34 Take shelter. “Taking shelter” in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject’s loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who “take shelter” in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear and serve the Lord (Pss 5:11–12; 31:17–20; 34:21–22).
35 The prefixed verbal form is a jussive of wish or prayer. The psalmist calls on God to reward his faithful followers.
36 Or perhaps more hyperbolically, “forever.”
37 As in the preceding line, the prefixed verbal form is a jussive of wish or prayer.
38 Heb “put a cover over them.” The verb form is a Hiphil imperfect from סָכַךְ (sakhakh, “cover, shut off”). The imperfect expresses the psalmist’s wish or request.
39 Heb “the lovers of your name.” The phrase refers to those who are loyal to the Lord. See Pss 69:36; 119:132; Isa 56:6.
40 The vav (ו) with prefixed verbal form following the volitional “shelter them” indicates purpose or result (“so that those … may rejoice).
41 Or “For.”
42 Or “bless.” The imperfect verbal forms here and in the next line highlight how God characteristically rewards and protects the godly.
43 Or “innocent.” The singular form is used here in a collective or representative sense.
44 Heb “surround.” In 1 Sam 23:26 the verb describes how Saul and his men hemmed David in as they chased him.
45 Heb “him.” The singular form is used here in a collective or representative sense and is thus translated “them.”
46 Or “with favor” (cf. ). There is no preposition before the noun in the Hebrew text, nor is there a pronoun attached. “Favor” here stands by metonymy for God’s defensive actions on behalf of the one whom he finds acceptable.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them shout for joy forever.

May you shelter them,

and may those who love your name boast about you.

For you, Lord, bless the righteous one;

you surround him with favor like a shield.

NLTNew Living Translation

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them sing joyful praises forever.

Spread your protection over them,

that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

For you bless the godly, O Lord;

you surround them with your shield of love.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But let all who take shelter in you rejoice.

Let them ever sing for joy,

because you spread protection over them;

And let those who love your name exult in you.

For you bless the righteous.

O Yahweh, like a shield you surround him with good favor.

KJV 1900King James Version

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:

Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them:

Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous;

With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Public Domain