Mazmur 51:13

51:13 Then I will teach ¹  rebels your merciful ways, ² 

and sinners will turn ³  to you.

Mazmur 69:35

69:35 For God will deliver Zion

and rebuild the cities of Judah,

and his people ⁴  will again live in them and possess Zion. ⁵ 

Mazmur 85:4

85:4 Restore us, O God our deliverer!

Do not be displeased with us! ⁶ 

Mazmur 89:34

89:34 I will not break ⁷  my covenant

or go back on what I promised. ⁸ 

[51:13]  ¹ tn The cohortative expresses the psalmist’s resolve. This may be a vow or promise. If forgiven, the psalmist will “repay” the Lord by declaring God’s mercy and motivating other sinners to repent.

[51:13]  ² tn Heb “your ways.” The word “merciful” is added for clarification. God’s “ways” are sometimes his commands, but in this context, where the teaching of God’s ways motivates repentance (see the next line), it is more likely that God’s merciful and compassionate way of dealing with sinners is in view. Thanksgiving songs praising God for his deliverance typically focus on these divine attributes (see Pss 34, 41, 116, 138).

[51:13]  ³ tn Or “return,” i.e., in repentance.

[69:35]  ⁴ tn Heb “they”; the referent (God’s people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[69:35]  ⁵ tn Heb “it.” The third feminine singular pronominal suffix probably refers to “Zion” (see Pss 48:12; 102:14); thus the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[85:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “break your displeasure with us.” Some prefer to emend הָפֵר (hafer, “break”) to הָסֵר (haser, “turn aside”).

[89:34]  ⁷ tn Or “desecrate.”

[89:34]  ⁸ tn Heb “and what proceeds out of my lips I will not alter.”