Vol 03 - Exhibition of Three Hebrew Words in the Psalter

Exhibition of Three Hebrew Words in the Psalter In the Hebrew Psalter, the three following words occur, גוי, לאם, עם, or עָם. In the-authorized version, these words are somewhat indefinitely rendered, by the words "heathen," "nation," or "people."

It has been attempted, in the present case, to translate the Hebrew more accurately, by rejecting the word "people" altogether, and by substituting "gentiles" for "heathen." The word " people," even when occasionally modified by the plural form to suit the Hebrew plural, is far too indefinite to convey accurately the meaning of the original. "Peoples," indeed, would signify the same, or nearly the same as " nations"; but it is hardly English, nor has it been employed in the authorized version of the Psalms. "People, in the singular number, leaves the reader in the dark as to whether it means:-1. the Jewish people; 2. the Gentiles; 3. all nations, including the Jews: or, lastly, whether it is a generic term for Mankind. The word " heathen" was probably more nearly correct when the authorized version was made than now, it having acquired in our own day a peculiar signification, 1:e. not Gentiles as distinct from Jews, but any nation who does not professedly worship the one true God; in other words, all mankind, except Jews, Christians, and Mahometans. The plan, then, that has been adopted, is:-

1. Always to render the above Hebrew words by "nation" when they occur in the singular, always by "gentiles" when they occur in the plural.

2. As this rule has been universally adopted in the text, the very few cases of exception in which even the word "people" might be preferable, are noticed in the margin.

3. Never to depart from the words of the authorized version, except in the employment of the words "nation" or "gentiles"; or where such a change having been made, the grammar or sense absolutely requires some farther alteration. As the writer’s object has been to furnish a critical help, rather than a new version to supersede the old, he hopes he has in some measure succeeded?

Psalms 2:1. Why- do the gentiles (גpl.) rage, and the gentiles (לpl.) imagine a vain thing?

8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the gentiles (ג pl.) for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

3:6. I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the nation** (עsing.), that have set themselves against me round about.

8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; thy blessing is upon thy nation (עsing).

7:7. So shall the congregation of the gentiles (לpl.) compass thee about: for their sakes, therefore, return Thou on high.

8. The Lord shall judge the gentiles (עpl.): judge me, 0 God, according to my righteousness, and according to the integrity that is in me.

9:5. Thou hast rebuked the gentiles (גpl.), thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name forever and ever.

8. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the gentiles in uprightness (לpl.) 11. Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion; declare among the gentiles (עpl.) his doings.

15. The gentiles (גpl.) are sunk down in the pit that they made; in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

17. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the gentiles*** (גpl.) that forget God.

Psalms 9:19. Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the gentiles (גpl.) be judged in thy sight.

20. Put them in fear, O God; that the gentiles (גpl.) may know themselves to be but men.

10:16. The Lord is king forever and ever; the gentiles (גpl.) are perished out of his land.

14:4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my nation (עsing.) as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

7. O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his nation (עsing.), Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

18:27. For thou wilt save the afflicted nation (עsing.); but wilt bring down high looks.

43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the nation (עsing.); and thou hest made me the head of the gentiles (גpl.); a nation (עsing.) whom I have not known shall serve me.

47. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the gentiles (עpl.) under me.

49. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (גpl.), and sing praises unto thy name.

22:6. But I am a worm, and no man: a reproach of men, and despised of the nation (עsing.).

27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the gentiles (גpl.) shall worship before thee.

28. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and he is the governor among the gentiles (גpl.).

31. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a nation (עsing.) that shall be born, that he hath done this.

28:9. Save thy nation (עsing.), and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever.

29:11. The Lord will give strength unto his nation (עsing.); the Lord will bless his nation (עsing.) with peace.

33:10. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the gentiles (גpl.) to naught; he maketh the devices of the gentiles (לpl.) of none effect.

12. Blessed is the nation (גsing.) whose God is the Lord; and the nation (עsing.) whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

35:18. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise thee among a great nation (עsing.).

43:1. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation (גsing.): O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

44:2. How thou didst drive out the gentiles (גpl.) with thine hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the gentiles (לpl.), and cast them out.

11. Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; thou hast scattered us among the gentiles (ג pl.).

12. Thou sellest thy nation (עsing.) for naught, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

14. Thou makest us a byword among the gentiles (גpl.), a shaking of the head among the gentiles (לpl.).

Psalms 45:5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the gentiles (ע, pl.) fall under thee.

10. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own nation (עsing.), and thy father’s house.

12. And the daughter of Tire shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the nation (עsing.) shall entreat thy favor.

17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the gentiles (עpl.) praise thee forever and ever.

46:6. The gentiles (גpl.) raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the gentiles (גpl.), I will be exalted in the earth.

