In verse 8a the Hebrew text is Zion hears and is glad; it is not clear what the verb hears refers to; it is either the preceding statement concerning the idolaters and the gods, or else Yahweh’s judgments in verse 8c. Toombs takes it to be the proclamation in the Temple of Yahweh’s supreme power (as described in verse 7). So Traduction œcuménique de la Bible places verse 7 within quotation marks. McCullough speculates that “some recent demonstration of the Lord’s power” is meant. It seems best to refer the word forward to thy judgments. Zion stands for the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem; and the daughters of Judah in verse 8b are the other cities (see Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Bible en français courant; New International Version “the villages of Judah”); New Jerusalem Bible has in the margin the alternative rendering “women (of Judah),” which does not seem likely here. The judgments of Yahweh are probably his condemnation and punishment of the enemies of Israel. It will be noted that Good News Translation and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy have not translated Zion hears. New English Bible implies that the hearing and rejoicing refer to the “judgments” of God. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch makes it refer to the preceding statement in verse 7. In many languages it will be necessary to make clear what is heard by the people of Zion; for example, “The people of Zion hear that the gods bow down” or “The people of Zion learn that God judges their enemies.” In some languages Good News Translation‘s “the cities of Judah rejoice” will have to be kept parallel with “The people of Zion,” and in this case it can often be translated, for example, “the people of Zion and those of Judah.”

For Good News Translation “LORD Almighty” see 7.17; Revised Standard Version takes ʿelyon here not as a title (“the Most High”) but as a superlative adjective, most high (so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New English Bible; also New Jerusalem Bible “supreme”). In Hebrew there is a play on the words ʿelyon in verse 9a and a form of the verb ʿalah “to be exalted” in verse 9b. Yahweh is the supreme ruler of the world, far greater in power than the pagan gods. In languages in which the earth may not be said to be ruled, this statement can be recast as “you are the one who rules all the people of the earth.” For translation suggestions on gods, see 40.4 and 96.5.

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 .