Psalms 18:15
Context18:15 The depths 1 of the sea 2 were exposed;
the inner regions 3 of the world were uncovered
by the powerful breath from your nose. 6
Psalms 62:9
Context62:9 Men are nothing but a mere breath;
human beings are unreliable. 7
When they are weighed in the scales,
all of them together are lighter than air. 8
Psalms 104:29
Context104:29 When you ignore them, they panic. 9
When you take away their life’s breath, they die
and return to dust.
1 tn Or “channels.”
2 tc Ps 18:15 reads “water” (cf. Ps 42:1); “sea” is the reading of 2 Sam 22:16.
3 tn Or “foundations.”
4 tn Heb “from.” The preposition has a causal sense here.
5 tn The noun is derived from the verb גָּעַר (ga’ar), which is often understood to mean “rebuke.” In some cases it is apparent that scolding or threatening is in view (see Gen 37:10; Ruth 2:16; Zech 3:2). However, in militaristic contexts this translation is inadequate, for the verb refers in this setting to the warrior’s battle cry, which terrifies and paralyzes the enemy. See A. Caquot, TDOT 3:53, and note the use of the verb in Pss 68:30; 106:9; and Nah 1:4, as well as the related noun in Job 26:11; Pss 9:5; 76:6; 104:7; Isa 50:2; 51:20; 66:15.
6 tn 2 Sam 22:16 reads “by the battle cry of the
7 tn Heb “only a breath [are] the sons of mankind, a lie [are] the sons of man.” The phrases “sons of mankind” and “sons of man” also appear together in Ps 49:2. Because of the parallel line there, where “rich and poor” are mentioned, a number of interpreters and translators treat these expressions as polar opposites, בְּנֵי אָדָם (bÿney ’adam) referring to the lower classes and בְּנֵי אִישׁ (bÿney ’ish) to higher classes. But usage does not support such a view. The rare phrase בְּנֵי אִישׁ (“sons of man”) appears to refer to human beings in general in its other uses (see Pss 4:2; Lam 3:33). It is better to understand the phrases as synonymous expressions.
8 tn The noun הֶבֶל (hevel), translated “a breath” earlier in the verse, appears again here.
9 tn Heb “you hide your face, they are terrified.”