Mazmur 48:8

48:8 We heard about God’s mighty deeds, now we have seen them, ¹ 

in the city of the Lord, the invincible Warrior, ² 

in the city of our God.

God makes it permanently secure. ³  (Selah)

Mazmur 59:5

59:5 You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior, ⁴  the God of Israel,

rouse yourself and punish ⁵  all the nations!

Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)

Mazmur 69:6

69:6 Let none who rely on you be disgraced because of me,

O sovereign Lord and king! ⁶ 

Let none who seek you be ashamed because of me,

O God of Israel!

Mazmur 84:3

84:3 Even the birds find a home there,

and the swallow ⁷  builds a nest,

where she can protect her young ⁸ 

near your altars, O Lord who rules over all,

my king and my God.

[48:8]  ¹ tn Heb “As we have heard, so we have seen.” The community had heard about God’s mighty deeds in the nation’s history. Having personally witnessed his saving power with their own eyes, they could now affirm that the tradition was not exaggerated or inaccurate.

[48:8]  ² tn Heb “the Lord of hosts.” The title “Lord of hosts” here pictures the Lord as a mighty warrior-king who leads armies into battle (see Pss 24:10; 46:7, 11).

[48:8]  ³ tn Or “God makes it secure forever.” The imperfect highlights the characteristic nature of the generalizing statement.

[59:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “Lord, God, Hosts.” One expects the construct form אֱלֹהֵי (’elohey) before צְבָאוֹת (tsÿva’ot, “hosts”). See Ps 89:9, but יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים (yÿhvah ’elohim) precedes צְבָאוֹת (tsÿva’ot) in Pss 80:4, 19; 84:8 as well.

[59:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “wake up to punish” (see Pss 35:23; 44:23).

[69:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “O Master, Lord of hosts.” Both titles draw attention to God’s sovereign position.

[84:3]  ⁷ tn The word translated “swallow” occurs only here and in Prov 26:2.

[84:3]  ⁸ tn Heb “even a bird finds a home, and a swallow a nest for herself, [in] which she places her young.”

[84:3]  sn The psalmist here romanticizes the temple as a place of refuge and safety. As he thinks of the birds nesting near its roof, he envisions them finding protection in God’s presence.