Verse 4 in Hebrew begins “and the might of the king.” Some, by a change of vowels, get the adjective “mighty” and connect it with the last part of verse 3, “he is holy and mighty” (Briggs, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible). Others, with the same change of vowels but maintaining the Masoretic text division of verses, translate “and a mighty one is king” (Weiser). Another way to render the Masoretic text may be “Strong as he is, the king….” Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version change the Hebrew text to get Mighty King; New Jerusalem Bible translates in the same way, with a footnote, “Meaning of Heb uncertain.”4-5 Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, without indicating any textual problem, translates “The strength of a king is to love justice.” This is a beautiful statement but does not seem to be the meaning of the Masoretic text. Bible en français courant assumes an ellipsis of the verb “Praise” of verse 3 and translates “Let all praise your might, you a king who loves justice.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project says there are two possible interpretations of this passage: (1) “and the might of the king who loves justice, you did (or, do) establish it with equity”; (2) “and the might is for the king who loves justice. You have established equity firmly, and….”
Three synonymous words are used in verse 4: mishpat justice (see 7.6) is used twice; tsedaqah righteousness (see 5.8), and mesharim, which Revised Standard Version consistently translates equity (Good News Translation “fairness”; see 96.10c; 98.9c). All of these refer to the qualities which should govern the life of the community of Israel (literally Jacob), in people’s relations one with another. Yahweh is a God concerned with social justice and morality. Bible en français courant translates “You have prescribed the rules that govern our lives, you have established law and order in Israel.”
In some languages it will not be possible to say lover of justice or “you love what is right.” Instead one must sometimes translate “you love those who do things that are right.” Established equity and Good News Translation‘s “established justice” intend to say that God is the giver of justice, and may be rendered “you have given the rules that show people how to do the right things.”
In verse 5b footstool could refer to Jerusalem or to the Temple; it probably refers to the Covenant Box, in the Most Holy Place in the Temple, which was considered God’s “throne” (see verse 1). In many languages it will be necessary to express God as the object of the act of worship; for example, “worship God before his throne” or “worship God at the place from which he rules the people.”
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 .