Mazmur 14:4

14:4 All those who behave wickedly ¹  do not understand – ² 

those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,

and do not call out to the Lord.

Mazmur 81:13

81:13 If only my people would obey me! ³ 

If only Israel would keep my commands! ⁴ 

Mazmur 91:14

91:14 The Lord says, ⁵ 

“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him;

I will protect him ⁶  because he is loyal to me. ⁷ 

[14:4]  ¹ tn Heb “all the workers of wickedness.” See Pss 5:5; 6:8.

[14:4]  ² tn Heb “Do they not understand?” The rhetorical question (rendered in the translation as a positive affirmation) expresses the psalmist’s amazement at their apparent lack of understanding. This may refer to their lack of moral understanding, but it more likely refers to their failure to anticipate God’s defense of his people (see vv. 5-7).

[81:13]  ³ tn Heb “if only my people were listening to me.” The Hebrew particle לוּ (lu, “if not”) introduces a purely hypothetical or contrary to fact condition (see 2 Sam 18:12).

[81:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “[and if only] Israel would walk in my ways.”

[91:14]  ⁵ tn The words “the Lord says” are supplied in the translation to clarify that the words which follow are the Lord’s oracle of assurance.

[91:14]  ⁶ tn Or “make him secure” (Heb “set him on high”).

[91:14]  ⁷ tn Heb “because he knows my name” (see Ps 9:10).