Psalms 2:10

2:10 So now, you kings, do what is wise;

you rulers of the earth, submit to correction!

Psalms 82:3

82:3 Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless!

Vindicate the oppressed and suffering!

Psalms 109:7

109:7 When he is judged, he will be found guilty!

Then his prayer will be regarded as sinful.


sn The speaker here is either the psalmist or the Davidic king, who now addresses the rebellious kings.

tn The Niphal has here a tolerative nuance; the kings are urged to submit themselves to the advice being offered.

tn The Hebrew noun יָתוֹם (yatom) refers to one who has lost his father (not necessarily his mother, see Ps 109:9). Because they were so vulnerable and were frequently exploited, fatherless children are often mentioned as epitomizing the oppressed (see Pss 10:14; 68:5; 94:6; 146:9; as well as Job 6:27; 22:9; 24:3, 9; 29:12; 31:17, 21).

tn The prefixed verbal form could be taken as a jussive, but the use of the imperfect form in the following line suggests that v. 7 anticipates the outcome of the accusation envisioned in v. 6.

tn Heb “he will go out [as] a criminal” (that is, guilty).