Psalms 9:13

9:13 when they prayed: ¹ 

“Have mercy on me, ²  Lord!

See how I am oppressed by those who hate me, ³ 

O one who can snatch me away ⁴  from the gates of death!

Psalms 88:3

88:3 For my life ⁵  is filled with troubles

and I am ready to enter Sheol. ⁶ 

Isaiah 38:10

38:10 “I thought, ⁷ 

‘In the middle of my life ⁸  I must walk through the gates of Sheol,

I am deprived ⁹  of the rest of my years.’

[9:13]  ¹ tn The words “when they prayed,” though not represented in the Hebrew text, are supplied in the translation for clarification. The petition in vv. 13-14 is best understood as the cry for help which the oppressed offered to God when the nations threatened. The Lord answered this request, prompting the present song of thanksgiving.

[9:13]  ² tn Or “show me favor.”

[9:13]  ³ tn Heb “see my misery from the ones who hate me.”

[9:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “one who lifts me up.”

[88:3]  ⁵ tn Or “my soul.”

[88:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “and my life approaches Sheol.”

[38:10]  ⁷ tn Or “I said” (KJV, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[38:10]  ⁸ tn The precise meaning of the phrase בִּדְמִי יָמַי (bidmi yamay, “in the [?] of my days”) is uncertain. According to HALOT 226 s.v. דְּמִי this word is a hapax legomenon meaning “half.” Others derive the form from דַּמִי (dami, “quiet, rest, peacefulness”).

[38:10]  ⁹ tn The precise meaning of the verb is uncertain. The Pual of of פָּקַד (paqad) occurs only here and in Exod 38:21, where it appears to mean “passed in review” or “mustered.” Perhaps the idea is, “I have been called away for the remainder of my years.” To bring out the sense more clearly, one can translate, “I am deprived of the rest of my years.”