Parallel PSA 45:2

Note 1 topic: writing-politeness

יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

In verse 1, the psalmist was addressing all of his listeners. Here he begins to address the king directly. In some cultures, a person would not begin to speak to a ruler without using a specific form of address. If your culture has such a form, you could use it in your translation. Alternate translation: [Your Majesty, you are fairer than the sons of man]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּ⁠שְׂפְתוֹתֶ֑י⁠ךָ

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The words You and your are singular here and in the rest of the psalm because the psalmist is always addressing an individual. So use singular forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The psalmist is using sons of man as a common expression of his culture to mean “human beings.” He is not implying that the king is not a man. He means that he is fairer or more handsome than all the other sons of man. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [You are more handsome than other people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The psalmist is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. (However, since an overstatement like this one was an appropriate compliment for a ruler in this culture, you may wish to retain the overstatement in your translation. The UST models one way to do that.) Alternate translation: [You are an exceptionally handsome man]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / reduplication

יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The psalmist is using or creating a special form of a verb that means “to be beautiful” by doubling its root. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the intensification. Alternate translation: [You are handsome, far more handsome than other men]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּ⁠שְׂפְתוֹתֶ֑י⁠ךָ

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The expression is poured is a passive verbal form. If your language would not use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that would be natural in your language. If you need to say who has done this action, the context indicates that it is God. Alternate translation: [God has poured grace onto your lips]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּ⁠שְׂפְתוֹתֶ֑י⁠ךָ

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The psalmist is speaking as if Grace had actually been poured onto the lips of the king. In context, the emphasis seems to be not on the action of pouring but on the result of pouring. When a liquid is poured onto a surface, it spreads out and covers that surface. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Grace covers your lips] or [Your lips are entirely gracious]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּ⁠שְׂפְתוֹתֶ֑י⁠ךָ

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

Here the king’s lips represent his speech. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [Your speech is entirely gracious]

Note 9 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

עַל־כֵּ֤ן

(Some words not found in UHB: overflows heart_of,my theme good recite I work(s)_of,my to_[the],king tongue_of,my pen writer ready )

The psalmist is not using the word Therefore to indicate that the king’s attractive appearance and gracious speech are the reasons why God has blessed him. He means that these characteristics of the king are evidence that God has blessed him. If a term such as “therefore” would not communicate this meaning in your language, you may want to use a different connecting word or phrase to show how the following statement relates to what comes before it. Alternate translation: [This is how we know that]