This prayer for the king changes the subject abruptly from the pilgrimage to Mount Zion, and some consider these two verses to be a later addition to the text.

LORD God of hosts translates “Yahweh God of armies” (see comments on “LORD of hosts” in 46.7). This is the same expression as in verses 1 and 3, but with God inserted. For God of Jacob see also 46.7.

In verse 9a the Hebrew is “Look at our shield.” Many take shield here as a reference to God himself (as often in the Psalms; see 3.3); so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “O God, our protector, look…” (similarly Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible). But Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New English Bible, New American Bible, and others take shield to refer to the king as the protector of the people (parallel with thine anointed in line b), as in 89.18. So Bible en français courant “O God, look at the king, our shield.”

The two verbs Behold and look upon mean to regard with kindness, favor, goodwill; so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, using one verb, translates “Look with favorable eyes at the one you have chosen as king,” and Good News Translation has “Bless.” For translation suggestions on “Bless” see 3.8; 16.7; and 21.3.

In verse 9b thine anointed is taken by most to be the king; Bible de Jérusalem and New Jerusalem Bible (footnotes) take it to refer to the High Priest. For comments on anointed, see 2.2.

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 .