The psalmist recalls his past, when in his ease he boasted of his success; but when Yahweh withdrew his presence, he felt afraid.

The word translated prosperity is found only here; it means quietness, ease. One may translate “when things went well”; New Jerusalem Bible “when I was untroubled”; New English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible have “Carefree”; both Good News Translation and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translate “I felt secure.”

For verse 6b see the same statement in 10.6.

In verse 7a thy favor translates the same word that appears in verse 5b.

The exact meaning of the Hebrew in verse 7b is disputed, though the general sense of security is clear enough. New Jerusalem Bible has “Your favour, Yahweh, set me on unassailable heights”; New American Bible, following the Septuagint, “You had endowed me with majesty and strength”; another possible version is “you established strength for my mountain”; similarly An American Translation and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible.6-7 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project also takes the Masoretic text to mean “by your favor you had established strength for my mountain” (“B” decision). It is unclear what “my mountain” means in this context, and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not explain. Dahood has “by your favor you made me more stable than the mighty mountains”; New Jerusalem Bible “You … made [me] firm as a mighty mountain.” New English Bible, however, translates “it was thy will to shake my mountain refuge”; this, however, is quite improbable. Established me as a strong mountain will have little meaning where the highest hill is a barely-noticeable elevation of ground. In such areas it will be necessary to employ a different figure of strength or to avoid the use of the figure altogether; for example, “you protect me like a strong fortress” or “you are like a fortress and you protect me.”

For thou didst hide thy face, see comment at 13.1. It was the psalmist’s illness that caused him to conclude that Yahweh had forsaken him, and for this reason he was dismayed, that is, afraid (see the same verb, translated “terrify,” in 2.5).

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 .