Mazmur 3:5

3:5 I rested and slept;

I awoke, ¹  for the Lord protects ²  me.

Mazmur 51:18

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her! ³ 

Fortify ⁴  the walls of Jerusalem! ⁵ 

[3:5]  ¹ tn The three verbal forms that appear in succession here (perfect + vav [ו] consecutive with preterite + perfect) are most naturally taken as narrational. When the psalmist received an assuring word from the Lord, he was able to sleep calmly. Because the Lord was protecting him, he awoke safely from his sleep.

[3:5]  ² tn Or “supports”; “sustains.” In this explanatory causal clause the imperfect verbal form probably has a habitual or present progressive nuance, for the psalmist is confident of God’s continual protection (see v. 3). Another option is to take the verb as a preterite, “for the Lord protected me.” In this case, the psalmist focuses specifically on the protection God provided while he slept.

[51:18]  ³ tn Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”

[51:18]  ⁴ tn Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[51:18]  ⁵ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.