Psalms 53:2

53:2 God looks down from heaven ¹  at the human race, ² 

to see if there is anyone who is wise ³  and seeks God. ⁴ 

Psalms 66:5

66:5 Come and witness ⁵  God’s exploits! ⁶ 

His acts on behalf of people are awesome! ⁷ 

Psalms 78:51

78:51 He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt,

the firstfruits of their reproductive power ⁸  in the tents of Ham.

[53:2]  ¹ sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.

[53:2]  ² tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”

[53:2]  ³ tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.

[53:2]  ⁴ tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.

[66:5]  ⁵ tn Or “see.”

[66:5]  ⁶ tn Or “acts” (see Ps 46:8).

[66:5]  ⁷ tn Heb “awesome [is] an act toward the sons of man.” It is unclear how the prepositional phrase relates to what precedes. If collocated with “act,” it may mean “on behalf of” or “toward.” If taken with “awesome” (see 1 Chr 16:25; Pss 89:7; 96:4; Zeph 2:11), one might translate “his awesome acts are beyond human comprehension” or “his awesome acts are superior to anything men can do.”

[78:51]  ⁹ tn Heb “the beginning of strength.” If retained, the plural form אוֹנִים (’onim, “strength”) probably indicates degree (“great strength”), but many ancient witnesses read “their strength,” which presupposes an emendation to אֹנָם (’onam; singular form of the noun with third masculine plural pronominal suffix).