25:7 Do not hold against me 1 the sins of my youth 2 or my rebellious acts!
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord! 3
79:8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations! 4
Quickly send your compassion our way, 5
for we are in serious trouble! 6
1 tn Heb “do not remember,” with the intention of punishing.
2 sn That is, the sins characteristic of youths, who lack moral discretion and wisdom.
3 tn Heb “according to your faithfulness, remember me, you, for the sake of your goodness, O
4 tn Heb “do not remember against us sins, former.” Some understand “former” as an attributive adjective modifying sins, “former [i.e., chronologically prior] sins” (see BDB 911 s.v. רִאשׁוֹן). The present translation assumes that ראשׁנים (“former”) here refers to those who lived formerly, that is, the people’s ancestors (see Lam 5:7). The word is used in this way in Lev 26:45; Deut 19:14 and Eccl 1:11.
5 tn Heb “may your compassion quickly confront us.” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive, indicating a tone of prayer.
6 tn Heb “for we are very low.”