Confirm for ever: the idea of the verb here is that of “keeping one’s word” or making happen what a person has promised. The addition of the words for ever adds permanence to the matter. David is asking that God will ensure that his promise will be fulfilled and that its accomplishment will be absolutely final and unchangeable. Some languages may say something like “cause it to happen and make sure that it does not change.”

The word which thou hast spoken: this refers to the promise of God (verse 10 and 11), that he will give peace to his people and make David and his descendants rulers over Israel.

Thy servant … his house: as in verses 19-21, the use of the third person references will be unnatural in many languages. Translators are advised to convert them to first person, “I … my house.” And it should be noted once again that house means family or descendants in this context.

Do as thou hast spoken: or “accomplish what you have promised.”

A possible model for the verse as a whole is:

• O LORD God, I am your servant. You promised that you would give us peace and make me and those of my family who come after me leaders of Israel. And now I ask that you make this happen just as you said you would.

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 .