^^0>

r^)
fa

LIBRARY

-^^l^^^^

Inttrnatbnal Crttual Commtntarg

UNDER THE EDITORSHIP OF

The

Rev.

SAMUEL ROLLES DRIVER,

D.D., D.LiTT.,

Regius Professor qf Hebrew, Oxford;

The

Rev.

ALFRED PLUMMER,

Master of University

The

Rev.

College,

M.A., D.D.,
Durham;

CHARLES AUGUSTUS BRIGGS,

D.D., D.LliT.,

Professor of Theological Encyclopedia and Symbolics^

Union Theological Seminary, New York.

The International

Critical Commentary

AND EXEGETICAL
COMMENTARY

CRITICAL

ON

THE BOOK OF PSALMS

BY

CHARLES AUGUSTUS

BRIGGS, D.D,

D.Litt.

GRADUATE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA AND

SYMBOLICS, UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, NEW YORK

AND

EMILIE GRACE BRIGGS,

(In

B.D.

Two Volumes)
Vol. II

EDINBURGH
T.

&

T.

CLARK,

38

GEORGE STREET

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY

MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED

FOR
T.

&

nw

T.

CLARK, EDINBURGH

YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONt

MAY 16 1964
First Printed
Latest Reprint

1907
1960

CONTENTS
PAGE

COMMENTARY.

Pss.

LI-CL

1-545

INDEX OF HEBREW WORDS

549

INDEX OF PROPER NAMES

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

<

561

566

ERRORS AND ADDITIONS, VOL.

1.

PAGE

xxxi,

Protestantische for Protestanische.

19.

1.

xli,

1.

30. Sidney

cv,

1.

I.

cv,

1.

12.

cviii,

Rhabanus

Add

31.

1.

Sydney.

for

Del. Asterius (f 410) already given

after

cix,

1.

I.

Davison

cix,

1.

2.

Add

12^ for

10.

1904 Davies 1906.

81

27,

I.

1.

41,

1.

y 8 e for ^
26. Hithp. for Hiph.

45,

1.

22.

18^^ for i^.

49,

1.

26.

90^^ for

50,

1.

26.

1.

39.

trnu for ^ny.

1.

21.

Before 8 insert

58,

sq.

/8

(E)

Is.

<:

^/

^.

90^

35 for

39.

used in Qal, but

i^^

13^;

32^^ (P) ; (2)

jj^4.i38 ^,-,2

Pi.

c.

n^lit] Pi. pf. rel.

(i) give charge

command,

c.

V+

["'^^]

^ot

b pers. 105^ Ex.

whom,

Ps. 91^^

Nu.

ace. pers. et ret, Pss. 78^

c.

ace.

"iDPi

42^

nD"i!a

133^;

appoint, ordain, in creation 33^ 148^ Is. 45^^, providence

Ps. 78^3

Am. 6" 9^ redemption

60,1.34. Tpii^ for Tpif5.

82, 1. 25. After 6 insert
ini/ralw. of
2^ 3I1,

Mai.

nnr:]

as Ez. 19^
1.

8.

122,

1.

26.

pf. 2 sg.

20

insert

ground of hope 71^

104,

Qal

Pss. 7^ 44^ d^"^ 'ji\

t ^V^ vb. Qal rel^uke

i^ Zc. s^-^

God 9^ 68^1' 106^ 1192^ Is. 17^^ 54^ Na.

of man Gn. 37^ (E) Ru. 2^' Je. 29^7.

Before

85,1.17.
(2)

clause

to, c.

ace. pers. h concerning

charge,

iii^- (3) commission,

(4)

36.

1.

Davidson.

for

after

34,

1 2

ciii,

Rhabamus.
1889^ Minocchi 1905.

for

37" and

Maskihm
qametz

for

19.

Jb. 4^;

WL.
Maskelim.

for quametz.

nipn
(3)

n.f.

(i)

hope

62^;

things hoped /or, here

ERRORS AND ADDITIONS, VOL.

VUl

id^ for 70^.

134,

1.

26.

151,

1.

6.

2 fori.

152,

1.

5.

I for 35.

1.

18.

173,

in

Add

1.

cf.

2510

78^ 93 99^

16.

v.

but Mas.

pi.

forms

pointing

is

BDB.

Before 11 insert

Elsw.

quittal 1432 Is. 4326; be just, of

These with

132^2^

119 usually derived from [nny]

artificial

174,

I.

forms.

228,

1.

37.

276,

1.

23. Maskilim

ZZZ,

1.

38.

373;

1-

5-

for Maskelira.

nil: for nniD.

'^nu? for T\T\t,

if;

[pTJi]

God

Qal be justified

5i,

\iy

ac-

Hiph., do justice Z2\

A COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF

PSALMS.

A COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF

PSALMS.

PSALM

LL, 4

STR. lo^

Ps. 51 is a penitential prayer of the congregation in the time

of

Nehemiah:

cleanse His people from sin

of

His just judgment (v.^).

of the nation, in antithesis

delights (v/"^)
for

Yahweh in His kindness will

(v.^), who confess it in vindication

Petition that

(i)

(2)

The

sin goes back to the origin

with the faithfulness in which Yahweh

cleansing alone will give joy (v.^")

(3) Petition

renewal of heart, the continued presence of the Holy Spirit,

and the joy of salvation

(v.^"^^)

with a vow to teach the divine

ways and praise His righteousness (v.^^^^). (4) The sacrifices of

Yahweh are the praises of a contrite spirit (v.^^"^^). The final
petition is that He will rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and accept
the sacrifices there (v.^^^)

gE gracious to me
According

to

(Yahweh), according to

Thy compassion

blot out

Thy

my

kindness

transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,

And purify me from my sin.
For my transgressions I am knowing,
And my sin is before me continually.
Against Thee, Thee only, have

And

That Thou mightest be

(That)

Thou

mightest

gEHOLD in iniquity
And

in sin did

Behold

The

sinned.

the evil in Thine eyes have

was brought

my mother

in faithfulness

done

Thy (words),
be clear when Thou judgest
just in

forth,

conceive me.

Thou dost delight

Thou makest me know.

confidence of wisdom

me from sin with hyssop, and I shall

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness.

Cleanse

The bones which Thou hast crushed

Hide Thy face from my sins.
And all mine iniquities blot out.

be pure;

will exult.

PSALMS

4
'PHE heart into
The

a pure one transform for me,

a steadfast one renew.

spirit into

me not away from Thy presence,

And Thy holy Spirit take not away.
Cast

Restore the joy of

And with

salvation,

teach transgressors

I will

And

Thy

the princely Spirit uphold me.

sinners unto

Thee

Thy

ways,

will return.

me from bloodshed (Yahweh).

ring out Thy righteousness.
r\ LORD, my lips mayest Thou open
And my mouth will declare Thy praise
For Thou delightest not in peace-offering,
In whole burnt-offering Thou takest no pleasure:
Deliver

My tongue will

Sacrifices of

a broken

spirit,

A heart crushed, Thou wilt not despise.

O do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion
Mayest Thou rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
wilt Thou delight in peace-offering and whole burnt-offering
will they offer bullocks on Thine altar.

Then
Then
Ps. 51

was

in 19

historical allusion

and fH, then in E and IBlfil {-v. Intr. 27, 32, 33).
was already attached to the Ps. in B as a conjectural

trative situation, but without historical value.

Ps. to the situation.

The language

Exile or early Restoration,

is

(i) Is.i-^

It is

impossible to adjust the

related chiefly to Literature of the

seem

to

have been chiefly in mind:

(a) in the conception of the purification of the nation's sins

the use of nm2

Is.

37^3 Mai. 38.

The

43^5 4422^ d33 for the person Je.

in Ez.

is

when

4^*,
is

v.'^-*-^;

nna

of. Is.i^^,

Je. 33^ Ez.

elsw. only in

applied to the altar.

It

^6^

P when
does not

used in J as well as P, and was doubt59I-. (c) nnstt'l ptr^'

(3) For the personal experience of v.^, cf. Is.

therefore necessarily imply P.

less ancient.

2'^^

vb. Nan for purification from sin

applied to the person, but

The
illus-

22i 3510 518.

3"iiN is

nn v. 18, elsw. only Is. 6310- n. (e) For

(/) For the son of the mother v.'^, cf. the
sin of the first father Is. 43^^ and of Zion the mother 54^"^. (2) Other linguistic traces are: S>Sd v.21, an early syn. of r\'?y;, cf. Dt. 33!*^ i S. 7^; Dn> v."^, for
conception, cf. Gn. 30" 31IO (E).
(3) Evidences of later date are: nanj nn
v.io, cf. Is.

the bruised spirit v.i^

11.

cf. Is.

(d)

tt'ip

66^.

Ex. 355-22 (p). but see Ps. iio^, also ]):>: nn v.^ 578-8 io82; v.e is
prob. earlier than 19IO, which agrees with it in use of Qal of |-nx.
(4) The
only substantial evidences of very late date are : nintOD v.8, cf. Jb. 38*^, but
v.i*, cf.

prob.

txt. err.,

on the
spirit

explained by ono, prob.

postexilic sections of

Is.2,

and

gl.

The

in its

Ps. in its theology depends

deep penitence represents the

of the people of the Restoration in the time of Nehemiah.

for rebuilding the walls of

indicates that the author

effort to give

was one of the companions of Nehemiah

the city walls.

The prayer

Jerusalem was probably real and not ideal, and

in the great

PSALM

LI.

and a hexastich composed of three

to me\ show favour, usually in
the bestowal of redemption from enemies, evils, and sins, a charkindness^ the
acteristic term of ; with the two syn. nouns
loving disposition to do acts of kindness (^^), and compassion
Str. I. has a syn. tetrastich

syn. couplets.

3-4.

Be

gracious

(2j^), the affectionate sympathy, especially of parent to a child,

Vakwek'], here and throughout the group,

My transgressions^

of.

103^.

for

which 15 substituted Elohim.

Ps. 51-72,

con-

sins,

ceived as rebellion, transgression of the Law, or will of God, with

the two chief syns., iniquity^ sin as a distortion or perversion of
right,

and

from the norm or aim of

sin as a failure

These

life.

three terms for sin are antithetical to the three terms for the

and have three mediating terms

divine kindness,

The

in cleansing the nation.

for its exercise

transgressions stain the

people,

blackening their reputation and character, therefore blot out, wipe

out, obHterate them, so that they

The

them

iniquity soils

cleanse

all this filth

away, so that I

may be

clean

may

remain,

cf. v.^.

oughly that not the least trace

duce

no longer can be seen,

do

cf.

so thor-

it

The

religious pollution, unfitting for the worship of

God

109".

wash me,

as a filthy garment, therefore

sins pro-

therefore

purify me, apply the appointed means of purification, that I

enjoy

communion

again,

cf.

i^^^^,

thinking of sin in

its

than of
is

its

v.^

The poet

subjective

doubtless had in

efi"ects

may

mind

upon the places of divine presence.

objective effects

Is.

on the person, rather

It

therefore the ritual of purification that he has in mind, rather than

He

the ritual of sacrifice.

more than the

ritual

feels that

the nation needs something

they need the personal favour of

Himself; His interposition as the administrator of

cleansing,

5.

/ am

mental knowledge of
nation.

knowing^, present, active, personal, experias thus staining, soiling, polluting, the

sin,

before 7ne continually'].

and contemplating

it

in all

its

cannot escape from seeing

odiousness,

cf. Is.

59^1

Thee'],

emphatic

in position, to indicate that the sin

against

Yahweh,

intensified by.

against their

Yahweh

this national

Thee only].

The

God, " not against the Babylonians,"

6.

it

Against

was especially

national sin was

as

Theodore of

Mopsuestia, Theodoret, cited by Ba. with approval; or indeed

against the Persians, or the minor nations

them, opposing every

effort

who

so cruelly used

of Israel to reestablish himself in

Jem-

PSALMS

in

Thine eyes\ before the face of God, in His very presence ; and so high-handed, without excuse, which exposed to just
retribution, relief from which could come only from His kindness.

salem.

That

Thou mightest

be just

pendent on the act of sin as

if

||

be clear\ final clauses, not de-

the commission of sin was in order

God in deaHng with it; but on the confession of sin

God only. This public confession made it evident that

to justify

against

God's deahngs with His people during their long exile and in the
long-continued afflictions of the people, in their efforts to restore
the national Hfe and worship in Jerusalem, were in accordance

with His law, and so

Words

as in 50^^"^, so (,
J^, EV'.,

Thy words\ referring to the Ten

Law by which the nation is judged here,
Rom. 3^, and not " when Thou speakest,"

just.

of the primitive

U, 3,
which gives a form

when Thou judgest~\

that

a.A., assimilated
is,

by copyist's error

according to these Words

as J^,

to
3f,

AV., RV., 50*, which is to be preferred to (g, U, Rom. 3*, PBV.,

" when Thou art judged," as if the poet thought of a higher judg-

ment

which

seat before

God Himself

which, however suited to Greek and

could be tried, a conceit

modern

ideas,

was not suited

to the religion of the Old Testament.

Str. II.

an

is

antistr.,

beginning with confession in a tetrastich

of two syn. couplets, and concluding with a hexastich of petition of

three syn. couplets.

the antithesis

Behold\

7.

calling

emphatic attention to

between Yahweh's requirements and the actual

toric condition of

His people, the

latter

coming

first.

his-

/ was

brought forth^ not referring to the iniquity of the parent, or to an

when brought

iniquitous condition of the infant

the doctrine of original sin, transmitted from

forth

implying

Adam and Eve

in

accordance with Traducianism, or imputed to the child as created

as part of a sinful race, according to Creationism.
to the speculative

dogma

of Traducianism

myself hold

but I must say that

neither of these doctrines has any support whatever in the

The poet here

patriarchal ancestors, as in
sin,

and

gression.

all

OT.

alludes to the historic origin of the nation in their

Is.

43^.

his posterity since his

did my mother conceive

mother of David,

as if she

her conception, or as

if

Their

first

father

me'].

This

is

in trans-

certainly not the

were especially a sinner

sin

committed

day have followed him

at the time of

were attached to the unborn

foetus

PSALM
which she conceived

LI.

but the mother here

is

Mother

Israel, in

accordance with the conception of Is.^ especially Is. 54H

the con8. in faithfulness^ fidelity to Yahweh and His words
||

fidence of wisdom, the confidence in

imparts.

Yahweh which

true

wisdom

This, by the misunderstanding of an early copyist, has

as a word, elsewhere only Jb. 38^,

been interpreted

and variously

explained by J^ and Vrss. as referring to the reins or inward parts

It was defined by the addition of a late Hebrew
of the man.
"
word meaning closed," or secret place of the breast, making the

and compelling an explanation of the

and so as out of parallelism with

line too long,

line, as re-

ferring to the future

In

the couplet.

fact,

its

mate

in

both Hnes set forth the divine requirements,

over against the sin of the past history of the nation in the father

Jacob and the mother Zion

dost

delight'], that

is,

and

so the verbs are presents.

the confidence

is

Thou

acceptable as satisfying the

and delight to Yahweh.

Thou makest me know], by the teaching of the Words of the Law,
carrying on the idea of v.^.
These words impart true wisdom,
9. Cleanse me
and so confidence in Yahweh the great Teacher.
with hyssop], a. bunch of
from sin\ a term of the ritual Ez. P.
small branches of the caper plant, used in the ritual, to gather up
the water or blood, and scatter it upon the person or thing to be
cleansed.
This is a renewal and intensification of v.'*
and I
divine requirements, giving gratification

shall be pure], in the religious sense, as thus cleansed in accordance

with the ritual

The poet

is

which

is

intensified in

/ shall be whiter than snow.

evidently, in the use of the terms of Is.

i^^,

thinking

of the sins of the nation as scarlet and crimson in their colour, of

bloodguiltiness

deserving
5 1^ ",

for they

sin, cf. v.^^

which they

at the

had committed a high-handed, death-

10. joy

and gladness], i^hr.

same time hear and

of

Is. 22^^ 35^

also utter.

Even

bones exult in sympathy with the exhilaration of the soul.

was expressed by voice, and probably

also

the

This

by dancing, though the

bones had been crushed by Yahweh Himself in the

afilictions

He

The bones are personified as those of

an individual, severally sufi"ering. The bones ache with the anxiety
of the soul, cf. 22^^ 32^.
11. Hide Thy face from my sins], do
brought upon the nation.

not look upon them, overlook them (10^^), take no account of

them,

cf.

32^; another conception of Yahweh's gracious attitude

PSALMS

8
toward

This

sin.

in

is

tion of the syn. Hne,

some

which

respects the reverse of the concepis

a simple renewal of v.3*, although

the word for sin varies.

Str. III. has a hexastich of three syn. couplets of petition, fol-

lowed by two syn. couplets, the latter the climax of the Str.
renew\ These verbs do not imply creation out
12. Transform
||

of nothing, which indeed the

new

or creation of a

Hebrew >^^D never means

{v.

BD^.)

heart out of other material in place of the

old heart, views which depend on a misunderstanding of the terms

in Vrss.

but the transformation of the former heart, or mind, of

the nation into a heart of an entirely different character, the

ing of the

or disposition of the nation, over

spirit,

new

mak-

into

an

According to the previous context they

entirely different spirit.

had been stained, soiled, and polluted they were to be made pure
and steadfast, the former in accord with v.^, the latter in accord
with the faithfulness and confidence of v.^
for me^, as J,
not " in me," of (, F, and most Vrss., which is an inexactness
;

of translation, not implying a different text.

away from Thy

presence'^,

worship in Jerusalem,

cf.

42^.

13.

Cast me not

banish from the sacred places

Thy

The

divine Spirit was holy, as

God, requiring His people to be

of

holy Spirit take not away"].

was the presence of the holy

it

holy, not in the sense of ethical

perfection, but in the sense of consecration, a keeping apart from

all

that was impure or defiling, in accordance with the conception

of hoHness in

H and Ez.

where the divine

Spirit

The
is

phr.

is

used elsewhere only

Is. 6^^^- ",

identified with the theophanic angel of

the Presence who led Israel up out of Egypt into the Holy Land.
The people had then grieved Him. The poet conceives that the
same Holy Spirit now dwells in Israel of the Restoration, just as
Hg. 2^ Zc. 4^ conceives of the divine Spirit as standing in their
midst and about to fulfil all divine promises. The poet fears lest

owing to the

guilt of the

their midst, leaving

people the Holy Spirit

them desolate

14.

salvation'], the joy that salvation will

the princely Spirit uphold me], so (3,

produce,

U, 3,

may

depart from

Restore the joy of Thy

in

cf. v.^^.

And with

accord with previous

verse, thinking of the divine Spirit, with the attribute noble, princely,

on account of

its

being the leader and guide of the nation, the

princely representative of the

King Yahweh Himself;

cf.

PBV.,

PSALM

LI.

AV., "Thy free Spirit." This best suits the verb, always used of
God's sustaining His people (j^), RV. and most moderns think
of the spirit of

man

or the nation, the steadfast spirit of

ing the free, voluntary

in songs of praise.

spirit,

15.

will teach transgressors

This line doubtless refers to the transgressors in

still

remain

The
come

had been

after the nation itself

This

a great teaching body.

Nehemiah,

cf. 32^.

unto their

And

is

cf. Is.

42-^

16.

(cf.

will be-

of the times of

repentance from

Deliver

16'*),

affliction of the nation

Thy ways~\'
who might

and ways,

in the spirit

bloodshed], in accordance with usage

Yahweh and withdrawal

Israel,

sinnei-s will return'], in

God Yahweh,

blood in death, the

becom-

purified as a whole.

nation, cordially accepting the divine words

sin,

v.^-

or disposition to serve God, especially

me from

the shedding of

by banishment from

Holy Spirit, reaching its climax in

death, so 01s., Hi., Ba.
but EV*. and most moderns think of
" bloodguiltiness " in accord with v.^, a meaning possible to the
Yahweh], the original
Hebrew word, but not sustained by usage.
of the
;

divine

name

glossator

for "

Elohim," which was intensified by an ancient

my

by adding " God of

salvation,"

making the hne

just

these two words too long.

Str. IV. has a hexastich of three syn. couplets

of two syn. couplets.

17.

My

lips

||

and a

my mouth],

tetrastich

the organs of

speech, thus far used in confession of sin and humble pleading for

now

purification, anxious

of Yahweh,
prayers,

18.
for
ing,

if

He

only

enable them so to do by granting their

and thus open

cf. v.^*'-^*-^^,

For Thou

to declare the praise in public worship

will

delightest not

acceptance of the

ritual

||

worship as expressed in the peace-offer-

characteristic of festivals,

teristic

their lips to this glad service.

takes t no pleasure], syn. terms

and whole

of the ordered worship at

all

burnt-offering, charac-

sacred times.

Such

sacrifices

were easily made, and habitually offered, even while the nation

was most stained with

sacrifices that really

He

did not despise, as

" sacrifices of

God

"

sin, cf.

i^-"^ Ps.

50''"^^.

19-21.

The

He

did the merely external sacrifices, were

" sacrifices of righteousness," v.^\
These

qualifications of the sacrifices

accordance with Dt.

Is.

were acceptable to Yahweh and which

33^^ Ps. 4^.

were both explanatory glosses,

They

in

are not to be regarded as

in antithesis to the ritual sacrifices, as if the sacrifices of

God,

PSALMS

10

He

those which

required, were altogether internal states of soul,

without external expression in

peace-offerings and whole

Those

ritual.

were also

sacrifices

burnt-offerings, consisting especially of

the most costly animals, bullocks^ offered on the divine altar in

Jerusalem; only the external sacrifices were to be offered by a

nation purified from sin, and living righteously in accordance with

Yahweh

the words and ways of

penitent for

all

past

are sacrifices of a broken spirit^

crushed^ by divine discipline,

and indeed by a nation truly

and transgressions. They
made by a broken spirit ; a heart
;

and present

sins

v.^^, cf. Is.

57^^ 66- Pss. 34^^

do good unto Zion\ bestow good things upon

This

the people

needed

from their enemies, and

for safety

honour of Yahweh Himself

pleasure"], a.ccept\ng her

He

steadfast disposition.

His royal

in

now

with a contrite, pure, righteous,

because of a mistaken reference of

it

many have

an unreconcilable antithesis between the Ps. and

essential to the

it is

This

thought,

to the experience of David,

or to a misinterpretation of the previous context, as

rather

the

Thy good

in

might justly deal kindly with her.

not a late addition to the Ps., as

is

city.

which

for

repentance and purifying her; taking de-

light in her sacrifice, offered

verse

her, treat her well.

especially defined as rebuild the ivalls of Jerusalem ^

is

147^

completeness of the

if

this

Str.,

there were

conclusion

and expresses

the historical situation of the poet.

3^.

mn%

Qal imv. pn (/), characteristic of B, but not of It or

npn
and D-'cnn pi. abstr. compassion (^5^).
O'ln'^N] for an original
as throughout B, used by IE.
:i^-^ though in @, 3, is intensification,
Jin]

kindness

{4'*)

\\

making 1. too long. 6>, 3, also intensify in previous 1., (S Kara rb fi^ya eXe6s
0-ov, 3 secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
nnp] Qal imv. (9^) blot out,

as v.ii; with sins elsw. in Qal

Is.

432^ 44^2, Niph. Ps. 109I* Ne.

3^'^,

syn.

''JD33

imv. J D33 vb. Pi. wash, person elsw. only v.^ Je. 2"^'^ 4^*;
'Ji.^'^ vb. Pi.
imv. X nnc), a technical term for ceremonial purification, so v.^ (Qal) by the
Pi.

|1

common

use of hyssop;
r\-:i'\r\']

Kt.

Ges.'^^ff-

Hiph.

r\'i-\7\

5.

n.m. separation

God

in

1//,

article,

final clause

makes

^jn]

present experience,

of

nni as adv. 130^, so

iirl irXeiov,

||

with

-crn

1.

too long, unnecessary

>'\\), cf.

/6*

Is.

59I2.

6.

gl.

3 multum,

has
y^s] Qal impf.

to be preferred to Qr. 37.n abr. Hiph. imv,, Ges.'^gK-.

two tones.

with

in P, but also Je. 33^ Ez. 36*^ 372^ Mai. 3' -f

inf. abs.

qt5'7

^';'N;^^c"l]

i.p.

ri'^]

emphatic

i3

in a state of separation, alone, by oneself ; always

elsw. 71I8 72I8 83!^ 861 136* 148I8.
>r^rr r^^rn n.^i] adj. y>
;

emphatic

';',

phr. of

, Dt.

with impf. as 9!^ 3013 48I*.

4^6 9I8 172 ^129

_j|ic^] conj.
57 t.'
pixn] Qal impf. 2 m. be just, as

PSALM
1^0^

form

T?.3n3]

Qal

a.X.

II

LI.

attracted to form of

inf. cstr.

iKDDtt'3

but , 5,

words of Law, then resembling still more Ps. 19.

njjrn] Qal impf. f [n^r] vb. Qal (i) <^^ clean, pure, of man in the sight of
God Jb. 15I* 25^; (2) be clear, in justice, of God Ps. j/^ Mi. 6II. Pi. viake
Hithp. make oneself
or /5^^/ pure, the (:i):3'7 Ps. 73^^ Pr. 20^, nix Ps. 119^.

Rom.

3* pi. T'"?3t, referring to

clean

Is.

I^^

Rom.

cf.

vcK-^a-ris,

for

omitted in | because of previous :i_.

']t2D^2 as passive, which is improbable.

an original

o needed

(3

Rom.

U, PBV.,

7.

J ^n]

3*,

jN^on]

\M\%.

n.m. (i) sin

31"^

Ho.

1^.

