The drum consisted of a membrane, usually of animal skin, which was stretched over a shallow circular, triangular, or square frame.
The drum was struck sharply with one or two hands, depending on where it was situated. It could be held in the left hand, under the left arm, or against the chest and struck with the right hand, or it could be held on the knees or the ground and struck with one or two hands. The fingers of the left hand could be used to tighten or loosen the tension on the membrane as it was struck with the palm of the right hand.
The use of the Hebrew word tof is usually associated with singing, processions, and festivals. Archaeological evidence indicates that drums with metal circlets on the frame (“tambourines” or “timbrels”) were not known in biblical times. As a general rule, the best translation for this word will be “hand drum” or simply “drum.”
Lyre (source: Knowles, revised by Bass (c) British and Foreign Bible Society 1994)
The Hebrew text of Psalms 9/10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145 uses acrostics, a literary form in which each verse is started with one of the successive 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. According to Brenda Boerger (in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. ) there are three different reasons for acrostics in the Hebrew text: “for ease of memorization,” the representation “of the full breadth and depth of a topic, all the way from aleph to taw (tav),” and the perception of “the acrostic form as aesthetically attractive.” (p. 191)
While most translations mention the existence of an acrostic in a note or a comment, few implement it in their translation. The Natügu translation is one such exception. Boerger (see above) cites a strong tradition in singing the psalms and the fact that Natügu, like Hebrew, also has 22 possible initial letters as motivating factors to maintain the acrostics in that language.
Click or tap here for the complete psalm in Natügu
1 Awi-zvzbo bam mz nzglqpx-krnge nim,
Murde nim Gct rnge x mnclzbo bam.
2 Bilvzx nim mz nzawi-krbo bam.
X sa naglqpx-zvzx nim mz zbq kang kqlu.
3 Clveq nrlc mz zmatq ngrm kx trpnzngr kxrkrlz.
Yawe, myatxlz-esz’ngrn x takitrde nzrglqlzngr nim.
4 Doa nemqng sa nayapwxti-zvzbzlr mz doa nedrng,
Da kcng tqetuting tqmatq tqaletiqng.
5 Eu, x sa na-aoti-zvz-kzx drtwrnge nzwz-krmqng kxmrlzvxing,
X nzetu-esz’ngr-krm mz zmatq.
6 Gct, sa nayapwxtipx leplz da kxnzkctipxng kcng tqwz-ngrn.
X sa napipxx nzmyalz-esz’ngr-krm.
7-8 Ipq-aniq leplz murde yc mz drtwrm nidr.
Murde nivz lrm x nzaodu-krm tqyc tqyc.
Jzsiq leplz mz nztubqngr x sa na-angrlvzlr nim.
Sa nalepxlr nrpa ngr nzmrlz-esz’ngr-krm.
9 Kxetu, mrlztiq leplz amrlx,
X yc zlwz mz drtwrm doa amrlx kcng tqwz-ngrn.
10 Leplz nemqng amrlx sa na-awibzng bam,
X doa amrlx kcng tqwz-ngrn sa naglqlzlr nim.
11 Mz nrlc tulvzo, sa nayapwxtipxlr nzmyalz-esz’ngr-krm,
X nzetukr zmatq ngrm mz nzngini-krm king.
12 Nrpa ngr nzwz-krmqng etu, mz da kxmrlzting kcng tqwz-ngrn mz nzaclve-krm,
Sa nakrlz leplz amrlx.
13 Obqom mz nrlc mz nzaclve-krm kc tqyc tqyc,
X nzngini-krm king tqvzpe tqvzpe.
Pipx-zvzq natq kx na-angidatiq,
X aelwapx-zvzq nivz lrm mz da amrlx kcng tqaleq.
14 Rngiscm zmatq kx okatrle leplz kcng tzkxpung,
X axplrle nabz leplz kcng tqtalvzo.
15 Sa narkabzme dakxnzng mz kxnzlung amrlx,
Mz nzmnc-xgle-krdr nim mz da amrlx.
16 Tekqtrq nzbrtale-krdr mz nzakrlc-krbzme nelzdr,
X drtwrdr esatxpx zpwx.
17 Vz zvz nzale-krm da kx tubq-esz’ngr,
X aelwapx-zvzq nivz lrm mz da amrlx kcng tqaleq.
18 Wxbu-aepztrpzme mz krkcng tzkqlelr nim,
Mz nzbrti-zpwxkr drtwrdr nim.
19 Xlrq nzyrnikr leplz kcng tzamrluelr nim,
X ayzlubzme natqdr mz nzarlapx-krm nidr.
