Psalms 143:10

143:10 Teach me to do what pleases you, ¹ 

for you are my God.

May your kind presence ² 

lead me ³  into a level land. ⁴ 

Psalms 149:9

149:9 and execute the judgment to which their enemies ⁵  have been sentenced. ⁶ 

All his loyal followers will be vindicated. ⁷ 

Praise the Lord!

[143:10]  ¹ tn Or “your will.” See Ps 40:8.

[143:10]  ² tn Heb “your good spirit.” God’s “spirit” may refer here to his presence (see the note on the word “presence” in Ps 139:7) or to his personal Spirit (see Ps 51:10).

[143:10]  ³ tn The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive. Taking the statement as a prayer fits well with the petitionary tone of vv. 7-10a.

[143:10]  ⁴ sn A level land (where one can walk free of obstacles) here symbolizes divine blessing and protection. See Pss 26:12 and 27:11 for similar imagery.

[149:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the enemies of the people of God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[149:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “to do against them judgment [that] is written.”

[149:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “it is honor for all his godly ones.” The judgment of the oppressive kings will bring vindication and honor to God’s people (see vv. 4-5).