8.

more frequent

{2) guilt of sin v.'^

^jncnj Pi. pf. f [cn^] Pi. elsw. only

reins, but impossible there, as refer,

This form

dark cloud layers

to

is

j5DB., as covered over, concealed, (5 ra AdrjXa,

TrJ

normal

for the

is

^ and

Rabb.

inward

parts,

n.fpl. in Jb. 38'^^ ace. to

r^'^nto]

measure,

12^ Dt. 191^;

103IO Is. 1I8 Dt. 159 2i22 2322.23 2415.

of conception of cattle Gn. 3o4i-^i 31I'' (E).
^jnpn>, cf. Ju. 528 Ges.64

for

also interpret

behold! used in

interj. lo /

early prose but chiefly in poetry, so v.^ 68^^ 78^0 139*, for the
r\v\.

Aram, usage.

so S, G, !F, 3, after

3'*;

which may be

also prefixes Kal,

incerta,

absconditum

JJ

onD^i] is doubtless a gl. explanatory of

U, 3, all attaching to next 1.
mn'i03 Qal ptc. pass. % ano stop up, in Qal and Pi. of stopping wells ; in a higher
sense Dn. 826 \2^-^ (Qal) of shutting up prophetic words, here of the closed
it gives no
chamber of the breast, therefore late. All this is improbable
suitable parall.
Rd. with Hi. mn'i33 abstract pi. nnt03 confidence, security, cf.
Is. 30I5 Jb. 12^; cstr. before r\-oyr\ (S7^^)t the confidence or security that Wis(&,

dom

affords.

9.

purify from sin; elsw. in

Pi. juss.

"'JN'pn.'^]

person, only P; Nu. 191^ (Pi.) Nu. 821

Ez. 4320

t.

t.

the junction of

t.,

all

The

situations evergreen."

plant

this sense, of

(Hithp.); of place

P (Pi.).
t ^^f^f]
by Tristram. " The stem has short,
each leaf. The leaves are oval, of

caper, described

warmer

Ez. Lv. 8I&

house)

recurved spines below

a glossy green, and in

mentioned

is

(altar,

"-m. the hyssop, prob.

K.

5!^;

elsw. in

blood at Passover Ex. 1222 (J), for cleansing of leper

for cleansing from contact with the dead Nu. 196- ^^ (P),

ritual use for sprinkling

Lv, 144- 6. 49.

61. 52 (p-)^

of cleansing from sin here only.

style

Dn.

purify (ethical)

of moral purity
10.

i^^?*^.]

subord., the final n omitted in late

so also with ps'^N Hiph. impf. t p*? vb.

cf.

nnipt'i f^t'r]

10^0.

5^17.

i8_

d-'hSn]

phr. Is. 22^3

is

gl.

and here; Hithp.

I^^

Is.

Nnn] Qal imv.

12.

jS*^

denom. Hiph.

351*^

78^' 112'^.

Pi.

ir'in]

making

imv.

(2) repair, cities

youth Ps. 103^

1.

r^n

51^"

^^.

too long.

is

gl.,

neg. juss. Hiph. with two accents.

cohort.

but ^nn

'S

is

n3-ij

expl. gl.

'n'.;p_

Ex. 3521 (P),

cf.

''^^-

Dn.

clause;

f^Dj

nn]
cf.

3'?

cf. v.^^

Is.

4120

poj Niph. ptc.

|133

l"^,

12^''.

p^,

57^*^ 1082, also

only here in religious sense,

S. ii^*, years La. 521, witnesses Jb. lo^'^;

temple 2 Ch.

''3'}i?3]

be purified
^^' P^-

i^'rl]

Pi. (i) rene^v,

kingdom

Is. 61*,

make white

create in the sense of transform, as

ni:3

firmly established in the religious and moral sense,

of face of ground 104*",

(i)

(2) shew whiteness, become white, of tree Jo.

11^^;

24*-

making

pt't']

''^D?]

^2^
1.

altar 2 Ch. 15^.

expl. gl.

phr. a.X. v.

Hithp. renew,

Hiph. imv.
i^. n^^ij nn] phr.

too long.

14.

13.

''J^'^'f'-'"^^]

is

na^'^'n]

a.X.,

aS 2nj Ex. 355-22 (P) 2 Ch. 29^1, willing, freely

PSALMS

12

(S r]yfxoviK(^, TS principali,

offering oneself;

noble, princely^ so

bloodshed, 01s., Hi., Ba.;

amplification, only

so 3, but

15.

h-jdSn]

one name needed

was substituted by

p.in]

15.

Jf

potenti in the other

most think of blood-guiltiness.

Street.

Pi.

cohort.

measure

for

D'pi]

16.

nyitrn \-i^n

rd. nin% for

apod, of imv. (j^^).

Pi. juss.,

conditional particle due to njnsi Qal cohort.

n'7

pi.

D\nSN]

which q^hSn

18.

;nj,

mng.

abst.

sS] neg.,

apod., which

certainly implies a previous conditional clause.

But this vb. makes 1. too long
and is doubtless an expl. gl.
19. d^h^n] is gl. in both 11.; it puts God in
2d and 3d pers. in same v. "in^r is then cstr. before nn. It is prob. that n^'rj

after ^S

is

an

expl. gl. inserted before the unusual n?-ij.

imv. cohort.
n'^iy]

21.

Dt. if-^

j:d"i

(S,

J, insert

for other

mng.

20.

Iliph.

S"'';'ri

n.m. whole, entire offering, as

jo^.

v.

PSALM

LIL,

STR.

6^

poem of the time of Jeremiah

who worked mischief with his

Ps. 52 is a didactic

ing a crafty noble

n^-'^p^n]

but at expense of measure.

""Jin,

for the unusual %

expl. gl.

is

S. 7^;

(jj^).

(i) denounc-

lying tongue

(v.3-) ; predicting his speedy downfall (v.')

(2) triumphing in
;
the antithesis between the noble's vain trust in his wealth, and

the sure trust of the righteous in

Yahweh

The

(v.^^^").

Ps. con-

cludes with a liturgical gloss (v."*).

"^HY boastest thou of evil,

thou mighty man, all day long ?

Engulfing ruin thou devisest, thy tongue is as a whetted razor

Thou
Thou

'El also will pull thee

He

dost love evil rather than good, lying rather than right;
dost love all devouring words, the deceitful tongue.

will

down, forever

pluck thee up out of thy

He

tent,

will snatch thee away;

and so root thee out of the land of the

living.

'pHEN

the righteous will see

"Behold

(the

But used

to

and revere, and will laugh at him

mighty man) that used not to make (Yahweh) his refuge,
trust in the abundance of his riches, used to be strong
:

in his

(wealth).

As

me,

trust in the

will

am

in the house of (Yahweh) as a luxuriant olive tree;

kindness of (Yahweh) forever and ever.

laud Thee that

52 was a S>i)r^

Ps.
Intr.

^^'T''^

Edomite

to the

house

a clumsy use

view that the

Thou

hast

done

it,

and

I will wait

on Thy name."

W^

Q, and subsequently in 15 and

{v.
had the following historical reference:
^^;"N3
1CNM SiNC'^ 1J11 >c-ixn jNn N^^'a = " When Doeg
came and told Saul,' and said^ unto him, David is come
of Abimelech."
This is based on i S. 229-io, but makes
of the narrative.
This reference was made not with the
Ps. was actually composed at that time; but that it might

26, 27, 32,

'tl'^.V^,

the

for

at

2,3)'
^"^

first

In

in

it

PSALM

LII.

13

be conceived as expressing the emotions of David under those circumstances.

In fact the Ps. in some respects would suit the situation ; but in others not.

Both the internal and the external evidence make such a time of composition
The "ii:3J v.^- ^ refers to a warrior, and evidently, in the context,
But it is easy to think
to a false and wicked one such as Doeg certainly was.
impossible.

Shebna

also of

(Is. 22^^^^-),

Pashhur

2oi'q), Hananiah (Je. 28i'5), or

(Je.

But these were doubtless only representatives of a class

The
constantly appearing in Jewish history and denounced by the prophets.
PJ71 nn v.i^ = Je. ii^^ does not involve dependence on Je., for the simile is
Sanballat (Ne. 6).

an easy one and the use of

not the same.

it is

The

reference to the house of

Yahweh, however, implies either preexilic or postexilic times, when the temple
was the established place of worship. The crafty and lying use of the tongue
denounced in the Ps. is especially prominent in the denunciations of the preThe same is true of the early Restoraexilic prophets, cf. Je. 9^ *i- Mi. 6^^.
tion.
But subsequently falsehood, under Persian influence, assumes a more
ethical character, and is denounced not only for its injurious effects, but for
The language and style favour a preexilic date. The
its own immoral nature.
Ps.

best explained from the time of Jeremiah.

is

Str. I. has a tetrastich of three syn. lines explaining the

and an

antith. syn. couplet.

mighty

man

Some

/]

(Je. 28^

3.

W/iy boastest thou^

noble, a rich and

Shebna

referred to, such as

Hananiah

(Is.

first,

thou

powerful warrior,

is

(Je. 20^"^),

Pashhur

22^^^*^-),

who was indulging in

and impunity in evil. This
was continuous, all day long. An

or Sanballat (Ne. 6),

*'^),

self-confident boasting of his success

was

all

more

the

irritating that it

ancient glossator impatient for the antithesis

attached to the

v.^^,

margin the "kindness," making that "all day long."

sequently

came

the simplicity of the

Vrss.

greatly

movement of thought

differ

here.

4.

explained as a ruin in which one

up, a term of

5^"

pose to ruin them, and

thy tongue

is

it is

He

is

to a razor

which has been whetted

evil

is

Such overwhelming ruin he

has a definite plan and pur-

a.A.,

has a deadly purpose, and so

glossator

The

and

The

engulfed or swallowed

expressed in crafty words of

The tongue
The

and

as a ivhetted razor], phr.

Je. 36^.

as possible.

in its parallelism.

Engulfing ruin'].
falls

38^^ 55^^ 57^.

deviseth against the righteous.

ness.

This sub-

into the text at the expense of the measure,

in order to

it is

make

false wit-

cf.

Ps. 7^^

compared

it

added " working deception,"

as sharp
as loi^,

making the line too long whether referring to the tongue or the
man, whether in apposition or vocative.
The Vrss. differ.

PSALMS

14

Thou dost love\ emphatic

5-6.

The

greater emphasis.

whose

affection

is

on

set

evil

present, repeated in syn. line for

tongue represents an

evil rather

cisely as the evil of lying rather

which

just

is

and

right.

evil

nature,

than goody defined more pre-

than the good of speaking that

The climax

is

reached in all-devouring

up and devour, cf. v."*,

the
deceitful tongue\ as 120^^ in apposition @, S, J, to be preferred
" O thou deceitful tongue " of EV. and most
to the vocative
moderns.
7. *El also"] on His part, as an additional actor,
words whose purpose

is

to swallow

appears unexpectedly to the wicked noble.

was

left in

to indicate the great variety of motions

will pull
shovel pluck

this vainglorious noble.

tion;

sftatch thee

This divine

thee down']

thee

from a firm posicoals from a

up out of thy

of and away from the inmost dwelling, the very

root thee out of the land of the living].

line,

by which God overthrows

away] elsewhere of snatching up

hearth with tongs or

name

Vbs. are heaped up, two in each

the Ps. by 15.

It is

home

tent], out

and

so

extermination, leaving

neither root nor branch behind in the land where only the living
dwell, V.

2"/^^.

Str. II. has a line introducing the

righteous which declare in an antith.

wicked noble, and, in a

words of the triumphant

couplet the trust of the

syn. triplet, the trust of the righteous.

and revere], see the fall of the wicked noble, and revere, in
reverential fear of Yahweh who overthrew him, cf 40^
and will
See

8.

laugh at him], the triumphant laugh of scorn and derision.

is

just as appropriate for the

umphs over His enemies and

Ps.

2*.

9.

Behold

This

Yahweh triYahweh Himself,

people of Yahweh when

theirs, as it is for

the mighty

man], the same person

as in v.';

but J^ and Vrss. by a different pointing of the same consonant

letters, interpret
**

man."

more general and comprehensive

make Yahweh his refuge], frequentative, of

the term as the

used not

to

habitual action

so probably the following vbs. also.

;
EV'., after
J, render "strength " or "stronghold," but improperly, v.
2f.

abundance of his riches]. This noble had great riches as

well as great power, and in these he used to trust, instead of in his
God, as every true Jew should have done.
used to be strong in
in the

his {wealth)] so %,
text.

E, and most moderns, as best suited to congives

the
same form as v.*, which is variously explained
J^

PSALM

LII.

15

But, if correct, it must be interpreted

and we must think of his strengthening
himself in the ruin he has brought on others, building himself up
10. As for me\ emphatic antithesis.
as a
on their ruins.
luxuriant olive tree\ fresh, green, fat, and flourishing in the rich-

by Vrss. and

interpreters.

as their " engulfing ruin,"

est soil

not that the olive tree was in the house of

Yahweh and

man was

therefore especially luxuriant, but that the righteous

compared to such a
His trust was in the kindness of Yahweh, in antithesis with
tree.
the trust of the wicked noble in his riches ; and therefore he would
continue to flourish after the wicked noble had been overthrown
guest there and on that account was to be

with his wealth.

11.

will laud Thee'], the

vow of

public wor-

ship in the temple in thanksgiving, as usual at the conclusion of

that Thou hast done it\ The

theme of the
which Yahweh had done
was
the proud oppressor of the
and I will wait on Thy name] Although phr.
special

Pss.

that

righteous.

Yahweh Himself in
it

of

for the

measure and

ones].

This

is

article.

Sn

npn]

is

But

two words in

of sword.

boast, as 49'^.

much

i'i3^n] vocative, as usual

antith.

margin simply as iDn, from v.^^

to the wickedness of this boaster.

= non

as

6vei.5os

Aram, shame, reproach,

But

all

elsw.

ion as God's.

Houb., Oort, We., Du., as inexactness

Sb,

fact destroy the

trtaSn "^yns]

too

Thy pious

The name is good, benign. The

it.
The name of Yahweh

later insertion in f^, %, to define

Hi., Dy., rd. Sy "ion adv. inf.

V. s^^.

v. is

in the sight of

originally in

Yahweh,

Quinta,

by

interpr.

is

it

gl.,

Vx was a

2oi'^.

no good reason why

Yahweh Himself.

for

dvofxiav, Aq.,

Pr. 1434 Lv.

good

it is

is

of the

as they contemplate

it

referring to the kindness of

But

for

Str.

SVnnn] Hithp. impf. make one's

3.

frequently takes the place of

The remainder

doubtless a gloss.

is

pious so regard
in late usage

Yahweh

other phrases, and there

should not do so here.

with

this

name

yet the

is a.X.,

praise

to

for TDn Sp.

and unsatisfactory. The

nViri] emph. engulfing ruin,

are improbable

measure.

4.

phr. a.X. | nyn n.m., razor ^ as

Is. 720

Ez.

5I.

v^h, v.

y^^,

pnx "^ain] phr. elsw. Ps. 58^. pnx

of Tightness of speech, elsw. Pr. S^ i2i7 16I8, cf. r\p-\s Is. 45^3481 63I Je. 42
Zc.

8^

The

n-iDi na'y]

vb.

is

is

gl.

explan. gl.

making the

1.

fyh^ n.[m.] devouring, elsw. Je.

tempting with Be., Che., to rd. ':'J7*'?2.
a.X.

5.

too long, so Ba.

51**, v. Ps.

nonp

vocative;

Mi.

612.

usual phr.
7^

in such cases.

SN-Dii].

rixn^]

1092 Pr.

-ipty 'S

Two

6"

I'lC'S]

55^'',

6.

j:^3-n3-|]

also vb. 21^^.

phr. a.X. in apposition, not

121^ 2 1 26^8, n^nn

tones are needed.

phr.
It is

Therefore

rd.

'S

Vx

Ps.

i2o2-

OJi as

usual

Qal future |vnj vb. Qal (i) pull down, a structure

PSALMS

Ex. 34I3 (J) Dt.

f +;

(2) a nation Je.

i^'^

^nn:]

here; the jaw teeth of lions Ps. 58^.

i8^ an individual Jb. 19I0, so

Qal impf. f 'irin vb. snaU^ u/>,

coals from hearth Is. 30^*, cf. Pr. 6'^"^ 25^2; here fig. involved.
n^DM] i coord.
Qal impf. f nDj vb. Qal ^ear away, as Pr. 22- 1525; Niph. Dt. 28^^.
nK':^t?*i]
after the impf. expressing result ; f tnv vb. demon. Pi. roo^ out,
1 consec.

Pu. Jb. 31^;

Jb. 31^2;

elsvv.

root Ps.

Soi*^

Is.

27^ Jb. 5^.

Poel

Poal Je. 122; Hiph. also strike

402*;

Is.

8.

attaches koX ipovaiv, which

indeed, but not usually expressed in poetry.

9.

"i^jn] so |^

is

and

implied

all Vrss.;

neg.
vb.
as throughout
d^hSn] original

consec.
emph. change of tense improb.
should be coord, and vb.
Qal
quent. nrr
of

as
with &, Z, Lag.,
but dub.
Oort, Du., Dr., ^DB,, ^^n^ in

his
making too long.
phr.
but certainly a mispointing for
quent.

impf.,

It

4g^.

2vealth, v. 44^^.

11.

but nip with ace.

common
^^TPil

3'ia""'?,

'>

fre-

\n1r13]

why

qpu'

1.

The

frequent.

not with this?

It is

name

r^^p)^]

Yahweh
however not suited

substitution of

for

is

to

and therefore Dy.,

fact this last

Hi., Gr., ^DB., rd. nins, Hu., Oort, NnpN.

heterogeneous clause makes an additional 1. to the Str.

however we may divide the

in'on

fre-

after

freq. de strong; 920.

r'r]

is gl.,

c^;:^;'';']

with other vbs.,

M^

But in

clause,

Gr., Bi., Ba.,

rd.

v.*,

rel.

n*J3^}]

IE.

i-13] original

a.X.,

"ir^-sS]

n^33, v.^.

nin>

for

indeed a double

It is

11.

ijj still later, cf. 792 892^

132^

(=

PSALM

gl.

310

{v. ^j"*)

2 Ch. 6") 145 10.

LIII.

Ps. 53 is an Elohistic edition of Ps. 14, with variations of text

and

editorial changes, all of

which are discussed under Ps.

PSALM
Ps. 54
Josiah.

is

LIV.,

14.

STR. e.

a prayer for national victory in the early days of

(i) Petition to

Yahweh

to save the nation

from

its terri-

enemy may be exterminated,

triumph upon them (v.^""- ^) Glosses assert

ble foreign foes (v.^^*), (2) that the

and the people gaze in

that the

enemy

ignores God

(v.^')

and vow praise and

in the temple (v.^)

YAHWEH, by Thy name save me,

And by Thy might execute judgment for me.
Yahweh, hear my prayer;
Give ear to the words of my mouth
For (proud ones) have risen up against me.
:

And

terrible

ones have sought

my

life.

sacrifice

PSALM

LIV.

T O, Yahweh, Helper to w^/

Yahweh, Upholder of my
Let

evil return to

my

17

life

watchful foe

In Thy faithfulness exterminate {inine enemy)

From all trouble deliver me,
And on mine enemy let mine eye look.

Ps. 54 was a Maskil'm B. It was then taken up into 3^, and received the
assignment nJ''JJ?. It was also taken up into IE. The historical reference
ijd;; nnnOD in N^n hsiivh n:2X"ii Qicnn nu3, refers to the incident mentioned
I

S. 231981-, cf. 26i"i- (v. Intr. 26, 27, 32, 33, 34).

been composed by David at

might

illustrate

this time,

some of the

This Ps. could not have

but the circumstances there referred to

features of the Ps.

a prayer for national

It is

deliverance in peril from enemies; and indeed cxny, powerful, cruel, and
terrible ones, v.*, such as the Babylonians,

37^^ 86^* Is. 13I1 29^.

cf.

The

language and style are of the earlier Pss. of .

worship and

sacrifice, v.^, is

triumph on their enemies,

of Judah were
battle.

The

v.^,

a gloss.

prayer that they might look in

implies a preex. situation, in which the armies

in the field

still

The

The

reference to temple

and might hope

to

overcome

their

enemies in

early years of Josiah best suit this situation.

Str. I. has three syn. couplets, the last giving the reason of the

prayer.

By Thy

3.

The name

name'].

His people and made known

of Yahweh, as

to their enemies,

is

known

to

a saving name,

giving confidence to His people, and invoking fear in their enemies, owing to the
V,

renown of His previous

8913- ^^-^

20^8 3321 446

1053 ^^^io.n.12

historical achievements,

^2^\Thy

exhibited in the putting forth of warlike power,

89".

save

me], as the context shows, by deliverance from ene-

mies in war, implying victory over them

vindicate

might], as

20^ 21^* 80^

v.

my

cause in battle,

v.

\\d\

||

execute judgmentfor me],

The

4.

petition of the

indeed prayer, as expressed in words of my

mouth, oral prayer, which Yahweh is urged to hear give ear to,

previous couplet

is

||

The reason

usual terms in such circumstances, v.

4'^

this petition is

given in this couplet,

proud

original, as

and many codd.

rather than " foreigners,"

^T

5^,

5I

5.

for

ones], the probable

foreign enemies, of most codd. J^ and other Vrss.

defined as terrible ones, such as the Assyrians, Is. 29^,

These are

and Babylonians, Is. 13" Ez. 28''.

have risen tip against me], in war
have
sought my life], to destroy the nation so that it could no longer
have national independence or existence. A glossator, without

1|

regard to the structure of the Ps. as composed of couplets, added

PSALMS

a line to give another characteristic of these enemies, " they do

not set

God

by the

latter passage.

before their eyes,"

cf.

Str. II. has also three syn. couplets.

attention to the wish expressed in

in

v.^.

Helper

to me'],

= 53^, probably influenced

lo* 14^

6.

emphatic

not predicate of VaAwe/i, as Vrss.

apposition to Yahweh, as His characteristic.

One who had been throughout

the

Lo"], calling

introduced by the vocatives

v.^,

but in

Upholder of my

life']

history the sustainer of His

people, maintaining their national existence in every peril and

enemies.

Let

evil return], so Kt., in requital, cf.

against

all

7^^ 94^^,

to be preferred to Qr., (, J, "

as

8^^-^ 28^ 79^^,

3d

subj. in the
is

a prayer to

7.

He will

return," " requite,"

which requires the interpretation of Yahweh as

pers. against the

Him,

in the

2d

uniform usage of

this Ps., which

Such an interpretation is

pers.

indeed forbidden by the syn. imv. exterminate^ otherwise the

from the one person to the other

transition

in a syn. couplet

would be exceedingly abrupt and uncalled for.

In Thy faithfulness].
The usual meaning of the Hebrew word is alone appropriate here

namely, the faithfulness of Yahweh to His people, as

helper and sustainer.

The EV\

which has no propriety in

here described as
V.

my watchfulfoes], who

also in general as inine enemy,

s^
assonance of this Ps. in
;

meaning " truth,"

These enemies of v.^ are

give the unusual

this context.

lie in wait,

make

vow
;

disturbs

the

but was needed

the Ps. appropriate for public worship in later times.

In voluntariness will I

requires, as well as the measure, in place

of the suffix "them," of 5^, Vrss.

8. This
order of the prayer and the structure of the Str.
to

a term of

an insertion which the uniform

sacrifice to Thee], so Vrss.,

AV.,

cf.

PBV.,

expressing the glad, voluntary participation in public sacrifice, cf.

51^*.
RV. " freewill offering," while a possible rendering of the

Hebrew word,
priate

on

is

a specific kind of sacrifice which was only appro-

special occasions,

sacrifice in the temple, or

and not

Thy name, Yahweh, {saying) for

praise, with the Rf. of the
9.

From

at all characteristic of public

indeed appropriate to

He

is

Hallels, v.

it.

/ will laud

good], the oral choral

135^ and

Intr.

35.

all trouble deliver me], continuation of the prayer, the

verb being interpreted as imv.

MT.,

3, 3E, pf. 3 sg., (^, ^, pf. 2 sg.,

are due to the insertion of the gloss

v.,

separating

v.^

from

its

PSALM

19

LV.

Let mine

connection with the imv. v J^

eye look']

The context

of the original Ps. requires the jussive here, as against pf. of

and Vrss., due to the gloss. The eye of Israel hopes to gaze in

triumph upon the enemy, defeated and exterminated,

D^nVs] for an original nin>; also

3.

in long words, with

two

tones, the

first

conj.

prob. originally nnr, as

is

original nin\
latter is

v.3^.

context

due
7.
if

_ o^xny]

as 2712.

Dijj^ d-ihSn

rhyme, and

intt'

is

assonance

gl.

6.

Kt.; 3^^^ Qr., so

8.

form as

is

S;

Du.

cf. Is.

^m]

and

pi.,

if it

is

"_.

13I1

prob. for

is

more

is

subject of clauses

juss.

the

prob. not original,

\1T^']

suited to the

is

P^-

against

contrary to the assonance

suffix is

measure rd. i^^s.

Ho. 14^ of volunteering for mili-

also missing for the

(i) voluntariness of love

n.f.

^o'^-^dnS]

Gr., Ba.,

both

().

3; the former

The

on-'r^fn].

4.

sustentans, imply sg. without 3;

should be

it

V characteristic of Ps. A word

1^3-1^]

nTy] phr. 30^1

(g,

as usual; v. 2^2,

to the Str., lacks the characteristic

1.

'S

vocative in foregoing, the latter

rd. sg. v. j^.

ncN

impairs the assonance in

pi. sf.

\???D3] (3 dvrtXi^/xirTup,

31**:'^]

to penult of

pi. adj., as 373^ 861*,

to the interpretation of

'r\v\^

imv. (75).

onr] marked as dub. by Paseq, was

5.

an extra

N*?] is

doubtless a

the former more probable, only

in

+.

