Mazmur 84:9

84:9 O God, take notice of our shield! ¹ 

Show concern for your chosen king! ² 

Mazmur 103:4

103:4 who delivers ³  your life from the Pit, ⁴ 

who crowns you with his loyal love and compassion,

Mazmur 112:4

112:4 In the darkness a light ⁵  shines for the godly,

for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just. ⁶ 

Mazmur 119:77

119:77 May I experience your compassion, ⁷  so I might live!

For I find delight in your law.

Mazmur 119:156

119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.

Revive me, as you typically do! ⁸ 

Mazmur 145:8-9

145:8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate;

he is patient ⁹  and demonstrates great loyal love. ¹⁰ 

145:9 The Lord is good to all,

and has compassion on all he has made. ¹¹ 

[84:9]  ¹ tn The phrase “our shield” refers metaphorically to the Davidic king, who, as God’s vice-regent, was the human protector of the people. Note the parallelism with “your anointed one” here and with “our king” in Ps 89:18.

[84:9]  ² tn Heb “look [on] the face of your anointed one.” The Hebrew phrase מְשִׁיחֶךָ (mÿshikhekha, “your anointed one”) refers here to the Davidic king (see Pss 2:2; 18:50; 20:6; 28:8; 89:38, 51; 132:10, 17).

[103:4]  ³ tn Or “redeems.”

[103:4]  ⁴ tn The Hebrew term שַׁחַת (shakhat, “pit”) is often used as a title for Sheol (see Pss 16:10; 30:9; 49:9; 55:24.

[112:4]  ⁵ tn In this context “light” symbolizes divine blessing in its various forms (see v. 2), including material prosperity and stability.

[112:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “merciful and compassionate and just.” The Hebrew text has three singular adjectives, which are probably substantival and in apposition to the “godly” (which is plural, however). By switching to the singular, the psalmist focuses on each individual member of the group known as the “godly.” Note how vv. 5-9, like vv. 1-2a, use the singular to describe the representative godly individual who typifies the whole group.

[119:77]  ⁷ tn Heb “and may your compassion come to me.”

[119:156]  ⁸ tn Heb “according to your customs.”

[145:8]  ⁹ tn Heb “slow to anger” (see Pss 86:15; 103:8).

[145:8]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “and great of loyal love” (see Pss 86:15; 103:8).

[145:9]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and his compassion is over all his works.”