Psalms 36:3

36:3 The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful;

he does not care about doing what is wise and right. ¹ 

Psalms 78:1

Psalm 78 ² 

A well-written song ³  by Asaph.

78:1 Pay attention, my people, to my instruction!

Listen to the words I speak! ⁴ 

Psalms 107:11

107:11 because they had rebelled against God’s commands, ⁵ 

and rejected the instructions of the sovereign king. ⁶ 

Psalms 138:4

138:4 Let all the kings of the earth give thanks ⁷  to you, O Lord,

when they hear the words you speak. ⁸ 

[36:3]  ¹ tn Heb “he ceases to exhibit wisdom to do good.” The Hiphil forms are exhibitive, indicating the outward expression of an inner attitude.

[78:1]  ² sn Psalm 78. The author of this lengthy didactic psalm rehearses Israel’s history. He praises God for his power, goodness and patience, but also reminds his audience that sin angers God and prompts his judgment. In the conclusion to the psalm the author elevates Jerusalem as God’s chosen city and David as his chosen king.

[78:1]  ³ tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. See the note on the phrase “well-written song” in the superscription of Ps 74.

[78:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “Turn your ear to the words of my mouth.”

[107:11]  ³ tn Heb “the words of God.”

[107:11]  ⁴ tn Heb “the counsel of the Most High.”

[138:4]  ⁴ tn The prefixed verbal forms here and in the following verse are understood as jussives, for the psalmist appears to be calling upon the kings to praise God. Another option is to take them as imperfects and translate, “the kings of the earth will give thanks…and will sing.” In this case the psalmist anticipates a universal response to his thanksgiving song.

[138:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “the words of your mouth.”