In my distress must sometimes be rendered as a clause; for example, “When I saw trouble,” or idiomatically, “When trouble took hold of me.” Distress is the same word used in 1 Sam 2.32.

The parallel in Psa 18.6 has “I cried” in line b, which translates a verb that is related to the noun my cry in line d (see the noun that also occurs in verse 42 of this song). But here in 2 Samuel the verb “I cried” has been replaced by I called, so that there is a twofold use of the verb “call.”

His temple probably refers to heaven (as in Psa 11.4), from where God comes to David’s rescue (verses 10-11). But some interpreters see here a reference to the Temple in Jerusalem. In some languages this will have to be translated “his place,” which will conveniently retain the ambiguity. But if translators are convinced that the reference is to the earthly Temple, the translation may be “his house.” This, however, is not recommended, unless that is the normal expression for any dwelling place of God.

My voice is a substitute for speaking, and in some languages there is no noun for voice as such, but only a verb for speaking. Therefore this line may often be rendered “he heard me when I spoke to him.”

Line d, my cry came to his ears, makes specific the more general form in line c, heard my voice. Note that Good News Translation adds “for help,” which also moves in the direction of being more specific. Translators may find that this kind of movement may be made in the noun or in the verb.

The last line in Hebrew is “and my cry for help in his ears” (the parallel in Psa 18.6 has “and my cry for help to his face entered his ears”). Since his ears represent the person as a whole, it is possible to translate “came to him” or, more dynamically, “he listened to me [when I called out for help].”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .