Psalms 98:9

98:9 before the Lord!

For he comes to judge the earth!

He judges the world fairly, ¹ 

and the nations in a just manner.

Psalms 99:4

99:4 The king is strong;

he loves justice. ² 

You ensure that legal decisions will be made fairly; ³ 

you promote justice and equity in Jacob.

[98:9]  ¹ tn The verbal forms in v. 9 probably describe God’s typical, characteristic behavior, though they may depict in dramatic fashion the outworking of divine judgment or anticipate a future judgment of worldwide proportions (“will judge…”).

[99:4]  ² tn Heb “and strength, a king, justice he loves.” The syntax of the Hebrew text is difficult here. The translation assumes that two affirmations are made about the king, the Lord (see v. 1, and Ps 98:6). The noun עֹז (’oz, “strength”) should probably be revocalized as the adjective עַז (’az, “strong”).

[99:4]  ³ tn Heb “you establish fairness.”