18:32 The one true God 1 gives 2 me strength; 3
he removes 4 the obstacles in my way. 5
18:47 The one true God 6 completely vindicates me; 7
he makes nations submit to me. 8
77:14 You are the God who does amazing things;
you have revealed your strength among the nations.
1 tn Heb “the God.” The prefixed article emphasizes the
2 tn Heb “is the one who clothes.” For similar language see 1 Sam 2:4; Pss 65:6; 93:1. The psalmist employs a generalizing hymnic style in vv. 32-34; he uses participles in vv. 32a, 33a, and 34a to describe what God characteristically does on his behalf.
3 tn 2 Sam 22:33 reads, “the God is my strong refuge.”
4 tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) consecutive here carries along the generalizing force of the preceding participle.
5 tn Heb “he made my path smooth.” The Hebrew term תָּמִים (tamim, “smooth”) usually carries a moral or ethical connotation, “blameless, innocent.” However, in Ps 18:33 it refers to a pathway free of obstacles. The reality underlying the metaphor is the psalmist’s ability to charge into battle without tripping (see vv. 33, 36).
6 tn Heb “the God.” See v. 32.
7 tn Heb “is the one who grants vengeance to me.” The plural form of the noun indicates degree here, suggesting complete vengeance or vindication.
8 tn Heb “he subdues nations beneath me.” On the meaning of the verb דָּבַר (davar, “subdue,” a homonym of דָּבַר, davar, “speak”), see HALOT 209-10 s.v. I דבר. See also Ps 47:3 and 2 Chr 22:10. 2 Sam 22:48 reads “and [is the one who] brings down nations beneath me.”