“The good person obtains favor from Yahweh.
But those who devise evil,
Yahweh condemns.
No one finds security by wickedness.
But the root of the righteous
Will never be moved.”
Good people find favor with Yahweh. On the other hand, Yahweh condemns those who devise evil ways. You cannot find security in wickedness. The root of the good or righteous person cannot be moved. They are as steady as a rock. The root is what keeps trees and humans straight.
Phe
“Your decrees are wonderful.
Therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light.
It imparts understanding to the simple.
With open mouth I pant.
Because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me!
Be gracious to me!
It is your custom toward those who love your name.
Keep my steps steady
According to your promise!
Never let iniquity have dominion over me!
Redeem me from human oppression!
Thus I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant.
Teach me your statutes!
My eyes shed streams of tears.
Because your law is not kept.”
The psalmist wanted to remain steady in his steps that were following the law, since Yahweh’s decrees are wonderful. The unfolding of his words gives light so that he has a simple understanding. He longed and panted for Yahweh’s commandments. He wanted Yahweh to be gracious to him because Yahweh loved him. He wanted his steps kept steady just as Yahweh had promised. He did not want iniquity to have dominion over him. He wanted to be redeemed from human oppression. He would then be able to keep the precepts of Yahweh because his face shines on him. He wanted to learn the statutes. He cried when he learned that some people did not keep the law. So ends this section on the seventeenth consonant letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Phe.
“At the set time,
That I appoint,
I will judge with equity.
When the earth totters,
With all its inhabitants,
It is I who keep its pillars steady.”
Selah
Now we have some kind of oracle by a prophet spoken in the Temple by a prophet who spoke in the name of God. He pointed out that at a set time, when he decided when it would be, God would judge the earth with equity or fairness. Thus when the earth totters, God would keep it steady for all its inhabitants. This might indicate that they were familiar with earthquakes. This section then ends with the musical interlude meditative pause, Selah.
“Who is God except Yahweh?
Who is a rock, besides our God?
This is the God who girded me with strength.
He made my way safe.
He made my feet
Like the feet of a deer.
He set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war.
Thus my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me
The shield of your salvation.
Your right hand has supported me.
Your help has made me great.
You gave me a wide place for my steps under me.
My feet did not slip.
I pursued my enemies.
I overtook them.
I did not turn back
Until they were consumed.
I struck them down.
Thus they were not able to rise.
They fell under my feet.
You girded me with strength for the battle.
You made my assailants sink under me.
You made my enemies turn their backs to me.
Those who hated me
I destroyed.
They cried for help.
However, there was no one to save them.
They cried to Yahweh,
However he did not answer them.
I beat them fine.
They were like dust before the wind.
I cast them out
Like the mire of the streets.”
Once again, like 2 Samuel, chapter 22, Yahweh was the strength and rock for David. His feet were like the hoofs of a deer in their ability to run fast. Yahweh made his arms so strong that he could even use a bronze bow. Yahweh made his feet steady so that he would never slip. When the battle raged, he was faster and stronger than his enemy. He crushed his enemies. They were utterly destroyed as they were struck down and fled. No one was there to save them, even when they cried out to Yahweh. David beat them like the dust of the earth. As usual, there was no indication of any empathy for enemies. He just wiped them out completely.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 