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I will listen to what God the Lord says.[a]
For he will make[b] peace with his people, his faithful followers.[c]
Yet they must not[d] return to their foolish ways.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:8 sn I will listen. Having asked for the Lord’s favor, the psalmist (who here represents the nation) anticipates a divine word of assurance.
  2. Psalm 85:8 tn Heb “speak.” The idiom “speak peace” refers to establishing or maintaining peaceful relations with someone (see Gen 37:4; Zech 9:10; cf. Ps 122:8).
  3. Psalm 85:8 tn Heb “to his people and to his faithful followers.” The translation assumes that “his people” and “his faithful followers” are viewed as identical here.
  4. Psalm 85:8 tn Or “yet let them not.” After the negative particle אֵל (ʾel), the prefixed verbal form is jussive, indicating the speaker’s desire or wish.

I will stand at my watch post;

I will remain stationed on the city wall.[a]
I will keep watching so I can see what he says to me
and can know[b] how I should answer
when he counters my argument.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Habakkuk 2:1 sn Habakkuk compares himself to a watchman stationed on the city wall who keeps his eyes open for approaching messengers or danger.
  2. Habakkuk 2:1 tn The word “know” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
  3. Habakkuk 2:1 tn Heb “concerning my correction [or, “reproof”].”