On the basis of his own experience, the psalmist proceeds to proclaim how Yahweh cares for and protects those who trust in him, call to him for help, honor him.
I sought in verse 4a is used with the meaning to go to (the LORD) in prayer and worship (see comments on “seek” in 9.10). Answered means that Yahweh, in response to the psalmist’s prayer, did what the psalmist asked him to do.
All my fears in verse 4b are not internal feelings of dread and insecurity, but external terrors which threaten (see “terror” in 31.13). The verb translated delivered is the one used in 7.1b. In some languages it is not possible to be “he freed me from all my fears.” However, it is often more natural to say “he freed me from those who caused me to fear.”
In verse 5 “The oppressed” is supplied by Good News Translation as being implicit in the text. Good News Translation also translates the perfect tense of the verbs in the Masoretic text as present tense: “look … and are glad” (also New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Dahood). Some change the vowels in the Hebrew text to make the verbs imperative: Revised Standard Version, Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, New American Bible.
The English expression Look to is somewhat idiomatic and must be distinguished from “look at.” Look to means to place oneself in dependence upon someone, and may be translated in some languages in terms of “trusting.” For example, this may be said idiomatically, “They place their hearts on him and are glad” or “Their livers rest with him and they are cool.”
The Hebrew “are radiant” (see Revised Standard Version) expresses gladness, joy; and in verse 5b the verb “be ashamed” (synonymous with the verb used in 6.10) means be disappointed, be disillusioned; see New English Bible “hang your heads in shame”; New American Bible “your faces may not blush with shame.” The Revised Standard Version footnote in verse 5b indicates that your faces follows the ancient versions; the Masoretic text has “their faces.” This departure from the Masoretic text is caused in part by the fact that Revised Standard Version translates the verbs in line a as imperatives, not indicatives. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers to maintain the Masoretic text (“C” decision).
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 .