Mazmur 120:4

120:4 Here’s how! ¹  With the sharp arrows of warriors,

with arrowheads forged over the hot coals. ² 

Mazmur 102:4

102:4 My heart is parched ³  and withered like grass,

for I am unable ⁴  to eat food. ⁵ 

[120:4]  ¹ tn The words “here’s how” are supplied in the translation as a clarification. In v. 4 the psalmist answers the question he raises in v. 3.

[120:4]  ² tn Heb “with coals of the wood of the broom plant.” The wood of the broom plant was used to make charcoal, which in turn was used to fuel the fire used to forge the arrowheads.

[102:4]  ³ tn Heb “struck, attacked.”

[102:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “I forget.”

[102:4]  ⁵ sn I am unable to eat food. During his time of mourning, the psalmist refrained from eating. In the following verse he describes metaphorically the physical effects of fasting.