Paragraph 2:25–28
2:25a
In the Greek, 2:25a begins with a conjunction that the Revised Standard Version translates as “For.” This conjunction introduces support from Scripture for Peter’s statement in 2:24. Psalm 16:8–11 supports the idea that God caused Jesus to become alive again.
David says about Him: King David was the writer of this psalm, and the pronoun Him here refers to the Messiah. Peter was interested in the prophetic meaning of Psalm 16:8–11, so he introduced 2:25b–28b with about Him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
David says concerning him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
David says of him (New Jerusalem Bible)
David: David was king of Israel. In some languages it may be more honoring to name him as king. For example:
King David (New Living Translation (2004))
says: King David lived about a thousand years before Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would imply that King David lived at the same time as Jesus, or people might assume that. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that King David lived long before Jesus. For example:
said ⌊long ago⌋
2:25b
I saw the Lord always before me: The phrase saw…before me is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.
In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech in your translation. For example:
I was aware of the Lord always being present with/before me
You may then want to indicate the literal words and explain them in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Literally “I saw the Lord always before me.” This is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.
• Translate literally and explain the meaning of the figure of speech in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.
the Lord: This refers to God here.
2:25c
because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken: The conjunction because introduces the reason that David would not be shaken. It does not introduce the reason for seeing the Lord always before him (2:25b). Here are some other ways to translate these words:
Since he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken
-or-
I will not be shaken, because he is at my right hand
-or-
he is at my right hand, so I will not be shaken
He is at my right hand: This clause is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
with him at my right side (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is close by my side (New Century Version)
This clause does not indicate that God was a physical presence at David’s right side. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech in the text. For example:
he is always ready to help me
You may then want to indicate the literal words and explain them in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Literally “he is at my right hand.” This is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him.
• Translate literally and explain the meaning of the figure of speech in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him.
I will not be shaken: This clause is a figure of speech. It indicates that David would not fear anyone who wanted to harm him. He would be confident that God would take care of him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I will not be troubled (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will not be afraid (Contemporary English Version)
The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊No one⌋ will shake me
-or-
⌊No one⌋ will cause me to be troubled
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