4 The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.
5 These people are called God’s oppressed ones because he is their defender (see Pss 9:12, 18; 10:12; 12:5).
6 Heb “[the] mountains will bear peace to the people, and [the] hills with justice.” The personified mountains and hills probably represent messengers who will sweep over the land announcing the king’s just decrees and policies. See Isa 52:7 and C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, Psalms (), 2:.
7 Heb “judge [for].”
8 The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.
9 Heb “sons.”
10 In this context “fear” probably means “to demonstrate respect for the Lord’s power and authority by worshiping him and obeying his commandments.” See Ps 33:8. Some interpreters, with the support of the , prefer to read וְיַאֲרִיךְ (vé’a’arikh, “and he [the king in this case] will prolong [days]”), that is, “will live a long time” (cf. , ).
11 God is the addressee (see vv. 1–2).
12 Heb “with [the] sun, and before [the] moon [for] a generation, generations.” The rare expression דּוֹר דּוֹרִים (dor dorim, “generation, generations”) occurs only here, in Ps 102:24, and in Isa 51:8.
13 That is, the king (see vv. 2, 4).
14 The rare term zg refers to a sheep’s fleece in Deut 18:4 and Job 31:20, but to “mown” grass or crops here and in Amos 7:1.
15 The form in the Hebrew text appears to be an otherwise unattested noun. Many prefer to emend the form to a verb from the root זָרַף (zaraf). in textual note b on this verse suggests a Hiphil imperfect, third masculine plural יַזְרִיפוּ (yazrifu), while *זרף prefers a Pilpel perfect, third masculine plural זִרְזְפוּ (zirzéfu). The translation assumes the latter.
16 The imagery of this verse compares the blessings produced by the king’s reign to fructifying rains that cause the crops to grow.
17 Heb “sprout up,” like crops. This verse continues the metaphor of rain utilized in v. 6.
18 Heb “and [there will be an] abundance of peace until there is no more moon.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

May he judge your people with righteousness,

and your poor with justice!

Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,

and the hills, in righteousness!

May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,

give deliverance to the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor!

May they fear you while the sun endures,

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!

May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,

like showers that water the earth!

In his days may the righteous flourish,

and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

NIVNew International Version (2011)

May he judge your people in righteousness,

your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

the hills the fruit of righteousness.

May he defend the afflicted among the people

and save the children of the needy;

may he crush the oppressor.

May he endure as long as the sun,

as long as the moon, through all generations.

May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

like showers watering the earth.

In his days may the righteous flourish

and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He will judge your people with righteousness

and your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring well-being to the people

and the hills, righteousness.

May he vindicate the afflicted among the people,

help the poor,

and crush the oppressor.

May they fear you while the sun endures

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

May the king be like rain that falls on the cut grass,

like spring showers that water the earth.

May the righteous flourish in his days

and well-being abound

until the moon is no more.

NLTNew Living Translation

Help him judge your people in the right way;

let the poor always be treated fairly.

May the mountains yield prosperity for all,

and may the hills be fruitful.

Help him to defend the poor,

to rescue the children of the needy,

and to crush their oppressors.

May they fear you as long as the sun shines,

as long as the moon remains in the sky.

Yes, forever!

May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass,

like the showers that water the earth.

May all the godly flourish during his reign.

May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

May he judge your people with righteousness,

and your poor with justice.

Let the mountains yield prosperity for the people,

and the hills in righteousness.

May he provide justice for the poor of the people,

save the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

May he live long while the sun endures

as long as the moon for all generations.

May he descend like rain on mown grass,

like showers watering the earth.

May what is right blossom in his days

and an abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

KJV 1900King James Version

He shall judge thy people with righteousness,

And thy poor with judgment.

The mountains shall bring peace to the people,

And the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the people,

He shall save the children of the needy,

And shall break in pieces the oppressor.

They shall fear thee as long as the sun

And moon endure, throughout all generations.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass:

As showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous flourish;

And abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

Public Domain