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, i.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?
Psa. 2: 1. Why- do the gentiles (ג pl.) rage, and the gentiles (ל pl.) 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 (ע sing.), that have set themselves against me round about.
8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; thy blessing is upon thy nation (ע sing).
7:7. So shall the congregation of the gentiles (ל pl.) compass thee about: for their sakes, therefore, return Thou on high.
8. The Lord shall judge the gentiles (ע pl.): judge me, 0 God, according to my righteousness, and according to the integrity that is in me.
9:5. Thou hast rebuked the gentiles (ג pl.), 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 (ל pl.)
11. Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion; declare among the gentiles (ע pl.) his doings.
15. The gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ג pl.) that forget God.
20. Put them in fear, O God; that the gentiles (ג pl.) may know themselves to be but men.
10:16. The Lord is king forever and ever; the gentiles (ג pl.) are perished out of his land.
14:4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.), Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
18:27. For thou wilt save the afflicted nation (ע sing.); but wilt bring down high looks.
43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the nation (ע sing.); and thou hast made me the head of the gentiles (ג pl.); a nation (ע sing.) whom I have not known shall serve me.
47. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the gentiles (ע pl.) under me.
49. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (ג pl.), 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 (ע sing.).
27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the gentiles (ג pl.) shall worship before thee.
28. For the kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the governor among the gentiles (ג pl.).
31. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a nation (ע sing.) that shall be born, that he hath done this.
28:9. Save thy nation (ע sing.), and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever.
29:11. The Lord will give strength unto his nation (ע sing.); the Lord will bless his nation (ע sing.) with peace.
33:10. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the gentiles (ג pl.) to naught; he maketh the devices of the gentiles (ל pl.) of none effect.
12. Blessed is the nation (ג sing.) whose God is the Lord; and the nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.).
43:1. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation (ג sing.): O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
44:2. How thou didst drive out the gentiles (ג pl.) with thine hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the gentiles (ל pl.), 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 (ע sing.) for naught, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
14. Thou makest us a byword among the gentiles (ג pl.), a shaking of the head among the gentiles (ל pl.).
10. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own nation (ע sing.), and thy father's house.
12. And the daughter of Tire shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the nation (ע sing.) shall entreat thy favor.
17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the gentiles (ע pl.) praise thee forever and ever.
46:6. The gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ג pl.), I will be exalted in the earth.
47:1. O clap your hands, all ye gentiles (ע pl.); shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
3. He shall subdue the gentiles (ע pl.) under us, and the gentiles (ל pl) under our feet.
8. God reigneth over the gentiles (ג pl.): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9. The princes of the gentiles (ע pl.) are gathered together, even the nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע pl.); 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 (ע sing.).
7. Hear, O my nation (ע sing.), 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 (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.), Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
56:7. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the gentiles (ע pl.), O God.
57:9. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (ע pl); I will sing unto thee amongst the gentiles (ל pl.).
59:5. Thou, therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the gentiles (ג pl.): be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.
8. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the gentiles (ג pl.) in derision.
11. Slay them not, lest my nation (ע sing.) forget; scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
60:3. Thou hast showed thy nation (ע sing.) hard things, and thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
62:8. Trust in him at all times; O nation (ע sing.), 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 (ל pl.).
66:7. He ruleth by his power forever; his eyes behold the gentiles (ג pl.): let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
8. O bless our God, ye gentiles (ע pl.), and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
3. Let the gentiles (ע pl.) praise thee, O God; let all the gentiles (ע pl.) praise thee.
4. O let the gentiles (ל pl.) be glad and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the gentiles (ע pl.) righteously, and govern the gentiles (ל pl.) upon earth.
5. Let the gentiles (ע pl.) praise thee, O God; let all the gentiles (ע pl.) praise thee.
68:7. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy nation (ע sing.), 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 (ע pl.) till every one submit himself with pieces of silver; scatter thou the gentiles (ע pl.) 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 (ע sing.).
72: 2. He shall judge thy nation (ע sing.) with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The mountains shall bring peace to the nation (ע sing.) and the little hills, by righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the nation (ע sing.), 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 (ג pl.) 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 (ג pl) shall call him blessed.
73:10. Therefore his nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.) inhabiting the wilderness.
18. Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish nation (ע sing.) have blasphemed thy name. [77 ver. 14, thou hast declared thy strength among the people (ע pl.) Ed.]
77:15. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy nation (ע sing.), the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
20. Thou leddest thy nation (ע sing.) like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
78:1. Give ear, O my nation (ע sing.), 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 (ע sing.)?