112^

has two tones, as usual

:inni3J3i]

juss. after

and many codd. MT.; so Oort,

the usual prep, with Dip, but the

Rd. therefore
295,

Qal

thrown back from ultima

phr. Pss, 191^ 78^ 138* Dt. 32I

tSj?]

v.'*- ^.

^jr^]

cf.

tary service Ps. iio^, of copious rain 68^, of voluntary offering of sacrifice
j-^, adv. ace. Dt. 23^*;
this

mng. be found here

the accent

is

elsw. d\wd>.ys freeivill offering, in

also.

nnsm] Qal cohort,

retracted before

"^^^

\{/

only 119IO8 unless

isg. expressing resolution;

whether Makkeph

is

used or not

cf. v.*.

nniN] Hiph. impf. cohort, m^, v. Intr. 35, cf. 44^, 99^, 138^ 142^.
nin'] suspicious in 35.
The rhyme does not appear in this v. It is a gl.

Tipc^

52^1.

3^c:"''3] V.

from 2d to 3d
Che.; rd. imv.

even

if

9.

>? is

\j^"'^ri

as Street.

explained as future

as Street,

nNnn

of intervening

gl.

of interp.

juss.
g^.

The
'3;n]

pf.

Qal

^vb'"^]

text has

should be

Ps. 55 is composite.
^^2-3.5-9a^

holy city

flee

(A)

away from

Hiph.

\3';"?\^]

(5,

%, 2d

pf. 3

f.

or pf. of sure future.

is

pf. 3 sg.

pers., so

sg.

sf.

changes

Horsley, Gr.,

not suited to context,

The

original Ps. required,

been changed from imv. and

PSALM
longing to

pers. without sufficient reason

juss.

because

as above.

LV.

prayer for deliverance, with the

the terrible anxiety to a sure refuge

(S) Imprecations upon treacherous foes within the

and upon a treacherous friend (v.i^-isa 21-22. 24a6)^

(v.^^^^^^,

PSALMS

20
Glosses express confidence in
lic

prayer

from battle
/

4. 1G6.

(v.^^),

Yahweh

(v.^^^^*),

and urgent petition

(v.^'-^*^)

(v.-^''),

make vows

of pub-

refer to deliverances

and enlarge upon various features

of the original

S6\

V.2-3.^9a^

A.

r\ GIVE

And

ear,

(Yahweh)

3 STR.
,

to

4^.

my prayer

hide not Thyself from

f//y

supplication.

and answer fne.

am depressed, and I moan in my complaint.
attend to me,

lyrY heart writhes within me,

And terrors have fallen upon me.
Fear comes upon me,
And trembling and shuddering cover me.
pINIONS O that /had!
As a dove / would fly away and settle down,
So I would make afar off my flight.
I would haste away to my place of escape.
B.

"^TITH
For

v.^*-^'-'^-"-''*^

a tempestuous wind,
I

3 STR. 5^

Lord, divide their tongues.

and strife in the city;

they go round about upon

see violence

Day and

night

Trouble and mischief are

in the midst of

the walls thereof.

it,

engulfing ruin in

its

(square)

And oppression and deceit depart not from its square.

JTOR it is not an enemy who reproaches me, I could get away (from him).
It is not he that hateth me that magnifieth himself against me, I could have
hidaen from him.
But thou, a man mine equal, mine associate and my familiar acquaintance!
Together we used to hold sweet counsel, we used to walk in concord.
Let death come treacherously upon them, let them descend alive to Sheol.
J-JE put forth his hands against his confederate he profaned his covenant;
His face was smoother than curds but war was in his mind.
His words were softer than oil, but they were drawn swords.
But, O Thou, (Yahweh), bring them down to the Pit of Sheol.
:

men

Let not

of blood

and

deceit live out half their days.

Ps. 55 was in IB, of the class h>y:^T2, which

not by the present Ps.
It was taken up into

5E,

changed as

it

elsw.

It

was

also in IB2^,

where

is

justified

when

by the original Ps>^

the divine

name was

was assigned nrjjj

(v. Intr.

26, 27, 32, 33, 34). The Ps. has an unusual number of glosses,
(i) V.i^
has nin\ This could not have been in
or in Qii, which follows its sources
in its use of divine names.
The three hours of prayer, v.^^, appear elsw.

Dn. 6" as a

late usage.

a recent battle.

V.^^ belongs with

These verses

all

v.i^.

It

implies deliverance from

come from a Maccabean

the Ps. to the circumstances of his times.

V.'^'^*

editor adapting

belongs also to the same hand,

PSALM
and

it is

probable that he changed

with nrj in the sense of answer, to

V.^

enemies.

v.-,
nj;;

31

LV.
which was an

a couplet of similar tone, and probably

is

earlier marginal gl.

in the sense of humiliation of the

came from him

also.

It expresses,
(2) V.23 has nin> also, and must have been a gl. later than IBi^.
however, a calm confidence in Yahweh which was more characteristic of the
Greek period before the Maccabean trials. V.23 is based on 22^ 66^. The

Aramaic 3n>

an evidence of

also

is

V.^^c is also a trimeter

late date.

gl.,

con-

cluding the Ps. with an expression of trust in Yahweh. After the glosses
have been removed, the Ps. is composite of an early Maskil, v.^-^- ^9< and

Xhe former was a little prayer,

It was doubtless in
The combination
!E, because the original mn*" has been changed to D^n^N.
with the prayer may have been made by 15. The imprecatory Ps. is based in
a later imprecatory

which

Ps.,

v.^^-i^a- 21-22. 24a6^

was apart by

originally

itself,

resembling Ps. 54.

upon the story of the dispersion from Babel Gn. ii^-^ (J) ; in v.^*' on the
Korah and his company Nu. 16^3 (P). The traditional ascription
of the Ps. to David in the time of the treachery of Ahithophel, 2 S. 15, has no
other propriety than that Ahithophel was just such a person as is described
in V. 13-15- 21-22. ]3^t he could hardly have been regarded as the equal of the
king. The reference to Pashhur, Jer. 20, would be more probable, if we could
but this is improbable, and
suppose that the Ps. was composed by Jeremiah
there is no evidence that Pashhur was such an intimate friend as is here
The reference to the walls of the city and its public squares,
described.
v.i*

story of

v.ii"i2^

prevents us from thinking of the times of the restoration previous to

Nehemiah.
there was no

special peril

and

the city

strife in

It

therefore probably a Ps. of the time of

is

itself.

PSALM
Str. I.

2-3

Nehemiah, when

from foreign enemies, but great corruption, violence,

LV. A.

a prayer in a syn. tristich with a synth. line giving

is

2-3.

O give ear O attend to me, and the climax, answer me, are usual terms of petition.
and hide not Thyself ~\^
Yahweh seems to hide His face from His people if He gives no
reason.

j|

response to their prayers

I am

depressed\

when they

are in trouble;

cf.

by paraphrase of (^, PBV., AV., to be preferred to

and most moderns, from a different Hebrew stem, " I am

also

moan'], as

tracted."

weh

v.^**,

my

for leaving

Str. II.
ing.

in

is

5.

#, J, RV.,

to

be preferred to

f^,

RV.,

J^,

restless."

"am

dis-

complaint], plaintive expostulation with Yah-

him

in this condition.

a syn. tetrastich, continuing the description of suffer-

My heart
And

tion.

10^.

brought down in humiliation, as J, favoured

lit.

writhes'], in the pain

terrors]

and anguish of the

situa-

of the consequences which will result if

PSALMS

22

Yahweh does not

The

save him.

due to dittography, and was not

line too long for the measure.

of foreign enemies, as
of rolling stones

The

a reason for the anxiety.

v.^^"^^

down from

specification ''of death

indeed

original, as
is

it

"was

makes the

a pentameter gloss, assigning

and wicked are a

ejte7ny

These dislodge
heights

upon enemies

plurality

a metaphor

trouble'],

in the valley

beneath, or in a siege from walls upon those assailing them.

They

cherish a7iimosity\.

and with

habitually

to anger, take every opportunity of hostile action.

ing]

is

an intensification of fear and trembling.

6.

due

set purpose,

shudder-

These have not

only come upon him, as a dark and gloomy cloud, but cover over,

enveloping and shutting him in from any relief except from his God.
Str. III.

I had],

to escape in any other

dove].

not simply of

flying,

but that he himself

enemy, whose only hope

away], seeking refuge

down], in

safety.

I would lodge

iti

from

it

Je.

thinking

weak

I would fly
and

settle

off], away from the danger of the city.

wilderness], abandoning the metaphor of the

This

is

destroys the measure of the line, and

As a

in clefts of the rocks, Ct. 3^*.

afar
the

is

that

unable

like a dove, too

in flight.

is

bird for that of the traveller, as Je. 9^

context,

is

is

bird.

The poet

line.

a.

He

pifiio?ts].

way than by the wings of a

This belongs to the second

to resist the

7-9

a tetrastich of stairlike advance.

is

the usual formula of the wish.

hasten], syn. with previous lines

PSALM

not suited to the

is

doubtless a gloss

and so

intransitive.

LV. B.

is a pentastich, giving an introductory line of imprecaand the reason for it in a syn. tetrastich.
9 Z). with a tempestuous 7vind], There is here a conflation, due to textual error,
of " stormy wind " and " devouring tempest." All of these words
except "devouring" are attached to previous lines by
and

Str. I.

tion

Vrss. at the expense of measures

and

two
As so connected it represents a wayfarer flying for refuge
from an impending storm, but really it belongs with the next v.
right connection of the

Pss.

as the instrument used

10-12.

by Yahweh

for the

purpose of division.

Lord, divide their tongues], imprecation upon persons

not mentioned as yet, a divine visitation such as that upon the

builders of Babel,

Gn.

ii^"^,

and indeed

in the

same way by a

PSALM
theophanic storm.
wish

now

is

For I

given,

and the

The

was distinctly seen.

LV.

23

The reason

see'].

places are in the

Jerusalem

city'],

the walls thereof], the place of watchful defence

as to say, in

within the city in

enclosing walls and in

its

entirety.

its

violcjice

personified are guilty of preying

it,

II

trouble

and

on the

upon

in the midst

This

public square, a place of public concourse.

it], in its

much

the previous

for

explained as something that

peril is

pubhc

its

is

as

places,

afid strife], these

as

defending

city instead of

and

mischief, efigul/i?ig ruin, oppression

of

deceit],

heaping up epithets, to describe the utter corruption that prevailed in the city, especially

among

rulers

its

ought rather to have defended the city from

Str. II.

is

all

and

soldiers,

who

such things.

a pentastich, with four Hues syn. and the

fifth

synth.

thereto as an imprecation, thus in the reverse order of Str.

on the principle of

inclusion.

foreign, as

neither

me], a personal

For

it is

but the very reverse,

I.

not an enemy],

nor even domestic, he that hateth

v."*^^-^^,

enemy

13-15.

Thou,

a man

mine equal], of Hke estimation, of the same rank and public

esteem as himself

my familiar
course.

mi?ie associate], in close social relations.

Together

meet together

used

to

friendly personal inter-

hold sweet counsel], accustomed to

in the intimacy of a confidential circle

counsel together, and this was

acts of friendliness.
friends "

known by

acquaintance], well

we

PBV., which

is

and take

made sweet by mutual words and

used

to

walk

in concord], (^,

greatly to be preferred to

RV.

U, "as

" with the

throng," thinking of the procession in the temple as 42^, which

meaning has no appropriateness if " the house of God " is

latter

regarded as a gloss, making, as

deed, there

is

no good reason

it

does, the line too long.

In-

Hmiting the walking in concord

for

which would not be suggested

by anything else in this Ps. Such was the man who was at the
bottom of all this trouble, and such were the circumstances under
which he had acted.
who reproaches me]. The man who was
to the walk in temple processions,

not an

and

enemy

acts as an

bitter taunts.

enemy, and makes

He who

did not hate

by making unworthy comparisons with

himself in hostility to his friend.
present and former relations

now

false representations

acts as if he hated,

his equal,

by magnifying

This inconsistency between their

made

it

extremely

difficult to act

PSALMS

24
wisely.

He could get away from an open enemy

hidden

from a man

was pronounced

that

he could have

in his hatred

but what

could he do in this strange situation in which his best friend had

16. Let death come treacherously upon

become his worst enemy?
them\ These are the enemies led by the treacherous friend cf.
;

the personified attributes of wickedness

This

v.^^^'^l

an impre-

is

The wish is that death may beguile them,

cation upon them.
coming upon them when they least expect it, taking them unpreLet them descend alive

pared.

The author

to Sheol~\.

is

thinking

company, Nu. i6*^ (P), who by divine visitation

were swallowed up by an earthquake, and, without the experience
of death, descended living into the gulf and went down to the

Korah and

of

his

cavern of Sheol.

glossator thought

reason for the imprecation

for

evils

needful to append a

it

are in their dwellings\ the

place where the enemies dwell, their houses, the enemies being

same

resident in the
Str. III.

tastich has

22.

an introductory

He put forth

personal violence,

who was
as

it

city as the author.

in a

The pen-

a further description of the false friend.

is

his ha7ids'].
cf. v.^,

21and two syn. couplets.

His reproaches had advanced to

line

and

that against his confederate, the

one

covenant of peace and friendship with him, sealed

was in the times of the Psalmist by the communion meal and

and so he prowhich God,

the joint application of the blood of the victim

faned his covenant\

by the sacrifice, was

guilty of impiety

toward the

God

defiled

it,

as a sacred thing in

also involved,

of the covenant.

and so was

The

false

friend

is

now

de-

scribed in the inconsistency between his words and deeds, his

profession

and

practice.

His face\ so

@, required by

pi.

vb.

better than " his mouth," p|, which has been assimilated to his

The antith. between face and mind is more natural. The

was smoother than curds']. With a round, smiling, beaming

words.
face
face,

he addressed

secret,

his friend

but in his mind, hidden away in

was war^ which he was only waiting

opportunity to wage.

were smooth,

oily,

softer than

flattering

in

oil],

were

for

his

a convenient

words; they

appearance, but in reality they

were drawn swords, sharp, taunting, piercing reproaches.

Str. is

This

interrupted by a gloss which inserts a comforting exhorta-

tion to the afflicted before the imprecation

PSALM
Cast upon Yahweh thy

He

He

and

lot

cf.

might bear

thee'],

This
ter

it

in this

This

however

the

is

lot,

difficult it

it

to

He

that

portion, or way, assigned

may

be.

He

will sustain

enabHng to endure it.

couplet, gnomic in charac-

enforced by an antithetical

is

will not suffer the righteous

to be

moved~\.

enabled to bear their burdens, endure the

endure, and
position.

stand firm under

will

The

forever'].

it,

lot

24.

But,

the Fit

Thou, Yahweh], strong antith.

of Sheol].

The

descend by a violent deed of

ishment in Sheol.
friend described

Let them not

Men

and the

restraint

bring them down

imprecation wishes them to

final

God

They will be
them to

given

not tottering from their

sustaining will go on

from trouble without ceasing.

to

an exhortation

upon Yahweh,

give personal support in the trouble,

He

them.

for

life,

will sustain thee,

22^ 37^;

take up the burden of trouble and cast

one

25

not forever suffer the righteous to be moved.

will

Cast upon Yahweh thy lot\

23.

LV.

into the Pit, the place of pun-

of blood and

deceit],

such as the

above and the treacherous enemies

false

in the city.

This in the original was

live out half their days].
doubdess jussive as the context requires, and not indicative, " will

24 c. But as for me,

not live," as |^, Vrss., because of the gl.
I trust in Thee], certainly a more appropriate conclusion for a
Ps.

used in public worship.

series of glosses

was inserted

v.^^"^

But as for me, imto God will I call, and Yahweh will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon I will make complaint and moan;
And He heard my voice. He ransomed me in peace,
From the battle that I had for with many were they against me.
May 'El hear and answer them, even He that is enthroned of old!
There are no changes for them that fear not God.
:

17-18.

But

of worship.

as for me].

nation speaks here a

vow

call], in supplicatory prayer,

and

The Jewish

unto God will I

this in the syn. line at the

three hours of daily prayer of later

Judaism, evening and mornifig and at noon.

plaint

and moan].

The prayer

is

/ will make

com-

a complaint for the evils expe-

rienced from enemies, and moaning in the pain involved in them.

The prayer
that

is,

is

not dou])tful of

its

Yahweh will save me],

enemies. And he heard my

result,

by giving victory over these

PSALMS

26
This begins a new

voice].

previous

line, as

line,

and should not be attached

a consequence of

its

It refers to a deliverance already

ure.

The peace
it is

is

to

meas-

experienced as a basis

19.

for

ransomed me m peace].
peace from war, the ransom is from enemies ; and

a plea for another act of deliverance.

so

petition, against the

defined, /r^w the battle that

I had\

doubtless in the

Mac-

which the Jews had won the victory, and that

notwithstanding the fact that with many were they agaifist me].
Their enemies had been very numerous. This is therefore a later
cabean wars

in

gl.,

with no original connection with

ancient divine name,

||

He

that

context.

its

20.

^El\

the

of old], the King of

is etithro?ied

enthroned on His heavenly throne, reigning as their king

Israel,

These are poetic expressions which

method of the Maccabean editor. They, with the
answer, were probably a gloss, which the Maccabean
imvs. hear
editor found and adapted to his purpose by interpreting the latter
vb. as from another stem meaning "humble," or "afflict," thinking of the enemy thus as humbled by defeat and slaughter.
The
Vrss. and interpreters find great difficulty with this v.
There are
no changes for them]. The enemies have no changes of fortune
to expect ; they will meet the same defeat in the future as in the
past, because they fear not God],
Only the God-fearing people
may expect salvation and victory.
from the most ancient times.

do not

suit the
||

LV. A.
2.

in IE.

njnNn] Hiph. imv. cohort.,

D|?5?nri]

Hiph. impf.

fnn

wise) Je. 231

Is. 158.

There

is

^n>t']

elsw. Pr. 2329 Jb.

I

vb., cf.

(txt.

v. j^.

d^hSn]

juss. oS;; Ges.^^-^'')^

err.,

Arab, stem,

prob.

-\n^);

mn% as usual
ngno^^s. nns]
Qal Ho. 12^ ( other-

for original

^n:nn]

v.d^o

^i? /o and fro ;

Hiph. Gn. 2']^ show

restlessness (dub.

no certain use of the form in Heb. Here @ has iXvir-^drj^t

contristaius sum, and 3 humiliatus sum, which favour an original ins, as

^DB.).

Hithp.

K.

82"^

sg. sf. Jn^ir

n.m. (i) plaint, complaint, so 64^ 102I 142^

other mngs. dub. in

^
The word should be at the end
^DB., as most, Hiph. cohort, f [21^
(5

t.)

(E).

HD^ns] dub.

elsw. Mi. 212 (of fold

and pasture)

muse 1043*, as
rhyme in "_
show disquietude,

only, (2)

of

1.

for

or D>n]

but Hi., De., Now., Qal be driven about,

by defeat; Lag., Gr., Bu., nrnx, as v.^^;
Du. Niph. nc^HN, as i S. 4^ Ru. i^^ i K. i^^ be in a stir. In all these cases
the form is cohort, and must be given a modal force not easy in the context.
01s., Che., Ba., rd. r\>;z-:i^^, as 77S V'"'cn; Lag., Gr., Bu., Dr., ncns y/7\^r\^
distracted; elsw. Dt. 7^3 discomfit

PSALM
which

is

&

favoured by

this vb.

The

(txt. err. for pifl).

Aramaism

Ps. 66^1,

27

conturbatus^

make

Jf,

cstr. Hi^j; n.f. a.X.

np;?]

4.

irapdxdv^t

the sentence close here, but @,

LV.
v.^^

and

^X^^et5,

gested by 01., Dy., Now.,

pressure^

VPV

Aram, press

that

syn. with

is

Here

tribulationes.

and

of a defectively written np^

makes

Am.

a.X.

2^*

n.f. a.X.

ryp^^^-c

dXlxpeus,

'S

perse-

np;;x,

sug-

but the sense cry of distress suits

'^ip;

think

It is easier to

\r\p\i n.f. distress Is. 8^^ 30^ Pr. i^?;

cstr.

Heb. form easy

for

|^

depend on

best suited to context.

is

not the wicked adversary, but rather the singer of the Ps.

Aram,

39''.

only other form from this stem in Heb.

quentis, interpret npy as np;;iD,

substitution of

Ps.

the subsequent context

for a later scribe.

>jiDt3r^]

the

Qal

impf. t [?f ] vb. Qal cherish animosity against, c. ace. pers., as Gn. 27*1 (J)
(Poem) 50I5 (E) Jb. 16^ 3021. This v. is of different measure from its

4923

context and

an explanatory

is

gl.

emph.

""aS]

5.

terror, poetic word, elsw.

88^6;

</',

previous word, as Che.

longs in the next

measure.

here

rd.

coord.

caligo,

6.

Is.

for

rhyme.

$ nji-is]

of

1.

n.f.

rhjrme.

8.

"'JDDni]

Qal

hd^n

n.f.

niD]

nni- elsw.

"'J'.'^

S-nj]

dittog. of

Ex. 15^^

be-

It

consec. impf. after impf., improb.

(ppUt).

ivish, as

'''?"?fjr"''?]

14'^

"pi<i]

7.

53'^,

n.m. pinions of dove, elsw. eagle

t"^?**]

A new

dove, elsw. 56I 681^.

njbij'xi]

in (g^.

tenebrae, so S, Gr., Che., but

often; not usual in poetry.

1.

Not

i^'^D^^]

was interp. as result of previous movement.

f n-ixVs]
21* Ez. 7I8 Jb. 21^; but ^N-RT.a o-Kiros, nioSx, so 3f

It

shuddering, as

n.f.

for

1.

Ex. 15!^ Dt. 3225.

cf.

pi- |

in position.

impf. descriptive, wr////^ in pain, \Ain, as 77^^97*.

1.,

as Che.,

prosaic

gl.,

as

should close the

Is.

40^1 Ez. 17^.

and not as MT.

at close

coord. Qal cohort. \yD for an original Turz'i, required for

Hiph. impf. pnn (22^^), although not cohort, in form

P''n-jN]

must, between cohortatives of

v.'^- ^, be cohort, in mng.

Prob. the cohort,
ending has been omitted by an early copyist.
mj] Qal inf. cstr. obj. previous vb., which has force of auxiliary or adverb.
It should have sf. for

rhyme
but

in

_.

9.

expectabam

a.X. n.m. ace. obj. escape,

intrans. haste; place

imply

Hiph. cohort,

nc'^ns]

Tpoaedex^M^f

trin

(22^) hasten; so Aq., 9, S, 3,

Ss\^ (S^^^)> so S.
toSop]

Hu., Ba., or ace. direction, taking previous vb. as

of escape. We., Du.; but

>S toSoD Pi. ptc.

nS^nN Hiph.

(17^^),

cf.

144^.

is

rhv (Xib^ovrd

/jlc,

so 5,

F,

most prob.

LV. B.

nyb] a.X. ptc.

n;'D

rushing, as in cognate Syr. and Arab, stems,

dub.; (3 6\iyo\f/vxicLs,
is

improb.;

JnaiD

n.f.

U pusillanimitate

wind

Am. i^* Na. i^. It

83I6 Am. ii*
Jon. i*- 12

S^^^

imv. (2/10^ attached to this

attracted to former, Ges.52(2)n.

ent on
n;;D

nn.

n:pD.

The

as

b^^j- y.^^

ho

prob.

Gr., Hu., Dy., rd.

txt. err.,

variation of

Je. 2319 25^2 3023.

10.

yVa]

{48^^), although pointing of latter

prob. ySa, as 52^, because

it is

depend-

we have conflation here. j?Va '\yo is expl. of

was -i;;d ni"\D. The }d is then instrumental, qualifying

It is prob. that

original

1.

is

^DB., but

n^x, as Is. 51^*, but this

spiritu tempestatis ; Aq., 6, \aL\a'7rii}5ovs.

storm

fnyo n.m. tempest, elsw.

Pi.

spiritus

PSALMS

28

the following vb.

Div^fh jSd >jin]

12.

necessary to complete

its

pxi

cf.

lo'^ 90^"^.

^70;;

Gn.

refer to

measure.

lo^^.

Snp ps]

11.

attached to previous

v. 5^^, rightly

D^'\r\']

1.

phr.,

by

improb. repetition, not in @.

was prob. n^hns. The copyist

^?")i"?3]

A word

It
is, however, needed for measure.
was confused between the two words, and attaching one to this 1. he naturally
used '^':r\\>\ whereas if one were attached to the previous 1. he would have
Hiph. impf. freq. % C'id Qal depart, not in ^. Hiph. trans.
C'"'i?j]
used njnn.

removey not in
id^.

zi.

13.

but intrans. here, as Ex.

i.i'iN'N^]

emph.

33II Na. 3I

132-^

(S takes

in position.

as

it

+.

nr:-\ri

''J5';>n^]
Pi. impf. freq., prob. relative clause.
context favours |^, 3.
the apod, as , only of an implicit, not explicit, prot. as Dr., and not

as

ut sustineam, so

Bii.

The

is

1.

needing

defective,

up the foot

^ir]

conditional; but

N'7

8<'f?<l]

subord.

as truly as syn.

i:p::

1.

going away, betake oneself away^

get away, so 139^ as Gn. 29^; not bear, endure, which is against the syn. vb.
Snjn >Sr] as 35^6 381^. S adds i^iy^ as 411*^, but it makes 1. too long and

^vi here in the sense of

lift

indeed

out of place there.

is

der, row, not in

1/',

nnNi] emph. antith.

14.

