In verse 6a rage translates the same Hebrew verb that is translated roar in verse 3. The basic idea of the verb is to be in tumult, be noisy; here the emotion is either that of fear or of confusion. Good News Translation “are terrified”; New English Bible “are in tumult”; New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible “are in uproar.” Perhaps something like “The nations roar in fear” or “… roar in dismay” is better.

For other references to the thunder of God’s voice (verse 6b) see 18.13; 29.3-9 and comments. The result, the earth melts, is probably not meant literally, but figuratively of fear and terror on the part of humankind. In some translations it may be useful to follow Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, which places first “He lets his voice be heard,” and then the result of the roar of God’s voice, “peoples tremble, kingdoms totter, the whole earth disappears in anguish.” The expressions The nations rage and the kingdoms totter refer to the Gentiles. In languages which require an explicit agent, it is possible to say, for example, “God frightens the countries of the other tribes and shakes their kingdoms.” If the translator follows Good News Translation‘s “God thunders,” in many languages it will be necessary to shift to a simile; for example, “God speaks with a noise like thunder makes.” If one follows more literally the Hebrew “God gave his voice,” it will be possible to translate, for example, “God made his voice heard.”

The refrain (verse 7) uses two titles of God: The LORD of hosts is a military title, portraying God as the commander of the armies (“Yahweh of armies”). The God of Jacob appears often in the psalms; Jacob is either the historical personage, or else a name for the people of Israel (see 20.1).

The expression LORD of hosts is sometimes rendered “LORD of the armies.” Since the focus is upon the power of the LORD, this title may also be rendered, for example, “the LORD, who is the strongest of all” or “the LORD, who is all powerful” or “the LORD, who has all strength.”

As in most first person plural references in the Psalms, it will be necessary to translate with us using the inclusive pronominal reference in languages which make a distinction between inclusive and exclusive, in order to include the psalmist and his fellow worshipers who are addressed in this psalm.

The God of Jacob must sometimes be translated as “the God of our ancestor Jacob” or “the God whom our ancestor Jacob worshiped.” Otherwise there is the possibility that Jacob will not be sufficiently identified.

For refuge see comments on “stronghold” in 9.9.

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 .