The psalmist has been ceaselessly praying for God to help him, but as yet his prayer has not been answered. For similar language see 6.6-7.

In line b the verb translated is parched occurs only here in the Old Testament.

Waiting for my God in line d implies “waiting for my God to save me.” For comments on the verb “to wait,” see 31.24. It may be better to translate “looking for you, my God, to come and help/save me.”

Good News Translation “for your help” uses the second person of address, in keeping with the second person of verse 1.

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 .