20 Yawe, tu-zvzbzme mz nibr leplz kx nzmrlztilr nim,
A’ odati-atwrnr-ngrn kxdrka’-ngrng.
21 Zbq kalvz sa naglqlzx nim.
X krkcng tzlung tqwz-ngrn, nzangio-krdr nim tqvzpe tqvzpe.
The DanishBibelen på Hverdagsdansk (publ. 1985, rev. 2015 et al.) also translated Psalm 145 into an acrostic. Due to the higher number of Danish letters, It skips C, Q, W, X, Z, and Ø.
Click or tap here for the complete psalm in Danish
1 Altid vil jeg prise dig, Herre,
du er min Konge og Gud for evigt.
2 Bestandig vil jeg synge til din ære,
takke dig hver eneste dag.
3 Der er ingen så mægtig som dig, Herre,
ingen kan fatte din storhed.
4 En generation skal fortælle det videre til den næste,
at dine underfulde gerninger er uden sidestykke.
5 Folk skal fortælle om din herlighed og magt,
og jeg vil altid mindes dine undere.
6 Gang på gang bliver dine gerninger berømmet,
jeg vil fortælle om din storhed igen og igen.
7 Hvor er din godhed dog stor,
din retfærdighed bliver husket med glæde.
8 Ingen er nådig og barmhjertig som dig,
du er tålmodig og utrolig trofast.
9 Jeg ved, at du er god mod alle,
barmhjertig mod alle dine skabninger.
10 Kan mennesker gøre andet end takke dig, Herre?
Dine tjenere vil altid lovprise dig.
11 Lad os altid tale om dit riges herlighed,
fortælle om din vældige magt.
12 Mennesker i hele verden skal høre om din magt,
om dit riges strålende herlighed.
13 Når alt andet forgår, vil dit rige bestå.
Du skal regere i evighed.
Ord fra dig kan man stole på,
dine handlinger viser din nåde imod os.
14 På livets vej kan vi synke i knæ,
men du rejser os op, når vi falder.
15 Retter vi vores blik mod dig i tro,
vil du altid give os det, vi har brug for.
16 Så snart et menneske erkender sit behov,
er du straks parat til at opfylde det.
17 Trofasthed og retfærdighed kendes du på,
dine handlinger er baseret på kærlighed.
18 Uden undtagelse hjælper du alle,
som beder til dig af et oprigtigt hjerte.
19 Vælger mennesker at følge dig,
vil du redde dem, når de råber om hjælp.
20 Ærligt troende oplever din beskyttelse,
men de onde går deres undergang i møde.
21 År efter år vil jeg prise dig, Herre,
måtte alt levende lovsynge dig for evigt.
There are two Dutch translations that maintain the acrostic: Naardense Bijbel (publ. 2004) and the Tot Lof van God by Frans Croese (publ. 2010).
Click or tap here for the complete psalm in the Dutch translations
Naardense Bijbel:
1
Alleluia, ik dank de Ene van ganser harte, ✡
binnen de kring der oprechten,
een samenkomst;
2
groot zijn de daden van de Ene, ✡
doorvorsbaar
voor elk met behagen daarin;
3
en glans en luister straalt van zijn werk, ✡
fleur houdt zijn gerechtigheid
voor altijd;
4
genadig en barmhartig is de Ene, ✡
hij doet zijn wonderen voorgoed gedenken;
5
indachtig is hij voor eeuwig zijn verbond, ✡
ja, wie hem vrezen gaf hij teerkost; de
6
kracht van zijn daden
heeft hij zijn gemeente gemeld; ✡
leende hun
het erfdeel van volkeren;
7
machtig zijn zijn handen in trouw en recht, ✡
nooit onbetrouwbaar zijn
al zijn inzettingen;
8
ondersteund voor altijd en eeuwig, ✡
product
van trouw en oprechtheid;
9
redding, loskoop zond hij zijn gemeente,
sloot voor eeuwig zijn verbond, ✡
te vrezen en heilig is zijn naam!-
10
vreze voor de Ene
is het beginsel van wijsheid,
weg tot goed inzicht
voor wie daarnaar dóen; ✡
zijn lof
blijft staande voor altíjd!
Tot Lof van God translation:
Een lofdicht, op naam van David.
Als de ware Koning, zo wil ik U verhogen, mijn God,
zegenen wil ik Uw naam voor altijd en eeuwig.
2
Bij voortduring wil ik U zegenen, iedere dag weer,
loven wil ik Uw naam voor altijd en eeuwig.
