The psalm closes with a humble prayer. The phrase poor and needy translates two synonyms, both of which mean “poor, weak, helpless, oppressed” (see “afflicted” and comments in 9.12; “weak and needy” in 35.10). If the translation uses poor and needy, it may sometimes be “I am a have-nothing man,” or idiomatically, “I am a man owning only one small pig” or “I am a man living far from the chief’s compound.”

Takes thought for me (line b) means “is concerned about me,” “does not forget me.” Some (New English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) translate this as a plea, “Don’t forget me, Lord!” Thus it becomes parallel to the plea in line d and may be preferred by translators.

Good News Translation has combined the two synonymous expressions, my help and my deliverer, into the one statement, “You are my savior.” For help see comment on the verb “helps” in 37.40, and for deliverer see comment on the verb “deliver” in 17.13. Verbal phrases may be preferred: “You are the one who helps me and sets me free” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy).

The last request, do not tarry, is a way of asking God to take immediate action on the psalmist’s behalf. Most translations follow the Hebrew and use a negative expression, “do not delay”; it may be preferable to use a positive expression, as Good News Translation has done. In most instances it will be helpful to fill out the expression: “do not delay in helping me,” “come quickly to help me.”

It is better to follow Revised Standard Version O my God as a vocative exclamation instead of Good News Translation “You are … my God.”

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 .