-^nu]

n.m. (i) or-

but (2) estimate, valuation, of like estimation with myself,

tl^^^]

only here.

in

adj. (i) tayne, of

animals;

lamb

docile, of

ii^^,

Je.

of

Ps. 144^* (usually as p|^?< thousand') ; (2) of friends, intimates, here as

dux meus
''D'iSn, as
riyefxdjv /xov,
Mi. 7^ Je. 3* 13-I Pr. tS^ \&^ 17^, but

cows

77:-]

15I*.

88^-19.-15.

p^nnj]

Hiph.
denom. be or become suieet ; Qal Ex. \^ Pr. 9^^
mfffmra.
Jb. 2i33, suck Jb. 2420 (?); Hiph. Jb. 20^2, with mD only here.
= either n^x or n>D n. a.X. from n>*D vb. as 5. d^hSn noa] is a gl. of defini<*.^' company, covipanionship, or concord, (5 ^v ofiovoiq., v. nrn
tion.
^*?'i\
16. nicr^] Kt. a.X. pi. [n?p"'r'] n.f. desolation y/2Z'^ improb.,
64', WJ-^ .2^.
Qr. niD ''^i, as @, U, 3 ; ""p*^ Hiph. impf. defective for h^Z'I y/f HV3 beguile,
Ges.'^*(3)k. Niph. be beguiled Is. 191^; Hiph. beguile, c. ace. pers. Gn. 3^^ (J)
49I6 Ob.3- 7 2 K. 191^ = Is. 3710 2 Ch. 321^; sq. S 2 K. i829 = Is. 36"
Je. 379
Ex.

impf.

pi.

as 3112

freq. f

-ik'n]

prosaic

is

gl.

[p'^'^~\

Je. i^^ 29^;

c. S;r

only here, pregnant, implying descent, Ges.^^^^*^.

give the vb. the mng. come upon, which

poetic
Briill

There

sf.

we should

is

prob. paraphrase.

is

a reference to Nu. 16^^.

rd. "iny'?a\

place, elsw. pi. Jb. iS^^, 'd }n<

D";-!!*;]

n. sf.

pi.

6*

IB,

3,

archaic

n.[m.] sojourning

C"'"'^'^]

Gn. 178 28* 36^ 37^ Ex.

"'O"'^;']

therefore that with

It is possible

(P) Ez.

20^^^, 'd

>w

Gn. 47^, 'd n^3 Ps. 119^*. But @, ^, have pi., and it seems
prob. that the form has been attracted to C3i|">3. There are in this v. three

Gn. 47^

's

trimeters,
is

improb.

''p>

and the clause with

It is in , 3, and

>:;

is

It indicates that the entire v. is

is

doubtless a

gl.

17.

The

use of nin^ in 3E

has dtiSn only.

doubtless original, though

gl.

18.

nn^rs] Qal cohort.

T\^v (6^).

coord. Qal impf. also cohort, nrn i^sg^), v. v.^.

ycE'n] 1 consec.
result of prayer ; goes with
makes both impfs. and interof next v.
J^hD^l]

"<

mo

prets
pfs.

as conjunctive

of certainty.

19.

so Gr., Du.,
2-jp]

n.m.

9I8, so Ra., Ki!, EV.,

Jb. 3823 Ec.

nigh. Hi., De., Ba.

We.

These

battle, -war,

vbs. are usually regarded as

as v.22 6831 78^ 144I Zc. 148

Now., Du.; but Vrss. Qal

But the former

is

favoured,

if

the

1.

inf. cstr.

begins here.

aip

draw
D"'3']3]

PSALM
3

Du.,

Now.

is

DJri]

&

conj.

"I

Qal impf.

/cai Tairivd}(Ti aiirois,

an interp. and

4522.22 ju^ 14I9.

We may

sf.

humiliabit

sf.

maiSn]
relays

(^2)

njy answer, as usual after

pi.

eos,

so ^.

But

;?DU'.

The

^nr;"" Pi. nj;\

It really refers to

prob. incorrect.

is

was without

inal

29

iv iroWoh, so
taken as 2 essentiae by Ba., Dr., after S, % ; but
94I6.
"'33^^] against me, as S Trpos i/x^, 3 adversum me, cf. D>;

The
20.

LVI.

the psalmist.

often

The

orig-

% [no'''7n] n.f. change (i) of garment Gn.

528 Jb. iqI", or relief from service Jb. 14I*.

pi.

K.

think of changes of character here in accord with (i) Now., or

of changes of fortune, vicissitudes, in accord with (2) Calv., Dr., Kirk.,

VD>c*] for

21.

didSvai,

i^DiSty ^'''N 41^*^, cf. ^xhxi^ 7^,

in retribuendo, interp. as

pacifica jm^.

"inna S^nJ

butter-words for usual nsipn

Vrss. take D as prep.

Pi. inf. cstr.

v. 5^^.

al.

kv r^J dTro-

recompense {22^^), but

^^^^(l

Qal

be smooth,

-5<rnr;]

curd, curdled milk, not in

which

aX.

a.X. pi. cstr.

but dub., as

most prob.; point therefore nsDnr.

ViQ nrnn from nrn n.f. burning anger,
is

dpyrjs tov irpoaibirov avTov rd.

aizh

d'?'*:'

22.

here); Hiph.

n.f.

\r;^_-o,
|1

possibly here ^cSr;

as 89^^ Mai. 210.

(Ho. lo2 from other stem, so

sf. is

Vrss. as f^; VJ3 is prob. correct, as vb. is pi.

is-;] Qal pf.
t [p-^] vb. <5(? tender, soft: (i) of heart, fearful Is. y-* Je. Si**^ j)t. 20^;
3
2 Ch. 342^; (2) of treacherous words, only
softened, penitent, 2 K. 221^

so

,%,

U, but other

pi.

Pu. be softened Wiih.

here.

n^nnss] a.X.;

Qal
mni

for
Sy.

[nnne]

Hiph. caus. of Qal (i), Jb. 23^^

i^;

drawn sword; why not Qal

n.[f.]

n.m.

2 m.

sf.

lot,

Aramaism, ^^DB.;

(B t7]v ixipijxvdv

qani Qal impf. 33n, as Aq., S, Quinta, Sexta, d-yair-qaeL

Aramaism

But

this vb. also

late

and another evidence of

impf.

fut.

Zc. il^^
cf.

in

ace. rei Ps.

24.

II2^

1.

be original

it is

56

is

caritatem iuam.

'h'^^'??^]

is

Pi^P-

\t^i,

as 66^,

% "ixd]

cf.

121^;

n.f. pit, specif,

(7^^),

ixn-]

gl.

LVI., 4 STR. 6^ RF. 3^

a national prayer for deliverance from enemies

(i) petition that

who

which Ba., Du., rd.

rnc'] v. 7^^.
Qal impf. | rvin vb. denom. "'xn
-y^ n'.33X ""JNi] @ had nin' also,
Is. 3028.
is too short.
Du. adds also inSx, necessary

-\i3

doubtless a

PSALM
Ps.

n.m. shaking, obj.

26^ 59^ 139^^ Pr. 29!^

but

<re,

dub.;

In any case the word

emph. demonst.

nnNi] emphatic change of pers.

^<2^ so halve, divide in half; cf.

but improb. in 35, and even then 1.
if

t^-^.

<tov,

all

support; elsw. ace. pers. Gn. 45^1 5021(E)

X'&ri\

here and 69!^, the Pit of Sheol

la^jN]

Nin]

glossator.

J Si3 vb. Pilp. sustain,

+,

vb. (/o*^).

a^m

OT. only Dt.

ptc. pi. n'lnnss, as

drawing swords 37I*.

23. '^iZ'^'^.'] Hiph. imv. -\^t, cf. 22^ 37^,
mni in 15 evidence that not only this word, but entire v. is a gl.

a.X.

Tl^n^]

pi.

oil Is.

Yahweh

will be gracious because of the

enemy

them and treading them down (v^"*)

(2) that He
will weigh out retribution to them for their crafty lying in wait
for Israel's life (v.^^)
(3) assurance that the enemy will be defeated
is fighting

PSALMS

30

because of Yahweh's attention to His people's troubles (v.^"**)

(4)

promise of votive and thank-offerings for the accomplished

deliverance

Rf.

(v.'^"").

a resolution of boastful song of praise

is

and fearless trust in Yahweh

"DE

(v.^-^^^-^-).

man

gracious unto me, for

doth tread

All day long the fighter presseth

All day long

my

For many are

Most High,

watchful foes do tread

fighting against
in the

day

me down

me

me down

me.

fear,

Unto Thee I trust.

Of Yahweh I boast with a word of song.
In Yahweh do I put my trust withoutfear.

What can flesh do

A LL

unto

mef

day long with words they vex me.

Against

me

For

they gather themselves together

evil

are

all their

plans.
;

they lurk

They watch my footprints,

Even as they wait for my life.

/J

Because of trouble, weigh out to them.

Of Yahweh I boast with a word of song.
In Yahweh do I put my trust withoutfear.
What can flesh do unto me ?
known, I recount them, Yahweh;)

MAKE
My

In the day I
For Yahweh

Thee).
backward.

tears are put (before

Mine enemies

will turn

call, I
is

for

know

it.

me,

Of Yahweh I boast with a word of song.

Of Yahweh I boast with a word of song.
In Yahweh do I put my trust without fear.
What can flesh do unto me ?
PON me is (the obligation of) Thy votive offerings,
1 will pay Thee thank-offerings
For Thou hast delivered my life from death,
feet from being pushed down.
That I may walk before Yahweh

And my
In the

light (of the

Of Yahweh

land) of the living.

I boast with a

In Yahweh do I put

What can flesh

Ps.

my

do unto

word of song.

trust without fear.

me f

56 was in the earlier collection of D^cnsc, then taken up into

and

IE

25, 27, 32). The reference nj3 dts'Sd ini trn^, cf. i S. 27, was
in .
Like all such historical references, it was not designed to indicate the
circumstances of composition, but circumstances illustrating certain features of
{y, Intr.

the Ps.
34).

In IBH

The

Ps.

is

it

received the assignment D-'pm dSn nir-S;? {y. Intr. 33,

4 Str. 6^ with Rf. 3^, which is retained after

ornate, having

PSALM
Strs. I

and

but omitted after

3,

LVI.

and

Strs. 2

4,

31
The

Ps. is a national prayer for

The language and

deliverance from numerous and powerful enemies.

Words

are ancient.
N-iN V.4V.2- 8,

txt.

^- 12,

err.;

n-Jj

Am.

as 57*

nncp

v.'^-

are often repeated:

s- 12,

and

prob.

v.^ a.X. also

ono

v.^,

txt. err.;

""m v.i*

style

v.^-^**,

There are also

ii6*.

as 92^; nna*^ op>, phr. a.X.

much

therefore

is

ovn So

v.^-^,

There are rare words onS v.2- 3, elsw. 351- 1; inb'

nu^ v.'^ as 59* 1408 Is. 54!^; nj v.* a.X. dub., prob.

but more prob. dSd, as 58^; Diinn

116^-^,

onS

8* Ez. 36^;

rare uses of words:

'ixa' y.^'^,

coSs v.^;

v.'^;

v.^S phr. elsw. Jb. 33^0,

-iin

The temple worship

earlier.

with words of song, votive offerings, and thank-offerings,

have been delivered from their enemies, though they are

V.^^

as

is

32'^,

cited

is

in existence,

v.^^- 1^.

The people
The Ps.

in peril.

still

dates therefore from the Babylonian period before the exile.

Str.

I.

lective for the

gaged

2-3.

Be

for man'],

col-

has a syn. tetrastich and an antith. couplet.

gracious unto

me\

usual petition in peril, v.

enemy of

m fighting, v.^

the nation, 9^^^ 10^^ 66^^,

watchful foes, v,^.

||

4^.

fig^^^^\ ^^-

doth tread me down],

repeated in v.^; of the trampling under foot by the victorious

enemy, so %, 3, and other Vrss., as 5 7^, greatly to be preferred to

" swallow me up," EV'., which is based on a Hebrew word of
similar form.
field

presseth me], the pressure of conflict on the battle-

for the context

shows that the fighting was

still

in progress.

The enemy is powerful and numerous, and the danger is great.

O Most High], as J, PBV., AV., is better suited to the context than
adv. " proudly," RV., which, though favoured by many moderns,
is not so well sustained by Hebrew usage, and is not in accord
with the position of the word, which the measure requires should

be

in

1.

extreme

and not

in

peril in battle,

will trust in

1.

4.

when

4.

Yahweh. This leads

with a synth. line of challenge.

word of

in the

day

I fear],

the time of

there was every reason to fear, I yet

to the Rf.,

5.

which

is

a syn. couplet

Of Yahweh I boast with a

we should render "boast,"

song].
Usage requires that
and not " praise," as (g, %, EV^, due to interpreting " word " as
word of promise. While this is possible, it is not suggested by
"
" His word " of
the context.
J^ is not sustained by " my words
of (^ ; but the simple " word " of J is sustained by v.",
J^,
Vrss.
This is most naturally explained as the word of song, as

Dt. 32^^ Pss. 181 452 1373,

cf. Ju. 5^2 Jos. io^2_

The people boast
song of the victory they are assured that Yahweh will eventually
give them.
trust without fear].
The trust in divine help is so

in

PSALMS

32

and sure that the fear natural under the circumstances passed
What can flesh do unto ?ne ?'] Sure
away and no longer existed.
of speedy victory over foes, the poet challenges their power to do
any permanent or real harm. They are but flesh, and therefore
impotent to resist God. In v.^^ "flesh" is changed to "man."
This may have been an intentional variation of Rf., but in view
firm

of the author's style of frequent repetition,

that the variation

is

due

it

is

more probable

an editor.

to the taste of

and a synth. Une of imprecation.

as 3.
The words are those of
" My words " of |i|, (@,
their plans.
those of the author, which might suit
individual, or a group of individuals
The words are threatening words,
and finally into deeds of violence.

Str. II. has a syn. pentastich

6-7.

with words they vex

the enemy, as the plans are

EV'., interpret the words as

a reference of the Ps. to an

but hardly to the nation.

which pass over into plans

The measure

For evil\

and be connected with

is

requires that this should go with

1.

they gather themselves together, as the

purpose of the gathering.

purpose

nie"],

Their activity in carrying out their

graphically described.

evil

They lurk, hiding in ambush

them unawares they watch my

upon the people and take

footprints, every movement that is made, following at my heels
and tracing out my path.
wait for my life'], in the climax.
Their hope is, that they may take the life of the people of God,
to spy

destroy the nation altogether.

8.

Therefore the

Because of trouble weigh out

made

to

them].

final

petition.

The enemies have

As deliverance had
been implored in the previous Str., so here retribution upon the
enemies.
It is hoped that this may be weighed out in the exactness of justice.
The Vrss. differ from J^ in this line, and it is
great trouble for the people of

difficult to

explain any of them.

a copyist's mistake of a single

God.

The

letter,

difficulty originated

from

by which he gave a word

meaning "escape," instead of the word meaning "weigh out."

only way to explain J^ is as interrogatory, " shall they
escape?" EV'., which probably occasioned the insertion of an
" In anger cast down
additional line, making the Str. too long

The

the peoples."
Str. III. has a tristich

and a

synth.

tristich.

composed of syn. couplet, a synth. line,

/ make known]. This emendation

9.

PSALM
seems to explain,

measure

in a

LVI.

33

at least, the

many

different

terms

of J^ and Vrss. This is emphasized by the cognate verb, / recount

them\ namely, the tears of the next line. The i sg. of (^, ^,
" Thou tellest," EV'., " hast
is to be preferred to 2 sg. of

counted," Dr., Kirk.

which

to

is

J^,

My

be preferred to

J^, *'in

the context and simpler.

put

tears are

Thy

So @,

before Thee'].

flask," as better suited to

J^ gives a figure of speech, which

is

indeed striking and touching, especially if in parall. with the next

clause of J^, " are they not in Thy book."
This is as much as to

Yahweh not

say that

produce
the

is

treasured

up

He

which

Orient,

clause

only records in His book of record the

of His people

suiferings

but every tear that these sufferings

in the flask, rather the skin bottle of

uses

an explanatory

is

for

reference to flask, standing alone,

sufferings of

His people makes

overcome, and that they

cf.

p^ 44".

In

it

less

this

last

measure, and the

10.

Mine

Yahweh

to the

probable.

attention of

certain that their enemies will

be compelled to a disastrous

will

day I call^

the

is

The

enemies will turn backward].

But

purpose.

the

gloss, destroying the

I know

it].

As

in

v.*,

be

retreat,

the time of

the time of fear, was also the time of trust, so here

extreme

peril,

the time

when they

call

upon Yahweh

which they know that Yahweh

they implore.

This

is

both unnecessary and

is

emphasized
at the

for help is the very

able to give
in J^

time in

them the deliverance

by the insertion of "

expense of the measure.

lo,"

For Yah-

weh is for me], as PBV., AV., is to be preferred to RV., " that

Yahweh is for me," connecting it with " know " in the same hne
as

its obj.,

which

is

against the measure.

two syn. couplets and a synth. couplet.

13. Ujbon
me], incumbent as a duty, or an assumed obhgation, because of
Str. IV. has

the deliverance granted.

and offered up

in

Thy

votive offerings], sacrifices

accordance with such vows,

22^

cf.

||

vowed
thank-

offerings, sacrifices expressing gratitude for blessings received,

^q14.23^

first

distinguished in code of D.

being pushed down].

of the verb

makes

it

The

14.

phr. cited 116^

is

cf

And my feet from

dub.

But the use

evident that the peril was from thrusts or

pushes of the enemy, which would result in his stumbHng and

ing prostrate in death, unless delivered.

fall-

that I may walk before

Yahweh], in the presence of Yahweh, resident

D

in

His temple in

PSALMS

34
Jerusalem
city,

the city of Jerusalem being conceived as the royal

and the land

of the land of the

in the light

a land rejoicing in the light shining

is

Yahweh's presence

forth from

His land.

as

The Holy Land

living].

in the temple,

and so

is

it

the land

of the living, in which those living by the favour of Yahweh truly

An ancient copyist reduced the line to " light of the living,"
live.

a phr. elsw. Jb. 33^, but it was cited before that mistake was made
The measure
in 116^ as "lands of the living," cf. 27^^ 52^ 142.
requires both words.

cnSx]

2.

Ez. 368, so Ba.

is

gl.,

pant

f\i<v

pf.

making

after, as

1.

too long.

>^']

gl.

191^1 Je. 2^* 146,50

Q^^ i"^pf

Am.

2^8

name

divine

Qal

\Jii^']

^2] thrice repeated, v.^-

V^'?'?']

Ju.

hwKS KaTeTrdrriaiv ny3 conculcavit 7fu ^f\n\:^\l.\.^ e^'j^ Am. 2' (?) 8*
c'^js] coll. antith. God 8^ 920-21, cf. '\t'2 v.^ din v.12._

Du.,Dr.;

rn

The

(5 KipLc.

of interpretation.

6^*.

Cassiodorus, by

rd. Cin^Dip,

D^"^p]

3.

but divide as

It is also

should begin the

inserts

v\}/ov%

Houb.

used of heavenly beings

Dv ona before DO"i

(S^-

usually

so here

ui/'taros,

other cases.

v.* as in

(S^

so

^i^,

ona

1.

squeeze, oppress, as 106*2 Ex. 2220 23^

to Ileb. usage.

the measure requires,

92^ Afost High,

It

Qal

rendering dirb

txt. err.,

meaning is unknown

8- 6.

X Vn*? vb.

<=

i]fj.ipa%

T- A

attach

it

DncD or Dine, which

as ^. (Q^, Eusebius

en;;, should, however,

go with

the height of heaven, 7* lo^

is

di>

18^'^,

altissime, Aq., %,, Quinta, Ki., Calv.,

Bu. gives

Is. 24*.

it

(E)

Aug.,

so

":),

as

but

AV.

adverbial force, with

pride, proudly, as 2, Luther, Geier, Moll., RV., Now., Kirk., with high looks.
is the only example proposed and is dub.
The measure requires
and Most High gives best sense and is better sustained.
4. Dv]

Dr., but this

Dna

in v.*,

with impf. as

v.i", cf.

with

Qal impf. of

ni-'n]

inf. 201"^,

state; but

rd. inf. n-\% capable of

c.

ace. laud, praise.

laudavi.

after ^^n with

a word,

iiraiv^cru},

God, cf.
latter

is

so

Gn.

(^o^y\Q-{]<jovra.i

both interpretations.

a Rf. to be inserted also after

boast of;

time when, graphically conceived as a day.

v.^"

1*.

inserts

nui] @
cf.

V^^n]

'->_2"',

Vip 3^, etc.

makes it prob.
''Jn] emph.

Pi. impf. v.

that

^\

5.

c. 3,

we should

v.^^*- ^2,

as in 44^,

orn ^2 from 44^ and interprets vb. as

both interp. of n^"', 3 as v.^^; 2d ace.

niro] fesh, v. 16^;

for

man

antith.

and the phr. ni:'3 ^o Pss. 652 14521 d^n v.12, which
(J) Je. i
prob. editorial substitution.
1';'] should precede i^'3 for better meas-

7839

6=^

1|

must be taken in the sense of affairs, Ba., Du.; but 3

has serntonibus nnn-', which is most prob.
i^r^] Pi. impf. 3 pi, i.p. X [^xy]
ure.

6.

1^31]

if obj.

vb. hurt, pain, grieve

i^deX^o-crovTo

emph.
1.

which translates

)2';b'<

63IO;

Hiph. idem Ps. 78*0.

j7 106*0 107I8 119163^ but improb.

Pi. vex, as Is.

has

^Sy]

D.-i:3::'nc-'?3] has two beats

ynS] makes
js^^ J^- 6^^ ^^^^ 29^1+.
too long; should go with next in emph. position, which indeed needs it.

mng. sojourn, v. j^; but 3

congregabuntur, so S, E, EV^., from another stem f "^i^ mng. gather together

7.

inir] Qal impf.

11 j

irapoiK-fja-ovatv,

usual

PSALM

LVI.

35

Now., elsw. 59'^ 140^ Is. 54^^ But BBB. after Hi., Ew.,
makes stem = mj with mng. s^ir up strife, quarrel, in all these pasGr., Du., after AE rd. here and in 59* mj'' Qal impf. niJ troop together,

as Ki., Ges., De.,

Di., Ba.,

sages.

mp.

as 94^1, where, however, 01s. rds.

Jb. 14^ Ex. 2^, but Qr. Qal

emph. referring

MT.

same persons.

to

attached to previous vb., but

properly to following in accord with measure.

idea 89^^.

according

"!!?><?]

Kt. Hiph. impf. 3

iJiiJX'']

in either case hide, lurk, spy, as Ps. 10^.

nbiJ'^

nND

La., Bi., rd.

as.

"'^il'i']

pi.,

@ more
-^- but

P^^'^-

nN

as a lion, but

so

nnn]

not in

and the change unnecessary and improb.

8. icS'toVs ?in"S^]
Most who retain the text interpret as a question
is difficult in this context.
but it is certainly abrupt and improb. % has quia millus est salvus in eis =
"idS coSd |'n h';, taking hy = -la^x h-;, cf. 1 19^36^ and ps negative; but this does not
1/'

(22^^ txt. err.),

suit the context.

has

vir^p

nothing and vb. as imv.

The

text

@,

'5,

not for the subsequent

Str.

weigh

with

IB,

px, |^, Aq., S,

^^n

This would be easier were

the other.

imv.

its

as noun,

i^x

but a lame idea.

But that

an interp.

is

gl.

making the

Ew., 01s., Hu., Dy., Now., Du,, change oSd to f d^d vb. denom.

too long.

Pi. (i)

1.

parall.,

Bach., Ba., propose

Quinta, 5,

taking

/x-qdevdi cdjacis auroiJs,

This gives good

certainly corrupt.

is

retaining one,
it

rod

Tiin.

||

out, as 58'^

(2) level, a path, 78^0, as Pr. 426

56- 21 ig.

The

26^.

which should follow favours imv., and d'?d gives a most suitable sense.
9. nj] a.X. Tj n. [m.] sf i %g. wandering BT>B., or possibly agitation, ^tu
vb. move to and fro, v. 11^. But @ ti[\v ^ut^v /xov,
vitam meant, 3 secretiora
mea, % my confession, S ra ivhov /xov, are difficult to explain on the basis of
Rf.

Some simple word with sf. i pi. or coll. sg. is needed tj;:^! having a
mng. suited to the vb. "\dD. Ba., Ecker, think that there is word-play with
but this is dub. Che. suggests ^phjn,
l-iNj, and that |^ is thereby verified
which is certainly an appropriate word, but the derivation of all the texts and

1^.

1|

translations therefrom
vnnn,

Hiph.

from &.

It is easier to start

is difficult.

inf. cstr. m"-, cf.

njn, the same from

If

njj.

This might be

we suppose that nj
which is unknown to

and nnncD have been transposed, the final n of the vb.

This would give us njn, an easy error for
(3, &, would belong to the noun.
njn. In this case the fwiji' of and secretiora of 3 are what is made known
and S interprets it of confession. This would give us a still better word-play,
;

especially if with (&, 3, S,

written, but
is

The

dittog.

plete.

ferred,

337

'ly'v']

cf.

1983.

1.

as in

or

by

@, which has ws
10.

'"'H'^j??]

Qal pf 2 m.

&, so Ew., Hu., Bo., Hi., De.

1.,

but

TI.n:]

most prob.

Str. just this

1.

which has sed non,

possibly book; but

rx] 1^, 3, but not in

too long.

t'Soi)

making
;

1.

too long.

It is

Street.

