Today’s Word
Get Thee Behind Me
The debased in his eyes is repugnant but to LORD-fearers he accords honor. When he vows to his fellow man, he does not revoke it. Psalm 15:4 Robert Alter Repugnant – The NASB translation offers some synonyms that help us understand the sense of this verse: “A despicable person is despised in his eyes, but…
Expanded Coverage
Who slanders not with his tongue nor does to his fellow man evil nor bears reproach for his kin. Psalm 15:3 Robert Alter Bears reproach – The English isn’t common. “Reproach,” what is that? Other translations attempt to explain: “casts slur,” “cast scorn,” “brings shame,” “discredits,” “bribes,” “spreads rumors,” “defames” are some of the synonyms…
Sneaking Around
He does not slander with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor bring shame on his friend; Psalm 15:3 NASB Slander – The Hebrew word here is rāgal. Once you know that, you might be shocked at this translation. You see, only one time in twenty-four occurrences is it translated “slander.” In the other twenty-three instances…
But He’s Such a Good Guy
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2 NASB Practices righteousness – What does the poet mean by the phrase “practices righteousness”? If we think in modern terms, we might conclude that this expression describes someone who does what is right, whose cause is ethical and justified, like, for example,…
A Public Faith
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2 NASB Integrity – Robert Alter’s translation uses English expressions that are a bit closer to the Hebrew originals. In this NASB translation, “integrity” is the Hebrew word tāmîm, derived from the root tāmam. It actually means “complete.” Payne notes, “the verb’s fundamental…
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