Psalm 4/Notes/Lexical.v. 4.877626
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- The word הִפְלָה means to set apart for special, preferential treatment (SDBH; cf. Rashi: = הבדיל; Radak = הפריש והבדיל). As with the phrase "heavy of heart," this word is associated especially with the Exodus plagues (Exod 8:18; 9:4; 11:7), where it referred to YHWH's special treatment of the Israelites: "But on that day I will deal differently with (וְהִפְלֵיתִי) the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people" (Exod 8:18-19 [Eng: 22-23], NIV).