Psalms 18:15

Context

18:15 The depths¹ of the sea² were exposed;

the inner regions³ of the world were uncovered

by⁴ your battle cry,⁵ Lord,

by the powerful breath from your nose.⁶

Psalms 86:17

Context

86:17 Show me evidence of your favor!⁷

Then those who hate me will see it and be ashamed,⁸

for you, O Lord, will help me and comfort me.⁹

[18:15] ¹tn Or “channels.”

[18:15] ²tc Ps 18:15 reads “water” (cf. Ps 42:1); “sea” is the reading of 2 Sam 22:16.

[18:15] ³tn Or “foundations.”

[18:15] ⁴tn Heb “from.” The preposition has a causal sense here.

[18:15] ⁵tn The noun is derived from the verb גָּעַר (ga’ar), which is often understood to mean “rebuke.” In some cases it is apparent that scolding or threatening is in view (see Gen 37:10; Ruth 2:16; Zech 3:2). However, in militaristic contexts this translation is inadequate, for the verb refers in this setting to the warrior’s battle cry, which terrifies and paralyzes the enemy. See A. Caquot, TDOT 3:53, and note the use of the verb in Pss 68:30; 106:9; and Nah 1:4, as well as the related noun in Job 26:11; Pss 9:5; 76:6; 104:7; Isa 50:2; 51:20; 66:15.

[18:15] ⁶tn 2 Sam 22:16 reads “by the battle cry of the Lord, by the blast of the breath of his nose.” The phrase “blast of the breath” (Heb “breath of breath”) employs an appositional genitive. Synonyms are joined in a construct relationship to emphasize the single idea. For a detailed discussion of the grammatical point with numerous examples, see Y. Avishur, “Pairs of Synonymous Words in the Construct State (and in Appositional Hendiadys) in Biblical Hebrew,” Semitics 2 (1971): 17-81.

[86:17] ⁷tn Heb “Work with me a sign for good.” The expression “work a sign” also occurs in Judg 6:17.

[86:17] ⁸tn After the imperative in the preceding line (“work”), the prefixed verb forms with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose or result.

[86:17] ⁹tn The perfect verbal forms are understood here as dramatic/rhetorical, expressing the psalmist’s certitude that such a sign from the Lord will be followed by his intervention. Another option is to understand the forms as future perfects (“for you, O Lord, will have helped me and comforted me”).