The two lines of verse 3 are syntactically parallel, and in Hebrew there is only one verb for the two lines (see Revised Standard Version); the peoples are the same as the nations, both referring to the various gentile peoples who lived in Canaan and who were defeated by the invading Israelites (us). However, line b, under our feet, is more specific than line a, under us. If one follows Good News Translation it is often necessary to say in line a, for example, “He enabled us to defeat our enemies,” and in line b “he enabled us to rule over the nations.” Nations must often be rendered “the other tribes.”

In verse 3b under our feet is a way of speaking of the defeat of the Canaanites. Yahweh himself is the one who won the victory for his people.

In verse 4a heritage refers to the land of Canaan (see discussion at 16.6); the parallel the pride of Jacob in line b is also a reference to Canaan, which Good News Translation has represented by “the proud possession of his people.” Some (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New English Bible) take Jacob to be the patriarch himself, and so translate “whom he loved.” It is better to take Jacob to mean the people of Israel (see similar use of the name in 14.7). If one translates literally, it may be important to add a footnote, “that is, the Promised Land.”

In some languages it will be necessary to break line b into two sentences. Furthermore, it is not possible in some languages to speak of a possession being qualified as proud, since only people can be proud. Therefore one may translate, for example, “his people are proud to own the land” and “he loves us.” In languages which must distinguish between inclusive and exclusive, the inclusive reference will be used for “us.”

Bible en français courant translates the verse: “He has chosen our country for us, and we are proud of it, we, the people of Jacob, whom he (God) loves.”

For Selah see 3.2.

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 .