It

both interpretative

to be prebottle,
is

is

not in

f [n"iBp]

in narratione tua.
nr] |^, 3,

gl.

cf.

tauto-

doubtless a

xSn

interpretative,

all

kv rri ^irayyeKlq. aov,

gl.

is

thy skin

i:?";oD3 x'?n]

nnisD above, or conflation, as

koX, or in 3,

ing to the following

Street

j^s

making the

dittog. of

fully

has a^n'^x at the beginning, making measure com-

but 0^ ^^ ^^ ^^jj^

txt. err.

n.f. a.X.

qijj for "i^nj.

evident that nns was not in original text.

it

MT"' Q^l i^V' cohort, improb., nnir ptc. pass, f

edov, (3,

logical, a defective
gl.

we read

makes

5, V7i"^2D

emph., point-

D-in^N >d]

Srt

PSALMS

36
deSs
if

fJLov

eT atj,

so

quia deus mens

d^hSn stands for original nin>,

which

is

Vrss.

It is

5 has

better suited to context.

tempting to think of

nirT

The

first

13.

^Vy]

This

es.

is

if

cn^N be

the only difference

dittog., as

but @, 3, have dihSn in both

correct

original

but

for me, on my side, espousing ?ny cause,

11. n:n SShn dn-iVnij] bis in |^, , J, all

"h is

lines, so that

is

that in

the variation

is

v.^i*.

dub.

needed to complete the Str., the second is the first 1. of Rf.

emph., incumbent on me as an obligation, as 7II lo^'* 16^ 22^1 37^ 40^

clause

5523 62^ 71^.

is

14.

This

116^^, derived from this Ps.

V, is also in

The

varia-

tions are: (i) nx'7nii68forn'7xn56"; (2) the insertion in ii68ofn;;DT

^y^ rx,
which is a gl. even there, and is not in 56I*; (3) tSjn~nN 1168 is doubtless

original for

vhr\

'hx'y

nSh

of 56^*.

interpretative gl.

is

and abrupt, only

of

should be prefixed, f ['''?"'] n.[m.] stumbling, a.X. these two passages. (4) iShpn
116 for inf. iSnnnS 56^* is an intentional variation.
(5) mn> >jdS 116^ =
D"'n'?N ijdS

56^*;

went

E.

into

D^tnn ^"iN, as

mni

is

certainly original.

(6) D-i^nn nix-^N 116^,

cf.

116 was composed before 56

Ps.

Di>nn

56^*.

-iin

The

was

original

"iin

measure requires.

PSALM

LVII.

(A) a prayer of the community of the Restoration for deliverance from enemies (i) seeking refuge in Yahweh
(v.^)
(2) crying for interposition from heaven (v.^) (3) describing
{B) a national hymn in a later peacethe serious situation (v.^).
Ps. 57 is composite

ful

time

Yahweh

(i) praising

mind and music

(v.^^)

in the

(2) exalting

morning

Him

in the

temple with

to all peoples because of

the manifestations of His kindness and faithfulness (v.'^^^)

Rf. exalts

Him

above heaven and earth

the enemies as fallen into their

A.

own

(v.^ ^-).

The

gloss represents

pit (v.^).

V.^, 3 STR.

4'.

gE gracious to me, Yahweh, be gracious

For

in

Yea,

Thee I take refuge

shadow of Thy wings
;

in the

Till the engulfing ruin

CRY

seek refuge,

be overpast.

to 'El, "Elyon,

To 'El who dealeth bountifully with me.

May He send from heaven to save me,
May He send His kindness and His faithfulness.

AM
I

in the

must

Whose
Whose

midst of lions;

lie

down among

teeth are spears

tongue

is

who consume the sons of mankind,

and arrows,

those

a sharp sword.

PSALM
B,

v.^-^^^,

LVII.

2^

STR. 4^ RF.

37

= PS.

Io8^"^.

O be exalted above the heavens, Yahweh;

And above all the earth be Thy glory.
mind is fixed, Yahweh
With my mind let me sing and let me make melody.
My glory, O wake with the harp.
With the lyre let me waken the dawn.
T ET me praise Thee among the peoples, Adonay,
Let me make melody to Thee among the nations;

TV/TY

For above the heavens

And

unto the skies

is

Thy

Thy

kindness,

faithfulness.

O be exalted above the heavens, Yahweh ;

And above all the earth be Thy glory.
Ps. 57

The

was

from the collection of

in IB

reference m)7D:i

similar cases,

it

SiNtr'-'jfjD in-i33 vi^as

D"'!Dn:3C.

It

did not imply that such was the circumstance of

but that some features of the Ps. might be illustrated.

cave

is

Engedi

was taken up

It

its

^.

into

in 13 (v. Intr. 25, 27, 32).

As

in

origin

doubtful which

is

Adullam i S. 22, or that in the wilderness of

was also taken up into 132^, when it received the

referred to, whether

i

The

S. 24.

Ps.

musical assignment nn'^rn'^N {v. Intr. 2Z, 34)- The Ps. is really composite
A = v.2~^ a prayer for deliverance, 3 Str. 4^, which alone was in IB with the

B = v.^-

'^~^^,

title

an^n;

V.'^,

a pentameter couplet,

Str. 4^
is

tained in the composite Ps.

was

with an introductory and concluding Rf.

a late

gl.

108'"^.

2*.

The second Ps. except v.^ is also conThe use of "'nSs in v.'- - ^^ makes it

and that the combination of the two Pss.

was made in IE, or they may have been separate and adjoining Pss. in IE.
Inasmuch as it
Ps. 108 however uses nin> v.* for ijix 5710, but u>r\hi< v. 2- .
probable that

uses dihSn in

due to a

this Ps.

its

also in 3,

second part, also a Ps. of B, ''J^N was prob. original and nirr
In Ps. 57 the language is that of Q. The unusual

late copyist.

forms are glosses or errors of copyists.

DN^S mispointing
5I.

The

V.^ icj for Sdj , v.* ^i^n gloss, v.^

for "'No'?, D^:pnS mispointing for

mn

c^n^o:);

as

Is.

49^

seems to be the perilous one of the feeble community

of the Restoration before Nehemiah. The enemies are the lesser nations who
took advantage of the unwalled city to keep the people in constant peril and
Ez.

alarm.

situation

Ps. 57^5 is a

use of Sij and 11J3

the earth.
to

morning hymn to be sung, nnr,

v.^.

The poet has

temple with the

all

nations and

all

This Ps. cannot be earher than the Persian period subsequent

Nehemiah, when the people were

The

in the

a wide outlook over

structure of the Ps. with opening

resembles Ps.

in a peaceful

and closing

and happy condition.

Rf., as well as its tone,

8.

PSALM
Str. I. has a syn.

for emphasis, cf.

LVII. A.

gracious] repeated
I ^akc refuge\ a usual term of

and a synth. couplet.

56^

2. B<r

first

in

PSALMS

38
pf.

emphatic present, laying

stress

upon the

act as a fact, then in

impf. representing the action as a continuous activity in the present.

''ti?3 is,

as usual in

Hebrew

poetry, for the personal pro-

and should not be translated, " my soul," EV'., as if

there were any stress upon the activity of the soul as distinguished
In the shadow of Thy wings'], a graphic metafrom the body.
phor for m Thee, of syn. Hne, as if 36^ 63^, referring to the

noun "

I,"

cherubic wings guarding the divine presence.

The people were

ruin be overpast].

in great

////

engulfed by the peril in which they were situated

assured

it

could be only temporary;

In the meanwhile they need

Yahweh.

the engulfing

danger of being

but they were

would eventually pass over.
which can only come from
;

it

relief,

In His presence they are in a place of refuge and

safety, while their

enemies rage

Str. II. has a synth.

and a

in vain.

syn. couplet.

3.

*El, *Efyon'], the

" most High," and the primitive ^Ei; divine names are heaped up
as usual in urgent pleading.

That

is

ptc.

so (3, U,

Aq.,

who

dealeth bountifully with me].

Hebrew

the characteristic of*'*El," as expressed by the

13^ 116' 119^^ greatly to be preferred to J^,

cf.

and most, which render a

slightly varying

verb in an Aramaic

sense possible elsewhere only 138 "completeth for me," inexactly given in EV. " performeth for me " ; only to be explained
by the insertion of " all things," and then not at all easy to understand, especially in this context.

The people invoke

itself;

divine

4.

May He sendfrom

interposition,

and

that

heaven].

from heaven

not here as often theophanic in character, but as defined

in syn. line,

by sending His kindness and His faithfulness].

are personified and conceived as angelic messengers

from Yahweh in heaven,

as 43'^ 85^^"^*, to save

strophe does not state the peril or the enemies.

His people.

An

inserted, probably in the margin, a reference to

that trample

upon me taunt."

These
coming forth
This

ancient scribe
" Those

them

This subsequently crept into the

making the construction of v.*

These two words and their combination are variously
explained by Vrss. and commentators, but with no satisfactory

text at the expense of the measure,

difficult.

This scribe was thinking of such taunts as

which the enemies were constantly making because of the

result in this context.

42^,

apparent

failure of

prayers for divine interposition.

The enemies

are described by the term used in the previous Ps. 56^

^.

PSALM
two syn. couplets.

Str. III. has

LVII.

39

/ am

5.

in the midst of

||

must lie down wit/i']. The people are surrounded by enemies.

They are not besieged by a powerful enemy, but rather the city is

who keep

beset by treacherous foes

the people in constant peril.

This was just the situation of the people of unwalled Jerusalem

These enemies are described

Nehemiah.

prior to

The

of their strength and ferocity.

themselves

riors

tongue

is

their

a sharp sword,

teetk

figure

fore in the previous difficult

hne

left for

It

is

line.

modern

their

most natural there-

to think of their breath as

com-

The

Vrss.

pared with flames that consume the sons of mankind.

ancient and

the war-

and arrows and

are spears

in syn. couplet.

as /ions, because

then

is

differ greatly in their interpretation

of this

EV^

following J^ make the ptc. Qal " that are set on fire,"
then take the " children of men " as in apposition with it,

and
making an awkward construction difficult to explain. Moreover,
the term " sons of mankind " is commonly employed in Hebrew
for those who are afflicted and not for warlike enemies.

PSALM LVIL
Rf. 6

hymn,

B.

12, a syn. couplet at the beginning

as Ps. 8.

text indicates as an object of praise

and adoration,

were connected with the previous context

over enemies, as

is

and close of the

de exalted, Yahweh~\, as the subsequent con-

iS'*^ 21^'*

it

as 113*.

If

it

would be in victory

46" 138^

a syn. pent, couplet, representing the enemies as hunters,

cf. 7^^ 9^^^^-.

It is a gloss,

due

to a misinterpretation of the pre-

vious couplet of Rf.

Snares they prepared for my steps that I might bow down
They dug before me a pit, they fell into its midst.

Snares
their

they

purpose

prepared
that

They dug a

anight

it is

with his feet caught in the snares.

are given, the usual one, " ray soul
refers

it

to internal humiliation,

The first Hne states

The Heb. ""ti^SD is for
person who bows down

pit'].

bow down.

the personal pronoun as usual, and

the

Various other explanations

is

which

bowed down," AV., RV.,

is

unsuited to the context.

The second Hne states the antith. result they fell into its midst].
The enemies had dug the pit for the people of Yahweh, but into it
:

they plunged themselves.

PSALMS

40
Str. I.

57 but not

io8

in

The mind

ure.

J^.

is

firmly set

is

me sing and lei me

let

music in the temple

worship.
in

It

My

8.

mind

fixed\ repeated

is

in

amplification at the cost of the meas-

and resolved

With

to public praise.

mind~\ belongs to the second Hne and not to the previous one.

my

a syn. tetrastich.

is

man,

My

9.

7nake 7nelody~\ with vocal and instrumental

mind expresses

the

his noblest part, as 7^ 16 30^^

O wake with

108I

harp], rouse thyself to the service of public praise

me waken

let

music of temple praise,

the sun appears,

is

said to be aroused

seems

it

With

||

as

the

the lyre

The dawning sun preceded by

dawn].

the

emotion in

religious

its

poetic for the soul, the seat of honour

glory'],

the

When

by that music.

had been summoned by the

if it

morning worship.
two syn. couplets.

Str. II. has

The

the peoples].
ship,

Let me praise Thee among

10.

public praise

to

is

be not only

temple wor-

in

but world-wide, wherever the people of Yahweh are assem-

bled in their synagogues throughout the Dispersion.

above the heavens

seat of

Thy

Yahweh's throne

36^

cf.

is

there

comes from thence

It

is

the

the source of His kindness,

is

mankind, and therefore extends

to

This corresponds with the world-

beneath the heavens.

over

all

wide

praise, as giving the reason for

it.

And unto

of reach up into the heights of the skies,

cf. also

Thy

the skies

This divine attribute extends in

faithfulness], as 36^.

For

11.

Above the heavens

kindness].

vastness

its

85""".

LVII. A.
*

'^'fy?^

radical
n'l-in

Qal Pf 3

is

f-

^'^^ ^- ^^^ for ni^DH Ges.'s. u

Du., rd. n]->byn; change unnecessary,

niyt

Is. 262*^ a>'T

in different relations,
|rS>'

with,

is

bad

with

-\';

fie,

is

]vh'; hi<.

no

only
It

here as

difficult.

562-

3.

Qal ptc;

and date of

^Trtri/iiJo-ai'Ta

1?D

Pi. pf.

np.

always

If subj., the clause

as Ba., Dr.; but

1.

Bi.,

Du. com-

v. j^^;

reason for dependence.

sufficient

-^p'j]

pi.,

but

a similar thought, but

is

Ps.

4.

so |, Aq.; but (5 rbv

ultorem

is

man

must be

subj.
rel.

is

from same stem

Hiph. impf.

"JP"^'""''!]

subordinate expressing purpose, and not with

dub. and

original

Street, Luzzato, Or., Bi., Che., Du., '^CJ deal bountifully

best suited to context

sense.

nvin in

for the original idea.

and there

D^nSx] originally

evepyeTTfiaavrd

in

jhe

n:ir ty] neglect of agreement, sg. vb. with abstr. pi. Ges. 1*6(7);

pares

3.

K6.i-^7,

preserved in the form in order to retract accent to antepenult.

coord.

^dx'iT is

and most

jja'",

''ONt^

is

variously explained

likely of

time when,

incomplete and awkward, especially as closing

(UBBAJjyj

v. _f,

p|nn]

1.

of Str-

PSALM

edoKev els 6viSos, so

enough

in

itself,

the

rd. ^-yn^

^vxvf

iK fxiaov

P-ov

Di^nS] ptc.

But

as a gl. influenced by 562-

it

xoj;^

f]'\n

3.

is

better to

1.

is

defective.

mispointing

dn^';^]

5.

&

appropriate

it

the

still

Ho. 13^+.

lion Gn. 49^ Dt. 3320

(XKijfjLvuv

to

In that case

it.

having fallen out by haplog.

">

best to regard

It is

41

U, 3, S, ^, give a mng.

but without usage to justify

initial

for D-'Xo'? pi.

essentially

LVII.

Kai ipOaaro ttjv

so essentially 5, supply vb. from previous v.

y/ X tonS f Qal d/aze up, Jlame, t\s>-^. tonS t^N flaniing fire 104*,
both dub. prob. Pi. burn, burn up, Dt. 32^2 Pss. 83!^ 97^ io6i^ ; so prob. here,
Pi. ptc.

pi.

with DIN

rather cin

as obj.,

''JJ

the more that

all

of strong enemies.

""Ji

J(

ms

makes the

used of the humble and

ij3 is

ptc. adj. of lions, leonu?n fero-

@ Terapa-yfiivos, U conturbatus, ptc.

cientium, but against mng.;

fying vb., usual rendering for Sr\i or

\r\.

as sg. quali-

^^j- sharp, only

'"^"'D]

sg.;

f.

elsw. Is. 492 Pr. 5* Ez. 5I.

LVII. B.

35^-

v.^2 Rf. at

beginning and end, but

8, cf.

fiD3

vb.

1406.

goes with

it

as 58II 74^ 140^, for idea,

^DVp';']

v.^-12,

graphic and later than the usual

"irpn ^'V'\\ phr. a.X. less

7.

1082-6.

Qal bend low down,

inf.

v.2-5.

pco 9^6 ^jS

Qal

Je. 1822.

cf.

58^ of head.

Is.

not with

nB'-\

t^pr]

pf.

Ptc. pass. D"'C1DD those

Niph. bow oneself Mi. 6^. The pf.

and the enemies pi. and the Qal is elsw.
intrans.
@ KariKafi^pav t7]v ^vx'^v jxov makes it trans, and pi., which may
however be interpretation and not imply a different text. Jf ad incurvandam
r\rv^ ri;]
implies inf. as Is. 58^ and that would explain @ also ; so Street.

bowed down in
3 ms. here

distress Pss. 145 1* 146^,

difficult, for C'DJ is

f.

phr. elsw. 119^^ Je. 1822 (Kt.); n-\3

c.

nmtr Je.

nn

i8'^o, c.

The

Ps. f^.

v. is

8. ^ih |id]] bis.

a pentameter couplet based on Je. i82'^" 22^ and is a gl.
io82. 1^ omits second \>'2l, but it is given in @. It is doubtless amplification.

It

impairs measure, as Street, Che.

MT.

niDTN.

nniy of 57^.

In 1082 (^ has kv

miy

For phr.

cf,

51^2 78^7 w^i,

m^D

closes v, here, but 1082 with

impf. cohort.

rrj 56^rj fxov,

are both gls. of amplification.

sed

invocation to iios for va:, as 16^ 301^ 1082,

'T)"'?'^]

Qal

omitting

first

and

first

gloria mea.

et

nniy] Qal

9.

f|X,

f|N

imv. cohort, "w;

the

i.p.

-\n-^*]

dawn,

v.

7*^,

elsw. 22^

108' 139^; here personified as Ra., Ew., 01s., Hu., Ba, Dr., Du., not ace. of

time at dawn.

10.

^"Tin]

Hiph. cohort., the

from appearing, but context requires

likely to be original.

with

';',

doubtless here

same

essentially the

respects

"i^

with

sf.

making

1.

108^ has dt'^

But 36^ has

1.

2.

'?>'D

and

D"'::r3,

too long and interpretative.

assimilation to

it

108*.

nin^

30!^ 138I, all

a variation in form from same stem, and

gl.,

prevents the cohort, form

sf.

"J7n]

nnriN as measure requires,

as 36^.

the same.

it is

'n"^5J??]

it.

for

|I

tiin,

cf.
'

'?yD is

is

more

usually

loji 1052.
11 is
of 57II; in other

'^';

"injiDN for

omits

"'jnx

cf. 47'^;

ipdx, this latter

Su which

is

certainly a

doubtless original,

n;?

is

PSALMS

42

PSALM
was written

Ps. 58

LVIIL,

in the early

STR. 8^ rf.

2*.

Hebrew monarchy: (i) com-

plaining of unjust rulers for their violence, venomous lying, and

deafness to the pleas of the people (v.^-^) ; (2) describing the

punitive judgment of

Yahweh upon them in several similes,

Yahweh as judge (v/"^ ^^)

cluding with a firm confidence in

con.

gloss expresses the joy of a Maccabean editor in bloody vengeance

(v.").

MAY,

Buf do ye indeed speak justice ?

In equity judge the sons of mankind?
in the mind ye do iniquity
;

In the land ye weigh violence with your hands.

The wicked become estranged from the womb,

Those who speak lies go estray from the belly.

They have poison like a serpent,
They are like a cobra, deaf and stopping his ear,
Which hearkeneth not to the voice of the charmers,
The binder of spells, the exceedingly skilful.
Y-AHWEH doth break down their teeth in their mouth,
Yahweh doth tear down the jaw-teeth of the young lions.
They melt away as water, they flow of themselves.
Are they luxuriant as green grass, so they wither away.
As a snail, that melts away, they go.
Hath fire fallen, they do not behold the sun
Before they perceive it, they become like brambles;
As still living, in hot anger. He sweeps them away in a storm.
Ye sons of mankind, surely there
Surely Yahweh

Ps.

and

is judging

is fruit for

the righteous;

in the land.

58 was originally in the group of o^rrDr, then in B, subsequently in

DE, where it received the musical direction rr\V'r\ ^n {y. Intr.

also in

25, 27, 32,

i^h^

34).

It

has 2 Str. of 8 tetrameters each, with introductory

and concluding couplets, which, while varying in detail, are yet of the nature
of Rfs., cf. Pss. 8, 57. The language and style are primitive and difficult.
It
is rich in antique similes and expressions.
The Ps. complains of unjust rulers
in

the style of

retributive

the preexilic prophets, and

judgment of Yahweh.

The

Ps.

is

expresses confidence

in

the

doubtless one of the oldest in

the Psalter.

Str. I. has an introductory syn. couplet in form of a question,

which receives a negative answer in four syn. couplets. This is of

the nature of a Rf., beginning the Ps. as a corresponding Rf.

PSALM
closes

it.

Do

2.

LVIII.

43

The

ye indeed speak justice 7^

question

addressed, as the context shows, to the rulers of the people,

The couplet

equity judge ?

In the

differ.

first

Text and Vrss.

not easy to render.

is

is

in

||

Une the same Hebrew consonants with varying

That which

vowels give four different interpretations.

is

here

the interpretation of (^, J, taking the word D7i^ as

adv. emphasizing more strongly the initial " indeed " ; so JPSV,

preferred

"Do

is

But J^, followed by most moderns,

form as an unusual word, " in silence," RV., in

ye in very deed."

interprets the

Ki. interprets as Aram, word

accordance with the thought of v.^
" band," so Calv., PBV., AV., " congregation." Many moderns
interpret as

still

of mankind'].

rulers, as 82^-^.

another word, "gods," for

Those judged,

as

most moderns,

sons

referring, accord-

common people. But (, J, EV'.,

were the antithetical term, " sons of

ing to usage of the term, to the

interpret as the rulers, as

men."

3.

if it

Nay],
A strong asseveration in negative reply to
These rulers were the very reverse of what they

the question.

ought to be.

in

the mind~\, mentally, their secret resolution in

antith. to the execution of their purpose.

with your
scales

The hands

ha7ids'\.

and balances, and thus

in the land,

and also

as weighing out

what they are

to

This should have been in accordance with the

deliver to others.

conception of justice

be questioned.
4.

are graphically conceived as using

In

Becofne estranged

just, equal, right

fact,
||

it

measure, which could not

was the reverse

go estray], that

justice, the practice of equity.

from

is,

the

weigh

violence.

from the principles of

womb

||

from

the belly\

so soon as they are born, they at once begin to stray from right to

wrong.

This does not

refer, as

older interpreters thought, to the

impulses of original sin or innate depravity ; but specifically to the

wicked in antith. to the " righteous," v.-^^. They begin the practice

The wicked

of their wickedness in their earliest youth.

especially judges

Those

who

speak

lies']

the later and higher ethical sense that the

but in the early sense,

lies

not

as such

lie

as injurious, such as

of the oppressors.

5-6.

ous in their violence and

common

is

wicked
acts of

and lying decisions

people, and in favour

They have poison].

lies,

are here

general, in

accompany

violence, false witness before the judges, or false

by the judges themselves against the

lies in

and so they are

They
iike

are

venoma

a serpent

||

PSALMS

44

cobra], an especially venomous kind of serpent, which adds to its

venom another dangerous characteristic, that it cannot be charmed

by

The binder of

the charfners.

spells,

accustomed

skilful,

expert in

all

to

Though

other serpents, can do nothing with this one.

the arts of the charmer, he utterly

charm

all

exceedingly
fails.

This

So these wicked judges are so

intent upon violence to the people and injurious lies, that no
pleading, no arguments, however just and right, no influence
whatever, can prevent them from executing their wicked will.
cobra

is

deaf, stopping his ear.

an

Str. II. is
les

judges.

Jaw

antistr.,

7.

teeth'],

having a syn. couplet, then

divine

the

describing

six syn. simi-

judgment coming upon the wicked

Yahweh doth break down

their teeth

so (@ interpreting the vbs. as pfs.,

vbs. as impfs., describing the

judgment

itself;

||

tear

down

the

and the subsequent

which is to be pre-

and the subsequent vbs. as jussives, imprecating the divine judgment, as MT. and most Vrss.
The wicked rulers are first compared io young
and interpreters.
Their teeth are all broken down to make them harmless.
lions.
8. They melt away as water].
Water is a frequent simile of
instability and weakness.
So here the first simile compares the
judges to water melting away. So weak are they and unstable
that they need no one to make them unstable
they floiv of themselves, of their own inherent weakness and instability.
Are they
luxuriant as green grass]. The second simile compares them to
green grass, which is the common symbol of rapid growth and
speedy withering away, cf. 37- 90^ But J^, by the wrong attachferred to taking the vbs. as imvs.,

ment of a single letter to the previous instead of the following

word, changed the former to the vb. " tread," and the latter to the
word "

his arrow,"

and so got a phrase

bow," which cannot be explained

An archer, aiming his arrows, even

for the usual " tread the

satisfactorily in this context.

if

their points are broken,

is

not a good simile of weakness from the point of view of the context.

The

grass

short duration

"cut off"

is

is

luxuriant

enough

in its growth, but

so these judges wither away.

it

has a

The rendering

Hebrew word cognate to

meaning " wither " but no other

a possible translation of a

that rendered above in the usual

example of such a meaning can be found.

off to the arrows, as

Some

refer the cutting

AV., RV., others to the wicked judges, as

PBV.

9.

