OET interlinear PSA 59:11

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

אַל־תַּהַרְגֵ֤⁠ם

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

The expression translated as Do not slay them is an imperative, but it communicates a request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a request. Alternate translation: [Please do not kill them] or [I ask that you not kill them]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

פֶּֽן־יִשְׁכְּח֬וּ עַמִּ֗⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

David is using the word translated as lest to introduce an outcome that he does not want to happen. Because of this, he first gives God an instruction to follow so that this will not happen. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that avoiding this outcome is the purpose of the instruction. Alternate translation: [so that my people will not forget] or [because if you do, my people will forget]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

עַמִּ֗⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

Here David is using the pronoun my with people to refer to the nation of Israel, over whom he reigns as king. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the Israelites] or [the people of Israel]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

הֲנִיעֵ֣⁠מוֹ

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

This is an imperative, but it communicates a request to God rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a request to God. It may be helpful to use a word such as “please.” Alternate translation: [Please scatter them] or [We ask that you scatter them]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בְ֭⁠חֵילְ⁠ךָ

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of power, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [because you are powerful]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

וְ⁠הוֹרִידֵ֑⁠מוֹ

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

This is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. 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 bring them down] or [I ask you to humble them]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מָֽגִנֵּ֣⁠נוּ

(Some words not found in UHB: god_of my_covenant_loyalty_of,my he,will_meet_me ʼElohīm he,will_let_me_look on,enemies_of,my )

David is speaking of Yahweh as if he were a shield that protects the Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [our protector]