Psalms 28:3

28:3 Do not drag me away with evil men,

with those who behave wickedly, ¹ 

who talk so friendly to their neighbors, ² 

while they plan to harm them! ³ 

Psalms 85:8

85:8 I will listen to what God the Lord says. ⁴ 

For he will make ⁵  peace with his people, his faithful followers. ⁶ 

Yet they must not ⁷  return to their foolish ways.

[28:3]  ¹ tn Heb “workers of wickedness.”

[28:3]  ² tn Heb “speakers of peace with their neighbors.”

[28:3]  ³ tn Heb “and evil [is] in their heart[s].”

[85:8]  ⁴ sn I will listen. Having asked for the Lord’s favor, the psalmist (who here represents the nation) anticipates a divine word of assurance.

[85:8]  ⁵ tn Heb “speak.” The idiom “speak peace” refers to establishing or maintaining peaceful relations with someone (see Gen 37:4; Zech 9:10; cf. Ps 122:8).

[85:8]  ⁶ tn Heb “to his people and to his faithful followers.” The translation assumes that “his people” and “his faithful followers” are viewed as identical here.

[85:8]  ⁷ tn Or “yet let them not.” After the negative particle אֵל (’el), the prefixed verbal form is jussive, indicating the speaker’s desire or wish.