Isaiah 60:17-18

60:17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold,

instead of iron, I will bring you silver,

instead of wood, I will bring you bronze,

instead of stones, I will bring you iron.

I will make prosperity your overseer,

and vindication your sovereign ruler.

60:18 Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land,

or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders.

You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’

and your gates, ‘Praise.’

Psalms 72:3-7

72:3 The mountains will bring news of peace to the people,

and the hills will announce justice.

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

he will deliver the children 10  of the poor

and crush the oppressor.

72:5 People will fear 11  you 12  as long as the sun and moon remain in the sky,

for generation after generation. 13 

72:6 He 14  will descend like rain on the mown grass, 15 

like showers that drench 16  the earth. 17 

72:7 During his days the godly will flourish; 18 

peace will prevail as long as the moon remains in the sky. 19 


tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding lines).

tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the first two lines of the verse).

tn Or “peace” (KJV and many other English versions).

tn The plural indicates degree. The language is ironic; in the past Zion was ruled by oppressive tyrants, but now personified prosperity and vindication will be the only things that will “dominate” the city.

tn The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

tn The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

tn Heb “[the] mountains will bear peace to the people, and [the] hills with justice.” The personified mountains and hills probably represent messengers who will sweep over the land announcing the king’s just decrees and policies. See Isa 52:7 and C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, Psalms (ICC), 2:133.

tn Heb “judge [for].”

tn The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.

10 tn Heb “sons.”

11 tn In this context “fear” probably means “to demonstrate respect for the Lord’s power and authority by worshiping him and obeying his commandments.” See Ps 33:8. Some interpreters, with the support of the LXX, prefer to read וְיַאֲרִיךְ (vÿaarikh, “and he [the king in this case] will prolong [days]”), that is, “will live a long time” (cf. NIV, NRSV).

12 tn God is the addressee (see vv. 1-2).

13 tn Heb “with [the] sun, and before [the] moon [for] a generation, generations.” The rare expression דּוֹר דּוֹרִים (dor dorim, “generation, generations”) occurs only here, in Ps 102:24, and in Isa 51:8.

14 tn That is, the king (see vv. 2, 4).

15 tn The rare term zg refers to a sheep’s fleece in Deut 18:4 and Job 31:20, but to “mown” grass or crops here and in Amos 7:1.

16 tc The form in the Hebrew text appears to be an otherwise unattested noun. Many prefer to emend the form to a verb from the root זָרַף (zaraf). BHS in textual note b on this verse suggests a Hiphil imperfect, third masculine plural יַזְרִיפוּ (yazrifu), while HALOT 283 s.v. *זרף prefers a Pilpel perfect, third masculine plural זִרְזְפוּ (zirzÿfu). The translation assumes the latter.

17 sn The imagery of this verse compares the blessings produced by the king’s reign to fructifying rains that cause the crops to grow.

18 tn Heb “sprout up,” like crops. This verse continues the metaphor of rain utilized in v. 6.

19 tn Heb “and [there will be an] abundance of peace until there is no more moon.”