Mazmur 56:10

56:10 In God – I boast in his promise ¹  –

in the Lord – I boast in his promise ²  –

Mazmur 119:74

119:74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me, ³ 

for I find hope in your word.

Mazmur 138:4

138:4 Let all the kings of the earth give thanks ⁴  to you, O Lord,

when they hear the words you speak. ⁵ 

Mazmur 143:11

143:11 O Lord, for the sake of your reputation, ⁶  revive me! ⁷ 

Because of your justice, rescue me from trouble! ⁸ 

[56:10]  ¹ tn Heb “in God I praise a word.” The syntax of the Hebrew text is difficult. The statement is similar to that of v. 4, except that the third person pronominal suffix is omitted here, where the text has simply “a word” instead of “his word.” (1) One could translate, “in God I will boast [with] a word.” In this case, the “word” refers to a song of praise. (2) If one assumes that God’s word is in view, as in v. 4, then one option is to translate, “in God I boast, [in] his word.” In this case the prepositional phrase “in God” goes with the following verb “I boast” (see Ps 44:8) and “[his] word” is appositional to “in God” and more specifically identifies the basis for the psalmist’s confidence. God’s “word” is here understood as an assuring promise of protection. (3) The present translation reflects another option: In this case “I praise [his] word” is a parenthetical statement, with “[his] word” being the object of the verb. The sentence begun with the prepositional phrase “in God” is then completed in v. 11, with the prepositional phrase being repeated after the parenthesis.

[56:10]  ² tn The phrase “in the Lord” parallels “in God” in the first line. Once again the psalmist parenthetically remarks “I boast in [his] word” before completing the sentence in v. 11.

[119:74]  ³ tn Heb “those who fear you will see me and rejoice.”

[138:4]  ⁴ tn The prefixed verbal forms here and in the following verse are understood as jussives, for the psalmist appears to be calling upon the kings to praise God. Another option is to take them as imperfects and translate, “the kings of the earth will give thanks…and will sing.” In this case the psalmist anticipates a universal response to his thanksgiving song.

[138:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “the words of your mouth.”

[143:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “name,” which here stands metonymically for God’s reputation.

[143:11]  ⁷ tn The imperfect verbal forms in vv. 11-12a are understood as expressing the psalmist’s desire. Note the petitionary tone of vv. 7-10a.

[143:11]  ⁸ tn Heb “by your justice bring out my life from trouble.”