Psalms 9:18

9:18 for the needy are not permanently ignored, ¹ 

the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed. ² 

Psalms 37:14

37:14 Evil men draw their swords

and prepare their bows,

to bring down ³  the oppressed and needy,

and to slaughter those who are godly. ⁴ 

Psalms 49:2

49:2 Pay attention, all you people, ⁵ 

both rich and poor!

Psalms 69:33

69:33 For the Lord listens to the needy;

he does not despise his captive people. ⁶ 

Psalms 86:1

Psalm 86 ⁷ 

A prayer of David.

86:1 Listen ⁸  O Lord! Answer me!

For I am oppressed and needy.

Psalms 112:9

112:9 He generously gives ⁹  to the needy;

his integrity endures. ¹⁰ 

He will be vindicated and honored. ¹¹ 

Psalms 140:12

140:12 I know ¹²  that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed

and vindicates the poor. ¹³ 

[9:18]  ¹ tn Or “forgotten.”

[9:18]  ² tn Heb “the hope of the afflicted does [not] perish forever.” The negative particle is understood by ellipsis; note the preceding line. The imperfect verbal forms express what typically happens.

[37:14]  ³ tn Heb “to cause to fall.”

[37:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “the upright in way,” i.e., those who lead godly lives.

[49:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “even the sons of mankind, even the sons of man.” Because of the parallel line, where “rich and poor” are mentioned, some treat these expressions as polar opposites, with בְּנֵי אָדָם (bÿney ’adam) referring to the lower classes and בְּנֵי אִישׁ (bÿney ’ish) to higher classes (cf. NIV, NRSV). But usage does not support such a view. The rare phrase בְּנֵי אִישׁ (“sons of man”) appears to refer to human beings in general in its other uses (see Pss 4:2; 62:9; Lam 3:33). It is better to understand “even the sons of mankind” and “even the sons of man” as synonymous expressions (cf. NEB “all mankind, every living man”). The repetition emphasizes the need for all people to pay attention, for the psalmist’s message is relevant to everyone.

[69:33]  ⁷ tn Heb “his prisoners he does not despise.”

[86:1]  ⁹ sn Psalm 86. The psalmist appeals to God’s mercy as he asks for deliverance from his enemies.

[86:1]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “turn your ear.”

[112:9]  ¹¹ tn Heb “he scatters, he gives.”

[112:9]  ¹² tn Heb “stands forever.”

[112:9]  ¹³ tn Heb “his horn will be lifted up in honor.” The horn of an ox underlies the metaphor (see Deut 33:17; 1 Kgs 22:11; Ps 92:10). The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom “exalt/lift up the horn” signifies military victory (see 1 Sam 2:10; Pss 89:17, 24; 92:10; Lam 2:17).

[140:12]  ¹³ tc The translation follows the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss in reading a first person verb form here. The Kethib reads the second person.

[140:12]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “and the just cause of the poor.”