47:1. O clap your hands, all ye gentiles (עpl.); shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

3. He shall subdue the gentiles (עpl.) under us, and the gentiles (לpl) under our feet.

8. God reigneth over the gentiles (גpl.): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9. The princes of the gentiles (עpl.) are gathered together, even the nation (עsing.) of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

49:1. Hear ye this, all ye gentiles (עpl.); give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

50:4. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his nation (עsing.).

7. Hear, O my nation (עsing.), and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.

53:4. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people (עsing.) as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

6. O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when God bringeth back the captivity of his nation (עsing.), Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

56:7. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the gentiles (עpl.), O God.

57:9. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (עpl); I will sing unto thee amongst the gentiles (לpl.).

59:5. Thou, therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the gentiles (גpl.): be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.

8. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the gentiles (גpl.) in derision.

11. Slay them not, lest my nation (עsing.) forget; scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

60:3. Thou hast showed thy nation (עsing.) hard things, and thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

62:8. Trust in him at all times; O nation (עsing.), pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

65:7. Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the gentiles (לpl.).

66:7. He ruleth by his power forever; his eyes behold the gentiles (גpl.): let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

8. O bless our God, ye gentiles (עpl.), and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Psalms 67:2. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all gentiles (גpl.).

3. Let the gentiles (עpl.) praise thee, O God; let all the gentiles (עpl.) praise thee.

4. O let the gentiles (לpl.) be glad and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the gentiles (עpl.) righteously, and govern the gentiles (לpl.) upon earth.

5. Let the gentiles (עpl.) praise thee, O God; let all the gentiles (עpl.) praise thee.

68:7. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy nation (עsing.), when thou didst march through the wilderness;

22. The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan. I will bring my nation again from the depths of the sea:****

30. Rebuke the company of the spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the gentiles (עpl.) till every one submit himself with pieces of silver; scatter thou the gentiles (עpl.) that delight in war.

35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places; the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his nation (עsing.).

72: 2. He shall judge thy nation (עsing.) with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the nation (עsing.) and the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the nation (עsing.), he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

11. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all gentiles (גpl.) shall serve him.

17. His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all gentiles (גpl) shall call him blessed.

73:10. Therefore his nation (עsing.) return hither; and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

74:14. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the nation (עsing.) inhabiting the wilderness.

18. Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish nation (עsing.) have blasphemed thy name. [77 ver. 14, thou hast declared thy strength among the people (עpl.) Ed.] 77:15. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy nation (עsing.), the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

20. Thou leddest thy nation (עsing.) like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

78:1. Give ear, O my nation (עsing.), to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

20. Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his nation (עsing.)?

52. But made his own nation (עsing.) to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

Psalms 78:55. He cast out the gentiles (גpl.) also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

62. He gave his nation (עsing.) over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

71. From following the ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his nation (עsing.), and Israel his inheritance.

79:1. O God, the gentiles (גpl.) are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

6. Pour out thy wrath upon the gentiles (גpl.) that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

10. Wherefore should the gentiles (גpl.) say, Where is their God? let him be known among the gentiles (גpl.) in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

13. So we thy nation (עsing.) and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks forever; we will show forth thy praise to all generations.

80:4. O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry with the prayer of thy nation (עsing.)?

8. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the gentiles (גpl.), and planted it.

81:8. Hear, O my nation (עsing.) and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

11. But my nation (עsing.) would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

13. O that my nation (עsing.) had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways 82:8. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all***** gentiles (גpl.).

83:3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy nation (עsing.) and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation (גsing.); that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

85:2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy nation (עsing.), thou hast covered all their sin.

6. Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy nation (עsing.) may rejoice in thee?

8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his nation (עsing.), and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

86:9. All****** gentiles (גpl.) whom thou hest made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

87:6. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the gentiles******* (עpl.) that this man was born there.

89:15. Blessed is the nation (עsing.) that knoweth the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

Psalms 89:19. Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the nation******** (עsing.).

50. Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty gentiles (ע pl.);

94:5. They break in pieces thy nation (עsing.), O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.

8. Understand, ye brutish among the nation (עsing.): and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

10. He that chastiseth the gentiles (גpl.), shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

14. For the Lord will not cast off his nation (עsing.), neither will he forsake his inheritance.

95:7. For he is our God; and we are the nation (עsing.) of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice…

10. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a nation (עsing.) that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

96:3. Declare his glory among the gentiles (גpl.), his wonders among all gentiles (עpl.).

5. For all the gods of the gentiles (עpl.) are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

7. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the gentiles (עpl.), give unto the Lord glory and strength.

10. Say among the gentiles (גpl.) that the Lord reigneth; the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the gentiles (עpl.) righteously.

13....before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the gentiles (עpl.) with his truth.

97:6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the gentiles (עpl.) see his glory.

98:2. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the gentiles (גpl.)

9....before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the gentiles (ע pl.) with equity.