3
Dat omdat Jehovah groots en zeer te loven is,
Zijn grootsheid is onpeilbaar.
4
En daarom prijst men Uw daden van geslacht op geslacht,
verhaalt men van Uw machtige daden.
5
Flonkerend in luister en pracht is Uw majesteit,
details over Uw wonderen verkondig ik graag.
6
Geweldig zijn Uw geduchte daden waarover men spreekt
– van Uw grootse daden wil ik vertellen –
7
herinneringen aan veel van Uw goedheid halen zij op,
over Uw rechtvaardigheid juichen zij.
8
Inderdaad, goedgunstig en barmhartig, dat is Jehovah,
geduldig en groots in loyale goedheid.
9
Jehovah is goed jegens allen,
met daarbij Zijn barmhartigheid, kenmerkend voor al Zijn werken.
10
Komen al Uw werken U werkelijk prijzen, Jehovah,
Uw loyalen zullen U zegenen.
11
Laten zij de heerlijkheid van Uw koninkrijk aanzeggen,
Uw grote macht bespreken.
12
Mogen zij Zijn machtige daden aan de mensen bekendmaken,
en de luister en pracht van Zijn koninkrijk.
13
Niet alleen dat, Uw koninkrijk is een koninkrijk voor alle tijden,
Uw heerschappij is voor alle achtereenvolgende geslachten.
14
Prachtig, Jehovah pakt allen stevig vast die vallen,
allen die gebukt gaan richt Hij weer op.
15
Reikhalzend zien aller ogen daarom naar U uit,
U bent het die hun te rechter tijd hun voedsel verschaft.
16
Stellig, U opent Uw hand
en verzadigt het verlangen van een ieder die leeft.
17
Terecht heet Jehovah ‘rechtvaardig in al Zijn wegen’,
in al Zijn werken is Hij loyaal.
18
Uit dien hoofde is Jehovah nabij allen die Hem aanroepen,
allen die Hem aan blijven roepen in waarachtigheid.
19
Vervullen zal Hij het verlangen van hen die hem vrezen,
Hij luistert naar hun hulpgeschreeuw en zal hen redden.
20
Waken zal Jehovah over een ieder die Hem liefheeft,
waar Hij alle wettelozen weg zal vagen.
21
Zo zal mijn mond Jehovah’s lof spreken.
Alle vlees zal Zijn heilige naam zegenen,
en dat voor altijd en eeuwig!
With thanks to Thamara van Eijzeren
The English Bible translation by Ronald Knox (publ. 1950) maintains almost every Hebrew acrostic (even though Knox’s translation itself is based on the Latin text of the Vulgate rather than the Hebrew). Due to the higher number of letters in the English alphabet, it skips the letter K, X, Y, and Z. (Click or tap here for the complete psalm in Knox’s translation.)
1 And shall I not extol thee, my God, my king; shall I not bless thy name for ever and for evermore?
2 Blessing shall be thine, day after day; for ever and for evermore praised be thy name.
3 Can any praise be worthy of the Lord’s majesty, any thought set limits to his greatness?
4 Down the ages the story of thy deeds is told, thy power is ever acclaimed;
5 each magnifies thy unapproachable glory, makes known thy wonders.
6 Fearful are the tales they tell of thy power, proclaiming thy magnificence;
7 grateful their memory of all thy goodness, as they boast of thy just dealings.
8 How gracious the Lord is, how merciful, how patient, how rich in pity!
9 Is he not a loving Lord to his whole creation; does not his mercy reach out to all that he has made?
10 Joining, then, Lord, in thy whole creation’s praise, let thy faithful servants bless thee;
11 let them publish the glory of thy kingdom, and discourse of thy power,
12 making that power known to the race of men, the glory, the splendour of that kingdom!
13 No age shall dawn but shall see thee reigning still; generations pass, and thy rule shall endure. O how true the Lord is to all his promises, how gracious in all his dealings!
14 Prostrate though men may fall, the Lord will lift them up, will revive their crushed spirits.
15 Quietly, Lord, thy creatures raise their eyes to thee, and thou grantest them, in due time, their nourishment,
16 Ready to open thy hand, and fill with thy blessing all that lives.
17 So faithful the Lord is in all he does, so gracious in all his dealings.
18 The Lord draws near to every man that calls upon him, will he but call upon him with a true heart.
19 Utter but the wish, you that fear the Lord, and he will grant it, will hear the cry, and bring aid.
20 Vigilantly the Lord watches over all that love him, marks down the wicked for destruction.
21 While these lips tell of the Lord’s praise, let all that lives bless his holy name, for ever, and for evermore. (Source )
Another English translation that keeps an acrostic for this psalm is the EasyEnglish Bible (publ. 2018), skipping Q, U, X, and Z.
