Psalm 55:21-23

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 55:21 tn Heb “the butter-like [words] of his mouth are smooth.” The noun מַחְמָאֹת (makhmaʾot, “butter-like [words]”) occurs only here. Many prefer to emend the form to מֵחֶמְאָה (mekhemʾah, from [i.e., “than”] butter”), cf. NEB, NRSV “smoother than butter.” However, in this case “his mouth” does not agree in number with the plural verb חָלְקוּ (khal^equ, “they are smooth”). Therefore some further propose an emendation of פִּיו (piv, “his mouth”) to פָּנָיו (panayv, “his face”). In any case, the point seems to that the psalmist’s former friend spoke kindly to him and gave the outward indications of friendship.
2. Psalm 55:21 tn Heb “and war [is in] his heart.”
3. Psalm 55:21 tn Heb “his words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.”
4. Psalm 55:22 tn The Hebrew noun occurs only here.
5. Psalm 55:22 tn The pronoun is singular; the psalmist addresses each member of his audience individually.
6. Psalm 55:22 tn Heb “he will never allow swaying for the righteous.”
7. Psalm 55:23 tn The pronominal suffix refers to the psalmist’s enemies (see v. 19).
8. Psalm 55:23 tn Heb “well of the pit.” The Hebrew term שַׁחַת (shakhat, “pit”) is often used as a title for Sheol (see Pss 16:10; 30:9; 49:9; 103:4).
9. Psalm 55:23 tn Heb “men of bloodshed and deceit.”
10. Psalm 55:23 tn Heb “will not divide in half their days.”