translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET translator note

text: Heb “to cause to remember.” The same form, a Hiphil infinitive of זָכַר ( zakhar , “remember”), also appears in the superscription of . Some understand this in the sense of “for the memorial offering,” but it may carry the idea of bringing one’s plight to God’s attention (see P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 [WBC], 303).


text: Heb “O God, to rescue me.” A main verb is obviously missing. The verb רָצָה ( ratsah , “be willing”) should be supplied (see Ps 40:13 ). Ps 40:13 uses the divine name “ Lord ” rather than “God.”


text: Heb “may they be embarrassed and ashamed, the ones seeking my life.” Ps 40:14 has “together” after “ashamed,” and “to snatch it away” after “my life.”


text: The four prefixed verbal forms in this verse are understood as jussives. The psalmist is calling judgment down on his enemies. sn See Ps 35:4 for a similar prayer.


text: The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive in this imprecation.


text: Heb “May they be turned back according to their shame, those who say, ‘Aha! Aha!’” Ps 40:15 has the verb “humiliated” instead of “turned back” and adds “to me” after “say.”


text: Heb “those who love,” which stands metonymically for its cause, the experience of being delivered by God.


text: The three prefixed verbal forms prior to the quotation are understood as jussives. The psalmist balances out his imprecation against his enemies with a prayer of blessing on the godly.


text: Ps 40:16 uses the divine name “ Lord ” here instead of “God.”


text: The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive, “may the Lord be magnified [in praise].” Another option is to take the verb as an imperfect, “the Lord is great.” See Ps 35:27 .


text: Ps 40:17 has “may the Lord pay attention to me.”


text: Ps 40:17 has “my God” instead of “ Lord .”