Psalm Eleven – Translation of the Song

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11,1 For the Leader. [A Song] by David.
In ADONAI I sheltered. How could you speak to my soul, “Wander, from your mountain, bird”?
11,2 For, behold, the wicked ones stand on the bow, preparing their arrow on the string, to shoot in the very darkness at the upright of heart.
11,3 For when the pillars are ruined, the righteous one what can he do?
11,4 ADONAI is in His holy sanctuary, ADONAI, in the heavens His throne, His eyes will perceive, His eyelids will discern, the children of Adam.
11,5 ADONAI will discern the righteous one, but the wicked one and the lover of violent acts His soul hates.
11,6  He will rain coals on the wicked ones; fire and sulphur and angry wind the allotted portion of their cup.
11,7 For righteous is ADONAI, righteous acts He loves; the upright will perceive His face.

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Notes on Translation, Psalm 11:

11.1: the Hebrew for “sheltered”, חָסִיתִי, has the same root as “to have mercy on”, חָס.

 

11.1: the English translation, “from your mountain”, could also be, as correctly, “to your mountain”. “From”, however, seems more in accordance with the image of the mountain as the place of shelter the singer finds in God. He is being told to leave his place of shelter.

 

11.1: in Hebrew, “your mountain” is written as one word, rather than the usual two, as though the mountain is so much the possession of  –the shelter of—the singer that it has become part of him.

 

11.1: the Hebrew for “wander” is written in the plural, indicating its subject is plural, yet it is spoken in the singular.

 

11.2: “stand on” is the same word, in Hebrew, as “step”, יִדְרְכוּן. The archer, in order to bend the bow, used his feet to stretch its string, before placing the bow.

 

11.3: the Hebrew, translated here as “pillars”, could have also be translated as “foundations”. Both indicate supports, that which hold up a building or structure. “Pillars” is the translation used here, simply because “foundations” can be either divine or human creations, whereas “pillars” suggests the human, be it the pillars of faith or of a sanctuary. (See Commentary for elaboration.)

 

11.3: the verb “are ruined” is, in the Hebrew, יֵהָרֵסוּן, present progressive tense.

 

11.4: the Hebrew for “discern”, יִבְחֲנוּ, contains two letters within it, “het” followed by “nun”, that denote “favour”. That is, God looks upon the righteous with favour, in contrast to His abhorrence of the violent (see verse 5).

 

11.4: the English word “heaven” is always written in the plural in Hebrew, שָּׁמַיִם, as though to indicate its location is vast, without end.

 

11.4: “the children of Adam”, the first man, are all of Adam’s descendants; that is, the whole of humankind.

 

11.5: the Hebrew for “violence”, חָמָס, implies acts of violence (to destroy violently).

 

11.5: the Hebrew word for “hate” used here while combined with the soul, שָׂנְאָה נַפְשׁוֹ, implies an intensity; that is, the hatred is total, implacable.

 

11.6: “coals” is the usual translation of the Hebrew פַּחָמִים. The Hebrew’s meaning, however, is uncertain in that one letter, “mem”, is missing from its spelling here.

 

11.6: “fire” can be here, in the Hebrew, either a noun or an adjective, אֵשׁ. That is, it could describe the coals (fiery coals), or, as translated here, correspond, as a noun, to the “sulphur”.

11.6: the Hebrew word for “angry” used here, זִלְעָפוֹת, is spelt with an extra “lamed”; moreover, its form is plural, unlike the “wind” which is singular.

 

11.7: “the upright” can, in the Hebrew, be describing either a person or a deed. That is, an equally valid translation could be, “[Adonai] will perceive his upright acts”. (See Commentary for elaboration on this point.)

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These translations are by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 11”

King James Psalms 11 Translation:

[1] In the LORD put I my trust: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
[2] For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
[3] If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
[4] The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
[5] The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
[6] Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
[7] For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

 

Psalm Ten – Translation of the Song

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Translation by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg of this Psalm is not yet available and will be uploaded once completed. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

For the time being, available translated Psalms are: Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23,  Psalm 29, Psalm 37

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 10“

King James Psalms 10 Translation:

[1] Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
[2] The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
[3] For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
[4] The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
[5] His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
[6] He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
[7] His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
[8] He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
[9] He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
[10] He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
[11] He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
[12] Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
[13] Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
[14] Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
[15] Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
[16] The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
[17] LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
[18] To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

 

Psalm Nine – Translation of the Song

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Translation by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg of this Psalm is not yet available and will be uploaded once completed. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

For the time being, available translated Psalms are: Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23,  Psalm 29, Psalm 37

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 9”

King James Psalms 9 Translation:

