All living creatures depend on Yahweh for their food (verses 27-28) and their continued existence (verses 29-30). For passages similar to verses 27-28, see 145.15-16; 147.9. In due season in verse 27b means “at the right time,” “at the proper time” (New English Bible, New International Version), “when they need it” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). In verse 28a Good News Translation “eat” translates the verb which means to “gather, pick up”; and in verse 28b “you provide food” translates “you open your hand” (see Revised Standard Version). In simple and graphic language the psalmist portrays all living creatures looking to God for their food and God giving it to them. The translation should do its best to represent faithfully this poetic language.

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 .