translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET translator note

text: Heb “from the end of the earth.” This may indicate (1) the psalmist is exiled in a distant land, or (2) it may be hyperbolic (the psalmist feels alienated from God’s presence, as if he were in a distant land).


text: Heb “while my heart faints.”


text: The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s wish or prayer.


text: Heb “on to a rocky summit [that] is higher than I.”


text: Or “for.”


text: Or “have been.”


text: Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”


text: Heb “I will live as a resident alien in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. NASB, NRSV).


text: Heb “you grant the inheritance of those who fear your name.” “Inheritance” is normally used of land which is granted as an inheritance; here it refers metaphorically to the blessings granted God’s loyal followers. To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for his revealed reputation which in turn motivates one to obey God’s commands (see Ps 86:11 ).


text: Heb “days upon days of the king add, his years like generation and generation.” sn It is not certain if the (royal) psalmist is referring to himself in the third person in this verse, or if an exile is praying on behalf of the king.


text: Heb “sit [enthroned].” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive here, expressing the psalmist’s prayer.


text: Heb “loyal love and faithfulness appoint, let them protect him.”


text: Or “forever.”


text: Or perhaps, “and thereby fulfill.” The preposition with the infinitive construct here indicates an accompanying circumstance.