Psalms 72:12-14

72:12 For he will rescue the needy ¹  when they cry out for help,

and the oppressed ²  who have no defender.

72:13 He will take pity ³  on the poor and needy;

the lives of the needy he will save.

72:14 From harm and violence he will defend them; ⁴ 

he will value their lives. ⁵ 

¹ tn The singular is representative. The typical needy individual here represents the entire group.

² tn The singular is representative. The typical oppressed individual here represents the entire group.

³ tn The prefixed verb form is best understood as a defectively written imperfect (see Deut 7:16).

⁴ tn Or “redeem their lives.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Pss 19:14; 69:18).

⁵ tn Heb “their blood will be precious in his eyes.”