So they glorified him for his ten thousands: See 1 Sam 18.7. Good News Translation rightly clarifies this line by adding the word “killing,” but Contemporary English Version is even clearer by adding “enemies”: “Israel praised David for killing enemies by the [tens of] thousands.”

And praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him: Translators will do well to follow Good News Translation in reversing these two lines. Good News Translation translates when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him as “when he was crowned king.” This is what it means, although the writer is trying to create an impressive atmosphere with glorious diadem (a diadem is a crown). Good News Translation interprets the blessings of the Lord as the blessings bestowed on David in being made king, so for the second line it has “they praised him for being chosen by the Lord.” However, for the blessings of the Lord is parallel to for his ten thousands in the first line, so while the blessings are those the Lord has given David, they are not limited to “being chosen by the Lord.” They certainly include being able to conquer so many enemies.

Another approach to this verse is:

• When the people placed the glorious [or, magnificent] crown on his head, they praised him for killing tens of thousands of their enemies, and honored him for the blessings that the Lord had given him.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.