1:50 from 1 generation to generation he is merciful 2 to those who fear 3 him.
1:72 He has done this 4 to show mercy 5 to our ancestors, 6
and to remember his holy covenant 7 –
1 tn Grk “and from.” Here καί (kai) has been translated by a semicolon to improve the English style.
2 sn God’s mercy refers to his “loyal love” or “steadfast love,” expressed in faithful actions, as the rest of the psalm illustrates.
3 tn That is, “who revere.” This refers to those who show God a reverential respect for his sovereignty.
4 tn The words “He has done this” (referring to the raising up of the horn of salvation from David’s house) are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to allow a new sentence to be started in the translation. The Greek sentence is lengthy and complex at this point, while contemporary English uses much shorter sentences.
5 sn Mercy refers to God’s loyal love (steadfast love) by which he completes his promises. See Luke 1:50.
6 tn Or “our forefathers”; Grk “our fathers.” This begins with the promise to Abraham (vv. 55, 73), and thus refers to many generations of ancestors.
7 sn The promises of God can be summarized as being found in the one promise (the oath that he swore) to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3).