73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment!
Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! 1
77:10 Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought
that the sovereign One 2 might become inactive. 3
118:14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me; 4
he has become my deliverer.” 5
118:21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me,
and have become my deliverer.
1 tn Heb “they come to an end, they are finished, from terrors.”
2 tn Heb “Most High.” This divine title (עֶלְיוֹן, ’elyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Pss 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2.
3 tc Heb “And I said, ‘This is my wounding, the changing of the right hand of the Most High.’” The form חַלּוֹתִי (khallotiy) appears to be a Qal infinitive construct (with a first person singular pronominal suffix) from the verbal root חָלַל (khalal, “to pierce; to wound”). The present translation assumes an emendation to חֲלוֹתִי (khalotiy), a Qal infinitive construct (with a first person singular pronominal suffix) from the verbal root חָלָה (khalah, “be sick, weak”). The form שְׁנוֹת (shÿnot) is understood as a Qal infinitive construct from שָׁנָה (shanah, “to change”) rather than a plural noun form, “years” (see v. 5). “Right hand” here symbolizes by metonymy God’s power and activity. The psalmist observes that his real problem is theological in nature. His experience suggests that the sovereign Lord has abandoned him and become inactive. However, this goes against the grain of his most cherished beliefs.
4 tn Heb “my strength and protection [is] the
5 tn Or “salvation.”