OET interlinear PSA 27:8

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

לְ⁠ךָ֤ ׀ אָמַ֣ר לִ֭בִּ⁠י בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ פָנָ֑⁠י אֶת־פָּנֶ֖י⁠ךָ יְהוָ֣ה אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ

to/for=yourself(m) he/it_had_said (Some words not found in UHB: to/for=yourself(m) he/it_had_said heart_of,my seek face_of,my DOM face_of,your YHWH seek )

David is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “Your face, Yahweh, I will seek.”]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ פָנָ֑⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: to/for=yourself(m) he/it_had_said heart_of,my seek face_of,my DOM face_of,your YHWH seek )

The Hebrew verb the ULT translates as Seek is plural here because Yahweh is addressing his people or people in general who are willing to seek and trust him, and not just David. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

לִ֭בִּ⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: to/for=yourself(m) he/it_had_said heart_of,my seek face_of,my DOM face_of,your YHWH seek )

Here the heart represents where a person’s thoughts and desires exist. David is speaking of his inner self as if it were his physical heart that could speak. You may have a comparable expression in your language, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [My inner self] or [I]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

פָנָ֑⁠י אֶת־פָּנֶ֖י⁠ךָ

face_of,my DOM (Some words not found in UHB: to/for=yourself(m) he/it_had_said heart_of,my seek face_of,my DOM face_of,your YHWH seek )

Here, face represents being in the presence of God and also God’s favor and intervention. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [my presence and help … Your presence and help]