Close-but-Clear^[1]

1 For the director, with stringed instruments, a psalm by David.

2 Respond to me when I cry out, my righteous God,
who granted me relief in distress.
Be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

3 You mortal humans, how long will my honour become shame?
(How long) will you love vanity? (How long) will you seek falsehood? Selah.

4 But know that YHWH has set apart for himself a loyal person.
YHWH hears when I cry out to him.

5 Tremble and do not sin.
Think in your minds on your beds and be silent. Selah.

6 Sacrifice right sacrifices
and trust in YHWH.

7 Many are those who say, “Who will show us good?”
Cause the light of your face to shine on us, YHWH.

8 You have put joy in my heart greater than what you put in their hearts
at the time in which their grain and wine multiplied.

9 In peace I will both lie down and fall asleep,
for you alone, YHWH,
make me dwell securely.

Synthesis^[2]

1 For the director, with stringed instruments, a psalm by David

2 Answer me when I call out, my righteous God!

You, who eased my distress in the past,

Have mercy and hear my prayer!

3 Oh, you mortal people, how long will you dishonour me?

How long will you love worthless idols and chase after false gods? Selah.

4 Know this - that YHWH has set apart the one who is loyal.

YHWH hears whenever I call out to him.

5 Tremble in fear and sin no more!

Think it over on your beds and be silent! Selah.

6 Offer right sacrifices

and trust in YHWH!

7 There are a lot of people saying, “If only someone would show us good!”

May your blessing dawn on us like the sun, YHWH!

8 You have given me joy surpassing theirs

back when they had a lot of grain and wine.

9 In peace, I will fall asleep as soon as I lie down,

because you, YHWH, and you alone,

make my life secure.

↑ The close-but-clear translation exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text (syntax as well as word and phrase level semantics) for non-Hebrew readers of the Psalms: Layer by Layer materials. It is intended as a supplement to these materials rather than a stand-alone translation.
↑ Whereas the close-but-clear translation aims for accuracy and clarity in representing the syntax and word-phrase level semantics of the Hebrew text, the synthesis translation takes into account the higher levels of analysis (discourse and poetics) and aims to present the text in more natural English.