[1] I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
[2] I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
[3] When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
[4] For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
[5] Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
[6] O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
[7] But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
[8] And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
[9] The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
[10] And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
[11] Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
[12] When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
[13] Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
[14] That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
[15] The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
[16] The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
[17] The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
[18] For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
[19] Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
[20] Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

 

Psalm Eight – Translation of the Song

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Translation by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg of this Psalm is not yet available and will be uploaded once completed. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

For the time being, available translated Psalms are: Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23,  Psalm 29, Psalm 37

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 8”

King James Psalms 8 Translation:

[1] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
[2] Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
[3] When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
[4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
[5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
[6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
[7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
[8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
[9] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

 

Psalm Seven – Translation of the Song

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Translation by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg of this Psalm is not yet available and will be uploaded once completed. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

For the time being, available translated Psalms are: Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23,  Psalm 29, Psalm 37

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 7”

King James Psalms 7 Translation:

[1] O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
[3] O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
[4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
[5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
[6] Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
[7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
[8] The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
[9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
[10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
[12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
[13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
[14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
[15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
[16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
[17] I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

 

Psalm Five – Translation of the Song

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Translation by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg of this Psalm is not yet available and will be uploaded once completed. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.

For the time being, available translated Psalms are: Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 19, Psalm 22, Psalm 23,  Psalm 29, Psalm 37

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 5”

King James Psalms 5 Translation:

[1] Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
[2] Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
[3] My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
[4] For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
[5] The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
[6] Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
[7] But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
[8] Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
[9] For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
[10] Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
[11] But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
[12] For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm Four – Translation of the Song

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4.1: For the leader of melodies. A song by David.

 

4.2: When I call out, respond to me, God of my righteousness.

Whenever [I am] in distress, You have expanded me.

Favour me and hear my prayer.

 

4.3: Children of man, until when my glory to shame, [until when] love you hollowness, craving falsehood?                                                   Selah.

 

4.4: But know Adonai has distinguished the one devout to Him.

Adonai will hear when I call out to Him.

 

4.5: Shiver and do not be dragged to sinfulness.

Speak with your hearts on your beds and be silent.               Selah.

 

4.6: Sacrifice sacrifices of righteousness and secure trust in Adonai.

 

4.7: A bountiful number say, “Who will enlighten [us] about good?”

Miraculously lift up upon us the light of Your face, Adonai.

 

4.8: You have given gladness to my heart, from the time [when]

their grain and their wine was bountiful.

 

4.9: With wholeness I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Adonai,

in solitude, in secure trust, will set me down.

 

Notes, Psalm 4

 

4.2: The verb “expanded” gives a metaphorical dimension of physicality to the idea of spiritual enlargement, as though the singer’s body were acting out his inward understanding.

 

4.2: The Hebrew for distress – בַּ֖צָּר– shares a root with “narrow” – צַר– suggesting a stricture. (See also Notes, Psalm 6, verse 8.)

 

4.3: In Biblical Hebrew, “man” is used to indicate a man of importance to the nation.

 

4.3: “Until when” – עַד־מֶ֤ה– translates more literally as “to what extent”, a phrase suggesting length as well as duration of time.

 

4.4: The opening conjunction is literally “and” –  וּ– ; however we have used “but” for clarity.

 

4.4: “Know” in Hebrew – וּדְע֗וּ– has the connotation of love, physical and spiritual, as well as of knowledge. (See also Notes, Psalm 37, verse 18.)

 

4.4: The verb “hear” in Hebrew – יִ֜שְׁמַ֗ע – has the connotation of “drawing close to” that the English lacks.

 

4.5: The Hebrew here for “hearts” adds an extra letter “bet” to the customary spelling – בִ֖לְבַבְכֶם . (See also Notes, Psalm 15, verse 2.)

 

4.6: To avoid the repetition of the Hebrew, the English translation is usually “Offer sacrifices”.

 

4.6: The Hebrew is literally “to Adonai” – אֶל יְהֹוָֽה– but we have substituted  “in Adonai” for clarity.

 

4.8: The Hebrew could also be translated as “even more than”, indicating a comparison rather than the continuation that “from the time [when]” suggests.

 

4.9: We have used the word “both” for clarity but the Hebrew implies “together with”. The Hebrew root is “ya-chud”, יַחַד; the suggestion, however, in both Hebrew and in English, is that the sleeper will lie down and immediately sleep, making simultaneous the two actions of lying down and of falling asleep.

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 4”

King James Psalms 4 Translation:

[1] Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
[2] O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
[3] But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
[4] Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
[5] Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
[6] There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
[7] Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
[8] I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 

Psalm Three – Translation of the Song

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3, 1: A song by David, when he fled from the face of Absalom.

 

3, 2: Adonai, how abundant, my tormentors; abundant they who rise against me.

 

3, 3: Abundant [those] who speak of my soul: “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

 

3, 4: And You, Adonai, a shield for me; my glory and the One Who raises up my head.

