Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
# General Information:
This psalm is a prayer for help.
# In you, Yahweh, I take refuge
Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. AT: "go to you, Yahweh, for protection" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# let me never be put to shame
This can be stated in active form. See how "do not let me be humiliated" is translated in [Psalms 25:2](../025/001.md). AT: "never let my enemies put me to shame" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
# make me safe in your righteousness
Possible meanings are 1) "make me safe because you always do what is right" or 2) "make me safe as I do what you want me to do" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
# turn your ear to me
Here "your ear" refers to God's willingness to hear someone who prays to him. See how this is translated in [Psalms 17:6](../017/006.md). AT: "pay attention to me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
# Be to me a rock for refuge
The psalmist requests that Yahweh make him as safe as he would be if he were hiding in a large rock or cliff where his enemies could not find him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# rock ... rock
These are hills or mountains, not rocks one can hold in one's hand.
# you have given a command
"you have commanded your angels"
# save me
"keep me safe"
# you are my rock and my fortress
The psalmist believes that Yahweh will protect him and make him as safe as if he were hiding on top of a large mountain or inside a man-made fortress. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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