OET interlinear PSA 143:7

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

מַ֘הֵ֤ר עֲנֵ֨⁠נִי ׀ יְהוָה֮

quickly answer,me YHWH

This is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. If the imperative does not communicate a polite request for your readers, then use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: [Please hurry and answer me, Yahweh]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כָּלְתָ֪ה ר֫וּחִ֥⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: quickly answer,me YHWH fails my=breath/wind/spirit not hide face_of,your from,me and,I_will_be_equal with go_down_of pit )

Here David is speaking as if his spirit were something that could be expiring or used up. He means that he is losing all hope and strength. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I am losing all strength] or [I have no more endurance]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֣ר פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ מִמֶּ֑⁠נִּי

not (Some words not found in UHB: quickly answer,me YHWH fails my=breath/wind/spirit not hide face_of,your from,me and,I_will_be_equal with go_down_of pit )

Here, your face represents God’s attention and favor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [Do not hide your favor from me] or [Do not ignore me]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

וְ֝⁠נִמְשַׁ֗לְתִּי עִם־יֹ֥רְדֵי בֽוֹר

(Some words not found in UHB: quickly answer,me YHWH fails my=breath/wind/spirit not hide face_of,your from,me and,I_will_be_equal with go_down_of pit )

The word translated as or indicates that what follows is a negative consequence that will happen if the previous request is not fulfilled. Use a connector in your language that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [otherwise]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

יֹ֥רְדֵי בֽוֹר

go_down_of pit

David is referring to death in a polite way by using the phrase the descenders of the pit. Depending on what is helpful for your readers, you could use a polite way of referring to this in your language, or you could state this plainly. Alternate translation: [those who descend to their death] or [those who die]