translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET translator note

text: The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל ( maskil ) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142 , as well as in Ps 47:7 .


text: Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I cry out.”


text: Heb “my trouble before him I declare.”


text: Heb “my spirit grows faint.”


text: Heb “you know my path.”


text: Heb “there is no one who recognizes me.”


text: Heb “ a place of refuge perishes from me.”


text: Heb “there is no one who seeks for the sake of my life.”


text: Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel.


text: Heb “for I am very low.”


text: Heb “bring out my life.”


text: Or “gather around.”


text: The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל ( gamal ’ al ) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.