Mazmur 64:5

64:5 They encourage one another to carry out their evil deed. ¹ 

They plan how to hide ²  snares,

and boast, ³  “Who will see them?” ⁴ 

Mazmur 140:1

Psalm 140 ⁵ 

For the music director; a psalm of David.

140:1 O Lord, rescue me from wicked men! ⁶ 

Protect me from violent men, ⁷ 

[64:5]  ¹ tn Heb “they give strength to themselves, an evil matter [or “word”].”

[64:5]  ² tn Heb “they report about hiding.”

[64:5]  ³ tn Heb “they say.”

[64:5]  ⁴ tn If this is a direct quotation (cf. NASB, NIV), the pronoun “them” refers to the snares mentioned in the previous line. If it is an indirect quotation, then the pronoun may refer to the enemies themselves (cf. NEB, which is ambiguous). Some translations retain the direct quotation but alter the pronoun to “us,” referring clearly to the enemies (cf. NRSV).

[140:1]  ⁵ sn Psalm 140. The psalmist asks God to deliver him from his deadly enemies, calls judgment down upon them, and affirms his confidence in God’s justice.

[140:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “from a wicked man.” The Hebrew uses the singular in a representative or collective sense (note the plural verbs in v. 2).

[140:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “a man of violent acts.” The Hebrew uses the singular in a representative or collective sense (note the plural verbs in v. 2).