Mazmur 77:10

77:10 Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought

that the sovereign One ¹  might become inactive. ² 

Mazmur 28:5

28:5 For they do not understand the Lord’s actions,

or the way he carries out justice. ³ 

The Lord ⁴  will permanently demolish them. ⁵ 

Mazmur 78:11

78:11 They forgot what he had done, ⁶ 

the amazing things he had shown them.

Mazmur 111:4

111:4 He does ⁷  amazing things that will be remembered; ⁸ 

the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

[77:10]  ¹ tn Heb “Most High.” This divine title (עֶלְיוֹן, ’elyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Pss 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2.

[77:10]  ² tc Heb “And I said, ‘This is my wounding, the changing of the right hand of the Most High.’” The form חַלּוֹתִי (khallotiy) appears to be a Qal infinitive construct (with a first person singular pronominal suffix) from the verbal root חָלַל (khalal, “to pierce; to wound”). The present translation assumes an emendation to חֲלוֹתִי (khalotiy), a Qal infinitive construct (with a first person singular pronominal suffix) from the verbal root חָלָה (khalah, “be sick, weak”). The form שְׁנוֹת (shÿnot) is understood as a Qal infinitive construct from שָׁנָה (shanah, “to change”) rather than a plural noun form, “years” (see v. 5). “Right hand” here symbolizes by metonymy God’s power and activity. The psalmist observes that his real problem is theological in nature. His experience suggests that the sovereign Lord has abandoned him and become inactive. However, this goes against the grain of his most cherished beliefs.

[28:5]  ³ tn Heb “or the work of his hands.” In this context “the Lord’s actions” and “the work of his hands” probably refer to the way he carries out justice by vindicating the godly and punishing the wicked. (Note the final line of the verse, which refers to divine judgment. See also Ps 92:4-7.) Evil men do not “understand” God’s just ways; they fail to realize he will protect the innocent. Consequently they seek to harm the godly, as if they believe they will never be held accountable for their actions.

[28:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord, who is referred to in the two immediately preceding lines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[28:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “will tear them down and not rebuild them.” The ungodly are compared to a structure that is permanently demolished.

[78:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “his deeds.”

[111:4]  ⁷ tn Or “did,” if this refers primarily to the events of the exodus and conquest period (see vv. 6, 9).

[111:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “a memorial he had made for his amazing deeds.”