Alliteration in verse 5 is found in the repetition of the Hebrew letter ʿayin, the first letter of the preposition translated “in” or “on,” which occurs twice.

The advice Commit your way to the LORD translates the verb “to roll” (see 22.8); it means to turn over to the LORD your whole life–all your desires, problems, anxieties. Let the LORD determine what your life is to be; trust in him (see comments on 4.5b and 13.5). He will act translates “he will do (it)”–that is, he will take action, he will do whatever is necessary (Bible en français courant), “he will help you” (Good News Translation).

Verse 6 states what will happen if the psalmist’s advice in verse 5 is followed: “He will cause to appear your tsedeq (line a) … and your mishpat (line b).” The two nouns seem to refer to the integrity, the upright character of the psalmist (so Good News Translation “righteousness”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “your integrity … your justice”; New Jerusalem Bible “your uprightness … the justice of your cause”). But the nouns may refer to Yahweh’s action of successfully defending the cause of the psalmist (so Briggs, Kirkpatrick), your vindication … your right (Revised Standard Version), “your vindication … the justice of your case” (New Jerusalem Bible). Everything considered, it seems that the latter interpretation is to be preferred. God will plainly and publicly demonstrate the justice of the psalmist’s cause and prove him to be innocent. So a translation can be “He will clearly prove that you are innocent, he will show that your cause is just.”

Verse 6 is chiastic in that your vindication comes at the end of line a and your right at the beginning of line b. As seen in Revised Standard Version, there is no verb expressed in line b. However, in translation a verb must sometimes be supplied. Alliteration is present in the Hebrew consonant kaf, the prefix meaning “like.”

As the light in verse 6a is parallel with as the noonday in line b; the two together refer to the sun as it rises in the morning and as it shines with full force at noontime. This is a figure of something that is clear, that is seen by all. If the translator is to keep both characteristics, whether of the psalmist or of the LORD, it is often possible to say “He will make your goodness and your fairness in judging appear as clear as the light of day” or “He will make your goodness appear in the light and your fairness in judging to be seen like the bright sun.” It will be noticed that Good News Translation has combined the two parallel lines into one; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has rearranged the material as follows: “He will cause your uprightness and your justice to shine as brightly as the noonday sun”–which may be a model to follow.

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 .