Mazmur 17:9

17:9 Protect me from ¹  the wicked men who attack ²  me,

my enemies who crowd around me for the kill. ³ 

Mazmur 71:10

71:10 For my enemies talk about me;

those waiting for a chance to kill me plot my demise. ⁴ 

Mazmur 121:7

121:7 The Lord will protect you from all harm;

he will protect your life.

[17:9]  ¹ tn Heb “from before”; or “because.” In the Hebrew text v. 9 is subordinated to v. 8. The words “protect me” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[17:9]  ² tn Heb “destroy.” The psalmist uses the perfect verbal form to emphasize the degree of danger. He describes the wicked as being already in the process of destroying him.

[17:9]  ³ tn Heb “my enemies, at the risk of life they surround me.” The Hebrew phrase בְּנֶפֶשׁ (bÿnefesh) sometimes has the nuance “at the risk of [one’s] life” (see 1 Kgs 2:23; Prov 7:23; Lam 5:9).

[71:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “those who watch for my life consult together.”