1) Avoiding the use of post-1885 translations as aids. There is enforced (coerced?) conformity of mistranslation there, so agreement among them means nothing;
2) translating directly from the Hebrew as much as possible, also giving consideration to ancient sources.
So let's get started.
Psalm 61
Hear my petition, O God,
give ear to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
when my heart is in darkness:
[When the Hebrew is easy to understand and there is much agreement among ancient translators, our work is light. My reading "in darkness" differs from the "weary," "faint," "overwhelmed," etc., of previous translators. But the very diversity of their readings indicates that they didn't really know the meaning of עטף. I would not have known either, but in Strong's it is linked to H5848, from a verb that means "to shroud." It has a constellation of meanings, but most are centered on the idea of darkness, which fits well here. The ancients did not have Hebrew texts with vowels, or concordances with wonderful built-in dictionaries. We do have those things, and we need to use them.]
Now we come to a rough patch, and some dictionary work will be required. The numbers, prefixed by H, are the numbers in Strong's Hebrew dictionary.
lead me to a rock 6697 (or refuge) that is higher than myself.
For you have been a shelter 4268, fr 2620 to me,
a strong tower against the enemy.
I will abide 1481 in your tent (or dwelling) 168 forever:
I will take refuge 2620 in the cover 5643 of your wings. Selah 5542. (Pause.)
(to be continued)
