Psalms 33:4

33:4 For ¹  the Lord’s decrees ²  are just, ³ 

and everything he does is fair. ⁴ 

Psalms 105:8

105:8 He always remembers his covenantal decree,

the promise he made ⁵  to a thousand generations –

Psalms 105:42

105:42 Yes, ⁶  he remembered the sacred promise ⁷ 

he made to Abraham his servant.

Psalms 144:8

144:8 who speak lies,

and make false promises. ⁸ 

[33:4]  ¹ sn For the Lord’s decrees are just… After the call to praise (vv. 1-3), the psalmist now gives a series of reasons why the Lord is worthy of praise.

[33:4]  ² tn Heb “word.” In this context, which depicts the Lord as the sovereign creator and ruler of the world, the Lord’s “word” refers to the decrees whereby he governs his dominion.

[33:4]  ³ tn Or “upright.”

[33:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “and all his work [is] in faithfulness.”

[105:8]  ⁵ tn Heb “[the] word he commanded.” The text refers here to God’s unconditional covenantal promise to Abraham and the patriarchs, as vv. 10-12 make clear.

[105:42]  ⁹ tn Or “for.”

[105:42]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “his holy word.”

[144:8]  ¹³ tn Heb “who [with] their mouth speak falsehood, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” The reference to the “right hand” is probably a metonymy for an oath. When making an oath, one would raise the hand as a solemn gesture. See Exod 6:8; Num 14:30; Deut 32:40. The figure thus represents the making of false oaths (false promises).