Psalms 1:2

1:2 Instead ¹  he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; ² 

he meditates on ³  his commands ⁴  day and night.

Psalms 17:4

17:4 As for the actions of people ⁵  –

just as you have commanded,

I have not followed in the footsteps of violent men. ⁶ 

Psalms 68:11

68:11 The Lord speaks; ⁷ 

many, many women spread the good news. ⁸ 

Psalms 111:7

111:7 His acts are characterized by ⁹  faithfulness and justice;

all his precepts are reliable. ¹⁰ 

Psalms 119:158

119:158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,

because they do not keep your instructions. ¹¹ 

Psalms 128:1

Psalm 128 ¹² 

A song of ascents. ¹³ 

128:1 How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, ¹⁴ 

each one who keeps his commands! ¹⁵ 

[1:2]  ¹ tn Here the Hebrew expression כִּי־אִם (ki-’im, “instead”) introduces a contrast between the sinful behavior depicted in v. 1 and the godly lifestyle described in v. 2.

[1:2]  ² tn Heb “his delight [is] in the law of the Lord.” In light of the following line, which focuses on studying the Lord’s law, one might translate, “he finds pleasure in studying the Lord’s commands.” However, even if one translates the line this way, it is important to recognize that mere study and intellectual awareness are not ultimately what bring divine favor. Study of the law is metonymic here for the correct attitudes and behavior that should result from an awareness of and commitment to God’s moral will; thus “obeying” has been used in the translation rather than “studying.”

[1:2]  ³ tn The Hebrew imperfect verbal form draws attention to the characteristic behavior described here and lends support to the hyperbolic adverbial phrase “day and night.” The verb הָגָה (hagag) means “to recite quietly; to meditate” and refers metonymically to intense study and reflection.

[1:2]  ⁴ tn Or “his law.”

[17:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “with regard to the deeds of man[kind].”

[17:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “by the word of your lips, I, I have watched the paths of the violent” (i.e., “watched” in the sense of “watched for the purpose of avoiding”).

[68:11]  ⁹ tn Heb “gives a word.” Perhaps this refers to a divine royal decree or battle cry.

[68:11]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “the ones spreading the good news [are] a large army.” The participle translated “the ones spreading the good news” is a feminine plural form. Apparently the good news here is the announcement that enemy kings have been defeated (see v. 12).

[111:7]  ¹³ tn Heb “the deeds of his hands [are].”

[111:7]  ¹⁴ tn That is, fair and for man’s good.

[119:158]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “your word.”

[128:1]  ²¹ sn Psalm 128. The psalmist observes that the godly individual has genuine happiness because the Lord rewards such a person with prosperity and numerous children.

[128:1]  ²² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[128:1]  ²³ tn Heb “every fearer of the Lord.”

[128:1]  ²⁴ tn Heb “the one who walks in his ways.”