Discovery BoxPsalms 89:20-23 
Context89:20 I have discovered David, my servant.
With my holy oil I have anointed him as king. 1
89:21 My hand will support him, 2
and my arm will strengthen him.
89:22 No enemy will be able to exact tribute 3 from him; 4
a violent oppressor will not be able to humiliate him. 5
89:23 I will crush his enemies before him;
I will strike down those who hate him.
1 tn The words “as king” are supplied in the translation for clarification, indicating that a royal anointing is in view.
2 tn Heb “with whom my hand will be firm.”
3 tn Heb “an enemy will not exact tribute.” The imperfect is understood in a modal sense, indicating capability or potential.
4 tn The translation understands the Hiphil of נָשַׁא (nasha’) in the sense of “act as a creditor.” This may allude to the practice of a conqueror forcing his subjects to pay tribute in exchange for “protection.” Another option is to take the verb from a homonymic verbal root meaning “to deceive,” “to trick.” Still another option is to emend the form to יִשָּׂא (yisa’), a Qal imperfect from נָאַשׂ (na’as, “rise up”) and to translate “an enemy will not rise up against him” (see M. Dahood, Psalms [AB], 2:317).
5 tn Heb “and a son of violence will not oppress him.” The imperfect is understood in a modal sense, indicating capability or potential. The reference to a “son of violence” echoes the language of God’s promise to David in 2 Sam 7:10 (see also 1 Chr 17:9).
