translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET study note

text: . The psalmist laments his oppressed condition and asks the Lord to deliver him by severely judging his enemies.


text: The psalmist is the first to admit that he is not perfect. But even so, he is innocent of the allegations which his enemies bring against him (v. 5 b). God, who is aware of his foolish sins and guilt , can testify to the truth of his claim.


text: God’s house , the temple, here represents by metonymy God himself.


text: Fasting was a practice of mourners. By refraining from normal activities such as eating food , the mourner demonstrated the sincerity of his sorrow.


text: John 19:28-30 appears to understand Jesus’ experience on the cross as a fulfillment of this passage (or Ps 22:15 ). See the study note on the word “thirsty” in John 19:28 .


text: You who seek God refers to those who seek to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him (see Ps 53:2 ).


text: Verses 35-36 appear to be an addition to the psalm from the time of the exile. The earlier lament reflects an individual’s situation, while these verses seem to reflect a communal application of it.