Verses 8-12 reflect the thinking and vocabulary of Exodus 34.6-7 (which see). Verse 8 is similar in thought to 86.15 and uses the same vocabulary. Merciful and gracious translates a phrase with a play on word sounds in Hebrew, rachum and chanun. Yahweh is not quick to punish but is patient and always acts with love toward his people (verse 8b).

Nor does he persist in rebuking the sinner (verse 9a); the verb reflects court procedure (see its use in 35.1a, “contend”). Neither does he stay angry forever; the verb, used only here in Psalms, means to hold a grudge against someone. In many languages it will be necessary to express the object of God’s actions of rebuking and being angry; for example, “God will not keep on rebuking his people; he will not stay angry at them for ever.”

The psalmist goes a step farther; from Yahweh’s feelings he goes on to Yahweh’s deeds and asserts that he never punishes his people as severely as their sins deserve (verse 10). Here the psalmist starts using the first person plural, referring to himself and his fellow Israelites. The verb translated deal means literally “do.” That is, he does not take action toward us according to our sins (Good News Translation “He does not punish us as we deserve”). The verb translated requite means to reward when used in a good sense (see 18.20a); when used in a bad sense, as here, it means to punish (so Dahood). Sins and iniquities translate the two most common words in the Old Testament for sin (see 51.1-2). Another way in which verse 10 may be translated is:

• He punishes us for our sins and wrongdoings,
but never as much as we really deserve.

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 .