Other changes are of little moment. The principal are in vv. 3 and 5. In the former the vehement wish that the psalmist's mockers may be _paralysed with shame_ is softened down into a desire that they may be _turned back_. The two verbs are similar in sound, and the substitution may have been accidental, a slip of memory or a defect in hearing, or it may have been an artistic variation of the original. In ver. 5 a prayer that God will hasten to the psalmist's help takes the place of an expression of confidence that "Jehovah purposes [good]" to him, and again there is similarity of sound in the two words. This change is like the subtle alteration which a painter might make on his picture by taking out one spot of high light. The gleam of confidence is changed to a call of need, and the tone of the whole psalm is thereby made more plaintive. Hupfeld holds that this psalm is the original, and Psalm xl. a composite; but most commentators agree in regarding this as a fragment of that psalm. The cut has not been very cleanly made; for the necessary verb "be pleased" has been left behind, and the symmetry of ver. 1 is destroyed for want of it. The awkward incompleteness of this beginning witnesses that the psalm is a fragment. FOOTNOTE: [2] Italics show variations from Psalm xl. PSALM LXXI. 1 In Thee, Jehovah, do I take refuge, Let me not be put to shame for ever. 2 In Thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me, Bend Thine ear and save me. 3 Be to me for a rock of habitation to go to continually: Thou hast commanded to save me, For my rock and my fortress art Thou. 4 My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, From the fist of the evil-doer and the violent man. 5 For Thou [art] my hope, O Lord Jehovah, [Thou art] my trust from my youth. 6 On Thee have I been stayed from the womb, From my mother's bowels Thou hast been my protector: Of Thee is my praise continually. 7 As a wonder am I become to many, But Thou art my refuge--a strong one. 8 My mouth is filled with Thy praise, All the day with Thine honour. 9 Cast me not away in the time of old age, When my strength fails, forsake me not. 10 For mine enemies speak concerning me, And the watchers of my soul consult together, 11 Saying, God has left him, Chase and seize him; for there is no deliverer. 12 O God, be not far from me, My God, haste to my help. 13 Ashamed, confounded, be the adversaries of my soul, Covered with reproach and confusion be those who seek my hurt.