The Living Bible (514 page)
Authors: Inc. Tyndale House Publishers
Tags: #BIBLES / Other Translations / Text
120:4
with glowing coals,
literally, “with coals of the broom tree.”
121:5
your defender,
literally, “your shade at your right hand.”
126:4
May we be refreshed,
literally, “Restore our fortunes, Lord.”
127:5
when arguing with his enemies,
literally, “when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”
128:5
with heaven’s blessings,
literally, “from Zion.”
as well as with human joys,
literally, “of Jerusalem.”
132:1
my heart,
literally, “David’s soul.”
132:2-5
the Ark of the Lord,
implied.
132:6
First the Ark was in Ephrathah,
literally, “Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah.”
132:7
That is where we will go to worship him,
literally, “We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool.”
132:13
Jerusalem,
literally, “Zion.”
132:17
a mighty Son,
literally, “a progeny.”
133:3
Jerusalem,
literally, “Zion.”
135:21
All people of Jerusalem, praise the Lord,
literally, “The Lord be blessed from Zion.”
136:6
who planted the water within the earth,
or “who separated the earth from the oceans.”
136:10
to Israel,
implied here and in vv. 11-12, 15, 18, 19-21.
137:9
Blessed is the man who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!
Perhaps this could be paraphrased, “Blessed is he who invades and sacks your city.”
138:1
before the armies of angels,
or “before the gods.” The same Hebrew word is used here as in Psalm 8:5.
138:2
for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name,
literally, “you have exalted your word above all your name.”
139:17-18
I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me,
literally, “How precious are your thoughts to me.”
141:6-7
When their leaders are condemned and their bones are strewn across the ground,
literally, “As when one plows and cleaves the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”
143:1
answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises,
literally, “answer me in faithfulness and righteousness.”
144:3
Why bother at all with the human race?
literally, “Or the son of man that you take account of him?”
144:12-15
Here is my description of,
implied.
146:10
Jerusalem,
literally, “Zion.”
150:1
in the heavens he made with mighty power,
literally, “in the firmament of his power.”
1:7-9
many honors,
literally, “a fair garland and adornment.”
1:19
all who live by violence and murder,
literally, “all who are greedy of gain.”
2:19
will ever be the same again,
literally, “will ever return to the ways of life.”
2:21
enjoy life to the full,
literally, “shall dwell in the land.”
2:22
lose the good things they might have had,
literally, “shall be cut off from the land.”
3:13-15
The man who knows right from wrong,
literally, “The man who finds wisdom.”
3:22
bring you honor and respect,
literally, “be an ornament to your neck.”
4:5
I cannot overemphasize this point,
literally, “Forget not nor turn from the words of my mouth.”
4:24
Spurn the careless kiss of a prostitute,
implied; literally, “Put away from you a wayward mouth.”
5:3
of a prostitute,
or “of another man’s wife.”
5:4
But afterwards only a bitter conscience is left you,
literally, “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood.”
5:9
and give the remainder of your life to the cruel and merciless.
Perhaps the reference is to blackmail or to fear of vengeance from the wronged husband.
5:11
syphilis,
literally, “disease.”
5:19
Let her breasts and tender embrace,
literally, “As a loving hind and a pleasant doe, let her breasts.”
7:3
Write them down,
literally, “Bind them upon your fingers.”
7:14-17
I’ll fix you a wonderful dinner,
literally, “Sacrifices of peace offerings were due from me; this day have I paid my vows.” If she meant this literally, she was telling him that she had plenty of food on hand, left from her sacrifice at the temple.
8:22
The reference here is to Wisdom. If this verse refers to Christ, this alternate translation is possible from the Hebrew text: “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work.”
9:17
Stolen melons,
literally, “stolen water.”
stolen apples,
literally, “stolen food.”
10:6
an evil man inwardly curses his luck,
literally, “but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
10:13
admired,
implied.
10:15
only . . . only,
implied.
10:22
All our work adds nothing to it,
or “And he adds no sorrow therewith.”
10:27
adds hours to each day,
literally, “prolongs days.”
11:9
Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds,
or “When a godless man slanders his neighbor, the charges won’t stick because everyone knows his reputation.”
11:16
mere,
implied.
11:30
all who win souls are wise,
or “he that is wise wins souls.”
12:9
and eat,
implied.
12:11
Hard work means prosperity,
literally, “He who tills his ground shall have his fill of bread.”
13:5
wicked men lie constantly,
implied.
13:12
but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy,
literally, “it is a tree of life.”
13:25
while the evil man lives to eat,
literally, “but the wicked never get enough.”
14:9
The common bond of rebels is their guilt,
or “Fools make a mock at sin.” The Hebrew is obscure.
15:20
saddens his mother,
literally, “despises his mother.”
15:26
but delights in kind words,
literally, “but kind words are pure.”
15:27
brings happiness,
literally, “you will live.”
16:11
The Lord demands fairness in every business deal,
literally, “A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.”
16:12
His right to rule depends upon his fairness,
literally, “For the throne is established by righteousness.”
16:27
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece,
literally, “A worthless man devises mischief; and in his lips there is a scorching fire.”
16:29
Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin,
or “An evil man deceives his neighbor and leads him into loss.”
16:33
toss the coin,
literally, “cast dice into the lap.”
17:8
This is a fact, but not to be encouraged!
17:11
they shall be severely punished,
literally, “a stern [ruthless] messenger will be sent against him.”
17:14
It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts,
literally, “as when one lets out water.”
17:16
no heart for truth,
literally, “no heart.”
17:20
is suspicious of everyone,
or “does not prosper.”
18:2
yell,
literally, “express his opinion.”
18:10
The Lord,
literally, “The name of the Lord.”
18:14
courage,
literally, “spirit.”
18:18
A coin toss,
literally, “The lot.”
18:19
The Hebrew of this verse is not clear.