes the vowels of the Hebrew text to give the wording “with my whole body.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project was divided in its judgment of the relation between the Masoretic text, “song,” and the Septuagint (which it renders “heart”). It recommends that the Masoretic text be translated, and suggests that in a note translators may wish to indicate the Septuagint wording. It is best to follow the Masoretic text.
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 .