 

3, 5: With my voice, I will call out to Adonai and He will answer me from His holy mountain. Selah.

 

3, 6: I lay down and I slept. I awoke, for Adonai will hold me up.

 

3, 7: No awe have I of tens of thousands – a nation – that, surrounding [me], set [themselves] upon me.

 

3, 8: Arise, Adonai! Deliver me, my God, for You have struck down all my enemies [on the] cheek, the teeth of the wicked You have broken.

 

3, 9: To Adonai deliverance [belongs]; upon Your nation, Your blessing. Selah.

 

Notes Psalm 3

3, 1: Although the usual translation is “from Absalom”, the literal translation is “from the face of Absalom”.  (For the story of David and Absalom, see 2 Samuel 15-19.)

 

3, 2: The literal translation of the Hebrew is “what abundant my tormentors”. We have substituted “how” to make the English comprehensible.

 

3, 3: The Hebrew for “deliverance” is here given an extra letter, “tav”: יְשׁוּעָתָה

 

3, 5: “With” is understood in the Hebrew but not explicitly written; the English requires it.

 

3, 5: The Hebrew word for “answer” – וַיַּעֲנֵנִי – has the same root as “anguish “ or “torture” – עִנּוּי . Perhaps the similarity hints at the hope that suffering will be answered, be assuaged. (See also Psalm 13, verse 4.)

 

3, 6: Both the Hebrew for “slept” –  וָאִישָׁנָה– and for “awoke” – הֱקִיצוֹתִי  – have a letter added to the usual spelling, as if to give these verbs an added dramatic emphasis.

 

3, 7: The suggestion implicit in Hebrew of the English “set upon” – שָׁתוּ  – is of the deployment of troops.

 

3, 9: The Hebrew contains no verbs in this line.

 

Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 3”

King James Psalms 3 Translation:

[1] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
[2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
[3] But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
[4] I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
[5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
[6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
[7] Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
[8] Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Praisesong Twenty three – Translation of the Song

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23.1   A Song by David.
Adonai is my shepherd; I am without want.
23.2  In lush pastures He lays me down; by calm waters He leads me.
23.3 My soul He revives; He guides me in righteous paths for the praise of His name.
23.4 Even when I walk through the valley, darkly shadowed, I fear no harm, for
You stand with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
23.5 You will prepare a table before me, in my tormentors’ full view.
You enriched my head with oil; my cup, overflowing.
23.6 Only goodness and compassion will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of Adonai for all the length of my days.

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Notes on Translation, Psalm 23:

v. 1 – 4: the verbs translated here in present tense actually mean, in Hebrew, action that is on-going and continual.

v. 1: the noun, translated here as “want”, has the same root in Hebrew as the verb “reduce”. The similarilarity emphasizes that the singer not only lacks nothing but that he is also certain nothing that he already possesses will be taken from him.

v. 2: the translation is commonly “green pastures”; the Hebrew, however, makes no mention of “green”. The meaning, nonetheless, is of lushness, of pastures abundantly grassy.

v. 3: the implication is that God’s pathways are composed of both righteousness and justice.

v. 3: the translation is commonly “for His name’s sake”. The Hebrew reads simply “for His name”. The implication, however, is that God’s guidance and protection will evoke praise.

v. 4: death is not explicitly mentioned in the Hebrew; it is implied by the connotations of darkness and of shadows. Jewish oral tradition makes a distinction between the written and the spoken Hebrew words, צַלְמוּת , צַלְמָוֶת. The spoken, צַלְמָוֶת, means “death”, but the written, צַלְמוּת, means “shadows”. Because the written Biblical Hebrew lacks signs for vowels, both meanings are understood.

v. 4: the literal Hebrew is “I fear no [nothing] bad”.

v. 4: “You are with me” is the common translation. The Hebrew, עִמָּדִי, is a unique form of the verb and suggests God’s full presence. The unusual addition of the letter דל”ת to the verb עִמִּי gives the verb the same root as that of the verb “to stand”, עִמָּדִי. The entire phrase is the first time in the first 4 verses that the Hebrew verb is in the simple present tense.

v. 5: only kings and high priests would have been “anointed” with oil — the common mistranslation of the verb דִּשַּׁנְתָּ.

v. 6: the Hebrew verb for “dwell”, יָשַׁבְתִּ, has the same letters as “return to”, שַׁבְתִּי.

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These translations are by Rabbi Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg. The translations are as close to the literal Hebrew as possible.
Click here to study “Literary analysis of Psalm 23”

Sing & Learn: click here to hear a song composed for Psalm 23

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King James Psalms 23 Translation:

[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Sing & Learn: hear a song composed from Psalm 23