As a snail\

PSALM

LVIII.

so most

moderns

45
^, S, U,

after ^T; but

Arab, "wax," and other Vrss. various other renderings, making

the

But whatever the thing

meaning exceedingly dubious.

it melts away, so the wicked

rulers go.

be, as

the reference
along.

the

is

Hath

fire

to the slimy track

it

If

leaves behind

fire fallen^ they do not behold the

of the divine anger

the lightning

be the

it

it

sun\

as

may
snail,

moves

it

so (^, ^, F,

suddenly descends

from heaven upon these wicked judges, they are instantaneously

consumed, never more

will

This

they see the sunlight.

accord with the subsequent context, and the

common

such visitations in the OT. and the Koran.

is

in

reference to

But MT., J,

influ-

enced probably by Jb. 3^^ Ec. 6^, by different vowel points with
the same Hebrew text, get " an untimely birth of a woman " ; but
find difficulty in the tense

and number of the

vb., as is evident

from the various renderings of Vrss. and commentators.

The

propriety of comparing such strong vigorous enemies with a pre-

mature birth of a child already dead, and never

questioned.

10.

Before they perceive

it,

really ahve,

may be

they become like thorns'].

This continues the thought of the suddenness of the divine

tion.

The wicked

are taken unawares

visita-

before they perceive

it,

comes upon them, and they are consumed by it like dry

thorns.
The text has been made difficult by an early copyist,
before (^, making a misconnection of two letters, attaching them
to the previous word as the suffix " your," when they belong to the
following word as prep, "like."
A variant gloss to thorns also
made it possible to think of a kindred word "pots," and so the
the

fire

interpretation arose

" before

your pots perceived the thorns,"

which conceives of pots containing

kindled to

make

fire

flesh

placed above thorns

with which to cook a meal.

Before these

comes upon them. With this

interpretation the subsequent line, which contains the principal
clause, must be made to correspond, and here still greater difficulty arises.
Several words must be given meanings, possible in
themselves, but not justified by Hebrew usage. The simple meaning, giving every word its well-attested usage, is in accord with

pots are at

all

heated, the judgment

the previous context

as

still living,

while in the

full

vigour of

so (, %, 2, as Nu. 16^; in hot anger, the heat of the divine

anger, syn. with the " fire " above ; He sweeps them away in a

life,

PSALMS

46

storm of wind and rain or

s/orm'], the

accompanying the fire

11. TAe righteous

hail

of lightning, as usual in such divine visitations.

when he

will be glad

upon

the righteous in looking

vengeance,

is

too long.

enemies suffering under divine

their

Maccabean age, when

makes the Str. just these lines

especially characteristic of the

was inserted as a

this V.

This gratification of

beholdeih vengeance'].

gloss.

It

His feel he will wash

in the blood of the

wicked]

an

is

expression of vengeful feehngs against foreign enemies in war, and

so contrary to the theme of the Ps., which has to do with wicked

The

mind

Maccabean.
Ye sons of mankind]^ vocative, as
12. This is the closing Rf.
in accordance with v.^.
It has been misinterpreted in J^ and
rulers in Israel.

attitude of

distinctly

is

Vrss. as subj. of the verb " shall say," at

first

introduced into the

in poetry, afterwards

understood as usual

and so destroying

text,

surely\ emphatic

the similarity of the two Rfs.

expression of

assurance and certainty of the divine interposition in behalf of the

righteous^ the people.

They have fruit

is

judging the

equity, but oppress the people of the land,

and undertakes Himself

ment of their enemies.

poses,

2.

DJDNn]

interrog. n with

adv.

Yahweh

do not judge

rulers

Yahweh Himself

their vindication

J'?'<

their righteous-

is

successful.

in

inter-

and the punish-

(Vl^^) always

interrog. verily,

2 Ch. 6i8; without n Gn. i8i3 (J).

fo^^] n.[m.] silence 56^ (title) and here. Dr. "in dumbness," after Aq.,

truly, indeed, so

that

end be unprofitable, but

land].
Though the wicked

ness will not in the

but (5 &pa, as

Ges.;

adv., not elsw.

Houb.

Nu.

;/',

22^"^

(E)

v.^^j

]^,

K.

oSn

not suited to the context.

congregation -^/oSn bind, not elsw.

v.*.

u/i^ue

jj,

but Gn. 28^^ 48^^ Ex. 9!^ -f

= n^Mt =

d^h

l>ul,

so

DIN

we should have

\33]

V. 8^,

i-itflDcn

band ; Ki.,
Bibl. Heb.

If judges

emph. answer

cnVw
82!-

Ii"^51P]

Pi- impf. 3 pi.

in assonance at close of

, is

Ham., AV., PBV.,

Calv., Ains.,

1.,

as

archaic
iidSdp,

jiS>'5n,

sons of mankind, the judges over against God, so , 3,

Luther, PBV.; but ^, Pe., Ba., Dr., Du., most moderns,

of vb.

indeed, strong

This gives good sense.

dSx Lowth., Dathe, Street, 01., De., Ew., Dy., Gr., Ba., i5DB., as

ending

S^^

were referred

to question,

cf.

to,

44^.

^^n

''J3

3';'3]

mankind

would be more suitable.

in mind, in themselves,

as obj.
3.

p|k]

them-

to

&

takes
resolution and purpose, antith. to v\Na in the land.
both rhyy and Dcn as ace. after vb., so Dr., Ba., Du. Many think 3S3 not
selves, their secret

appropriate to context.
but 3^3 noN

is

The

common.

secret is better antith.

use of 3S3 by itself in this sense

to

v-\N3.

But

?^, (5, 3,

^,

all

is

not usual,

Du.
have same

Ba. suggests ddSd all of you, after

Sb.

tjVs

text.

in

PSALM

LVIII.

47

D3n> DJjn] violence ofyour hands, so Aq., S, S. But (5, 5, 9, Quinta, tS), all
make ddh abs. It is not necessary, however, to suppose with Ba. that they
took DDn^ as subj. of vb. and that they rd. TlDSon, for they would render

poScn Dcn in the same way if they regarded DDn> as 2d subj., as Sip 3^; cf.
Kinj] emph. in position,
131 56^ with your hands. This is the best interp.
not on the earth or on earth.
in the land, in their administration of justice

attached to the

It is

archaic ending,
27I8 for

Je.

n2i]

3r3

but

2oi*-i6.

@, however,

it.

ncn before

r,

= nasi.

||

both

ipn,

rd.

>3p.

rd. pf. ^XdX;<rav,

140*

Ps.

cf.

irnj is gl.

a.X.

aK)N>]

ttv?]

so v.^-^-i^.

^DB., TristramNH. 271

f.

not in

(5.

"^^^omous ser-

glsw. pi^a Dt. 3288 Is. ii^ Jb.

connection with serpent; form elsw.

Hiph.

juss., cf. Dr.^''^- obs.^

clause Dr. " that stoppeth his ear."

rel.

5^

similitude, used here adverbially, as Is. 13^ Ez. 23^^.

adj. fli?a/ a.X. in

Ho.

needed,

is

with ? of possession,

stronger form of prep,

28^.

d^J3

sf.

^o^^ra,

^r-^n]

vsn

Cf. vb.

on?

3 m. mi, as ins

pf.

"iDS-nnn] heat of poison, as Dt. 322*- ^,

n.f. likeness,

Cf.

Another beat

p.

m.

tiD^on] Pi. impf. 3

5.

archaic

niDi]
Id?] archaic
pent, perhaps

lost

second in %.

(S, to

and not qualifying

subj. of vb.,

''dS

%,

nt] only here for nr Qal

4.

with prep.

i.p.

loqtientes.

Jb. 6*.

in

1.

Ko.^-"^, become estranged.

"IN3,

nrnn]

aorists.

first

56^.

v.

the

has koL

^vo^ia-rjs

38^*.

being

j^ss^ force

rh

cSra

natural, esp. as t Diox vb. elsw. always ptc. Qal

6. "UTn]
either active Is. 33^^ Pr. 172s 2ii3, or pass. Ez. 40I6 41I6.26 i k. 6*.
airrrji

This

is

more

Dirri';^D] Pi. ptc. pi. a.X.

and explaining Dv3ni cin.
whisperers, charmers, ^rh, v. 41^', cf. rnS serpent charming Is. 3^ Ec. lO^^.
Dnan "^5"^] tie magic knots (v. RS.J^h. xiv. 1885. p.i23)^ vb. only used with cog-

rel.

referring to the

]r\B

nate ace. Dt. 18^1 in this sense.

% "^^^ vb. elsw. Pu. de allied Ps. 94^^,

joined

t "'^D n.[m.] (i) company, association. Ho. 6^ Pr. 21^ 25^;

D^nc] Pu. ptc.
elsw. Dt. iS^^ cf. Is. 479-12 of Babylonian magic.

together 122^.

(2) spell,
only here and Pr. 30^* learned, skilled {v. /p*).

may add

the kindred | 33n adj. skilful

On. 418 (E) Ex.

7II

(P) 1^4425

religious sense) 49^1 107*^.

"onn] Qal imv. Din vb.

poetic

sf.

for

the use of

"^d.

!5,

it

was

to nin\

"'hSn]

and

elsw. in

for original

v"nj.]

C^^.

5^0

n'^^nSc]

though

y\f

rx\7\>,

name

i^

We

magicians

wise (ethical and

as usual in IE.

this is better suited to v.^^.

n^ySpp Jo.

a.X. for

defective.

class of

break down, here only of

rhythm, in both nouns for usual D_.

suspicious in
less

{y. 11^).

is

1.

man, one of the

Je. 50^5 5167;

7.

(Q gives both vbs. as Pfs.

teeth.

is

The

'id"']

archaic

Characteristic of the Ps.

Pr. 30^* Jb. 291^.

needed

nin'>] is

Doubtchanged to Din^x in 35, and then subsequently back

1DNQ>] Niph. impf. either juss. or indicative t [dn^] vb. Niph.
in (S.

divine

is

for

measure.

originally nn-',

8.

flow, run, elsw. Jb. 7^ regarded as variation of DDa vb. melt, dissolve {22^^),

probably both

fully written

with previous vb. and not

Ges.ii^-

arrows

of themselves.
for rb^ov (3,

suited to context.
'h^tn^,

cf. iSd>.

forms from noa melt (6^).

rel.

arcum

clause.

ixn "nii:]

3, na'p

Rd. with

Bi.,

n^xn^ 372, also go^.

idS]

i^^nri:]

phr. elsw. only 64*.

Tn

in apposition

ethical dative with vb. of

ixn

motion

Kt., vxn

Qr.

an abrupt transition, not

which is favoured by vb.

71^ ii2 27!*;

Che., We.,

The

of

"y^^sn,

tn^ prob. goes with

n^xn

and we

PSALMS

48
should rd.

m>

Qal impf.

same stem in Ar. is used

and iSSbn> is Hithp. of
favoured by a.aQev'f\(Tov<nv ; and not of
5^ Niph. Gn. 17^^ and Hithp. only here cut

vb. a.\. Heb.; but the

n-}'\^

of herbage, de abundant, luxuriant ; then ICD

VVo vb.
t

(3 ^ws ov,

off.

as

wither, fade,

37-,

vb. Qal circumcise Jos.

\^^-'^'\

donee, interpret the vb. as final clause, disregarding iro.

'ri^^r] a.X. traditional

9.

rendering snail as ST

beeswax, Aq. 7'7S evrepov earthxvorm,

Dpn]

a.X. n. (

^ DDc)

Hiph. impf. 2 m.
usual

t::..,

= so,

melting away, dub.

39^2

nD:o fj<f to flow, dissolve.

as 91^ Je.'g^^ Jb. 1420 16^ 2o26 (6

t.

but

%,

/cT7p6s,

5J,

Arab.

S x'^P'O''* AE. ryf^t; ffood.

^g have the form C73 Dpnj

vermis,

i*?!?.!]

Qal impf.

in all), cf.

fuller

form

iSnn Ps. 73^ Ex.

for
928,

and 3 take it as pi.

iSnx Jb. i622 238. "iVn^ here as iSnn^ v.8.
^^^ ''??]
3 ^w<7Ji abortivum mulieris and Aq., 2, 0, ^. f ^P.). n.m. untimely birth, as
3I*'
Eg. 6^, but dub. on ace. of late date of these two uses. @ has iir^Treae
Jb.
so

TTvp

to the

so

trs '?Dij

Dt. 21^1

S. 28"^.

wicked

rrs

U.

SS,

is

usually taken as variant form of r\^H as

pi.

3 m., most naturally as in other vbs. refers

V, Aq., S, PBV., the

so (5, S,

Qal

''fn"'^^]

pf. for

But 3, RV.,

the impf.

and prob. MT. interpret it as rel. clause with the previous ho: coll., influenced
prob. by Jb. 3^^ Ec. 6^. The context on the whole favours .
10. D3''nn"'D]
is difficult, both in the form itself and in the sf. 2 pi.
It is against the context which gives always 3 pers.
However the sf. 2 pi. is in &, 3 ; and
even makes sf. with vb. "m>2'* 2 pi. against
and other Vrss. Most moderns

think of X n-p I. n.m. pot, (i) used for boiling, Ex. i63 (P) Je. i^^ Ez. ii^
;
loS^o ; (3) in sanctuary Je. $2^^ Zc. 1420
But
(2) for washing, Ps. 60^0
.
e, F, 3, E, 2, all follow f^P II., (i) ^orn, pi. d>i^d. Is. 34I8 Ho. 2^

Ec. 7 Na.

has

have

io(?);

an^D

pi.
pi.

f.

(2) Aooi, pi. nn>D,

not valid

is

for there is

in (i) as well as in (2), or

as in the other.

We

15- 1^.

The

The

42.

objection that thorn elsw.

no sound reason why

indeed

"i-'D

sg. in

it

should not also

the one

word

as well

should prob. rd. 123 m-'D, and prob. nn^D was originally

only a marginal variation of

Ju. 91*-

Am.

vb.

ij>3^

fc^

is

n.m. bramble, buckthorn, as Gn.

501*^-11

never used for perception through touching

inanimate things, and this weighs strongly against the usual modern interp.,
" before your pots can feel the thorns,'' AV., RV. 3 crescant, 2 av^yiBQiaiv,

"n 'Cf ]. ""n is taken by those who think of the pot hanging over
burning brambles, as living, fresh brambles, so Ges., Ew., Hu., 01., Pe.; but
there is no other example of such a use.
So pin is taken in antith. for burn-

so 5r rd. pD\

ing brambles, but

Now.,

this has

refer >n to the

no

justification in usage.

raw flesh

in the pot, as

Others, De., Ri., Che., Ba.,

S. 2^^ Lv. 1310-

1*. 16. I8

(P).

most natural to interpret "-n idd as living, so , U, 3, in ^Gurra 2,

cf. Nu. i680, where the rebellious go down alive into the pit of Sheol.
|nn"iDD] has dxrei ^i; 6/37^, 3 quasi in ira.
Both had i::d, but interpreted
|nn as instrumental ace. This suggests however, as Ba., that original reading
But

it is

may have been iD3.

1^7;^;] Qal. impf. strong sf. ijrtr Q^aX, storm away, only
here in ^, but Niph. v. jc^.
11. % D|1j] a.X. 1/', but Ez. 24^+; the vengeance
taken by Yahweh upon His wicked enemies. (S adds dae^Qv which is interpretative, not in 3.

vnpo]

his feet or footsteps, so 2, 3,

Z,

cf.

57^.

has

PSALM

LIX.

49

coord. Qal impf., cf. Dix >J3 v.^, which we

12. D'^vS npsM]
XeTpas, so U, 5.
would expect here. i&, 3, had mx mankind in general. But iDNii is prosaic
and suspicious; we would expect vocative as v.^. It is prob. gl. and Dis "ja
^^^'^N]
6 Qeh<i, % Deus ; if so, not predicate, but for an
the original.
If DiSn is to be read in v.^, it would
Ba. interprets as pi. gods.
original nin\
i

be probable here.

Hex.

The

is

sf.

It

is

indeed favoured by

sometimes used with

may be

was a

D^tOD'i',

although

B of

DiDOiff^

*f-^.

LIX., 2 STR. 12^ RF. 4^

national prayer in the early Restoration

deliverance from bloodthirsty enemies,

who without

have broken their treaties and are prepared to attack

ing with an invocation to
(2)

d\-iVn in

But (^ Kpivuv avroiis

and misunderstood in MT.

2 S.

interpretative as often,

PSALM
Ps. 59

pi., cf.

Yahweh

to

awake and

(i) for

justification

Israel, conclud-

visit

them

(v.^"^).

Petition for kindness to the people and the unpitying defeat

and destruction
hood, and pride

Yahweh's

of their enemies, because of their cursing, false;

concluding with the wish for the extension of

rule to the ends of the earth (v."").

Rf. describes the

enemies as greedy dogs, running about the environs of the city in

snarling packs (v.^^^), concluding with a

Yahweh, the High Tower

of the
(v.^),

enemy

(v.^),

(v.^^ ^^)

their greed (v.^^),

and the thanksgiving

vow

of public praise of

Glosses emphasize the falseness

Yahweh's derision

of

them

of the people (v.^^).

pROM mine enemies, O my God, deliver me

From them that rise up against me, set me on
From the workers of trouble, deliver me ;
And from men of blood, save tne.
For lo, they lurk for my life

high

Strong ones gather together, without transgression oimine;

They run up, without sin of mine ;

They station themselves, without

O awake to meet me and see,
Thou, Yahweh, Sabaoth

iniquity of mine.

arise to visit the nations

Be not gracious

to all the treacherous troublers.

They snarl again and again like a dog.

They go round about the city in the evening.

My Strength, unto Thee I will make melody

For Thou, Yahweh, art my High Tower.
jyjAY my God come to meet me with His kindness!
May Yahweh let me look upon my watchful foes!

PSALMS

50
Do

not (have compassion),

they forget.

lest

Make them wander up and down by Thine

O my

Bring them down,

shield

army,

my

sovereign Lord,

Bring them to punishment for the sin of their mouth,

The

iniquity of the

And

let

And

it

word of their lips.

them be taken in their pride.
Because of the cursing, and because of the lying which they speak,
Consume (in Thy wrath) that they be no more.
shall

be known that

it

the

is

Ruler to the ends of the earth.

They snarl again and again
They go round about the

God

like

of Jacob,

a dog.

city in the evening.

My

Strength, unto Thee I will make melody ;

For Thou, Yahweh, art my High Tower.

was one of the D^Dnac, then in S, afterward

Ps. 59

to the situation in the

When

IB.

it

life

was taken up

into

Qi^

it

was assigned

The

in !5.

nonTN nncn

of David, ir.iDnS

reference

hvAV nVc'j, was in

rendering nntrn'SN, as

for

25, 27, 32, 33, 34). The reference to the story of David's
escape by night from the messengers of Saul, i S. 19^ <i-, only illustrates in small
57

58

{tJ-

Intr.

The

part the situation in the Ps.

position to the time of David.

in the life of David.

the cddd::,

all

is

It is

editor

In

fact,

had no thought of assigning

a national Ps. of a

ornate in

style,

having 2

much

it

for later liturgical use.

818; V.5 ijj^3> as

Nu. 2i27

is,

V.^ 'DDipnD as

^^u. y

The

later date.

with Rf.

12^,

Str.

antique in language and style, and exceedingly

adapt

com-

its

the Ps. does not reflect any situation

difficult.

Ps., like

It is also

4^.

Glosses

i^. 17
v.^-

v.* niJ> as 56'^; ov;?, cf.

\f\

^y^y^ nin> as 24I0,

cf. %o^- 20

84^;

\\\^

>nj3

words ancient, implying violation of covenant relations

v.12 in);>j,-i, cf. Nu. 32^3 (j) 2 S. 152^; God as shield, as 3* 7" + ; v.i3 rnsj in
sense of pride, as Is. 16^ Je. 48-^ Zp. 2^+ ; nSs as lo'^; v.i* app 'hSn as 20-.
phr. a.X., but separate

The language throughout

)D-.

from

In the glosses
2"*

is

v.^ Sxnc'^

early.

So

also the frequent use of archaic

\nVN phr. of

E of Hex.,

cf.

69";

s?

gives evidence of date of gloss, but not of original Ps.

It is possible

that v.12 contains a reference to the story of Cain in Gn. 4^2 (j)^ ^ut

means

certain.

The

wicked individuals

Ps. is evidently a national one.

but nations,

who have

sf.

as a citation

it is

The enemies

by no

are not

treacherously violated treaties, v.^

therefore not the great world powers, but the neighbouring nations, kindred

with

Israel.

They

are described in Rf.

about, not in the city but outside the

to

go

forth, v.^-

15.

They

as cruel,

city,

are not besieging

greedy dogs,

round about
it

it,

who wander

making

it

perilous

with armies, but besetting

marauding bands, who lurk with bloodthirsty

intent, \.^.

The

it

with

situation

is

indeed similar to that of Ps. 9-10, the situation of the inhabitants of Jerusalem
beset by unfriendly neighbours just before Nehemiah.
Str. I. has three tetrastichs, the first syn.

syn. couplets, the second synth. to the

first

the second of two

the third in which

PSALM
lines

I,

LIX.

51

are syn., but 2 synth. to

3, 4,

repeated for emphasis in

v.^

2-3.

i.

me on

syn. with set

me\

Deliver

htgJi], Hterally in

an inaccessible place, but probably without that specific meaning

here ; and save me'], the more general and comprehensive term.

The

peril is

from enemies, which are described as them that

rise

up against me], in war, as if ; workers of trouble], the mischiefs

and sorrows of petty warfare (cf. 5^ 6^ 14''+) ; c^^d men of blood],
They are
bloodthirsty men, bent on bloodshed, cf. 26^ 55^'* +
-

further described

still

v."*

as strong ones],

18^^,

cf.

too strong for

the people to resist successfully without divine help

who

treacherous troublers], those

v.^:

and

finally,

working of trouble

in their

have treacherously violated their covenant, or treaty with the

people

their natural neighbours

and

allies

and yet

Moabites and Ammonites, really their worst

like the old

They

foes.

are

indeed nations, not the great nations, the world powers, Assyria,

who could not be

Babylonia, or Egypt,

thus described

but the

lesser nations, the treacherous neighbours of Israel, in the early

Restoration,

on

when

the feeble

The

4-5.

for

activity of the

community of Jerusalem had

an unwalled and unprotected

as best they could in

enemies

is

vividly described

cf.

lo^

gather

together],

assemble in bands for a predatory excursion,

cf.

up], for an attack, as

themselves]

18^.

stand and prepare for the

is

transgression, sin,

They

station

final assault,

cf.

The enemies had no

gression of mine].

This

They run

56^

without

3''.

with their neighbours.

cf.

arise],

f.

6.

for help

help, as 25^^,

These neighbours had the

imperative.

sole guilt in

for divine interposition,

The purpose

see], the serious situation;

is

to

35^^ 44^^

meet me],

to visit,

for

with pun-

cHmax be not gracious], implying the

name is appropriate in this appeal for warYahweh Sabaoth, the title of Yahweh as the

divine

like interference

The

covenant relations

from apparent sleep or indifference,

is

and

The

faithful to all their

awake], earnest plea

ishment, as 89^; with the

reverse.

trans-

cause for their

just

of innocence as comprehensive and strong as possible.

the matter.

take a

emphasized by the use of three terms for sin

and iniquity, in order to make the affirmation

people had in fact been

The need

they lurk

wild beasts, hiding in ambush, waiting for an

fny life], as

opportunity to strike a deadly blow,

hostihty.

to get

city.

PSALMS

52

God

of the

dynasty,

cf.

of Israel,

array

battle

24^^.

pense of the measure by adding "

72i

God

the

editor has

later

God

of the

intensified

it

of Israel,"

cf.

Davidic

at the

ex-

41" 68^

69^

io6^.

The first

Rfr.

again

like

couplet

a dog].

is

synth.

7 = 15.

The enemies

are

They snarl again and

compared to the half wild

dogs of the Orient, which are the scavengers of the

by day and

East, prowling about the environs

and which do not

night,

helpless, cf. 22^^

hesitate to prey

K. 14"

They

K. 9^.

round about

again, as they go

not in the streets of the

upon the

of the

feeble

by
and

snarl because they are

They do

angry and ready to snap at their prey.

cities

in the streets

again and

it

the city], the environs of the city;

some render, thinking of

city, as

in the city itself in hostility to the righteous,

context and entire conception of the Ps.

which

In

is

evil-doers

against the

the eve7iing\ that

As the shades of night begin to fall, these dogs

appear with the shadows and begin their prowling expeditions.
The word properly belongs with the second line, as the measure
and parall. require. A prosaic editor made the couplet into a
prose sentence and put the words in the order of prose, as not
is,

every evening.

infrequently elsewhere in the Psalter.

The two

8.

larging

The

on the

couplets of the Rf. are interrupted by glosses en-

simile of the

as to their

cf.

dog

is

abandoned, and the enemies are described

wicked speech.

which are on
pierce,

Lo, they pour forth with their mouth].

situation.

swords are

their lips are

For who

can so speak with impunity,

is

is

often in poetry,

enemies has as

lo^"^-

hearitig?].

It is

42^

it

its

is

They

think that they

God

of

only another form of the

It is usual to prefix the

not expressed.

The scorn
antith.

mockest at all the nations

9.

Verily

of the people of

word

is

is

a citation from

an adaption to

Thou, Yahweh,

Yahweh by

Yahweh's scorn of them.

as well as the subsequent line,

vA

The words

which cut and

This or some syn. word must be understood, but here, as

laughest at them].

with

to swords

for they conceive that the

not hearing or caring.

scornful challenge of

" say."

in their lips].

These are enemies of another kind than those of

57^

the original Ps.

Israel

compared

their

This, indeed,
2*,

except that

this Ps. to

correspond

PSALM

LIX.

53

10 = 18 is the second couplet of Rf., separated from the first

My Strength^ Yahweh is the strength
couplet by the glosses.
of His people for defence against their enemies, and so virtually a
my High Tower], the
stronghold, cf. 28^ 46^ 84*^ 118" 140^

place whither

Yahweh

46^-^^ 48^* 62^-^ 94-^ 144^.

