Mazmur 77:10

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

that the sovereign One ¹  might become inactive. ² 

Mazmur 89:9

89:9 You rule over the proud sea. ³ 

When its waves surge, ⁴  you calm them.

Mazmur 89:25

89:25 I will place his hand over the sea,

his right hand over the rivers. ⁵ 

Mazmur 94:1

Psalm 94 ⁶ 

94:1 O Lord, the God who avenges!

O God who avenges, reveal your splendor! ⁷ 

Mazmur 119:133

119:133 Direct my steps by your word! ⁸ 

Do not let any sin dominate me!

Mazmur 119:161

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. ⁹ 

Mazmur 136:18

136:18 and killed powerful kings,

for his loyal love endures,

Mazmur 146:10

146:10 The Lord rules forever,

your God, O Zion, throughout the generations to come! ¹⁰ 

Praise the Lord!

[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.

[89:9]  ³ tn Heb “the majesty of the sea.”

[89:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “rise up.”

[89:25]  ⁵ tn Some identify “the sea” as the Mediterranean and “the rivers” as the Euphrates and its tributaries. However, it is more likely that “the sea” and “the rivers” are symbols for hostile powers that oppose God and the king (see v. 9, as well as Ps 93:3-4).

[94:1]  ⁶ sn Psalm 94. The psalmist asks God to judge the wicked and affirms his confidence in God’s justice.

[94:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “shine forth” (see Pss 50:2; 80:1).

[119:133]  ⁸ tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).

[119:161]  ⁹ tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.

[146:10]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “for a generation and a generation.”