The psalmist prays for a return of that joy which is the result of God’s saving action (thy salvation). Of thy salvation must sometimes be translated “that comes from being saved by you.”

He then asks that God provide him with a willing spirit, that is, a disposition, a willingness, to obey him. New Jerusalem Bible translates “a vigorous spirit.” Revised Standard Version has uphold, which is the meaning the Hebrew verb has in 3.5; 37.17, 24; also New Jerusalem Bible “let a vigorous spirit sustain me,” and New Jerusalem Bible “sustain in me a generous spirit.” If the meaning “uphold” or “sustain” is expressed, then the translator must decide whether the willing spirit is the power of God or the psalmist’s own inner strength; here, however, it seems better to take the verb in the sense of “to provide” (as in Gen 27.37; see K-B); see New International Version “grant me.” So Anderson interprets it: “to support him by providing him with a willing spirit.” Revised Standard Version construction makes a willing spirit God’s attitude, not the psalmist’s; it seems that Revised Standard Version does this unintentionally, unless Revised Standard Version intends to say “Uphold me by giving me a willing spirit.” Bible en français courant and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, however, take it to be God’s spirit: “sustain me with your generous Spirit” (see Traduction œcuménique de la Bible footnote).

Verse 13 may be joined to what precedes (as Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy have done) or to what follows (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, Bible en français courant, New International Version, New American Bible). The former seems preferable.

Some translations (An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible) take verse 13a as a request, “Let me teach”; most take it as a promise, as do Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version. It should be noted that the vow here is not the usual one, in this kind of psalm, to offer a proper sacrifice, but to teach transgressors thy ways. The transgressors of verse 13a are the same as the sinners of verse 13b; they are not two different groups. Thy ways refers to God’s requirements, God’s commands for human conduct, especially as they are expressed in the Torah. New English Bible translates “the ways that lead to thee”; Bible en français courant has “what you expect from them.”

To return to God implies repentance of sin and a determination to obey God’s laws.

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 .