The psalm closes with an exhortation for the whole universe to join in praising God. In some languages it will be necessary to say “Everything that is in heaven and earth, praise God,” since for those languages heaven and earth cannot themselves perform this event.

In verse 34b everything that moves means living creatures; in Hebrew therein refers to the seas, but by extension it can be made to apply to all three, heaven, earth, seas (so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy).

The reason for this universal praise is that God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah (for comments on Zion see 2.6). This clearly points to a time when the country of Israel was under the dominion of foreign forces who had devastated it. The Israelites will return and once more possess the land (see 25.13 and comments). In verse 35c Revised Standard Version adds his servants from the Syriac; Hebrew is simply “they will live there,” which is clearly a reference to the Israelites, and which Good News Translation translationally represents by “His people will live there.” This is also the choice of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project (“A” decision).

Children (Good News Translation “descendants”) translates the Hebrew “seed” (see 18.50). His servants in verse 36a are the same as the Hebrew “they” in verse 35c. The children of his servants must not be translated in such a way as to mean the small children of his domestic employees, but rather as “the descendants of those who worship him” or “the descendants of those who serve him.” The verb inherit means to receive, to come into possession of, to be given (by God).

For who love his name, see “name” in 5.11.

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 .