OET interlinear PSA 55:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

הַאֲזִ֣ינָ⁠ה אֱ֭לֹהִים תְּפִלָּתִ֑⁠י וְ⁠אַל־תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִ⁠תְּחִנָּתִֽ⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster with,stringed_instruments maskil of,David )

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them and express the emphasis in another way. Another approach would be to connect the phrases with a word that shows that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. See how you as a team have decided to translate the parallel phrases in the Psalms, and follow that approach here and throughout this psalm. Alternate translation: [Listen carefully, God, as I plead with you in prayer] or [Listen to my prayer, God! Indeed, do not hide yourself from my plea!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

הַאֲזִ֣ינָ⁠ה & וְ⁠אַל־תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster with,stringed_instruments maskil of,David )

The expressions Listen and do not hide are imperatives, but they communicate polite requests rather than a commands. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request in these cases and in the next verse. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: [Please listen … and please do not hide]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠אַל־תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִ⁠תְּחִנָּתִֽ⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster with,stringed_instruments maskil of,David )

David is speaking as if God might actually hide himself so that David could not find him and make a plea to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and do not disregard my plea]