en_tn/1ch/21/13.md

Let me fall into the hand of Yahweh rather than into the hand of man

Here "hand" represents power to harm or punish Israel. Alternate translation: "Let me be punished by Yahweh, rather than be punished by people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Let me fall

The people of Israel are the ones who would die from the plague, but David is personalizing this judgment as if he himself was being killed.

hand of man

Here "man" is used in the generic sense of "people."

his merciful actions are very great

"Yahweh is very merciful"