1 Always I will praise you, my God and my king,
and I will say how great you are!
2 Because you are good, I will praise you every day.
Yes, I will always praise your name.
3 Clearly the Lord is great!
He is so great that we cannot understand it.
4 Down from father to son, people will praise you.
They will tell each other about the powerful things that you have done.
5 Everyone will speak about your glory and authority.
I also will think carefully about your great miracles.
6 Famous are the powerful things that you have done.
People will talk about them.
I also will speak about the great things that you do.
7 Good things are what everybody will remember about you.
They will sing about your justice.
8 How very kind the Lord is!
He is very patient and his faithful love continues.
9 It is the Lord who takes care of everybody.
He is kind to everything that he has made.
10 Join together to thank the Lord!
Everything that he has made will praise him.
Your own people will praise you, Lord!
11 King is who you are and your kingdom is great!
People will speak about your royal authority.
12 Let everyone agree that you do great things!
Let them say that you rule with great authority.
13 Many years your kingdom will remain, even for ever.
You will always rule your people and their descendants.
Nothing that the Lord promises is false.
He is kind in everything that he does.
14 Often people fall, but the Lord lifts them up.
He helps everyone who has trouble.
15 People look to you for help.
You give them food when they need it.
16 Ready to help, you open your hand.
You give to every living thing the good things that they want.
17 So the Lord is fair in all that he does.
He always shows how much he loves us.
18 The Lord is ready to help everyone who asks him.
He is near to everyone who prays honestly.
19 Very kindly he gives his own people the things that they need.
He saves them when they call to him for help.
20 Whoever loves the Lord, he keeps safe.
But he destroys wicked people.
21 Yes, I will praise the Lord!
Everyone who lives should praise his holy name for ever!
Another English translation that maintains the acrostic is by Gordon Jackson (The Lincoln Psalter, 1997). (Click or tap here for the complete psalm in Jackson’s translation)
Allworthy God, I honour you as my king,
and as long as I have breath it will praise your name;
Be my days many or few, each one will bless you,
each one be a holy day as I give it to you;
Can anyone overpraise the Lord,
can anyone exaggerate his greatness?
Don’t his miracles simply astonish us,
don’t witnesses find it hard to make others believe in them?
Essentially my theme is one and the same,
your glory that is hidden in private knowledge;
For all that your public displays of saving power
fill men with awe and profitable fear,
Grateful and humble hearts keep their gladness close
and treasure the infinite goodness you graced them with.
He is gracious, they know, he is considerate,
he is patient, he is kind beyond compare;
Isn’t he everyone’s God, and his love
available to all his beloved creatures?
Justly, О Lord, your creatures who know you praise you,
rightly they find in you a blessing each day;
Let them enlarge their language to talk of your glory,
let them tell their own tale,
Making no bones about what they know of you,
you and your Majesty, you and your dearest Mercy;
Not to diminish with anger, not to decline with age,
no, your goodness is faultless, and your mercy is perfect.
Oh how true to his word he is, how reliable;
once he has given a promise then count it fulfilled;
Perhaps you will trip, maybe fall, he will help you up;
perhaps be depressed, he will help you get out of it.
Quail they do not who look to you, Lord, in hope,
and sure enough you stead them in your season,
Ready and bountiful and providential
you give your living creatures what they need.
See if he isn’t just in all his ways,
see if he isn’t true to his every word;
Try him and see, come close as you dare to him,
and if you are straight with him he will show you his love.
Up to your eyes in worry, just ask for his help;
be honest with him, be frank, and he will respect you.
Vicious and oily souls have good cause to fear him,
but those who respect him he will account his own.
Which is why I have good reason to praise the Lord,
and why we should all bless his name for ever and ever.
And lastly, Brenda Boerger (2024) translated this psalm while maintaining the acrostic (click or tap here for the complete psalm in Boerger’s translation).
1 Adonai, King, I adore you,
And HaShem acclaim forever;
2 Bow in worship for all you do,
Blessing ever who you are.
3 Can your craftings be quantified?
Clearly all acclaim must be yours.
Deeds you do leave us mystified;
Deep, delightful are your ways.
4 Each enlightens his descendants,
Expresses your mighty actions.
5 Focusing upon your splendors,
Fuels reflections on your works.
God, it’s you whom I will study —
Greatness, glory eternally,
6 How your works exhibit power.
Holy acts you do each hour.
