Good News Translation has used the second person of address in verse 1a in order to maintain consistency with verses 1b-2. In Hebrew it is the third person.

In verse 1a the verb for give thanks is the same as in 7.17a, and in verse 2b the verb for sing praise is the same as in 7.17b. If the translator follows Good News Translation “I will praise you,” this expression may often be rendered as “I will make you great” or “I will speak highly of your name.” Sometimes such expressions may be handled as direct address, “I will say, ‘Your name, LORD, is truly great,’ ” “You, LORD, are great” or “Your reputation, LORD, is truly good.” The sincerity and intensity of the psalmist’s gratitude is stressed with the phrase with my whole heart.

Wonderful deeds translates the participle of a verb used in 4.3 and which occurs quite often in Psalms to refer to the extraordinary acts of Yahweh on behalf of the people of Israel. Such deeds are described figuratively in some languages as ones which “take the breath away,” “take away the heart,” or “open the mouth.”

Translators should always be alert to unsuitable meanings which may result from transferring expressions from one language to another. Good News Translation very frequently uses the verbal clause “things you have done” or “what you (or, he) have (or, has) done.” In some languages this expression is used as a euphemism or indirect way of speaking about sexual relations. Translators who are faced with this particular problem would be well advised to check under “do” in the Concordance to the Good News Bible, edited by David Robinson.

In verse 2a the two verbs be glad and exult are synonymous, the first of which appears many times in Psalms; the second one is used only here and in 5.11; 25.2; 68.3. In thee: “because of what you have done” (see also comments on 5.11).

For name see comments on 5.11. I will sing praise to thy name (Good News Translation “you”) in verse 2b may require recasting in order to show the relation between the two events of “singing” and “praising,” and their relation to “you” or thy name. For example, “I will sing, and in this way I will praise you,” or “I will speak of your great name when I sing about you,” or “When I sing I will say this: ‘Your name is great.’ ”

For the title Most High see comments on 7.17.

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 .