Psalm 54:3-5

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 54:3 tc Many medieval Hebrew mss read זֵדִים (zedim, “proud ones”) rather than זָרִים (zarim, “foreigners”). This is a case of confusing ד (dalet) and ר (resh). The term זֵדִים (zedim) occurs in parallelism with עָרִיצִים (ʿaritsim, “violent ones”) in Ps 86:14 and Isa 13:11. However, זָרִים (zarim) is parallel to עָרִיצִים in Isa 25:5; 29:5; Ezek 28:7; 31:12.
2. Psalm 54:3 tn Heb “rise against me.”
3. Psalm 54:3 tn Heb “and ruthless ones seek my life, they do not set God in front of them.”
4. Psalm 54:4 tn Or “my helper.”
5. Psalm 54:4 tn Or “sustain my life.”
6. Psalm 54:5 tn Heb “to those who watch me [with evil intent].” See also Pss 5:8; 27:11; 56:2.
7. Psalm 54:5 tn The Kethib (consonantal text) reads a Qal imperfect, “the evil will return,” while the Qere (marginal reading) has a Hiphil imperfect, “he will repay.” The parallel line has an imperative (indicating a prayer/request), so it is best to read a jussive form יָשֹׁב (yashov, “let it [the evil] return”) here.
8. Psalm 54:5 tn Heb “in [or “by”] your faithfulness.”