Mazmur 40:15

40:15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

be humiliated ¹  and disgraced! ² 

Mazmur 49:2

49:2 Pay attention, all you people, ³ 

both rich and poor!

Mazmur 49:9

49:9 so that he might continue to live ⁴  forever

and not experience death. ⁵ 

Mazmur 51:15

51:15 O Lord, give me the words! ⁶ 

Then my mouth will praise you. ⁷ 

Mazmur 70:3

70:3 May those who say, “Aha! Aha!”

be driven back ⁸  and disgraced! ⁹ 

Mazmur 68:13

68:13 When ¹⁰  you lie down among the sheepfolds, ¹¹ 

the wings of the dove are covered with silver

and with glittering gold. ¹² 

[40:15]  ¹ tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive in this imprecation.

[40:15]  ² tn Heb “May they be humiliated according to their shame, those who say to me, ‘Aha! Aha!’”

[49:2]  ³ tn Heb “even the sons of mankind, even the sons of man.” Because of the parallel line, where “rich and poor” are mentioned, some treat these expressions as polar opposites, with בְּנֵי אָדָם (bÿney ’adam) referring to the lower classes and בְּנֵי אִישׁ (bÿney ’ish) to higher classes (cf. NIV, NRSV). But usage does not support such a view. The rare phrase בְּנֵי אִישׁ (“sons of man”) appears to refer to human beings in general in its other uses (see Pss 4:2; 62:9; Lam 3:33). It is better to understand “even the sons of mankind” and “even the sons of man” as synonymous expressions (cf. NEB “all mankind, every living man”). The repetition emphasizes the need for all people to pay attention, for the psalmist’s message is relevant to everyone.

[49:9]  ⁴ tn The jussive verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive is taken as indicating purpose/result in relation to the statement made in v. 8. (On this use of the jussive after an imperfect, see GKC 322 §109.f.) In this case v. 8 is understood as a parenthetical comment.

[49:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “see the Pit.” The Hebrew term שַׁחַת (shakhat, “pit”) is often used as a title for Sheol (see Pss 16:10; 30:9; 55:24; 103:4).

[51:15]  ⁶ tn Heb “open my lips.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[51:15]  ⁷ tn Heb “and my mouth will declare your praise.”

[70:3]  ⁸ tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive in this imprecation.

[70:3]  ⁹ tn Heb “May they be turned back according to their shame, those who say, ‘Aha! Aha!’” Ps 40:15 has the verb “humiliated” instead of “turned back” and adds “to me” after “say.”

[68:13]  ¹⁰ tn Or “if.”

[68:13]  ¹¹ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word translated “sheepfolds” is uncertain. There may be an echo of Judg 5:16 here.

[68:13]  ¹² tn Heb “and her pinions with the yellow of gold.”

[68:13]  sn The point of the imagery of v. 13 is not certain, though the reference to silver and gold appears to be positive. Both would be part of the loot carried away from battle (see v. 12b).