Psalms 84:7

84:7 They are sustained as they travel along; ¹ 

each one appears ²  before God in Zion.

Isaiah 40:31

40:31 But those who wait for the Lord’s help ³  find renewed strength;

they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, ⁴ 

they run without growing weary,

they walk without getting tired.

Zechariah 10:12

10:12 Thus I will strengthen them by my power, ⁵  and they will walk about ⁶  in my name,” says the Lord.

Philippians 4:13

4:13 I am able to do all things ⁷  through the one ⁸  who strengthens me.

¹ tn Heb “they go from strength to strength.” The phrase “from strength to strength” occurs only here in the OT. With a verb of motion, the expression “from [common noun] to [same common noun]” normally suggests movement from one point to another or through successive points (see Num 36:7; 1 Chr 16:20; 17:5; Ps 105:13; Jer 25:32). Ps 84:7 may be emphasizing that the pilgrims move successively from one “place of strength” to another as they travel toward Jerusalem. All along the way they find adequate provisions and renewed energy for the trip.

² tn The psalmist returns to the singular (see v. 5a), which he uses in either a representative or distributive (“each one” ) sense.

³ tn The words “for the Lord’s help” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

⁴ tn Heb “they rise up [on] wings like eagles” (TEV similar).

⁵ tc Heb “I will strengthen them in the Lord.” Because of the perceived problem of the Lord saying he will strengthen the people “in the Lord,” both BHK and BHS suggest emending גִּבַּרְתִּים (gibbartim, “I will strengthen them”) to גְּבֻרָתָם (gevuratam, “their strength”). This is unnecessary, however, for the Lord frequently refers to himself in that manner (see Zech 2:11).

⁶ tc The LXX and Syriac presuppose יִתְהַלָּלוּ (yithallalu, “they will glory”) for יִתְהַלְּכוּ (yithallÿkhu, “they will walk about”). Since walking about is a common idiom in Zechariah (cf. 1:10, 11; 6:7 [3x]) to speak of dominion, and dominion is a major theme of the present passage, there is no reason to reject the MT reading, which is followed by most modern English versions.

⁷ tn The Greek word translated “all things” is in emphatic position at the beginning of the Greek sentence.

⁸ tc Although some excellent witnesses lack explicit reference to the one strengthening Paul (so א* A B D* I 33 1739 lat co Cl), the majority of witnesses (א² D² [F G] Ψ 075 1881 Ï sy) add Χριστῷ (Cristw) here (thus, “through Christ who strengthens me”). But this kind of reading is patently secondary, and is a predictable variant. Further, the shorter reading is much harder, for it leaves the agent unspecified.