5 The prefixed verbal forms are taken as jussives in the translation because the jussive is clearly used in the final line of the verse, suggesting that this is a prayer. The psalmist stops to pronounce a prayer of blessing on the godly individual envisioned in v. 1. Of course, he actually has himself primarily in view. He mixes confidence (vv. 1, 3) with petition (v. 2) because he stands in the interval between the word of assurance and the actual intervention by God.
6 The translation follows the consonantal Hebrew text (Kethib), which has a Pual (passive) prefixed form, regarded here as a jussive. The Pual of the verb אָשַׁר (’ashar) also appears in Prov 3:18. The marginal reading (Qere) assumes a vav (ו) consecutive and Pual perfect. Some, with the support of the , change the verb to a Piel (active) form with an objective pronominal suffix, “and may he bless him,” or “and he will bless him” (cf. ).
7 The negative particle אַל (’al) before the prefixed verbal form indicates the verb is a jussive and the statement a prayer. Those who want to take v. 2 as a statement of confidence suggest emending the negative particle to לֹא (lo’), which is used with the imperfect. See the earlier note on the verbal forms in line one of this verse. According to §109.e, this is a case where the jussive is used rhetorically to “express that something cannot or should not happen.” In this case one might translate, “you will not turn him over to his enemies,” and take the preceding verbal forms as indicative in mood.
8 Heb “do not give him over to the desire of his enemies” (see Ps 27:12).
9 The prefixed verbal form could be taken as jussive, continuing the prayer of v. 2, but the parallel line in v. 3b employs the perfect, suggesting that the psalmist is again speaking in the indicative mood (see v. 1b). The imperfect can be understood as future or as generalizing (see v. 1).
10 Heb “all his bed you turn in his illness.” The perfect is used here in a generalizing sense (see v. 1) or in a rhetorical manner to emphasize that the healing is as good as done.
11 In vv. 4–10 the psalmist recites the prayer of petition and lament he offered to the Lord.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;

he is called blessed in the land;

you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed;

in his illness you restore him to full health.

As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me;

heal me, for I have sinned against you!”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The Lord protects and preserves them—

they are counted among the blessed in the land—

he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

The Lord sustains them on their sickbed

and restores them from their bed of illness.

I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;

heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The Lord will keep him and preserve him;

he will be blessed in the land.

You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed;

you will heal him on the bed where he lies.

I said, “Lord, be gracious to me;

heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

NLTNew Living Translation

The Lord protects them

and keeps them alive.

He gives them prosperity in the land

and rescues them from their enemies.

The Lord nurses them when they are sick

and restores them to health.

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me.

Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Yahweh protects him and keeps him alive;

he is blessed in the land,

and you do not give him

into the will of his enemies.

Yahweh sustains him on his sick bed.

In his illness, you restore to health.

As for me, I said, “O Yahweh, be gracious to me.

Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

KJV 1900King James Version

The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive;

And he shall be blessed upon the earth:

And thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing:

Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me:

Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

Public Domain