translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET study note

text: . The psalmist laments his oppressed state, but longs for a day when the Lord will restore Jerusalem and vindicate his suffering people.


text: I am unable to eat food . During his time of mourning, the psalmist refrained from eating. In the following verse he describes metaphorically the physical effects of fasting.


text: By comparing himself to a screech owl among the ruins , the psalmist may be highlighting his loneliness (see v. 7 ), though he may also be comparing his cries for help to the owl’s screech.


text: Mourners would sometimes put ashes on their head or roll in ashes as a sign of mourning (see 2 Sam 13:19 ; Job 2:8 ; Isa 58:5 ).