In

EV.

of copula, 3d. pers., as

second

His people up on high, as

Hfts

but as

here and (

pers., as the previous syn. line requires.

The

melody].

66*+.

So

" unto thee

v.^^

usual

and

will I

vow of

here

public worship, as

also.

5^,

v.^,

Yahweh

this last clause

cf 9^ 18^

is

not subj.

v.^^,

syn. with

/ will make

9^^

27^ 30^ 47^

3, give here the variant,

(f^,

watch," or " keep guard."

But the variation

due

to a copyist's mistake of a single letter similar in sound,

this

one mistake caused

all

is

and

the variations and difficulties in J^

and Vrss.
Str. II. has three synth. tetrastichs.

11.

May

7?iy

God come

and Vrss. greatly differ as

meet me with His kindness].
"
between " God " and " my God," and " God of my kindness
to

and "of His kindness," but the translation given above is best
RV., as usual, adheres too slavishly to 5^. The invosustained.
cation resumes that which closed the previous Str. v.^
look upon], in triumph, seeing

throw,

cf.

54^ 112^ 118'.

12.

them

Do

prostrate in defeat

Let me
and over-

not have compassion on them].

This emendation, proposed by G. Baur and adopted by several

scholars,

is

in accord with v.

and most

An

ancient copyist, by misreading

meaning, " slay them not." This

T\
is

for

suitable to the context.

2,

gave the antithetical

contrary to the subsequent

context and has occasioned endless

difficulties, which J^ and Vrss.

sought to remove by various insertions and explanations, none of

which yield good sense.

to these nations, which,

would speedily forget

it

if

lest they

and renew

my people

" as the subj.

in compassion,

their depredations.

But owing

became necessary to think of

of " forget," and this was indeed inserted

to the mistake above referred to,

"

forget], most naturally refers

Yahweh spared them

it

whereas (^, answering the question as to what they were in

;
danger of forgetting, inserted " Thy law." The line is complete

in 5^

without either of them.

Make them wander up and down],

in

confusion after defeat, and possibly with the sense of staggering

from severe blows.

by thine army].

Most think of an army of

PSALMS

54

it is quite possible to think of the army of

army of Yahweh, as i lo'^, cf. Jo. 2^, in accordance with
meaning of Sabaoth, i S. 17^^ Ps. 24^^
Bring them

angels, cf. 35* ^ but

Israel as the

the original

down^ by
them.
of Ps.

a humiliating overthrow, a defeat that will prostrate

Shield\ so (!5, in accordance with context and usage

changed by inexactness into "our shield," in ?^, J, cf.
7ny

my sovereign Lord\
belongs
meaning, and
measure. 13. for
of
28'+.

18^

3^

their

the sin

its

word of their

mouth

lying

is

issues

its

mouth

The

||

iniquity of the

usual parallel iniquity, the omisdifficulty to Vrss.

which the mouth commits

word
it

here retains

The

differ greatly in their translations.

that

is

conveys when

its

by an early copyist, has made

who

iniquity of the

and

Sin has as

lips~\.

sion of which,
interpreters,

the

The term

to previous line to complete

really

original

from the Ups.

This

false witness

defined as cursing,

is

which they speak, and as connected

The

in speech.

word of

the iniquity which the

and

sin of

vi\\h

pride or haughti-

missing in the first line, which was probably the

verb cognate to the noun " sin," so similar in form that the copyist
ness.

verb

is

inadvertently omitted

then has

its

it,

namely

bring them

to punish7nent~\.

counterpart in the closing line

own

probably in the sense of entrapped in the snare of their

rather than taken captive in war, a usage

cf. 9^^

Heb.

Lit.,

but not found in

emphasis by glossator, making

y\i.

This

them be taken\

let

common

words,

in other

Consu?ne'], repeated for

14.

line too long

///

Thy

wrath'], the

heat of the divine anger excited against them because of their

that

conduct above described.

they be

no more\ cease to

utterly perish, as a result of this divine interposition.

shall be
in

known],

indef. subj.

rendered best

accordance with the extent of

That which

the earth.

which

the order of

(,

order of J^

that

wrought

He

this

this

thus

is

doubtless

judgment.

God

more

22^

is,

in

A7id

the ends of
accordance with
:

cf.

20- 46^

^-

who has

As sovereign lord of Jacob

66"^

89^ 103^^

Glosses again interpose between the couplets of the

16.

They wander up and do7vn

ment of the
ing.

to

devour].

simile of the dogs, giving the

If they are

it

by passive;

original than the prosaic

of Jacob,

Ruler].

also has universal rule, cf.

knowledge, to

made known

is

it is the

in English

evil

exist,

This

is

Rf.

an enlarge-

purpose of their prowl-

not satisfied], a condition involving a negative

PSALM
answer.

LIX.

55

U, 3, Aq.,

they growl'], so (3,

"grudge," PBV., AV.,

cf.

MT.,

accordance with context and the nature of the dogs.

in

lowed

by RV., "

slavishly

tarry

all

word, differing only in vowel points,

unsuited to

is

morning "
that both are glosses from different

usual justification of the latter from the antithesis with

of

v.^'' is

shattered on the fact

hands.

This verse

17.

two syn. couplets

is

an amplification of

I will si?ig

Tower, as

v.^^,

and place of refuge

in the day I have trouble], as

more general and

is

less

The

temple

Yahweh

which one

to

102^.

worship

in public

in the

many.

in antithesis with a night of peril, as

*'

a tetrastich of

v.^^,

I will ring out],

||

morning worship

in the morning, the time of

fol-

Hebrew
context.
The

night," from a similar

not

a High

is

as 142^,

flees,

situation of this glossator

perilous than that of the author of

the Ps.
2-3.

\?

Hiph. imv.

''J^''?'!']

renders the same

may
sg.

which may stand

D1|~>,

and not

elsw.

But
by both Greek words, and the variation

an original

for

sf.

"'0^?:?]

nin^.

""J-

the subsequent vbs.

o-'N, so

Mr.

rd. n^j; attack -nj), (5 iiridevro,

gl.

of interp.

% fortissimi.
shortened for t^d

A copyist

"Attack

D^^y] pi.

nSj.

gl.,

as Ba.

It

''

of next word.

impf. 3

pi.

makes

1.

The

parantur.
assonance.

first

^"^^Ip':]

sip

gl.
is

ones, as iS^^

(7^'').

cf.

the

doubtless a

gl.

6.

^S^ varia-

i.v^n

Nu.

absorbed

11x7;]

2i27,

^jjisn

prae-

for parall.

1.

Qal

coord, with

take a stand,

belongs in previous

v. 2^^^.

cf. v.^^

for syn.

1.

|'i>?"''^3]

ijiy,

rhyme, with two tones.

and

niN3X a^nSs nin>] an impos-

of variation of reading, and ^^rh^

ms^s

nin>, as

Kirk.

72I8 106*8; is here

^&>f^ phr. of IS, elsw. in ^p 68^ 69^ doxologies 411*
of intensification. The original 1. was niNOX nini nnx.
d-iuh-Sd] so 0,

'^5<Tf:

3,

too strong for

suspicious, as in all

5.

Rd. prob.

stands for an original nin>; so that the text once stood

pi. sf.

but 3, E, Ges.,

Mighty

rwr\<\ is

err. for av), station oneself,

of these vbs.

is

is

rtm of armed men 18^ ; followed by

inf. cstr.

mni

combination,

for

1.

too long.

24^ Hithp. VP^

Pr.

cf.

Kare^dvpa (a

Is. 54!^.

sible

goes to end of

archaic ending,

upn:,

for

i/i^s:

It

z.^\.

"

This belongs in previous

tion of vh\ thus three great terms for sin are used.

in

but

Dr., Ba., others, dm*; with strength,

reduced the two lines to prose.

doubtless

Pss. of IE;

is

>'?J7

Kparaiol,

"i^Jire'sS]

parall.

Hithp. ptc.

up against me. , J, insert conj.; prob. interp.

has two beats for measure. The four verbs v.2-8
and it is prob. that originally they were all at end of 1.

De., JPSV., congregantur, best suited to context.

ti?

sg. i.p., so

''?5N"''7Pp]

The word

nir] V.36' ; AE, Dr., Kau.,

4.

have different words:

Jf,

Phis favours a copyist's assimilation.

so 17", those rising

original.

are in assonance in

Heb. words

(7^), also v.^

therefore be simply for better style.

6 Ge6s,
I

Sxj

i^eXov, erue ; v.^ pvcrai, libera.

striking here

to next

1.

r^N

prob. Sd was introduced from later point of view as suited

^"!p-S^] phr. a.X.,

0, i, ps

>S>'i3

as

v.^.

| can only be under-

PSALMS

$6
stood as pregnant for px

more

1^ as the

nants.

impf. 3

pi.

/Aey return

we

if

have been there before.

But there

The

and

again

again.

25^.

'73, cf.

7 = 15

normal

its

nothing of

is

implies treachery in cove-

It

be preferred.

give this vb.

not suit the idea of the Rf.

freq.,

nja

'S>'d

difficult is to

force,

growl 79DB., snarl Dr.,

before i^^iDi

yi*'

59^1 of bears, Ez.

cf. Is.

and

this in context,

The

misses the construction, as do, after them, most moderns,

the previous vb., therefore

Qal

oic'"']

does

it

vb. has auxiliary force, again, and, as impf.

Qal. impf. after nvj'\

-icn-;]

Rf.

implying that they

of doves.

conj. of

nm

0,

J[,

^gT ;

vb., v.

2^25] goes with

incorrect interpretation, although

is

in (5, 3.
The first 1. is too long and the second too short, ^y^ has been
removed by prosaic copyist from the second 1. to the first. It separates the

principal vb. from

(79^)

This vb.

2*.

J>'Sri]

10

18 Rf.

codd.

MT.

as

v.*.

It

gl.

pi.

archaic form

has no good sense.

iny strength {8^)

Rd. with

>3_Jt:'!?

||

(5,

it

in

2*.

as (10V) pnz'^

given as an interp. of

it.

and some
n-;crN] Qal impf.

3, ^, Dr., Kirk.,

so Rf.

(9^^')

from

Gl.

icS'pnt'n]

nm*'] not suited to 15.

is

9.

;72J

describes

It

has nothing to correspond with

has two poetic accents.

but for \d^ of 2* d^j'^d*?

j;'S> 2*,

nj:]

Mjp

is

D"i\";;\^Dt:':3]

nnNi] was taken from

pr?'] Hiph. impf. 3

8.

not suited to the previous context.

is

another kind of enemy and

the second Rf.

auxiliary.

its

pour forth.

v.^8.

have the same text here as ?^, yet 5 has

the same vb. in both passages, so Houb., Kenn., Street, 01s., Bi., Gr., Ba., Dr.
It is improbable that the Rf. would differ.
Furthermore, ^n is not suited to
noK' (/.?*), and although Sn is with -\;:t (7-'*) elsvv. only v.^^, it is just as suitcohort,

i.p.

n-^^pjK v.i^;

able here as there, and

for original rnn\

iuov,

though

is

(5, jl,

a frequent variant with

has tu deus here, but 3d pers.

11.

"npn ^n'^s] Kt.

/iou

t6 eXc6s

iiov

*?

after other vbs.

D'^hSn]

where it has 6 9c6s

The context demands 2d pers.

agrees with |^ here, but not in

v.^^.

v.^^,

non ""hSn Qr., 0, 6 0e6s fxav rd fXeos ayrou, but v.^^ 6 GcAs
3 v.^^ dei mei misericordia, v.^^ dfus misericordia mea.

These do not sustain >rh\< as cstr., which gives a phr. a.X. improb. in itself.
>iDn is sustained by v.^^ (MT., , 3), and is indeed required by the context.
But v.ii is entirely different a subj. is needed for >jm|">\ In v.^^ the phr. is
;

at the close of Ps. after Rf.

Rf.

is

sufficiently

in \P-

long without

If so, the copyist found

non

it.

it

\nVN, unless

we may suppose

change to assimilate the word to its context.

guide, and we should rd. ^iDn ""nSN, as Dr.
12.

with

pi. is inconsistent

On

Di'^Lin"SN]

tory explanation has been given of the text, though

G. Baur., Now., propose ocnnn, which

satisfactory except that

tur populi mei,

Graeco scriptum

est

/iij

sf. is

Qal

unnecessary.

tuae

sed in

it

is

''d;?

in3tt'''"jD]

LXX.

et in

<rov,

from

a later

is

is

juss.

No

v. 11.

the best

with

sf.

satisfac-

sustained by Vrss.

accord with ?nn-Sx

is in

iron iiriXddwvrai rod vbfwv

legis

that ^'Dn

the whole (S

Gr. would change this latter.

v.^*.

The

begins the second part of the Ps.

It is therefore a txt. err. in v.^^

v.^,

and most

ne forte obliviscanJerome Epist. 33 " In

Hebraeo non habet populi

are both
of |^, 3, and i.Tiin of
The subj. of ^T\yv^ is the
interpretations of the vb. without subj. and obj.

tui std. populi vieiy

enemies as

9^8,

It is

probable that

and the whole

is

a single

>::y

1.,

r\yv> |d Jinn-Sx.

^Dj?>jn]

Hiph.

PSALM
imv.

(22^) with archaic

j?ij

sf.,

enemies

LX.

57

cause

or wander,

to stagger,

cf.

Nu.

Hiph. imv. with i coord., sf. 3 pi. archaic, with

4I2, nji
;?:,
two accents. Lag. '^'O'):}'^^ after S> ; so Du. with reference to Gn.
measure,
and 'j-iN
for
tempting but not probable. The longer word is needed
Moreover, this 1.
goes with preceding 1., which needs it for completeness.
32I3

Q)

2 S. 1520.

new tetrastich, and

begins a

But
13.

I pi. is

not strictly parall. with previous

@6

therefore >jjd as

in apposition with previous clause, as ^,

many moderns. Two

lines are

needed

for

UJJD]

1.

@,

imply something to which

Niph. be caught, so

gested.

is

missing.

9^6, as in

bad sewse pride, as

47^; here in

and read the

snare or trap.

Is. 16^ Je.

line idjinj id3 n:)S">\

is

needed
i"'?,'?"'.^]

"

prob. the vb. sug-

n/^xJ?]

elsw.

XV^\

4829 Zp. 2^^ Ez. 720 16*9.

has not conj. with nSx;:, therefore nSxD ic"

accord with usage of Ps.

for 'Di D" in

in coordination

is

it

and not

ace.

measure. They have been

||

to

in peccato oris

nxion
compressed into one by ancient copyist. In the second \X}
in the first a vb. Ntonn bring into ptmishment, as Is. 2(f^ Dt. 24*.

seems

(j^).

vTrepaairKyT-^s fiov.

afiapriav crTdfiaTos aiirCov,

antith. v.*.

"iD>nDiJ'"n37]

predicate as

is

against usage of Ps.

nx^n] as

"'D''?

sui.

^r!nn;ni]

A word

doubtless correct

is

So we should have the fully written "iDa

nSsc] prep. |d because of and % nSx n.f.

cursing, cf. id^. This begins new quartette.

t ^D?] n.m. (i) lying, as Ho.
14. nS?] Piel. imv.
78 ioi3 12I Na. 3I; (2) leanness Ps. 1092* (?) Jb. 168.
(/5^*) bis

ncn^]

tion.

Wd

3pyo
D'pr

only one

had

16.

This

Kt. Qal impf. 3

Ti.ad'fjffovTai,

ij-iSm]

lodging

pi.

vagabuntur.

gl.

v.

is

archaic,

night.

V.I8.

S, E, %, have

same vb.

likely correct.

D^jc] n.m. (i)

It

3 before

gives the only

which

Hiph., or

cf. v.i2;

@ dLa<rKop-

making negative dub. -

ka.v 5^,

as f, but

is

not suited to the idea of

coord.

iji'?^

6>,

Aq., 7o77i/o-ou-

Niph.; so Du., Ba., Bu.,

Ex. 1524 (JE) Nu. 142 16" 176 (P)

17

Je. 2535 Jb. ii2o 2 S. 223 (?) Je.

(t/.

of intensifica-

gl.

^^5 dominatur Jacob.

Qr. Hiph. impf.,

]i3;''j'

Hiph. same, Ex. 178 (E) 168 (P) +.

\jxi] emph. antith. to enemies.

is

breaking between couplets of Rf.

nS'Dx] but @

3 tnurmurabunt ; PBV. irS^i

^DB. X\b vb. Niph. murmur, cf.'

I023

most

is
gl.,

(yiv\

= i^J^D

Jf rds.

consec. after impf., aorist of result,

all

measure, the other

for

^a'D 2p'p ihSn,

doubtless explanatory

is

good measure.
jiyij^]

needed

attached to the previous nSo by 3, to following by .

is

D^-iSx]

is

is

+,

also a gl, ampHfication of Rf. v?.

rivj -\ib?n]

hidtk

""J^

v.^^.

"h :3JtJ'D]

a place offlight, of escape, elsw. 142^ Am. 2^*

1 619 (?)
Vnx D10] so
^2) flight]^. 46^.

/).

PSALM
Ps. 60 is composite.

(A)

LX.

Ps. of the time of David, citing an

ancient oracle, giving Israel possession of the land and supremacy

{B) A prayer for deliverance in time

and great humiliation, probably of the reign of Jehoiachin

over his neighbours (v.^^-).

of defeat

/-y^S-T. 125-14\
^

PSALMS

58

A.

V."^^",

4 STR.

3'.

Y^HWEH spake in His sanctuary

"

"

And

will exult, I will divide

Shechem;

I mete out.
Manasseh
" Ephraim also is the defence of My head
" Judah is My commander's staft

the Valley of Succoth will

u r^ILEAD

a TyrOAB

is

"

Unto
" Over

is

Mine, and Mine

is

My washpot;
Edom will I cast My
Philistia will

sandal

shout in victory."

me
^ THAT one would conduct
me

to the entrenched city?

unto Edom?
one would lead
Wilt not Thou (Yahweh) ?
that

B.

V.^^-

126-14^

4 STR. 4^

YAHWEH, Thou hast rejected us, hast broken us down;

Thou
Thou

wast angry and didst turn us backward

didst shake the land, didst cleave it

breach doth sink down, it doth totter.
TTHOU hast let Thy people see hard things
Its

Thou

hast

made us drink wine of staggering.

that fear Thee Thou hast given,

them

sign to

That they might betake themselves

to flight

(because of (Thy) faithfulness).

'FHAT Thy beloved people may be delivered,

O give victory with Thy right hand and answer
Thou Yahweh, who didst reject us (and
And wentest not forth with our hosts.
r\ GIVE

us help because of

For vain

the victory of

is

Through Yahweh

And He
Ps.

60

is

let

will tread

is

straits,

man.

us do valiantly.

down our
(B)

composite.

This has taken up into

us;

put us to shame),

its

adversaries.

v.*-^,

2 Str. 4^, continued in

midst an older Ps. (A),

also contained in the composite Ps. 108,

v.'^-

v.^-^^a,

12&-14^

2 Str. 4'.
V.'-^*

Str. 3'.

As 108

which begins with 57^^^.

was composed subsequent to that composition.

and not from the original group of D-'Dn^j:, for
the divine name is a^nSs throughout.
It is therefore unlikely that 108 was in
The inS of the title is due to the recognition of the fact that the two
IB.
original Pss. out of which it was constructed were in B.
Ps. 108 was not in
iSl, but 60 was, and probably already as composite when it received the
uses the composite Ps. 60,
Ps. 108 cited 57, 60,

from

musical assignment

nn^

DPDD

(v. Intr.

The term

no';;'?

it

IS,

]^)t^-hy (v. Intr. 27, 32, 33, 34).

25) was only (A), which

is

prob. original.

antique in

its

The

original

language and

reminds one of the dirge 2

S.

style.

i^"^ '^-

and

Book of Yashar. To it alone the historical reference

DnN"n ^M 3nv acM naix anx-nNi onnj qih dk )nn3

possibly was also in the

can apply: nVo'K^ja

It

is

PSALM
'\hn

nt!';;

o^jts*:

When

sq.

ioi6q.

59

he strove with Aram Naharaim and with

when Joab returned and smote

Cf. 2 S. 813

LX.

of

Edom

^1'

c. iS^^

The

sq..

196

Aram

Zoba,

in the valley of salt twelve thousand.

variation in

number

is

prob.

due to a corruption of text. But while this Ps. is undoubtedly ancient and
might go back to the time of David, yet it is too general to refer to this
defeat of Edom (or rather D-iN as 2 S. lo), and is an oracle as to the triumph
over the lesser neighbours,
different structure

and

Aram

date.

It

not being mentioned.

(B) was a Ps. of
was a petition for divine interposition after
V.^ resembles Je. 4^, v.^

humiliating defeat of the armies of Israel.

It

Is. 511^- 22.

probably refers to the defeat of the armies of Judah by the Babylonians,

reducing them to a desperate situation.

89,

and may express the

PSALM
Str. I. a tristich

Yahweh spake

It

reminds us of parts of

Pss.

44 and

companions of Jehoiachin.

feelings of the

LX. A.

having a syn. couplet synth. to the

first

Hne.

His sanctuary\ so (, J, referring to the

sacred place of the divine presence, where the oracle of Yahweh
was given and not, " in " or " by His holiness," of EV. suggest8.

in

ing a divine oath, as

Am.

4^ Ps. 89^.

the original conquest of the land.

This oracle goes back to

I will

exult], in triumph over

Yahweh speaks

as the supreme commander of His people, cf. Ps. 24^"^*^ Is. 63^"^.
/ will divide\ the
conquered land among the tribes,
will I mete out, the measureShechem, at the foot of
ment in connection with the division.

the inhabitants of the land.

||

Mt. Gerizim, the chief gathering place in the time of Joshua,

stands for the country west of the Jordan,
Valley of Succoth], in the valley of the
side, near the
for the

Jabbok

(S. Merrill,

cf.

East ofJordan, 385

country east of the Jordan

The

Josh. 24^.

Jordan on the eastern

sq.),

stands

possibly with a reminiscence

of the two chief places mentioned in the story of the return of

Jacob from Haran to Canaan, Gen.

Str.

II. is a syn. tristich.

9.

33^^"^^.

Gilead, as distinguished from

Manasseh, must indicate with it the two chief divisions east of the
Jordan, as Ephraini znd Judah, the two chief divisions on the west.
Accordingly Gilead, here,

Reuben and Gad, Nu.

or the land of Bashan.

my

possession,

is

32^"^,

for the southern portion assigned to

and Manasseh, the northern portion,

These, says Yahweh, are Mine], that

my land. Ephraim

is

the defence of

My head],

is,

the

helmet defending the head from the blows of an enemy, in per-

PSALMS

60

Gn.

My

combat

sonal

49^''

cofntnander' s staff\ as
in battle.
Judah is
not the " sceptre," RV., which implies royalty, nor the

" lawgiver," PBV., AV., which implies government

the symbol of military authority, with which the
the

movements of

Str. III.

is

his

army and points them

that he becomes the wash basin which

water over his master's hands or

Edom,

is

wash

"upon Edom,"

This

his feet.

as though

it

He

The

is

to be so

relations

Edom

cast

better than EV". " over " or

is

Over

between the

Philistia will

and

Philistines

I shout
Israel

There

MT. and

rejoicing in the victory.

is

in

were
noth-

They

ing ignominious therefore in the reference to them.

is

will

become another slave to

when he would have them

those of mutually respecting warlike neighbours.

defeated, and there

reduced

were a symbol of the taking pos-

session of the land by conquest.

victory'^.

My

is

the troublesome neighbour of Judah, on the

the master kicks off the sandals

to

Moab

carried by a slave to pour

Unto

feet.

southeast, was also so reduced as to

removed

10.

the troublesome neighbor of Israel, occu-

pying the region east of the Dead Sea.

whom

directs

to victory.

are conceived as subjugated.

Moab was

My sandal\

but the baton,

also a syn. tristich, referring to the three hostile

neighbours who
washpoi~\.

commander

are

Vrss.,

by

a mistake of a vowel point here, but not in io8^, compel various

other renderings, none of which suit the context or give a

satis-

factory meaning.
Str. IV. has a syn. couplet with

11.

promised
"

who

a synth. line in climax.

that one would~\, expression of a wish to enjoy the triumph

and not a simple question,

in the oracle cited above,

will "

of

EV.

rious entry into

conduct me

lead me']

the entrenched city^ the

defence, which being captured,

session of the conquerors.

Edom

12a.

that

is,

in victo-

chief fortification and

itself

would come into pos-

Wilt not Thou Yahweh ?

This

question implies an affirmative answer in accordance with the

promise of the oracle, and therefore an appropriate climax and

conclusion of this ancient Ps.

PSALM LX.
Str. I. has a syn. tetrastich.

43^ 44^*

3.

B.

Thou hast

rejected

us\

cf.

refused to go with us, or be with us, or help us in war.

PSALM

6l

LX.

Thou wast angry\ the reason of the rejection. As a result of

Thou hast broken us down]. The army, which should have
stood like a wall in defence of the nation, has been broken down,
II

this

so that

can no longer

it

resist

the onset of the enemy.

didst turn

This

us backward] in defeat, compelling a disastrous retreat.

meaning
is

is

most suited

The Hebrew

to the context, cf. 44".

text

capable of various other renderings which are followed in Vrss.

and

most probable of which is, " O restore us

Such a petition, however, comes in too abruptly into the

interpreters, the

again."
text,

and does not

which continues the descrip-

suit the context,

tion of the divine discipline of the people.

It is quite possible,

meaning was designed by the final editor of y^

4. Thou didst shake the land].
for Hturgical reasons.
The
national disaster is compared to an earthquake, cf. 46^-^ Is. 24^^"*-.
Thou didst cleave it]. The metaphor is continued. As the
earthquake cleaves the land by making rents and cracks in the
solid ground, so the nation is all broken up in disorder and conhowever, that

this

fusion.

