translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET study note

text: . The psalmist is confident (vv. 11-12 ) that the Lord has heard his request to be healed (vv. 4-10 ), and he anticipates the joy he will experience when the Lord intervenes (vv. 1-3 ). One must assume that the psalmist is responding to a divine oracle of assurance (see P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 [WBC], 319-20). The final verse is a fitting conclusion to this psalm, but it is also serves as a fitting conclusion to the first “book” (or major editorial division) of the Psalter. Similar statements appear at or near the end of each of the second, third, and fourth “books” of the Psalter (see Pss 72:19, 89:52, and 106:48 respectively).


text: One who treats the poor properly . The psalmist is characterizing himself as such an individual and supplying a reason why God has responded favorably to his prayer. The Lord’s attitude toward the merciful mirrors their treatment of the poor.


text: In vv. 4-10 the psalmist recites the prayer of petition and lament he offered to the Lord.


text: By this . Having recalled his former lament and petition, the psalmist returns to the confident mood of vv. 1-3 . The basis for his confidence may be a divine oracle of deliverance, assuring him that God would intervene and vindicate him. The demonstrative pronoun “this” may refer to such an oracle, which is assumed here, though its contents are not included. See P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 (WBC), 319, 321.


text: Because of my integrity . See Pss 7:8; 25:21; 26:1, 11 .