9:4 For you defended my just cause; 1
from your throne you pronounced a just decision. 2
9:7 But the Lord 3 rules 4 forever;
he reigns in a just manner. 5
9:8 He judges the world fairly;
he makes just legal decisions for the nations. 6
1 tn Heb “for you accomplished my justice and my legal claim.”
2 tn Heb “you sat on a throne [as] one who judges [with] righteousness.” The perfect verbal forms in v. 4 probably allude to a recent victory (see vv. 5-7). Another option is to understand the verbs as describing what is typical (“you defend…you sit on a throne”).
3 tn The construction vav (ו) + subject highlights the contrast between the exalted
4 tn Heb “sits” (i.e., enthroned, see v. 4). The imperfect verbal form highlights the generalization.
5 tn Heb “he establishes for justice his throne.”
6 tn Heb “the peoples.” The imperfect verbal forms in v. 8 either describe God’s typical, characteristic behavior, or anticipate a future judgment of worldwide proportions (“will judge…”).