8 The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120–134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101–150 (), .
1 Heb “all his affliction.” This may refer to David’s strenuous and tireless efforts to make provision for the building of the temple (see 1 Chr 22:14). Some prefer to revocalize the text as עַנַוָתוֹ (’anavato, “his humility”).
2 Heb “the powerful [one] of Jacob.”
3 The words “he said” are supplied in the translation to clarify that what follows is David’s vow.
4 Heb “the tent of my house.”
5 Heb “go up upon the bed of my couch.”
6 The plural form of the noun may indicate degree or quality; David envisions a special dwelling place (see Pss 43:3; 46:4; 84:1).
7 Heb “the powerful [one] of Jacob.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

A Song of Ascents.

Remember, O Lord, in David’s favor,

all the hardships he endured,

how he swore to the Lord

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,

“I will not enter my house

or get into my bed,

I will not give sleep to my eyes

or slumber to my eyelids,

until I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

A song of ascents.

Lord, remember David

and all his self-denial.

He swore an oath to the Lord,

he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not enter my house

or go to my bed,

I will allow no sleep to my eyes

or slumber to my eyelids,

till I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

A song of ascents.

Lord, remember David

and all the hardships he endured,

and how he swore an oath to the Lord,

making a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not enter my house

or get into my bed,

I will not allow my eyes to sleep

or my eyelids to slumber

until I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

NLTNew Living Translation

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

Lord, remember David

and all that he suffered.

He made a solemn promise to the Lord.

He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,

“I will not go home;

I will not let myself rest.

I will not let my eyes sleep

nor close my eyelids in slumber

until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,

a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

A song of ascents.

O Yahweh, remember with regard to David

all his affliction.

How he swore to Yahweh,

he vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not enter into the tent of my house,

I will not go up to the couch of my bed,

I will give no sleep to my eyes,

no slumber to my eyelids,

until I find a place for Yahweh,

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

KJV 1900King James Version

A Song of degrees.

Lord, Remember David,

And all his afflictions:

How he sware unto the Lord,

And vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house,

Nor go up into my bed;

I will not give sleep to mine eyes,

Or slumber to mine eyelids,

Until I find out a place for the Lord,

An habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

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