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1O Lord my God, in you I have taken shelter.[#tn The Hebrew perfect verbal form probably refers here to a completed action with continuing results.]
Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me!
2Otherwise they will rip me to shreds like a lion;[#tn The verb is singular in the Hebrew text, even though “all who chase me” in v. 1 refers to a whole group of enemies. The singular is also used in vv. 4-5, but the psalmist returns to the plural in v. 6. The singular is probably collective, emphasizing the united front that the psalmist’s enemies present. This same alternation between a collective singular and a plural referring to enemies appears in Pss 9:3, 6; 13:4; 31:4, 8; 41:6, 10-11; 42:9-10; 55:3; 64:1-2; 74:3-4; 89:22-23; 106:10-11; 143:3, 6, 9.; #tn Heb “my life.” The pronominal suffix attached to נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is equivalent to a personal pronoun. See Ps 6:3.]
they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me.
3O Lord my God, if I have done what they say,[#tn Heb “if I have done this.”]
or am guilty of unjust actions,
4or have wronged my ally,[#tn Heb “if I have repaid the one at peace with me evil.” The form שׁוֹלְמִי (sholÿmi, “the one at peace with me”) probably refers to a close friend or ally, i.e., one with whom the psalmist has made a formal agreement. See BDB 1023 s.v. שָׁלוֹם 4.a.]
or helped his lawless enemy,
5may an enemy relentlessly chase me and catch me;[#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.; #tn Heb “my life.” The pronominal suffix attached to נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is equivalent to a personal pronoun. See Ps 6:3.; #tn Heb “and may he overtake.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive. The object “me,” though unexpressed, is understood from the preceding statement.]
may he trample me to death
and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. (Selah)
6Stand up angrily, Lord ![#tn Heb “in your anger.”]
Rise up with raging fury against my enemies!
Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them!
7The countries are assembled all around you;[#tn Heb “and the assembly of the peoples surrounds you.” Some understand the prefixed verbal form as a jussive, “may the assembly of the peoples surround you.”]
take once more your rightful place over them!
8The Lord judges the nations.[#sn The Lord judges the nations. In hyperbolic fashion the psalmist pictures the nations assembled around the divine throne (v. 7a). He urges God to take his rightful place on the throne (v. 7b) and then pictures him making judicial decisions that vindicate the innocent (see vv. 8-16).]
Vindicate me, Lord , because I am innocent,
because I am blameless, O Exalted One!
9May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end![#tn In the psalms the Hebrew term רְשָׁעִים (rÿsha’im, “wicked”) describes people who are proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander (Ps 50:16-20), and cheat others (Ps 37:21). They oppose God and his people.; #tn The prefixed verbal form is a jussive, expressing an imprecation here.]
But make the innocent secure,
O righteous God,
you who examine inner thoughts and motives!
10The Exalted God is my shield,[#tn Traditionally, “my shield is upon God” (cf. NASB). As in v. 8, עַל (’al) should be understood as a divine title, here compounded with “God” (cf. NIV, “God Most High”). See M. Dahood, Psalms (AB), 1:45-46. The shield metaphor pictures God as a protector against deadly attacks.]
the one who delivers the morally upright.
11God is a just judge;
he is angry throughout the day.
12If a person does not repent, God sharpens his sword[#tn Heb “If he”; the referent (a person who is a sinner) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The subject of the first verb is understood as the sinner who fails to repent of his ways and becomes the target of God’s judgment (vv. 9, 14-16).; #tn Heb “if he does not return, his sword he sharpens.” The referent (God) of the pronominal subject of the second verb (“sharpens”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.]
and prepares to shoot his bow.
13He prepares to use deadly weapons against him;[#tn Heb “and for him he prepares the weapons of death.”]
he gets ready to shoot flaming arrows.
14See the one who is pregnant with wickedness,
who conceives destructive plans,
and gives birth to harmful lies –
15he digs a pit[#tn Heb “a pit he digs and he excavates it.” Apparently the imagery of hunting is employed; the wicked sinner digs this pit to entrap and destroy his intended victim. The redundancy in the Hebrew text has been simplified in the translation.]
and then falls into the hole he has made.
16He becomes the victim of his own destructive plans[#tn Heb “his harm [i.e., the harm he conceived for others, see v. 14] returns on his head.”]
and the violence he intended for others falls on his own head.
17I will thank the Lord for his justice;[#tn Heb “according to.”]
I will sing praises to the sovereign Lord !