The psalmist affirms the concern of Yahweh for the oppressed, as contrasted with the fate of the wicked in verse 17. The passive verb shall not … be forgotten has God as the implied actor: “God will not forget them.” Here “forget” means “not care for, neglect.” In translation a positive expression may be better: “God will help (or, rescue) the needy,” “God will answer the prayers of the needy.”

In two parallel lines the oppressed are described as the needy and the poor (same word as in verse 12). In many languages, particularly among marginal peoples, terms for the poor are often lacking. Consequently it is necessary to use a descriptive phrase such as “those who are weak and pitiful,” “people who have nothing,” “people who live far from the chief’s compound,” or “people who own only one small pig.”

Typical of parallel lines is the absence of a connector in Hebrew, particularly when the first clause expresses a negative. Here the second clause in Good News Translation can be improved by beginning it “nor shall the hope.”

The hope of the poor is their hope that God will rescue them from their troubles. Hope may sometimes be rendered “to look forward with confidence.” In many languages it is not possible to speak of an emotional event such as hope perishing, as in Revised Standard Version, or “crushed,” as in Good News Translation, but one can destroy or crush the poor who hope. Consequently this statement may be recast as “the poor who look forward with confidence in God will not be crushed forever.” In an active sense this may be rendered “God will not forever destroy the poor people who look to God with confidence that he will help them,” or hope can be kept in focus by translating “the poor will always continue to hope that God will save them.”

For ever appears to suggest that, although the poor seem to be forgotten by God, they will not always remain that way. In time their hope for God’s help will be rewarded.

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 .