translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET study note

text: . The psalmist acknowledges that he is confronted by many enemies (vv. 1-2 ). But, alluding to a divine oracle he has received (vv. 4-5 ), he affirms his confidence in God’s ability to protect him (vv. 3, 6 ) and requests that God make his promise a reality (vv. 7-8 ).


text: According to Jewish tradition, David offered this prayer when he was forced to flee from Jerusalem during his son Absalom’s attempted coup (see 2 Sam 15:13-17 ).


text: The function of the Hebrew term סֶלָה ( selah ), transliterated here “ Selah ,” is uncertain. It may be a musical direction of some kind.


text: His holy hill . That is, Zion (see Pss 2:6; 48:1-2 ). The psalmist recognizes that the Lord dwells in his sanctuary on Mount Zion.


text: The expression break the teeth may envision violent hand-to hand combat, though it is possible that the enemies are pictured here as a dangerous animal (see Job 29:17 ).