38:20 They repay me evil for the good I have done;
though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me. 1
59:4 Though I have done nothing wrong, 2 they are anxious to attack. 3
Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me! 4
71:20 Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, 5
revive me once again! 6
Bring me up once again 7 from the depths of the earth!
1 tn Heb “the ones who repay evil instead of good accuse me, instead of my pursuing good.”
2 tn Heb “without sin.”
3 tn Heb “they run and they are determined.”
4 tn Heb “arise to meet me and see.” The Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara’, “to meet; to encounter”) here carries the nuance of “to help.”
5 tn Heb “you who have caused me to see many harmful distresses.”
6 tn Heb “you return, you give me life.” The Hebrew term שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) is used here in an adverbial sense, indicating repetition of the action described by the following verb. The imperfects are understood here as expressing the psalmist’s prayer or wish. (Note the use of a distinctly jussive form at the beginning of v. 21.) Another option is to understand this as a statement of confidence, “you will revive me once again” (cf. NIV, NRSV).
7 tn Heb “you return, you bring me up.” The Hebrew term שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) is used here in an adverbial sense, indicating repetition of the action described by the following verb. The imperfects are understood here as expressing the psalmist’s prayer or wish. (Note the use of a distinctly jussive form at the beginning of v. 21.) Another option is to understand this as a statement of confidence, “you will bring me up once again” (cf. NIV, NRSV).