Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist asks God to save him from deceitful friends.
II. Photo
The psalmist puts his faith in God: “Do not disregard me, for if you disregard me, I shall be like those gone down into the Pit!” (v. 1b)
III. Select Verses
2: Listen to my plea for mercy when I cry out to You, when I lift my hands toward Your inner sanctuary.
3-5: Do not count me with the wicked and evildoers who profess goodwill toward their fellows while malice is in their heart. Pay them according to their deeds, their malicious acts; according to their handiwork pay them, give them their deserts. For they do not consider the LORD’s deeds, the work of His hands. May He tear them down, never to rebuild them!
7: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him. I was helped, and my heart exulted, so I will glorify Him with my song.
IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b-2. Invocation and initial plea
3. Petition: safety from evil friends
4-5. Imprecation and rationale: evil friends
6. Blessing and rationale
7a. Trust
7b. Anticipated praise
8. Praise: God is the strength of his anointed
9. Petition for the people
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Craigie, Peter C. “Psalms 1-50” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 19 (Waco, Texas: Wordbooks, 1983).
Gerstenberger, Erhard S. “Psalms Part 1 with an Introduction to Cultic Poetry” Forms of Old Testament Literature (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1988).
Photo taken from http://www.carto.net/neumann/caving/fotos/croatia_2007_04/032_munizaba_cave_entrance_pit.jpg