52. But made his own nation (ע sing.) to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
62. He gave his nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.), and Israel his inheritance.
79:1. O God, the gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ג pl.) that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
10. Wherefore should the gentiles (ג pl.) say, Where is their God? let him be known among the gentiles (ג pl.) in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
13. So we thy nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.)?
8. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the gentiles (ג pl.), and planted it.
81:8. Hear, O my nation (ע sing.) and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
11. But my nation (ע sing.) would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
13. O that my nation (ע sing.) 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 (ג pl.).
83:3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy nation (ע sing.) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation (ג sing.); that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
85:2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy nation (ע sing.), thou hast covered all their sin.
6. Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy nation (ע sing.) may rejoice in thee?
8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his nation (ע sing.), and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
86:9. All gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ע pl.) that this man was born there.
89:15. Blessed is the nation (ע sing.) that knoweth the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
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 (ע sing.), O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.
8. Understand, ye brutish among the nation (ע sing.): and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
10. He that chastiseth the gentiles (ג pl.), shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
14. For the Lord will not cast off his nation (ע sing.), neither will he forsake his inheritance.
95:7. For he is our God; and we are the nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.) that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
96:3. Declare his glory among the gentiles (ג pl.), his wonders among all gentiles (ע pl.).
5. For all the gods of the gentiles (ע pl.) are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
7. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the gentiles (ע pl.), give unto the Lord glory and strength.
10. Say among the gentiles (ג pl.) that the Lord reigneth; the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the gentiles (ע pl.) 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 (ע pl.) with his truth.
97:6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the gentiles (ע pl.) see his glory.
98:2. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the gentiles (ג pl.)
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 (ע pl.) 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 (ע pl.)
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 (ע sing.), and the sheep of his pasture.
102:15. So the gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ע sing.) which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
22. When the gentiles (ע pl.) 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 (ע pl.).
Psa. 105:1313When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; (Psalm 105:13). When they went from one nation (ג sing.) to another (ג sing.), from one kingdom to another nation (ע sing.)
20. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the gentiles (ע pl.), and let him go free.
24. And he increased his nation (ע sing.) greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25. He turned their heart to hate his nation (ע sing.), 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 (ע sing.) nation with joy, and his chosen with gladness.
44. And gave them the lands of the gentiles (ג pl.): and they inherited the labor of the gentiles (ל pl.);
106:4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy nation (ע sing.): 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 (ע sing.), that I may glory with thine inheritance.
27. To overthrow their seed also among the gentiles (ג pl.), and to scatter them in the lands.
34. They did not destroy the gentiles (ע pl.), concerning whom the Lord commanded them:
35. But were mingled among the gentiles (ג pl.), and learned their works.
40. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his nation (ע sing.), insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
41. And he gave them into the hand of the gentiles (ג pl.); and they that hated them ruled over them.
47. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the gentiles (ג pl.), 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 (ע sing.) say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.
107:32. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the nation (ע sing.), and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
108: 3. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the gentiles (ע pl.); and
108:3. I will sing praises to thee among the gentiles (ע pl.)
110:3. Thy nation (ע sing.) 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 (ג pl.), he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
111:6. He hath showed his nation (ע sing.) the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the gentiles (ג pl.).
9. He sent redemption unto his nation (ע sing.): he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name.)
113:4. The Lord is high above all gentiles (ג pl.), and his glory above the heavens.
8. That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his nation (ע sing.).
115:2. Wherefore should the gentiles (ג pl.) say, Where is now their God?
116:14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his nation (ע sing.).
18. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his nation (ע sing.)
117:1. O praise the Lord, all ye gentiles (ג pl.): praise him, all ye gentiles.
118:10. All gentiles (ג pl.) 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 (ע sing.) from henceforth even forever.
126:2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the gentiles (ג pl.), the Lord hath done great things for them.
135:10. Who smote great gentiles (ג pl.), and slew mighty kings.
12. And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his nation (ע sing.)
14. For the Lord will judge his nation (ע sing.), and repent himself concerning his servants.
15. The idols of the gentiles (ג pl.) are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
136:16. To him who led his nation (ע sing.) 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 (ע sing.) under me.
15. Happy is that nation (ע sing.) that is in such a case: yea, happy is that nation (ע sing.) whose God is the Lord.
147:20. He hath not dealt so with any nation (ג sing.): and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.
148:11. Kings of the earth, and all gentiles (ל pl.); princes, and all judges of the earth:
14. He also exalteth the horn of his nation (ע sing.), the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a nation (ע sing.) near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
149: 4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his nation (ע sing.): he will beautify the meek with salvation.
7. To execute vengeance upon the gentiles (ג pl.), and punishments upon the gentiles (ל pl.);
The Editor suggests that in Psa. 7:88The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. (Psalm 7:8) and Psa. 9:2020Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. (Psalm 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, i.e. Always; comm: vol. i υ. 49