I proclaim your immensity;
7 Intone anthems without pausing,
Jump for joy, Lord, for you’re causing
Justice to reign with purity.
8 King’s complete in mercies, graces,
Kindly, he does keep his temper.
9 Lord God’s love reaches all races,
Limitlessly, flows forever.
10 Majesty, your works commend you —
Master, we too magnify you.
No one now neglects to serve you,
Numbering blessings — all you do.
11 Openly, they honor your name,
Odes to you, your outstanding reign,
Proclaim praises, hour by hour and
Profess now your splendor, power.
12 Quite so, all learn of your splendor;
Quake because you’re very mighty.
13 Revered Lord, your rule’ s forever.
Redeemer’s word is trustworthy.
14 Sustainer of those who stumble,
Supporter of souls who’re brought low,
15 To you, in faith, those who’re humble,
Turn for food, today, tomorrow.
16 Unfailingly you’re unstinting,
Undergird lives of the living.
17 Verily, you have great virtue.
Vast love’s voiced whate’er you do.
18 Wise one, you watch those who’re pleading,
Witness vows of those believing,
19 Execute prayers of exalters!
Extricate those at your altars!
20 You protect all those who love you,
Yet destroy the wicked ones too.
21 Zestfully let’s praise Creator;
Zealous, praise HaShem forever.
Ho’ o-ho’o-Ho’ osana. Hale-hale-hallelu-Yah.
Ho’ o-ho’ o-Ho’ osana. Hale-hale-hallelu-Yah.
Another published English translation with acrostics is The Psalms Chronologically Arranged by the “Four Friends” (C.T. Arnold, A.W. Potts, F.E. Kitchener, S. Philpotts) of 1870.
Another 19th century translation with maintained acrostics is the German1883 commentary and translation by Franz Delitzsch . Unlike the other translations, he translates the acrostics of this and the other acrostic psalms by following an approximation of the German sound of the 22 letters (alef/א = a; bet/ב = b; gimel/ג = g; dalet/ד = d; he/ה = h; vav/ו = u; zayin/ז = s; chet/ח = h; tet/ט = t; yod/י = i or j; kaf/כ = k; lamed/ל = l; mem/מ = m; nun/נ = n; samech/ס = s; ayin/ע = e; pe/פ = f; tsadi/צ = z; qof/ק = k; resh/ר = r; shin/ש = sch; tav/ת = t).
The Natügu translation of Psalm 150 features “indigenous instruments and body movements associated with [a traditional] dance to reflect the high praise of the composition.” The English back-translation follows (the Natügu original can be read right here ):
1 Let’s exalt Yahweh in his being in the House-for-worshipping.
And in his being in the High Heaven.
2 Let’s make-songs-about him for his exceeding greatness
In doing powerful things.
3-5 Let’s dance to him with leg-rattles
and strongly beat the drum to him.
Let’s dance to him by our banging things,
our smacking things, and by our shaking things in our hands.
Let’s blow the conch shell and bamboo flutes (to him).
And let’s strum the guitar and ukulele in our exalting him.
6 We who are alive should rejoice in Yahweh.
Our praising Yahweh is forever and ever.
The Hebrew text of Psalms 9/10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145 uses acrostics, a literary form in which each verse is started with one of the successive 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. According to Brenda Boerger (in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. ) there are three different reasons for acrostics in the Hebrew text: “for ease of memorization,” the representation “of the full breadth and depth of a topic, all the way from aleph to taw (tav),” and the perception of “the acrostic form as aesthetically attractive.” (p. 191)
While most translations mention the existence of an acrostic in a note or a comment, few implement it in their translation. The Natügu translation is one such exception. Boerger (see above) cites a strong tradition in singing the psalms and the fact that Natügu, like Hebrew, also has 22 possible initial letters as motivating factors to maintain the acrostics in that language.
Click or tap here for the complete psalm in Natügu
There are two Dutch translations that maintain the acrostic: Naardense Bijbel (publ. 2004) and the Tot Lof van God by Frans Croese (publ. 2010).
Click or tap here for the complete psalm in the Dutch translations
Naardense Bijbel:
1
Aan u, o Ene, ✡
geef ik mijn zaligheid-en-ziel!
2
Bij u, mijn God,
wist ik mij veilig:
maak mij niet beschaamd, ✡
laten mijn vijanden niet over mij lachen!
3
Dat ook al wie hopen op u
niet worden beschaamd, ✡
beschaamd worden die achteloos
ontrouw zijn.
4
En Ene, maak mij
bekend met uw wegen, ✡
uw paden, wil mij die leren!
5
Voer mij over mijn weg
in trouw aan u en leer mij,
want gij zijt de God die mij redt, ✡
op u ben ik blijven hopen
heel de dag!
6
Gedenk, Ene, uw ontferming
en uw vriendschap, ✡
want die zijn er van eeuwig!
7
Houd niet in gedachten
de zonden van mijn jeugd
en mijn misstappen,
gij, gedenk mij naar uw vriendschap, ✡
Ene, omwille van uw goedheid!
8
In-goed en rechtuit is de Ene, ✡
daarom wijst hij zondaars de weg.
9
Ja, voert gebukten
langs de weg van zijn recht, ✡
leert armen waar zijn weg is.
10
Komen wil de Ene
langs de paden
van vriendschap en trouw ✡
voor wie zijn verbond
en zijn overeenkomsten houden.
11
Laat het zijn, Ene, omwille van uw naam, ✡
dat ge mijn onrecht vergeeft,
want dat is overvloedig!
12
Mannen, wie uit u vreest de Ene?- ✡
hij wijst zo-een
de weg die hij moet kiezen.
13
Nachten vol goedheid zal zijn ziel ervaren, ✡
zijn zaad
zal de aarde beerven.
14
Omgang met de Ene voor wie hem vrezen, ✡
zijn verbond
maakt hij hun bekend!
15
Pal zijn mijn ogen op de Ene,-
voortdurend, ✡
want hij leidt mijn voeten uit de valstrik.
16
Richt u tot mij en wees mij genadig, ✡
want ik ben eenzaam en ellendig!
17
Schep ruimte voor mijn hart, zo benauwd, ✡
uit al wat mij benart,
leid mij daaruit!
18
Trek u mijn ellende en onheil aan!- ✡
draag
al mijn zonden weg.
19
Vijanden heb ik te veel, zie het aan,- ✡
hoe met haat en geweld zij mij haten.
20
Waak over mijn ziel en ontruk mij, ✡
maak mij niet beschaamd,
want ik heb toevlucht gezocht bij u.
21
Zo mogen mij hoeden
gaafheid en oprechtheid, ✡
want ik heb
gehoopt op u.
22
O God, koop Israël vrij ✡
uit al
wat hem benauwt!
Tot Lof van God translation:
Op naam van David.
Aan U, Jehovah, klampt mijn ziel zich vast!
2
O mijn God,
beschaam mij toch niet, op U immers heb ik vertrouwd;
laat mijn vijanden niet in triomf over mij juichen.
3
Degenen die op U hopen, die allen,
die zullen beslist niet beschaamd staan;
beschaamd staan veeleer de afvalligen, vergeefs hun verraad.
4
En daarom, Jehovah, maak mij Uw wegen bekend,
wil mij Uw paden toch leren.
5
Ferm de weg van Uw waarheid te gaan, geef mij dat, dus leer mij.
U bent immers de God van mijn redding,
op U heb ik gehoopt, de hele dag door.
6
Het was Uw mededogen, Uw loyale trouw, Jehovah,
wil die indachtig zijn,
zoals die er van oudsher af was.
7
In plaats van mijn jeugdzonden te gedenken, mijn opstandig gedrag,
uil mij gedenken naar Uw loyale trouw,
omwille van Uw goedheid, Jehovah.
8
Ja, goed en oprecht is Jehovah,
ook zondaars wijst Hij daarom de weg.
9 Kijk echter hoe Hij zachtaardigen
de weg van het recht ook echt doet betreden,
zachtaardigen leert Hij daadwerkelijk Zijn weg.
10
Loyale trouw en waarheid, al Jehovah’s wegen zijn zo
voor wie zich houden aan Zijn verbond en aan Zijn vermanen.
11
Maar ach, Jehovah, uil omwille van Uw naam
mij mijn dwaling vergeven, temeer daar die aanzienlijk is.
12
Nu dan, wie is de mens die Jehovah vrezen wil;
juist hem uil Hij onderwijzen in de weg die hij koos.
13
Overnachten zal zijn ziel in goedheid,
waar zijn nageslacht het land zal beërven.
14
Pas voor wie Hem vrezen is er de vertrouwelijkheid van Jehovah
en Zijn verbond, zodat zij daardoor op de hoogte zijn.
15
Richting Jehovah gaan mijn ogen daarom gedurig,
Hij immers trekt mijn voeten weg uit het net.
16
Sla dus acht op mij [o God], wees mij goedgunstig,
aangezien ik eenzaam en ellendig ben,
17
terwijl de beklemmingen van mijn hart slechts toenemen;
o, voer mij weg uit mijn benauwenis!
18
Vestig Uw blik op mijn moeite, zie mijn ellende,
vergeef mij toch al mijn zonden.
19
Vestig Uw blik op mijn vijanden, zie met hoevelen zij zijn,
vervuld van afkeer, gewelddadige haat.
20
Wees toch mijn ziel tot bescherming, bevrijd mij,
zodat ik niet beschaamd zal staan in mijn toevlucht tot U.
21
Zo moge oprechte onschuld mij bewaken;
op U immers heb ik gehoopt.
22
Sta op, o God, koop Israël los
van al zijn noden.
With thanks to Thamara van Eijzeren
The English Bible translation by Ronald Knox (publ. 1950) maintains most Hebrew acrostics (even though Knox’s translation itself is based on the Latin text of the Vulgate rather than the Hebrew). Due to the higher number of letters in the English alphabet, it skips the letter V, X, Y, and Z. (Click or tap here for the complete psalm in the Knox translations)
1 (Of David.) All my heart goes out to thee, O Lord my God.
2 Belie not the trust I have in thee, let not my enemies boast of my downfall.
3 Can any that trust in thee be disappointed, as they are disappointed who lightly break their troth?
4 Direct my way, Lord, as thou wilt, teach me thy own paths.
5 Ever let thy truth guide and teach me, O God my deliverer, my abiding hope.
6 Forget not, Lord, thy pity, thy mercies of long ago.
7 Give heed no more to the sins and frailties of my youth, but think mercifully of me, as thou, Lord, art ever gracious.
8 How gracious is the Lord, how faithful, guiding our strayed feet back to the path!
9 In his own laws he will train the humble, in his own paths the humble he will guide.
10 Jealous be thy keeping of covenant and ordinance, and the Lord’s dealings will be ever gracious, ever faithful with thee.
11 Kindly be thy judgement of my sin, for thy own honour’s sake, my grievous sin.
12 Let a man but fear the Lord, what path to choose he doubts no longer.
13 Much joy he shall have of his lands and to his heirs leave them.
14 No stranger the Lord is, no secret his covenant, to his true worshippers.
15 On the Lord I fix my eyes continually, trusting him to save my feet from the snare.
16 Pity me, Lord, as thou seest me friendless and forlorn.
17 Quit my heart of its burden, deliver me from my distress.
18 Restless and forlorn, I claim thy pity, to my sins be merciful.
19 See how many are my foes, and how bitter is the grudge they bear me.
20 Take my soul into thy keeping; come to my rescue, do not let me be disappointed of my trust in thee.
21 Uprightness and purity be my shield, as I wait patiently, Lord, for thy help.
22 When wilt thou deliver Israel, my God, from all his troubles? (Source )
The English New Jerusalem Bible (publ. 1985) also translated this Psalm as an acrostic:
1 [Of David] ADORATION I offer, Yahweh,
2 to you, my God. BUT in my trust in you do not put me to shame, let not my enemies gloat over me.
3 CALLING to you, none shall ever be put to shame, but shame is theirs who groundlessly break faith.
4 DIRECT me in your ways, Yahweh, and teach me your paths.
5 ENCOURAGE me to walk in your truth and teach me since you are the God who saves me. FOR my hope is in you all day long — such is your generosity, Yahweh.
6 GOODNESS and faithful love have been yours for ever, Yahweh, do not forget them.
7 HOLD not my youthful sins against me, but remember me as your faithful love dictates.
8 INTEGRITY and generosity are marks of Yahweh for he brings sinners back to the path.
9 JUDICIOUSLY he guides the humble, instructing the poor in his way.
10 KINDNESS unfailing and constancy mark all Yahweh’s paths, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
11 LET my sin, great though it is, be forgiven, Yahweh, for the sake of your name.
12 MEN who respect Yahweh, what of them? He teaches them the way they must choose.
13 NEIGHBOURS to happiness will they live, and their children inherit the land.
14 ONLY those who fear Yahweh have his secret and his covenant, for their understanding.
15 PERMANENTLY my eyes are on Yahweh, for he will free my feet from the snare.
16 QUICK, turn to me, pity me, alone and wretched as I am!
17 RELIEVE the distress of my heart, bring me out of my constraint.
18 SPARE a glance for my misery and pain, take all my sins away.
19 TAKE note how countless are my enemies, how violent their hatred for me.
20 UNLESS you guard me and rescue me I shall be put to shame, for you are my refuge.
21 VIRTUE and integrity be my protection, for my hope, Yahweh, is in you.
22 Ransom Israel, O God, from all its troubles. (Source )
The translation by Gordon Jackson (The Lincoln Psalter, 1997) has this Psalm as an acrostic as well (click or tap here for the complete psalm in the translation of Jackson).
