66:7 He rules 1 by his power forever;
he watches 2 the nations.
Stubborn rebels should not exalt 3 themselves. (Selah)
68:6 God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes; 4
he frees prisoners and grants them prosperity. 5
But sinful rebels live in the desert. 6
1 tn Heb “[the] one who rules.”
2 tn Heb “his eyes watch.” “Eyes” are an anthropomorphism, attributed to God here to emphasize his awareness of all that happens on earth.
3 tn The verb form is jussive (note the negative particle אַל, ’al). The Kethib (consonantal text) has a Hiphil form of the verb, apparently to be understood in an exhibitive sense (“demonstrate stubborn rebellion”; see BDB 927 s.v. רוּם Hiph), while the Qere (marginal reading) has a Qal form, to be understood in an intransitive sense. The preposition -לְ (lamed) with pronominal suffix should be understood in a reflexive sense (“for themselves”) and indicates that the action is performed with the interest of the subject in mind.
4 tn Heb “God causes the solitary ones to dwell in a house.” The participle suggests this is what God typically does.
5 tn Heb “he brings out prisoners into prosperity.” Another option is to translate, “he brings out prisoners with singing” (cf. NIV). The participle suggests this is what God typically does.
6 tn Or “in a parched [land].”