The poet now speaks to the bride, addressing her as daughter, a term of endearment. He tells her to listen to him carefully (literally “bend the ear”; see 17.6 and discussion). First, in verse 10b he recommends that she no longer be attached to her people and to her own relatives (your father’s house). This seems to indicate that she is a foreigner; her people would be the people of her own country, and she would have to forsake their customs and religious beliefs. The expression forget your people is somewhat metaphorical, since the intention is not one of forgetting, but rather of not obeying. Therefore, in languages where forget will only be understood literally, it is better to say “don’t be commanded by your people and your relatives” or “no longer follow the advice of your….”

Verse 11a may be read as a clause that is subordinate to the following one: “When the king desires your beauty…” (New English Bible). Such a rendering makes it a specific reference to sexual intercourse (New Jerusalem Bible “let the king be aroused by your beauty”). Her new husband is her lord and “master”; she must obey him (literally “bow down to him”). The expression he is your lord may sometimes be rendered “he is the one who rules over you.” In some languages one may say “your owner.”

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 .