# Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. # they had rest, they did evil again before you Here "they" refers to the Israelites and "you" to Yahweh. # you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies Here "hand" represents power or control. AT: "you abandoned them and allow their enemies to defeat them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) # did not listen to your commands If your language has a word for "listen" that also means "obey," use it here. # your decrees which give life to anyone who obeys them Yahweh himself is spoken of as if he were the decrees themselves. AT: "you even though you give life to everyone who obeys your decrees" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) # They gave the stubborn shoulder-blade and stiffened their neck These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. AT: "They became stubborn" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])