Yahweh’s power over the unruly powers of chaos and destruction is celebrated; The floods (verse 3), the “many waters” (verse 4a), and “the sea” (verse 4b) all refer to the primeval chaos which Yahweh conquered at creation (see comments on 74.13-14; 89.9-10). Some commentators take these to be symbolic references to the nations which were Israel’s enemies, such as Egypt and Assyria (see Kirkpatrick); but it is more likely that the reference is to the powers defeated at creation.

In verse 3c roaring translates a word found nowhere else in the Old Testament; New English Bible and Dahood have “pounding waves.” It should be noted that the verb lift up in line c is in the imperfect tense, whereas in lines a and b it is in the perfect tense. Some take this change of tense to mean that the floods continue to rage and roar (for example, “the floods keep raging”; also Revised Standard Version lift up; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). But most take the change to be simply stylistic.

The three lines in verse 3 may be represented as following:

• The ocean depths, O LORD,
the ocean depths roar;
they let out a mighty roar.

In languages in which oceans are unknown, other bodies of water such as rivers will have to be used. One difficulty is that deep rivers tend to flow quietly. Consequently it may be necessary to say, for example, “the rushing rivers roar.”

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 .