9 Heb “the years of antiquity.”
10 Heb “I will remember my song in the night, with my heart I will reflect. And my spirit searched.” As in v. 4, the words of v. 6a are understood as what the psalmist said earlier. Consequently the words “I said” are supplied in the translation for clarification (see v. 10). The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) consecutive at the beginning of the final line is taken as sequential to the perfect “I thought” in v. 6.
11 As in vv. 4 and 6a, the words of vv. 7–9 are understood as a quotation of what the psalmist said earlier. Therefore the words “I asked” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
12 Heb “word,” which may refer here to God’s word of promise (note the reference to “loyal love” in the preceding line).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

“Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

NIVNew International Version (2011)

I thought about the former days,

the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

“Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?

Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I consider days of old,

years long past.

At night I remember my music;

I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders.

“Will the Lord reject forever

and never again show favor?

Has his faithful love ceased forever?

Is his promise at an end for all generations?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Selah

NLTNew Living Translation

I think of the good old days,

long since ended,

when my nights were filled with joyful songs.

I search my soul and ponder the difference now.

Has the Lord rejected me forever?

Will he never again be kind to me?

Is his unfailing love gone forever?

Have his promises permanently failed?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

Interlude

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

I think about the days from long ago,

the years of ancient times.

I remember my song in the night.

With my heart I meditate,

and my spirit searches to understand.

Will the Lord reject us forever,

and will he never be pleased with us again?

Has his loyal love ceased forever?

Is his promise ended throughout generations?

Has God forgotten to have compassion?

Or has he closed off his mercies in anger? Selah

KJV 1900King James Version

I have considered the days of old,

The years of ancient times.

I call to remembrance my song in the night:

I commune with mine own heart:

And my spirit made diligent search.

Will the Lord cast off for ever?

And will he be favourable no more?

Is his mercy clean gone for ever?

Doth his promise fail for evermore?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious?

Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

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