Verses 7 and 8 contrast with verses 2-6 and apply the LORD’s greatness and power to his dealings with people, both to protect those who trust him (verse 7) and to punish his enemies (verse 8).

The LORD is good is a general statement which, in the second and third lines, is applied to the way he cares for his people. Good here probably emphasizes the LORD’s kindness to those who trust him, and contrasts with his anger shown to those who oppose him (verses 2-3, 8-11).

The Hebrew says that he is a stronghold in the day of trouble. A stronghold is a fortified place that people can flee to when their enemies attack them. To speak of the LORD as a stronghold is a metaphor which means that “he protects his people in times of trouble,” as Good News Translation expresses it in nonfigurative language. Compare Psa 37.39; Isa 25.4; Jer 16.19. Some translators may wish to keep this metaphor and say something like the following: “He is like a stronghold which protects his people in time of trouble” or “He is like a fortified place which protects his people when they are in trouble.” Stronghold may also be rendered as “a place with high strong walls.” “In times of trouble” in certain languages can be rendered as “in times when his people receive troubles” or “… undergo troubles.”

The third line says much the same thing over again, literally he knows those who take refuge in him. The Hebrew expression which is translated literally in Revised Standard Version as he knows means “he takes care of” (Good News Translation; compare New American Bible, New English Bible, New International Version, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), and take refuge in him means “trust in him” (Jerusalem Bible, New International Version) or “turn to him” (Good News Translation). Most translators will wish to follow the example of Good News Translation and other modern English versions and express the meaning in plain language. Translators who keep the metaphor of stronghold in the first line may wish to render the second line as “he takes care of those who take refuge in him” or “he protects those who take refuge in him.” For similar themes compare Psalms 1.6; 2.12; 5.11; 37.18; 144.2; Amos 3.2; Zephaniah 3.12.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A . A Handbook on the Book of Nahum. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1989. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .