Mazmur 3:4

3:4 To the Lord I cried out, ¹ 

and he answered me from his holy hill. ²  (Selah)

Mazmur 34:4

34:4 I sought the Lord’s help ³  and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Mazmur 34:6

34:6 This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;

he saved him ⁴  from all his troubles.

Mazmur 53:2

53:2 God looks down from heaven ⁵  at the human race, ⁶ 

to see if there is anyone who is wise ⁷  and seeks God. ⁸ 

Mazmur 71:20

71:20 Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, ⁹ 

revive me once again! ¹⁰ 

Bring me up once again ¹¹  from the depths of the earth!

[3:4]  ¹ tn The prefixed verbal form could be an imperfect, yielding the translation “I cry out,” but the verb form in the next line (a vav [ו] consecutive with the preterite) suggests this is a brief narrative of what has already happened. Consequently the verb form in v. 4a is better understood as a preterite, “I cried out.” (For another example of the preterite of this same verb form, see Ps 30:8.) Sometime after the crisis arose, the psalmist prayed to the Lord and received an assuring answer. Now he confidently awaits the fulfillment of the divine promise.

[3:4]  ² sn His holy hill. That is, Zion (see Pss 2:6; 48:1-2). The psalmist recognizes that the Lord dwells in his sanctuary on Mount Zion.

[34:4]  ³ tn Heb “I sought the Lord.”

[34:6]  ⁴ tn The pronoun refers back to “this oppressed man,” namely, the psalmist.

[53:2]  ⁵ sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.

[53:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”

[53:2]  ⁷ tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.

[53:2]  ⁸ tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.

[71:20]  ⁹ tn Heb “you who have caused me to see many harmful distresses.”

[71:20]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “you return, you give me life.” The Hebrew term שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) is used here in an adverbial sense, indicating repetition of the action described by the following verb. The imperfects are understood here as expressing the psalmist’s prayer or wish. (Note the use of a distinctly jussive form at the beginning of v. 21.) Another option is to understand this as a statement of confidence, “you will revive me once again” (cf. NIV, NRSV).

[71:20]  ¹¹ tn Heb “you return, you bring me up.” The Hebrew term שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) is used here in an adverbial sense, indicating repetition of the action described by the following verb. The imperfects are understood here as expressing the psalmist’s prayer or wish. (Note the use of a distinctly jussive form at the beginning of v. 21.) Another option is to understand this as a statement of confidence, “you will bring me up once again” (cf. NIV, NRSV).