translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET translator note

text: The prefixed verbal forms in v. 1 are understood here as indicating the nations’ characteristic response to the reality of the Lord ’s kingship. Another option is to take them as jussives: “let the nations tremble…let the earth shake!”


text: Heb “great.”


text: The pronoun refers to the Lord himself (see vv. 5, 9 ).


text: Heb “and strength, a king, justice he loves.” The syntax of the Hebrew text is difficult here. The translation assumes that two affirmations are made about the king, the Lord (see v. 1 , and Ps 98:6 ). The noun עֹז (’ oz , “strength”) should probably be revocalized as the adjective עַז (’ az , “strong”).


text: Heb “you establish fairness.”


text: Or “exalt.”


text: Or “bow down.”


text: Heb “among those who called on his name.”


text: Heb “those who.” The participle is in apposition to the phrase “those who called on his name” in the preceding line.


text: Heb “a God of lifting up [i.e., forgiveness] you were to them, and an avenger concerning their deeds.” The present translation reflects the traditional interpretation, which understands the last line as qualifying the preceding one. God forgave Moses and Aaron, but he also disciplined them when they sinned (cf. NIV, NRSV). Another option is to take “their deeds” as referring to harmful deeds directed against Moses and Aaron. In this case the verse may be translated, “and one who avenged attacks against them.” Still another option is to emend the participial form נֹקֵם ( noqem , “an avenger”) to נֹקָם ( noqam ), a rare Qal participial form of נָקַה ( naqah , “purify”) with a suffixed pronoun. In this case one could translate, “and one who purified them from their [sinful] deeds” (cf. NEB “and held them innocent”).