Psalm 31:17-20

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 31:17 tn The verb יִדְּמוּ (yidd^emu) is understood as a form of דָּמַם (damam, “wail, lament”). Another option is to take the verb from דָּמַם (“be quiet”; see BDB 198-99 s.v. I דָּמַם), in which case one might translate, “May they lie silent in the grave.”
2. Psalm 31:18 tn Heb “the [ones which].”
3. Psalm 31:18 tn Or “godly.”
4. Psalm 31:19 tn Or “How abundant are your blessings!”
5. Psalm 31:19 tn Heb “for those who fear you.”
6. Psalm 31:19 tn “Taking shelter” in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject’s loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who “take shelter” in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear, and serve the Lord (Pss 2:12; 5:11-12; 34:21-22).
7. Psalm 31:19 tn Heb “you work [your favor] for the ones seeking shelter in you before the sons of men.”
8. Psalm 31:20 tn The noun רֹכֶס (rokhes) occurs only here. Its meaning is debated; some suggest “snare,” while others propose “slander” or “conspiracy.”
9. Psalm 31:20 tn Heb “you hide them in the hiding place of your face from the attacks of man.” The imperfect verbal forms in this verse draw attention to God’s typical treatment of the faithful.
10. Psalm 31:20 tn Heb “you conceal them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.”