23 The prefixed verbal form is an imperfect, indicating habitual or typical behavior. The parallel verb (cf. “hovers” in the next line) is used in the same manner.
24 Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
25 The form of the suffix on this and the following verb forms (cf. “lifted him up”) indicates that the verbs are preterites, not imperfects. As such they simply state the action factually. The use of the preterite here suggests that the preceding verb (cf. “spread out”) is preterite as well.
26 The distinctive form of the suffix on this verb form indicates that the verb is an imperfect, not a preterite. As such it draws attention to God’s continuing guidance during the period in view.

In other versions

Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,

that flutters over its young,

spreading out its wings, catching them,

bearing them on its pinions,

the Lord alone guided him,

no foreign god was with him.

like an eagle that stirs up its nest

and hovers over its young,

that spreads its wings to catch them

and carries them aloft.

The Lord alone led him;

no foreign god was with him.

He watches over his nest like an eagle

and hovers over his young;

he spreads his wings, catches him,

and carries him on his feathers.

The Lord alone led him,

with no help from a foreign god.

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks

and hovers over her young,

so he spread his wings to take them up

and carried them safely on his pinions.

The Lord alone guided them;

they followed no foreign gods.

As an eagle stirs up its nest,

hovers over its young,

spreads out its wings, takes them,

carries them on its pinions,

so Yahweh alone guided him,

and there was no foreign god accompanying him.

As an eagle stirreth up her nest,

Fluttereth over her young,

Spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them,

Beareth them on her wings:

So the Lord alone did lead him,

And there was no strange god with him.

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