The psalm begins with an expression of gratitude to the LORD because he listens to and answers the psalmist’s prayers. The first line of verse 1 in Hebrew is somewhat unusual in that the verb I love is followed by “because (or, that) he hears me,” after which comes the name Yahweh: “I love because (or, that) hears me Yahweh”; but commentators and translations generally agree that the meaning is that given by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation; Bible de Jérusalem, however, translates “I love, for Yahweh listens….” Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy use the past tense of the verb; Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible use the present tense, which seems more fitting. The noun supplications in verse 1b can be translated “my pleas” (New Jerusalem Bible), “my cries for help.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “when I cry to him for help.”

In verse 2b Good News Translation “every time” translates “in my days”; so New English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible have “whenever,” and Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant “when,” New Jerusalem Bible “as.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New International Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Revised Standard Version have as long as I live, which the translator is encouraged to follow.1-2 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project says “and in my days” means “during my life.”

Revised Standard Version and others translate the verb in verse 2b as future, I will call; but it can be translated as a timeless present, indicating repeated or habitual action, as Good News Translation has done.

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 .