144:3 O Lord, of what importance is the human race, 5 that you should notice them?
Of what importance is mankind, 6 that you should be concerned about them? 7
1 tn Heb “the loving deeds and faithfulness” (see 24:27, 49).
2 tn Heb “you have done with.”
3 tn Heb “for with my staff.” The Hebrew word מַקֵל (maqel), traditionally translated “staff,” has been rendered as “walking stick” because a “staff” in contemporary English refers typically to the support personnel in an organization.
4 tn Heb “this Jordan.”
5 tn Heb “What is mankind?” The singular noun אֱנוֹשׁ (’enosh) is used here in a collective sense and refers to the human race. See Ps 8:5.
6 tn Heb “and the son of man.” The phrase “son of man” is used here in a collective sense and refers to human beings. For other uses of the phrase in a collective or representative manner, see Num 23:19; Ps 146:3; Isa 51:12.
7 tn Heb “take account of him.” The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 4 describe God’s characteristic activity.
8 sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.
9 sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).