50:21 When you did these things, I was silent, 1
so you thought I was exactly like you. 2
But now I will condemn 3 you
and state my case against you! 4
For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song 6 by David. It was written when the Ziphites came and informed Saul: “David is hiding with us.” 7
54:1 O God, deliver me by your name! 8
Vindicate me 9 by your power!
For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; 11 a prayer 12 of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. 13
56:1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! 14
All day long hostile enemies 15 are tormenting me. 16
69:6 Let none who rely on you be disgraced because of me,
O sovereign Lord and king! 17
Let none who seek you be ashamed because of me,
O God of Israel!
1 tn Heb “these things you did and I was silent.” Some interpret the second clause (“and I was silent”) as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer, “[When you do these things], should I keep silent?” (cf. NEB). See GKC 335 §112.cc.
2 tn The Hebrew infinitive construct (הֱיוֹת, heyot) appears to function like the infinitive absolute here, adding emphasis to the following finite verbal form (אֶהְיֶה, ’ehyeh). See GKC 339-40 §113.a. Some prefer to emend הֱיוֹת (heyot) to the infinitive absolute form הָיוֹ (hayo).
3 tn Or “rebuke” (see v. 8).
4 tn Heb “and I will set in order [my case against you] to your eyes.” The cohortative form expresses the
5 sn Psalm 54. The psalmist asks God for protection against his enemies, confidently affirms that God will vindicate him, and promises to give thanks to God for his saving intervention.
6 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. See the note on the phrase “well-written song” in the superscription of Ps 52.
7 tn Heb “Is not David hiding with us?”
8 tn God’s “name” refers here to his reputation and revealed character, which would instill fear in the psalmist’s enemies (see C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, Psalms [ICC], 2:17).
9 tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
9 sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.
10 tn The literal meaning of this phrase is “silent dove, distant ones.” Perhaps it refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a type of musical instrument.
11 tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16 and 57-60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”
12 sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm when the Philistines seized him and took him to King Achish of Gath (see 1 Sam 21:11-15).
13 tn According to BDB 983 s.v. II שָׁאַף, the verb is derived from שָׁאַף (sha’af, “to trample, crush”) rather than the homonymic verb “pant after.”
14 tn Heb “a fighter.” The singular is collective for his enemies (see vv. 5-6). The Qal of לָחַם (lakham, “fight”) also occurs in Ps 35:1.
15 tn The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.
13 tn Heb “O Master,