Mazmur 72:4

72:4 He will defend ¹  the oppressed among the people;

he will deliver ²  the children ³  of the poor

and crush the oppressor.

Mazmur 72:12-14

72:12 For he will rescue the needy ⁴  when they cry out for help,

and the oppressed ⁵  who have no defender.

72:13 He will take pity ⁶  on the poor and needy;

the lives of the needy he will save.

72:14 From harm and violence he will defend them; ⁷ 

he will value their lives. ⁸ 

[72:4]  ¹ tn Heb “judge [for].”

[72:4]  ² tn The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.

[72:4]  ³ tn Heb “sons.”

[72:12]  ⁴ tn The singular is representative. The typical needy individual here represents the entire group.

[72:12]  ⁵ tn The singular is representative. The typical oppressed individual here represents the entire group.

[72:13]  ⁶ tn The prefixed verb form is best understood as a defectively written imperfect (see Deut 7:16).

[72:14]  ⁷ tn Or “redeem their lives.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Pss 19:14; 69:18).

[72:14]  ⁸ tn Heb “their blood will be precious in his eyes.”