26:9 Do not sweep me away 1 with sinners,
or execute me along with violent people, 2
51:13 Then I will teach 3 rebels your merciful ways, 4
and sinners will turn 5 to you.
1 tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”
2 tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).
3 tn The cohortative expresses the psalmist’s resolve. This may be a vow or promise. If forgiven, the psalmist will “repay” the Lord by declaring God’s mercy and motivating other sinners to repent.
4 tn Heb “your ways.” The word “merciful” is added for clarification. God’s “ways” are sometimes his commands, but in this context, where the teaching of God’s ways motivates repentance (see the next line), it is more likely that God’s merciful and compassionate way of dealing with sinners is in view. Thanksgiving songs praising God for his deliverance typically focus on these divine attributes (see Pss 34, 41, 116, 138).
5 tn Or “return,” i.e., in repentance.