15:16 As your words came to me I drank them in, 1
and they filled my heart with joy and happiness
because I belong to you. 2
63:19 We existed from ancient times, 3
but you did not rule over them,
they were not your subjects. 4
1 sn Heb “Your words were found and I ate them.” This along with Ezek 2:8–3:3 is a poetic picture of inspiration. The prophet accepted them, assimilated them, and made them such a part of himself that he spoke with complete assurance what he knew were God’s words.
2 tn Heb “Your name is called upon me.”
3 tn Heb “we were from antiquity” (see v. 16). The collocation עוֹלָם + מִן + הָיָה (hayah + min + ’olam) occurs only here.
4 tn Heb “you did not rule them, your name was not called over them.” The expression “the name is called over” indicates ownership; see the note at 4:1. As these two lines stand they are very difficult to interpret. They appear to be stating that the adversaries just mentioned in v. 18 have not been subject to the Lord’s rule in the past, perhaps explaining why they could commit the atrocity described in v. 18b.
5 tn Heb “turn your ear.”
6 tn Heb “desolations.” The term refers here to the ruined condition of Judah’s towns.
7 tn Heb “over which your name is called.” Cf. v. 19. This expression implies that God is the owner of his city, Jerusalem. Note the use of the idiom in 2 Sam 12:28; Isa 4:1; Amos 9:12.
8 tn Heb “praying our supplications before you.”
9 tn Heb “for your name is called over your city and your people.” See the note on this expression in v 18.