Mazmur 14:2

14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven ¹  at the human race, ² 

to see if there is anyone who is wise ³  and seeks God. ⁴ 

Mazmur 34:10

34:10 Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Mazmur 35:4

35:4 May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated!

May those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed! ⁵ 

Mazmur 66:16

66:16 Come! Listen, all you who are loyal to God! ⁶ 

I will declare what he has done for me.

Mazmur 69:32

69:32 The oppressed look on – let them rejoice!

You who seek God, ⁷  may you be encouraged! ⁸ 

Mazmur 78:54

78:54 He brought them to the border of his holy land,

to this mountainous land ⁹  which his right hand ¹⁰  acquired.

Mazmur 84:5

84:5 How blessed are those who ¹¹  find their strength in you,

and long to travel the roads that lead to your temple! ¹² 

[14:2]  ¹ sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.

[14:2]  ² tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”

[14:2]  ³ tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.

[14:2]  ⁴ sn Anyone who is wise and seeks God refers to the person who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.

[35:4]  ⁵ tn The four prefixed verbal forms in this verse are understood as jussives. The psalmist is calling judgment down on his enemies. See also the distinct jussive form in v. 6.

[66:16]  ⁶ tn Heb “all of the fearers of God.”

[69:32]  ⁷ sn You who seek God refers to those who seek to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him (see Ps 53:2).

[69:32]  ⁸ tn Heb “may your heart[s] live.” See Ps 22:26.

[78:54]  ⁹ tn Heb “this mountain.” The whole land of Canaan seems to be referred to here. In Exod 15:17 the promised land is called the “mountain of your [i.e., God’s] inheritance.”

[78:54]  ¹⁰ tn The “right hand” here symbolizes God’s military strength (see v. 55).

[84:5]  ¹¹ tn Heb “[Oh] the happiness [of] the man.” Hebrew literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle stated here was certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age. To facilitate modern application, we translate the gender and age specific “man” with the plural “those.” The individual referred to in v. 5a is representative of followers of God, as the use of plural forms in vv. 5b-7 indicates.

[84:5]  ¹² tn Heb “roads [are] in their heart[s].” The roads are here those that lead to Zion (see v. 7).