99:1. The Lord reigneth; let the gentiles (עpl.) tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

2. The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the gentiles (עpl.)

100:3. Snow ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his nation (עsing.), and the sheep of his pasture.

102:15. So the gentiles (גpl.) shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

18. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the nation (עsing.) which shall be created shall praise the Lord.

22. When the gentiles (עpl.) are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

105:1. O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the gentiles (עpl.).

Psalms 105:13. When they went from one nation (גsing.) to another (גsing.), from one kingdom to another nation (עsing.) 20. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the gentiles (עpl.), and let him go free.

24. And he increased his nation (עsing.) greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25. He turned their heart to hate his nation (עsing.), to deal subtly with his servants.

40. The nation********* asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

43. And he brought forth his (עsing.) nation with joy, and his chosen with gladness.

44. And gave them the lands of the gentiles (גpl.): and they inherited the labor of the gentiles (לpl.);

106:4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy nation (עsing.): O visit me with thy salvation;

5. That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation (עsing.), that I may glory with thine inheritance.

27. To overthrow their seed also among the gentiles (גpl.), and to scatter them in the lands.

34. They did not destroy the gentiles (עpl.), concerning whom the Lord commanded them:

35. But were mingled among the gentiles (גpl.), and learned their works.

40. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his nation (עsing.), insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

41. And he gave them into the hand of the gentiles (גpl.); and they that hated them ruled over them.

47. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the gentiles (גpl.), to give thanks unto thy holy names and to triumph in thy praise.

48. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the nation (עsing.) say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

107:32. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the nation (עsing.), and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

108: 3. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (עpl.); and 108:3. I will sing praises to thee among the gentiles (עpl.)

110:3. Thy nation (עsing.) shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

6. He shall judge among the gentiles (גpl.), he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

111:6. He hath showed his nation (עsing.) the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the gentiles (גpl.).

9. He sent redemption unto his nation (עsing.): he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name.) 113:4. The Lord is high above all gentiles (גpl.), and his glory above the heavens.

8. That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his nation (עsing.).

Psalms 114:1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a nation (עsing.) of strange language;

115:2. Wherefore should the gentiles (גpl.) say, Where is now their God?

116:14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his nation (עsing.).

18. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his nation (עsing.) 117:1. O praise the Lord, all ye gentiles (גpl.): praise him, all ye gentiles.********** 118:10. All gentiles (גpl.) encompassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.

125:2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his nation (עsing.) from henceforth even forever.

126:2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the gentiles (גpl.), the Lord hath done great things for them.

135:10. Who smote great gentiles (גpl.), and slew mighty kings.

12. And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his nation (עsing.) 14. For the Lord will judge his nation (עsing.), and repent himself concerning his servants.

15. The idols of the gentiles (גpl.) are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

136:16. To him who led his nation (עsing.) through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth forever.

144: 2. My goodness and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my nation (עsing.) under me.

15. Happy is that nation (עsing.) that is in such a case: yea, happy is that nation (עsing.) whose God is the Lord.

147:20. He hath not dealt so with any nation (גsing.): and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.

148:11. Kings of the earth, and all gentiles (לpl.); princes, and all judges of the earth:

14. He also exalteth the horn of his nation (עsing.), the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a nation (עsing.) near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

149: 4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his nation (עsing.): he will beautify the meek with salvation.

7. To execute vengeance upon the gentiles (גpl.), and punishments upon the gentiles (לpl.);

(* Having inserted, whilst verifying this paper, for go-i (גsing.), when it was found in the singular number, and (גpl.) when it was found in the plural; and for or, similarly (עsing.) and (עpl.); and for arcs, similarly (לsing.), and (לpl.), I have taken editorial liberty, and allowed them to remain, for the saving of time to those who know Hebrew. The versification is according to the English Bible.-ED.

(** Or "people.") (*** Or nations," including the Jews, but gentiles seem to be specially meant.)

(**** The words "my nation," here, are a supplement of the English translators, and have no equivalent in the text of the Hebrew.-ED.) (***** Or, "nations," including Jews.) (****** Or, " nations," including Jews.) (******* Or, " nations.") (******** Or, possibly, "people," may be preferable.) (********* "The nation" here has no word to represent it in the Hebrew.-Ed.)

(********** The word in this place is another word, not one of the three under review, viz., אמָּים or אמָּוח it only occurs here and in Genesis 25:16, "twelve princes according to their nations;" and in Numbers 25:15., "head over a people."-Ed.) The Editor suggests that in Psalms 7:8 and Psalms 9:20 the word rendered "God" should be as in the authorized version, "Lord." In noticing the omission of the word "Selah" from this paper, he would avail himself of the opportunity to remark that Jerome renders the word "Selah " by Semper, 1:e. Always; comm: vol. i υ. 49