Psalms 109:28

109:28 They curse, but you will bless. ¹ 

When they attack, they will be humiliated, ² 

but your servant will rejoice.

Psalms 62:4

62:4 They ³  spend all their time planning how to bring him ⁴  down. ⁵ 

They love to use deceit; ⁶ 

they pronounce blessings with their mouths,

but inwardly they utter curses. ⁷  (Selah)

[109:28]  ¹ tn Another option is to translate the imperfect as a prayer/request (“may you bless”).

[109:28]  ² tn The verbal sequence is perfect + prefixed form with vav (ו) consecutive. Since the psalmist seems to be anticipating the demise of his enemies, he may be using these forms rhetorically to describe the enemies’ defeat as if it were already accomplished. Some emend the text to קָמוּ יֵבֹשׁוּ (qamu yevoshu, “may those who attack me be humiliated”). See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 75.

[62:4]  ³ tn That is, the psalmist’s enemies addressed in the previous verse.

[62:4]  ⁴ tn That is, the generic “man” referred to in the previous verse.

[62:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “only from his lofty place [or perhaps, “dignity”] they plan to drive [him] away.”

[62:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “they delight [in] a lie.”

[62:4]  ⁷ sn The enemies use deceit to bring down their victim. They make him think they are his friends by pronouncing blessings upon him, but inwardly they desire his demise.