As we suggested at the end of chapter 8, we may begin this chapter as follows: “As I prayed for Wisdom, I said, ‘….’ ”

O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy: Fathers refers to Solomon’s “ancestors” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). In some languages God of my fathers will be expressed as “God whom my ancestors worshiped.” Lord of mercy means “merciful Lord” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version combines these two phrases: “Merciful Lord God of my ancestors.” They may be rendered “Merciful Ruler [or, High Chief], the God whom my ancestors worshiped.”

Who hast made all things by thy word: This begins a long relative clause (who …) that extends through verse 3. Translators will do well to break it down into shorter units. The line is of course a reference to God speaking creation into existence in Gen 1. Compare John 1.3.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Merciful Lord God of my ancestors [or, God whom my ancestors worshiped], you used your word to create all things.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.