32:7 Remember the ancient days;
bear in mind 1 the years of past generations. 2
Ask your father and he will inform you,
your elders, and they will tell you.
71:18 Even when I am old and gray, 3
O God, do not abandon me,
until I tell the next generation about your strength,
and those coming after me about your power. 4
1 tc The Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate read 2nd person masculine singular whereas the MT has 2nd person masculine plural. The former is preferred, the latter perhaps being a misreading (בִּינוּ [binu] for בִּינָה [binah]). Both the preceding (“remember”) and following (“ask”) imperatives are singular forms in the Hebrew text.
2 tn Heb “generation and generation.” The repetition of the singular noun here singles out each of the successive past generations. See IBHS 116 §7.2.3b.
3 tn Heb “and even unto old age and gray hair.”
4 tn Heb “until I declare your arm to a generation, to everyone who comes your power.” God’s “arm” here is an anthropomorphism that symbolizes his great strength.