Psalms 7:5
Context7:5 may an enemy relentlessly chase 1 me 2 and catch me; 3
may he trample me to death 4
and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. 5 (Selah)
Psalms 142:6
Context142:6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble! 6
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
Psalms 143:3
Context143:3 Certainly 7 my enemies 8 chase me.
They smash me into the ground. 9
They force me to live 10 in dark regions, 11
like those who have been dead for ages.
1 tn The vocalization of the verb form seems to be a mixture of Qal and Piel (see GKC 168 §63.n). The translation assumes the Piel, which would emphasize the repetitive nature of the action. The translation assumes the prefixed verbal form is a jussive. The psalmist is so certain that he is innocent of the sins mentioned in vv. 3-4, he pronounces an imprecation on himself for rhetorical effect.
2 tn Heb “my life.” The pronominal suffix attached to נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is equivalent to a personal pronoun. See Ps 6:3.
3 tn Heb “and may he overtake.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive. The object “me,” though unexpressed, is understood from the preceding statement.
4 tn Heb “and may he trample down to the earth my life.”
5 tn Heb “and my honor in the dust may he cause to dwell.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive. Some emend כְבוֹדִי (khÿvodiy, “my honor”) to כְבֵדִי (khÿvediy, “my liver” as the seat of life), but the term כְבוֹדִי (khÿvodiy) is to be retained since it probably refers to the psalmist’s dignity or honor.
6 tn Heb “for I am very low.”
7 tn Or “for.”
8 tn Heb “an enemy.” The singular is used in a representative sense to describe a typical member of the larger group of enemies (note the plural “enemies” in vv. 9, 12).
9 tn Heb “he crushes on the ground my life.”
10 tn Or “sit.”
11 sn Dark regions refers to Sheol, which the psalmist views as a dark place located deep in the ground (see Ps 88:6).