Psalms 50:21

50:21 When you did these things, I was silent, ¹ 

so you thought I was exactly like you. ² 

But now I will condemn ³  you

and state my case against you! ⁴ 

Psalms 54:1

Psalm 54 ⁵ 

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song ⁶  by David. It was written when the Ziphites came and informed Saul: “David is hiding with us.” ⁷ 

54:1 O God, deliver me by your name! ⁸ 

Vindicate me ⁹  by your power!

Psalms 56:1

Psalm 56 ¹⁰ 

For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; ¹¹  a prayer ¹²  of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. ¹³ 

56:1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! ¹⁴ 

All day long hostile enemies ¹⁵  are tormenting me. ¹⁶ 

Psalms 69:6

69:6 Let none who rely on you be disgraced because of me,

O sovereign Lord and king! ¹⁷ 

Let none who seek you be ashamed because of me,

O God of Israel!

[50:21]  ¹ tn Heb “these things you did and I was silent.” Some interpret the second clause (“and I was silent”) as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer, “[When you do these things], should I keep silent?” (cf. NEB). See GKC 335 §112.cc.

[50:21]  ² tn The Hebrew infinitive construct (הֱיוֹת, heyot) appears to function like the infinitive absolute here, adding emphasis to the following finite verbal form (אֶהְיֶה, ’ehyeh). See GKC 339-40 §113.a. Some prefer to emend הֱיוֹת (heyot) to the infinitive absolute form הָיוֹ (hayo).

[50:21]  ³ tn Or “rebuke” (see v. 8).

[50:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “and I will set in order [my case against you] to your eyes.” The cohortative form expresses the Lord’s resolve to accuse and judge the wicked.

[54:1]  ⁵ sn Psalm 54. The psalmist asks God for protection against his enemies, confidently affirms that God will vindicate him, and promises to give thanks to God for his saving intervention.

[54:1]  ⁶ 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 52.

[54:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “Is not David hiding with us?”

[54:1]  ⁸ tn God’s “name” refers here to his reputation and revealed character, which would instill fear in the psalmist’s enemies (see C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, Psalms [ICC], 2:17).

[54:1]  ⁹ tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[56:1]  ⁹ sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.

[56:1]  ¹⁰ tn The literal meaning of this phrase is “silent dove, distant ones.” Perhaps it refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a type of musical instrument.

[56:1]  ¹¹ tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16 and 57-60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”

[56:1]  ¹² sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm when the Philistines seized him and took him to King Achish of Gath (see 1 Sam 21:11-15).

[56:1]  ¹³ tn According to BDB 983 s.v. II שָׁאַף, the verb is derived from שָׁאַף (sha’af, “to trample, crush”) rather than the homonymic verb “pant after.”

[56:1]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “a fighter.” The singular is collective for his enemies (see vv. 5-6). The Qal of לָחַם (lakham, “fight”) also occurs in Ps 35:1.

[56:1]  ¹⁵ tn The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.

[69:6]  ¹³ tn Heb “O Master, Lord of hosts.” Both titles draw attention to God’s sovereign position.