The opening line of Psalm 27, as discussed in the footnotes in The Book of Psalms, invokes the spirit of a speaker that is petitioning God for help. It discusses the lack of worry or urgency in the speakers tone, knowing that God is helpful in all situations grave. If we examine next the excerpt from the Bay Psalm book…

We can see a manipulation of language in order to better fit the needs of the new world Catholics. We see critical word choice changes from “rescue” to “health” and from “whom shall I fear” to “what shall make me dismayed”. These subtle changes in language dramatically warp context of the speaker of the psalm. For instance, where one needs rescue is when they are imperiled. Health, as mentioned in the Bay Psalm book version, invokes a soundness of body and mind already achieved through God. Dismay happens when one loses conviction in what they believe as a result of fear. Yet if we can avoid losing this resolution, you avoid fear and therefore are encouraged in faith.  This is more direct and confident sounding than Alter’s translation.

The Bay Psalm version is an extra 5 lines longer than the Alter translation. These lines stress the importance of courage in the face of enemies and the strength renewed by means of faith in God. These lines are absent from Alter’s translation, and for what reason I do not know. I can speculate that these were maintained in the Bay Psalm just like the earlier sentiments that the individual is strengthened by his or her own faith and does not need to fear if they already believe.

The differences between Alter’s translation and the Bay Psalm book are noticeable in language and context. The meanings expressed in the latter translation are much more impassioned with the concept of individual faith and strength found in faith. The faithful have a predisposition not to fear since their faith in God will protect them. These ideas seem also to fit with many Puritan ideals, such as mans relationship with God only and no mention of the "church' or papal authority.