23:3 He restores my strength. 1
He leads me down 2 the right paths 3
for the sake of his reputation. 4
29:2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation! 5
Worship the Lord in holy attire! 6
33:21 For our hearts rejoice in him,
for we trust in his holy name.
66:2 Sing praises about the majesty of his reputation! 7
Give him the honor he deserves! 8
96:2 Sing to the Lord! Praise his name!
Announce every day how he delivers! 9
96:8 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! 10
Bring an offering and enter his courts!
By David.
103:1 Praise the Lord, O my soul!
With all that is within me, praise 12 his holy name!
105:3 Boast about his holy name!
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
106:8 Yet he delivered them for the sake of his reputation, 13
that he might reveal his power.
135:3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good!
Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant! 14
1 tn The appearance of the Hebrew term נַפְשִׁי (nafshi), traditionally translated “my soul,” might suggest a spiritualized interpretation for the first line of v. 3. However, at the surface level of the shepherd/sheep metaphor, this is unlikely. When it occurs with a pronominal suffix נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is often equivalent to a pronoun, especially in poetry (see BDB 660 s.v. 4 נֶפֶשׁ.a). In this context, where the statement most naturally refers to the physical provision just described, the form is best translated simply “me.” The accompanying verb (a Polel form [factitive use] of שׁוּב [shuv]), if referring to the physical provision just described, carries the nuance “refresh, restore strength.”
2 tn The imperfect verbal forms in v. 3 (יְשׁוֹבֵב [yÿshovev] and יַנְחֵנִי [yakheniy]), like those in vv. 1-2, highlight what is typical of the shepherd/sheep relationship.
3 tn The attributive genitive צֶדֶק (tsedeq) is traditionally translated “righteousness” here, as if designating a moral or ethical quality. But this seems unlikely, for it modifies מַעְגְּלֵי (ma’ggÿley, “paths”). Within the shepherd/sheep metaphor, the phrase likely refers to “right” or “correct” paths, i.e. ones that lead to pastures, wells, or the fold. While צֶדֶק usually does carry a moral or ethical nuance, it can occasionally refer to less abstract things, such as weights and offerings. In this context, which emphasizes divine provision and protection, the underlying reality is probably God’s providential guidance. The psalmist is confident that God takes him down paths that will ultimately lead to something beneficial, not destructive.
4 tn The Hebrew term שֶׁם (shem, “name”) refers here to the shepherd’s reputation. (The English term “name” is often used the same way.) The statement לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ (lÿma’an shÿmo, “for the sake of his name”) makes excellent sense within the framework of the shepherd/sheep metaphor. Shepherds, who sometimes hired out their services, were undoubtedly concerned about their vocational reputation. To maintain their reputation as competent shepherds, they had to know the “lay of the land” and make sure they led the sheep down the right paths to the proper destinations. The underlying reality is a profound theological truth: God must look out for the best interests of the one he has promised to protect, because if he fails to do so, his faithfulness could legitimately be called into question and his reputation damaged.
5 tn Heb “ascribe to the
6 tn That is, properly dressed for the occasion.
7 tn Heb “his name,” which here stands metonymically for God’s reputation.
8 tn Heb “make honorable his praise.”
9 tn Heb “announce from day to day his deliverance.”
10 tn Heb “the splendor of [i.e., “due”] his name.”
11 sn Psalm 103. The psalmist praises God for his mercy and willingness to forgive his people.
12 tn The verb “praise” is understood by ellipsis in the second line (see the preceding line).
13 tn Heb “his name,” which here stands metonymically for God’s reputation.
14 tn Heb “for [it is] pleasant.” The translation assumes that it is the