Accept the whole heart, О God, I offer you.
Back me up still, Lord; please don’t let me go under;
don’t let the so-and-soes get me down.
Choose what they say, you’ll stand by those who stand by you;
not with the loud-mouths, not with the leaky in faith.
Direct my footsteps, Lord, on the right road;
be as plain as a signpost;
Each day guide me and teach me;
be my rescuer and my hope.
For you I have waited a good long while,
and I’ll go on till you come.
God, your goodness and mercy
go back to the start of my life;
How weak my offences seem
in the light of your glorious goodness.
Isn’t he amazing; generous; mindful;
guiding us sheepheads, giving us protection!
Just so, just right, that’s how he is
with them that are minded to know him. Kingly in mercy, have mercy on me,
on the angry wound of my sin that seeks forgiveness.
Let any man look to the Lord
and he will show him what he needs to know;
Much he will have to give thanks for,
and much shall his children inherit.
Now to the saints that need him
the Lord shall unbosom his wisdom;
On him my eyes have been fixed,
no one else can untie my poor hands.
Please, Lord, please,
I am ground down, I am lost;
Quashed and disheartened and tearful,
you’re the only one I can turn to;
Right from the start my whole life’s work
was for you, despite all my failings
See how my enemies flourish,
look how their hate of me prospers;
Take me away, Lord, please;
save me, don’t let them destroy me.
And lastly, Brenda Boerger (2024) translated this psalm while maintaining the acrostic (click or tap here for the complete psalm in Boerger’s translation).
1 Almighty God, praise you I must —
All that I am is at your feet,
2 Because in you, HaShem, I trust.
But do not let me face defeat.
Conquer my foes so they can’t gloat.
Come now, I’m counting on your name.
3 Depending on you gets my vote.
Deceitful ones will all be shamed.
4 Enlighten me by what you preach,
Equipped for following your path.
5 Fill me with true food that you teach,
For God, you save me when I ask.
God, daily I lean on your hope.
6 Grant me your mercy and your love —
Heaven-borne instruments of old.
Help you sent down here from above.
7 Instead of youthful wickedness,
Irrational iniquities,
Just judge me with your gentleness.
Join mercy with your justice please!
8 King Yahweh, you are good, and true,
Kindly teach sinners what is right.
9 Lord, humble people learn from you,
Leading the lowly by your light.
10 My God, you’re loyal to those who will
Make covenant-keeping their aim.
11 Now pardon, please Lord, my great guilt,
Never fail, for the sake of your name.
12 Only those coming with respect,
Obtain the ways in your decree.
13 Prospering, those whom you select
Possess land for their progeny.
14 Quake at HaShem, for God will share
Quite freely from his covenant.
15 Release my feet, Lord, from the snare.
Redeemer, on you I depend.
16 Smile down your favor; don’t depart,
Since I’m alone here and oppressed.
17 Take troubles that torment my heart.
Transform trials, dissolve distress.
18 Understand my anguish and pain;
Unbind from laws I violate.
19 Voracious foes would vanquish, gain,
Vindictive with their venom, hate.
20 Won’t you now save me from defeat?
Why not rescue, oh bodyguard?
Expect to see my trust extreme,
Expecting help from who you are.
21 You see my true integrity.
You’re my desire. You keep me safe.
22 Oh, Zion needs you; set us free.
Oh, Zealous one, help us escape.
Another published English translation with acrostics is The Psalms Chronologically Arranged by the “Four Friends” (C.T. Arnold, A.W. Potts, F.E. Kitchener, S. Philpotts) of 1870.
Another 19th century translation with maintained acrostics is the German1883 commentary and translation by Franz Delitzsch . Unlike the other translations, he translates the acrostics of this and the other acrostic psalms by following an approximation of the German sound of the 22 letters (alef/א = a; bet/ב = b; gimel/ג = g; dalet/ד = d; he/ה = h; vav/ו = u; zayin/ז = s; chet/ח = h; tet/ט = t; yod/י = i or j; kaf/כ = k; lamed/ל = l; mem/מ = m; nun/נ = n; samech/ס = s; ayin/ע = e; pe/פ = f; tsadi/צ = z; qof/ק = k; resh/ר = r; shin/ש = sch; tav/ת = t).
