79:8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations! 1
Quickly send your compassion our way, 2
for we are in serious trouble! 3
142:6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble! 4
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
1 tn Heb “do not remember against us sins, former.” Some understand “former” as an attributive adjective modifying sins, “former [i.e., chronologically prior] sins” (see BDB 911 s.v. רִאשׁוֹן). The present translation assumes that ראשׁנים (“former”) here refers to those who lived formerly, that is, the people’s ancestors (see Lam 5:7). The word is used in this way in Lev 26:45; Deut 19:14 and Eccl 1:11.
2 tn Heb “may your compassion quickly confront us.” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive, indicating a tone of prayer.
3 tn Heb “for we are very low.”
4 tn Heb “for I am very low.”