Psalms 51:14-15

Context

51:14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,¹ O God, the God who delivers me!

Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance.²

51:15 O Lord, give me the words!³

Then my mouth will praise you.⁴

[51:14] ¹tn Heb “from bloodshed.” “Bloodshed” here stands by metonymy for the guilt which it produces.

[51:14] ²tn Heb “my tongue will shout for joy your deliverance.” Another option is to take the prefixed verbal form as a jussive, “may my tongue shout for joy.” However, the pattern in vv. 12-15 appears to be prayer/request (see vv. 12, 14a, 15a) followed by promise/vow (see vv. 13, 14b, 15b).

[51:15] ³tn Heb “open my lips.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[51:15] ⁴tn Heb “and my mouth will declare your praise.”