The translator will notice that in these two verses three different words are used for “to save”; and further notice should be taken of the fact that Revised Standard Version and other translations do not try to be completely consistent in the translation of these synonymous verbs as they appear in different psalms. The translator should feel free to use the most appropriate word in the context, without trying to be always consistent.

Petitions in prayer in English use the imperative mood, so that God is commanded to be or do something. In some languages it may be necessary to use a different style, more in keeping with prayer. One doesn’t command, but asks, petitions, or requests God to do something.

The psalmist’s plea for help and protection (verses 1-2) is phrased in familiar terms. For I seek refuge see comments on 2.12; be put to shame, see 6.10 and comments; righteousness, see comments on 5.8; deliver, see 17.13 and comments.

Anderson points out that righteousness here has the sense of keeping one’s pledged word; the psalmist appeals to God’s promise to protect him. Righteousness is expressed in some languages as “straight” or “just.” In some cases it will be necessary to recast in thy righteousness (Good News Translation “You are a righteous God”); for example, “you are a God who always does what is right,” “you are a God who acts fairly” or, because “fair” and “just judgment” is an important aspect of God’s dealing with his people, in some languages one may say “you are a God who judges fairly.”

In verse 2, for Incline thy ear see comments on 10.17 and 17.6; rescue is the verb that in 7.1 is translated “deliver”; refuge translates the word that in 27.1 is translated “stronghold”; and for strong fortress see comments on 18.2.

Incline thy ear to me may often be rendered by other figures of speech; for example, “put your ear on my words” or “have two ears for what I say.”

In many languages it is not natural to command someone to be an inanimate object such as a rock. However, it is normally possible to supplement an imperative with a simile; for example, “protect me as a rock protects a person” or “give me protection and shelter like a rock that shelters a person.”

Strong fortress may be expressed in a nonfigurative manner as in Good News Translation, or the translator may substitute another known figure such as a shield, or combine the nonfigure with a simile; for example, “defend me the way a strong fortress defends people.”

The translator should note that in verse 2c and 2d the common pattern used in parallelism, in which the literal item appears in the first line and the metaphor in the second, is set aside, since both rock and strong fortress (literally “house of fortress”) are both metaphors.

It should be noted that verses 1-3a of this psalm are almost exactly like Psalm 71.1-3.

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 .