2 Heb “one who lays the beams on water [in] his upper rooms.” The “water” mentioned here corresponds to the “waters above” mentioned in Gen 1:7. For a discussion of the picture envisioned by the psalmist, see L. I. J. Stadelmann, The Hebrew Conception of the World, 44–45.
3 Verse 3 may depict the Lord riding a cherub, which is in turn propelled by the wind current. Another option is that the wind is personified as a cherub. See Ps 18:10 and the discussion of ancient Near Eastern parallels to the imagery in M. Weinfeld, “ ‘Rider of the Clouds’ and ‘Gatherer of the Clouds’,” 5 (1973): 422–24.
4 Heb “and his attendants a flaming fire.” The lack of agreement between the singular “fire” and plural “attendants” has prompted various emendations. Some read “fire and flame.” The present translation assumes an emendation to “his attendant” (יו in the Hebrew text being virtually dittographic). In Ugaritic mythology Yam’s messengers appear as flaming fire before the assembly of the gods. See G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 42.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

covering yourself with light as with a garment,

stretching out the heavens like a tent.

He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;

he makes the clouds his chariot;

he rides on the wings of the wind;

he makes his messengers winds,

his ministers a flaming fire.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

He makes winds his messengers,

flames of fire his servants.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe,

spreading out the sky like a canopy,

laying the beams of his palace

on the waters above,

making the clouds his chariot,

walking on the wings of the wind,

and making the winds his messengers,

flames of fire his servants.

NLTNew Living Translation

You are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;

you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot;

you ride upon the wings of the wind.

The winds are your messengers;

flames of fire are your servants.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

you who cover yourself with light as with a garment,

who stretch out the heavens like a tent curtain,

the one who sets beams in the waters for his upper chambers,

who makes clouds his chariot,

who rides on the wings of the wind,

who makes his messengers the winds,

his attendants a flame of fire.

KJV 1900King James Version

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:

Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters:

Who maketh the clouds his chariot:

Who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Who maketh his angels spirits;

His ministers a flaming fire:

Public Domain