The psalm closes with a final statement of the security of God’s people, who are called his servants. Only Good News Translation has the future tense of the verb, “will save”; all others use the timeless present, which seems better. This can be expressed by “The LORD always saves….” The verb redeems is used also in 25.22; some translate “ransoms,” but that term may have some implications not intended by the Hebrew verb. In normal English usage the verb “to ransom” implies a price paid to someone in order to gain the release of a person held captive. This idea should be avoided.

Those who trust in him for protection will not be condemned, in contrast with “those who hate the righteous” (verse 21b). For take refuge in him see verse 8 and 2.12. And the verb translated condemned is used in 5.10, where it has the sense of “bear (their) guilt” (see comments there).

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 .