Its

breach doth sink down].

The

walls of defence have

been breached, and the breach sinks down,

down

//

doth totter], and

The poet is here describing a great national disaster within his own experience.
Str. II. has a syn. couplet and a synth. couplet.
5. The hard
things], the people of Yahweh are seeing are the sad experiences
is

about to

fall

in a

mass of

ruins.

of defeat, disaster, death in battle, captivity, humiliation, and

wine of staggering]. They are so overwhelmed with

dismay and panic by this unexpected situation that they are dazed,

shame.

they stagger as
they

know

that

if

intoxicated,

cf.

Is.

Yahweh has made them

has given them this cup to drink,

fear Thee Thou hast given].

cf.

80I

Yahweh

see these things,

Q.

which enables them to escape in time.

to the context

based on Aq.,

and
:

sign to

them a

that

He

sign or signal,

they

This rendering, sustained by

might betake

(^, 3, is

suited

greatly to be preferred to that of AV., RV.,

" that

it

(the banner)

may be

displayed," which

gives a victory to the God-fearing that does not at

text.

and

them that

distinguishes the God-fear-

ing in the midst of this disaster, and gives

themselves to flight].

At the same time

51^^-^^.

It is quite possible,

however, that for

all suit

the con-

liturgical reasons the

clause was given this turn in the traditions of synagogue use.

PSALMS

62

Because of Thy faithfulness^. This is a conjectural emendation

of the text, in accordance with the context.
It is at the basis of
the rendering of Aq.,

Sir. III.

v.^-

^-*

EV'., " because of the truth."

bow " is preferred by most.

But

^E,

U, RV.*", " before the

(^, 3,

has a synth. and a syn. couplet separated by the

7. That Thy beloved people may be delivered\

The purpose is placed before the imv. for emphasis. The people
of Yahweh are named beloved, because they are the special

insertion of v.^^".

objects of His love, notwithstanding the disasters

He

has brought

upon them.

His people cannot think that these can be more than

temporary and disciplinary, and that in the end they will be

O give victory with Thy right hand~\. The right

hand of Yahweh stretched out in behalf of His people is the great
instrument of deliverance and victory, cf. 20^ 21^ 44^ 48"+ Ex. 15^.
The Hebrew word, which means sometimes " give victory," sometimes " save," should not be generalised here.
126. Thou Yahweh, who didst reject us\ resuming the thought of v.^ ; the very
One who rejected His people, is the only One who can give them
delivered.

When

the victory.

had

the two Pss. were pieced together, this line

and was condensed with v.^^" so

For the same reason the
closing vb., and put us to shame, was omitted.
It is given, however, in the citation Ps. 44^*^, and should be restored in Ps. 60 for
the sake of the measure and strophical organisation.
And wentest not forth with our hosts'^.
A continuation of the statement of
the previous line and explanatory of it.
Yahweh was not with the
armies of His people; they went into battle without Him. His
right hand was not stretched out on their behalf.
He was indeed
to

be adapted to

as to give " hast

Thou

its

context,

not rejected us."

That was the reason for their defeat. The

Yahweh might go forth with the

angry with them.

prayer for victory implies that

armies of His people and as their chieftain again stretch forth

His hand against their enemies.

Str. IV. has

two syn. couplets.

13.

of the prayer for victory of the previous

This interpretation of

(, J,

O give
Str.

PBV., AV.,

is

moderns,

is

*'

possible.

against

the

For vain

help'],

Str.

straits'].

victory of

as

it

although the

by many
man]. Victory

adversary," favoured
is the

a renewal

most probable,

corresponds with the thought of the previous

rendering of RV.

us

because of

PSALM
won by man

to be
it

6J

war against the enemy amounts to nothing

in

Victory cannot be brought about by man,

a vain hope.

is

LX.

14.

but by Yahvveh only.

stretched out in battle.

Thi'ough Yahweh']

/<?/

help, the people resolve

on

us do valiantly']

His right hand

Assured of divine

their part to fight with all their might.

and He will tread down our adversaries].

Yahweh

will

trample

them under foot in His victorious advance.

LX. B.
'nSx] for original nin>, so

3.

v.*

v.^-

umnp]

1^- 1*.

Qal (i) break down a wall, So^^ 89*1

% ynij

(2) break in Ps. io629.

Polel impf.

35>c^n]

ace. to Bu., Dr., Du., then juss. restore us;

@, U, Aq., 2, Quinta, take

mnN

^x ija

it

The
The

ijD">tyn.

but interpretation.

difficulty

initial

2 m.,

pf,

ir::, restore,

VL return to

as 23^

then

is

with

This

S.

dittog. for

is

is

pi.
cf.

5812

Is.

This mng. does

consec. impf., as Je. 50^,

sf.

us as petition.

as pf. koX (^KTeiprjaas ^yuas.

Ba. rds. aavi'ni,

not suit context.

Qal

Ec. 10^, here of nation,

Is. 5^

cf.

Ps.

44^^

prob. not original

an original

Rd. un^a'n

n.

with two tones, turn back in retreat, which alone suits the context and rhyme.

Hiph.

nnK'y-in]

4.

belongs to

final n

2 m. fully written,

pf.

y-)^.

3 et
3 sana ;

Kol avverdpa^as avri^v,

heal, V. 6^, so (5

tacrai.,

;;-,

nn?p^9] a.X. Qal pf. 2 m.,

disrupisti earn.

but

no-j

Qal

The
3*7 Am.

suited to context, with i^n^L^ as subj.

wall

Qal 3

f.

as imv.
a.X. ^,
6.

ruin of state La. 2I1

Is. 3oi3- 14,

breach ready

to

fall

sg. :oiD (/o'^).

5.

ir,'^]

common

nn:^^]

Qal

ID

adj.

in Lit.

m.

pf. 2

similar idea,

is

is

prob. that

is

it

3 f. prob. split open, dub.;

npn] Qal imv. hdi
Nfii

pf. cf. s'f, sink, relax, is

more

phr. a.X. % \2^ n.m. breach in a

6^ Na. 3^^
The Soj y^Q Is. 30^3
and possibly in mind of poet.
nwD-"?]

prob. interpretative

what

.1^,^

f.

But

v. 18^.
sf.

is

hard

gl.

because of interp. of net

(to bear), in

as 2 S. 2I';

war

f n'?nri] n.f. reeling, staggering, elsw. Is.

fully written, |nj.

51 "-22.

% d;] n.m. standard, as Is. 62^0^ so

Dr. ^DB., or signal, as Je. 46 (to direct refugees to Zion), so here to direct
flight
Jlee,

from enemy, (5

arjixelbiaiv,

of armies 682, of gg^

signum.

j^s. 5^
^f. 104^;

Dp^'jnriS]

Dr., Du., Ba., Hu.,

RV., takes

it

as

suits the context.

Hithpolel

Hithp. take

inf. %

du Qal.

, U, J, 2,
Aq., %, Luther, AV.,
flight, so

Now., Che., RV.. But De. after

denom. of Dj, that it may be displayed.

toc'p

The former alone

dri Trpoadirov rb^ov, 3 a facie arcus. wrp
Heb., which has rr,->. ati^p is truth, Pr. 22^1 (but

\]9d]

bow in Aram, but not in

Aram. gl. ace. to Toy) so here ace.
Aram, word has been substituted
is

to those

who

The

take vb. as denom. of D\

Heb. word

which accords with

rhyme, by a late copyist.
7 = loS^. psSn> \'^rh\ irh'iiox: ncx jyoS) emph.
at beginning of sentence, elsw. ^ 1228-9.
ps^m Niph. impf. 3 pi. archaic
form Niph. elsw. 108^ Pr. ii^-S; but Piel, z;. 6^.
r^nn^] pi. sf. 2 m.
nnj
for

n|i!:N,

adj. beloved, elsw.

"1^]] Kt.

answer

108^ 842 1272,

us,

cf.

45I;

also Dt. 3312 is. 5I.

connects with previous context;

>jr;i

Je.

11I6.

Qr. <S, 3, connects

PSALMS

64

The reading

with following context.

which requires

text,

and adds

Du.

ist pers.

io8^

^j

because of

is

previous con-

its

rightly connects with previous part of Ps.

v.i26-i4.

LX. A.

V8-I2a

8.

The

1088-14.

the latter

more

p;;nnN for

>;7;;nnn,

correct

only variations are

v.^"^

for

^Sj;

the former better

v.^ 'd

D^nSs nSh for d\iVn nnN N^n, the latter correct.

V.12

ayl(^ avTov,

Now.,

in sanctuario suo

42

text

nicx was cohort, also

c. ';2Vi.

33^"- 18,

omission of

mo

Piel J

_n^^D] on

East Jordan, for

of horns.

KparaiwaLS,

fortitudo, PBV.,

rex meus, improb.

0vXot virerd-yTjaav, so in 108

Philisthim foederabor.
as

has tG)v

'd] is

-i>xn]

(26^).

yynrs

have impf., which

error

after

>

of

is

""D.

Qal

ir]

-.jn)

doubtless correct, the

Cf.
^S]

9.

"'ilpnr]

Po.

/Sao-iXeiJs

n.m.

{'Dl

^/ioi

dXX6-

but in 108 cum^

est,

as Ilithp.,

Most moderns,
shout in triumph over.

Nu.

3 and

DeW.,

321'-

01s.

Jos. io20

are the

same

in

niXD has been written by

pf. sf. I sg.

initial

r\T\i,

v. 5^.

(5,

3,

having been omitted by

-^

nnx nSh] 108 omits dpn, but

12.

'd iSy.

% ">??? "!. elsw. 89*1

""Sy]

expresses a wish, as

It is prob. that 108II is correct.

copyist under influence of 3122.

v;.

as Pr. 222*,

r\^-\\\.,

iq29. 36 je^ 46 ^17 8i4_|_ fortified place, stronghold.

both passages.

nrSs

^rj'inpn

Palaestina foederata

EV., but

= 108II.

Nu. 21 1^.

49!'^

vb. Hithp. >'n, v. 41^^,

not simply interrog. as

intrenched {2& 3122)

Gn.

cf.

Ps. 108 has better

^DB., make

(tktjvQv.

n^p] phr. a.X. t-d (v. j8^^), f

>%rr\

3 mihi

off,

helmet, Ba. thinks

i.e.

AV., strength

takes vb. as Ilithp.

241^ Pr. 182*,

Is.

Du., Ba., Bu.,

11.

10.

ppnc,

"'V

Why not inf. cstr. }*nn ?

washing a.\.

measure

t Pi.

measure requires

ptc. X [ppn] vb.,

But

89^

cf.

by makkeph, but "h} is separate word. The

euphony of 1.
f'^>'i^] place of refuge, v. 2y^,

n>'Sj

in 108^ impairs the

^v r^J

Eastern Palestine.

but here prob. in the sense oi protection, RV. defence

p;;-in.,

^,

so prob. in ancient

Qal measure,

vb.

where same places are mentioned.

should be connected with

'^^'^i'^^], cf.

so Ew., Du., Ba., in his holy place.

impf. cohort, v. 28^^ so np^nN

nr'?;'N]

elsw. 1088 2 S. 82-2.

fjLov,

108, for 'd >'?ihere,

Dr., Kirk., in or by his holiness, EV'., his majestic sacredness,

Am.

Gn.

>"?

nx2D for niXD, the former correct

v.^i

the former doubtless correct

"V;*,

it

is

needed

for

measure.

LX. B.

I2M4 belongs with

we

v.^-?,

are to seek the original of the

remaining for "ijDtSDm nmr

original.

The

cohort, imv.
cf.

{continued).

and not with

f\^.

original contained

2n",

a.X. but

ixr:]

which

r\\r\'^

vb.

cf.

to

where
u.nnjT

^^t"]

Ges.*>g for nnrr, v. 22^y

^k dXixpetos,
||

in tribulatione,

by man.

i]nx

v.i*.

D'^'N

v. 4^.

nj?irn] phr.

from man, gained

14. S^n'ntrvj]
Nu. 24I8 (JE.) i S. 14*^ prob. cohort, of resoluDi3*] Qal impf. trample under
God, antith. to we.

146^, V. 33^~', victory

Nim] referring

feet, as -//.

here condensed,

is

was needed for Ps. 44!'^, but was not

for which B dtiSn.
13. u'^'i^n]

Ba., Du., against the adversary, v. j-

do valiantly, f phr. 118^^tion.

f|N

Aram.

poetic

v. 2g^,

npnry 638, help, succour.

But Dr.,

The

V.126. c is cited 44I0,

v.8-i2a.

first 1.,

^^

PSALM

PSALM
Ps. 61

vows

LXI., 3 STR.

war

(v.^^^^)

Yahweh

for

Yahweh

HEAR my yell
my

(v.^"),

(v.^')

and (3) that

to

my

(v.^^)

Glosses

and the comfortable assur-

His temple

in

hearken

(i) for

(2) with the assurance that

which public praise will be given

ance of the guests of

In that

by the kindness and faithfulness

give the urgent prayer of an exile

r\

4*.

answered

for the king have been

he will reign forever, protected

of

65

a national prayer of the early monarchy:

is

deliverance in time of

the

LXI.

(v.^)

prayer

heart fainteth, on the rock mayest

Thou

lift

me

up.

Mayest Thou lead me, for Thou art a refuge for me,
A tower of strength from before mine enemy.
nPHOU, Yahweh, hast heard my vows.
Thou hast granted the request of them that fear Thy name.
the days of the king Thou wilt add.
His years, as his days, shall be for generation after generation.
IJE will sit enthroned before Yahweh forever.
Kindness and faithfulness (on the right hand) will preserve him.
So will I make melody to Thy name forever
While I pay my vows day by day.

Days unto

Ps. 61

was

originally in

B, then taken up

into IE

and

IB3^, in the latter

receiving the musical assignment nj>Jj hy (v. Intr. 27, 32,

2h

34)-

It is

composed of three tetrameter tetrastichs, the first an urgent petition, the last
two expressing assurance that the prayer has been answered, reminding of
Pss. 20, 21.
It is a royal Ps. of the time of the Heb. monarchy; a time
of peril, it is true, and yet a time of victory, when the future seemed serene
and the perpetuity of the monarchy certain. V.^*, cf. 21^; v.'^, cf. 21^; v.^
cf. 21^- ^
The Ps. is cited v.^^ in Pr. 20^8. Glosses indicate a later time:
V.' y'MKT^

nxpD implies an

exilic glossator;

v.^ implies

a postexilic glossator

of the Greek period.

Str. I. has a synth.

hearken

to

and a

my prayer\

syn. couplet.

to His people in their straits.

bounds of the

An

earth'], far distant

1 call], making
of the Diaspora.

2.

urgent entreaty that

exilic glossator

7ny yell

will

adds

||

attend

from

the

unto Thee

from the Holy land.

the prayer suited to the exilic situation, or that

3.

In that my heart fainteth].

giving the reason for the urgency of prayer.

so serious that the heart loses

hear

Yahweh

its

courage, and

causal clause,

The
is

in

situation

is

dismay and

PSALMS

66
despair.

on

rock fastness

me up\

lift

so (S, F, ,S

ent connection of

Hebrew

27* 3 1^ 62I

cf.

me

than I," too high for

ing a conception, in form

?^,

letters give "

J,

dE,

EV\, by a

on the rock that

makes the
is

line too long,

without analogy.

and

enemy,

18^^

cf.

upon

temple

48^^

this idea,

5.

it

|1

a tower

glossator, of the

Greek period, en-

only he turns from the rock refuge to the

will be a guest in

Thy

tent],

have the privilege of a

cf.

5''

ages], a late conception of time conceived as a

15^ Is. 33".

number of

these extended into indefinite periods of time or aeons.

Thy

meaning

For Thou

cannot be captured by the

guest, a familiar visitor to the sacred tent,

the cover of

higher

is

in

4.

art a refuge for me'], a place or a person affording refuge,

of strength], a tower so strong that

is

differ-

however pleas-

to climb myself, which,

not so easy and natural, and

larges

the

the usual refuge in early Pss., unto which one

Hfted up to safety

is

Thou

the rock 7nayest

is

The

zvings].

v.

under

cherubic wings, guarding the Holy

of Holies of the divine presence,

temple a place of refuge,

for
ages,

made

if 31^

36

all

the precincts of the

57'^.

6. Hast heard 7ny vows]. The

had accompanied votive offerings.
These had been accepted by Yahweh, and the accompanying
petitions heard.
Accordingly the syn.
Thou hast granted the
request], so most recent scholars, in place of J^ and Vrss. "the
heritage," which is due to the mistake of a single letter of

Str. II. has

two syn. couplets.

prayers, referred to in Str. L,

the

word by an

early copyist, giving a

with the context and

meaning not

difficult to explain.

The

have been made to solve the problem require

in

accordance

various efforts that

still

more

serious

modification of the text than that proposed, whether by the addition of

by ungrammatical explanations, or by insertions in

There could be no question, in the situation of this

sfs.,

thought.

Psalmist, of the people having their inheritance given them, or

taking that of the enemy.

of Ps. 21 that
7.

The days of

we

Moreover, the situation

his dynasty.

That Yahweh

days implies a long continuance of his reign.

tion],

so like that

the king], the days of his lifetime, the king being

conceived as representing

in J^

is

should expect the use of the same words.

This

is

will

add

intensified

His years, as his days, shall be for generation after genera" days," where %, J,
J^ and Vrss. differ here, ( giving

PSALM

LXI.

6y
The

give only the prep., differently interpreted however.

do not

tions
is

to be perpetual,

2i^

cf.

This doubtless gained a Messianic

significance in later times.

a synth. and a

Str. III. has

syn. couplet.

enthroned before Yahiveh forever'],

Him

of Yahweh, installed by
perpetual,

on

Kindness

89^*^^.

cf.

varia-

dynasty of the king

effect the general sense that the

will sit

the anointed

His reign

his throne.

and

Hg

8.

2^; as

Ps.

cf.

be

will

faithfulness will preserve

These divine attributes here, as 85", cf. 43^, are personiand given charge over the king to keep him in safety. J^ and
Vrss. differ greatly as to one word of this line, which is needed
for the measure.
J^, followed by AV., RV., and most moderns,
rd. imv. " O appoint," namely these attributes of God ; but this is
hint].
fied

The analogy

not favoured by other Vrss.

suggests on

of Pss.45^*^ 109^^ iio^-^+

hand, a word so near the Hebrew word that

the right

the mistake could easily have been made.

This gives the place

where these guardian angels stand to protect the dynasty.

will

I make
make

vows,

in the temple,

0;

gl.

3.

1|

This and two words that

v?.^i7 ^^^PP]'

adapt Ps. to later situation of the Diaspora.

gl. to

with D of reason

% itay

Qal

vb.

nn

and measure, so
I K. 813 = 2 Ch.

Street.

r^b^^n]

be faint, feeble, 102I (title);

t Hithp.ya^w/ away La. 2^^,

but (g,
>jpp Dn>-n"iX3] so S, jj,
;

here,

5.

nn

Qal

U,

S),

N'?P'i"ifi

pl-

"''?'?'^i']

^^"^V

is

late,

so 77^-

phr. a.X., but (5 has aK^irri as I^djd Sxa 17^ 36^ 572 63^,

cf.

91* Ru.

9ii._6.

3121

2f

n-jj] i.p.,

5 ,9

but 0,

Dn.
15,

better suited to context

always

^^0J^

aS

Is. 57^^, as

62 Is. 26* 4517-

fol-

inf. cstr.

Pss. 77* 142* 143*, cdj 107^ Jon. 2^.

92* Ec. i^o.

Pss.

So

9.

pay my

frequent votive offerings at the times of daily sacrifice.

dtiSn] not in

2.

low, a

pubHc worship

melody'], in

145 ^^

inp? npnN]

3, ^rhan as v.2; not so

also

2^2,

prob.

nB*n>] cstr. sg. t ^f'W n.i. possession, inheritance, Dt. ^- ^- ^- 12. 19- 19 320 jos. jis
126- 7 Ju. 21" Je. 328 2 Ch. 20II of holy land; not elsw. in yp.
It does not suit

Hu., Kroch.,

context.
7.

"ids]

prep.,

imv. for
Jon. 2I

n:;:,

46-

7-

Bi.,

Du., rd. nE'-iN as 21^, which

phr. a.X., but cf. d^d>

I'D"*^ "''2']

donee,

^ws

Tj/x^pas.

lloi-6.

form
prob.

innxr]

Pr. 32-

8.

le.

|d]

Pi.

Rd.

Qal impf.

euphony.

3U\-.
Ij

be preferred.

njo Qal eoimt, number, 90^2 147*, f Pi. appoint, ordain, elsw.
Dn. i^-io-ii Jb. 7^; but
r/s, Aram, p, or Heb. ""D; omitted

but improb.

for

to

:|:

Aq., S, 3, and in citation Pr. 2o28

(nin)">D,

is

^nNn Jos. 24^1 (D), d^d^ "^ns

The measure favours vt2>d.

The

iiD"-

sf.

Houb., Lowth., suggest

on the right hand for protection, cf. 45^ 109^1
3 m. for inn^>, j is retained of original stronger

clause

-[Sd

nx^ pdni non.

is final if

is

imv., but otherwise

and most

PSALMS

68

PSALM LXIL,

^R.

time of Jeremiah

only a wall about to

fall

2.

Yahweh

Ps. 62 is an expression of confidence in

of position, in the

RF.

2.,

(v.^"^-

^^)

by a man

only,

His false foes are

they are only taking counsel against

him (v."*^**)
they are only breath without real weight (v.^).
Gnomic glosses exhort not to have confidence in extortion and
;

wealth (v."), and remind that strength and kindness belong to

God

Other glosses emphasize the several conceptions

(v.^^'^^).

and adapt them to

of the Ps.

{yahweh) be

Only

to

Only

He

is

my

later circumstances

my soul/ from Him

my salvation, my high

still,

rock and

(Only) a leaning wall, a bulging fence are

Only consult do they

all

is

my

^*-

^^-

^^)

hope.

tower ; I shall not be moved.

of (them).

(me) out from (my) dignity

to thrust

(v.'*'*-

they take pleasure in

falsehood.

Only

to

Only

He

Yahweh) be
is

my

rock

still,

my

and my

soul!

from Him

salvation,

my high

is

my

hope.

tower ; I shall not be moved.

Only a breath are the sons of mankind, a falsehood the sons of men.
(Only) to go up in the balances are they, made of breath altogether.
Ps.

where

The

62 was originally in B, then

received the assignment

it

in

fH and

iinn^"*?;? {y.

IE,

and subsequently

Intr. 27, 31, 32,

W^,

in
t,t,,

34).

was composed of two hexameter couplets, v.'*^'-^- ^'^, with

Rf. v.2-3-^^.
These use terms of IB and give evidence of a preexilic date,
being characterised by calm confidence in Yahweh. The Ps, was originally
personal, and the author's perils were from crafty personal foes, who strove
There are two glosses from differto thrust him out of a position of dignity.
original Ps.

ent hands, of the type of

WL., both

trimeter tetrastichs, v."-

glosses are: a remonstrance addressed to enemies in

tion of the enemies as false friends, v.^*;
in

God,

eter

an exhortation

v. 8;

tristich

not

earlier

to the

2d

12-I3a^

pi., v.^<;

Other

a descrip-

a reiteration of the thought of refuge

Him, a trimand a final statement

These glosses were added from time

whole congregation

than the Greek period,

of God's equitable requital of men, v.i^.

to trust in

v.^;

to time, in the various editings of the Ps.

The
lets

was composed of two Strs., each of two coupStrs. is an identical synth. Rf. of
Yahweh, and the final couplets are syn. with each

original Ps.

the

first

confidence in

couplet in both

other but synth. in themselves, expressing contempt of the feeble,

false foes.

Str. I.

each of

2.

Only\

its lines

cf.

characteristic of the Ps. at the beginning of

Ps. 39

an emphatic restriction of the con-

PSALM
Yahweh

fidence to

and

alone,

enemies

antith. to the ability of his

The EV^

do him harm.

to

69

LXII.

as well as the ancient Vrss. differ

sometimes

greatly in rendering this particle in the several Hnes,

using the asseverative " surely "

but a uniform rendering alone

The text of J^
be still~\.
has the noun "silence," "resignation," here, and the imv. vb.

brings out the real power of the Ps.

Such a variation in Rf. is improbable. The imv. is better

The soul in calm expectation waits for the divine

vA

sustained.

interposition,

ci.jf.

"salvation" in
the original

hoped

fro7n

Him

my
Yahweh

hope'], so

The

more probable: "hope"

is

deliverance from enemies.

for,

my

is

texts, assimilated to v.^

for

3.

high tower], terms famiHar in

sizing

as a refuge.

\p,

rock

and my
empha-

my

I shall not be moved],

A

10^ 15^ 16^ 21^ 30^ -f.

in

cf. 18^, all

is

also a familiar

phr. for the firm, stable position of the one relying

cf.

"hope"

object, the thing

its

He

salvation;

but here

v.*';

use of

later editor inserted

upon God,

an enigmatical

word, whether as a later form of the adv. greatly, to limit the

statement, or as a liturgical exclamation, JPSV.

will you threaten a

man

4.

How

in 2 pi. inconsistent with objective 3 pi. of original Ps.

gloss.

Vrss.
is

to

The

vb.

and dubious, and

a.X.

is

commit murder],

to

be preferred to "ye

long

Remonstrance with enemies, address

?].

so

shall

a late

variously rendered in

is

Ben Naphtali, (, J, RV., which

slain," MT., AV., PBV., which

be

depends upon close connection with the subsequent context.

all of them], the enemies of v.'^ ; changed into " all of you " in
Only has fallen out by
J^ by assimilation to previous context.
mistake.
a leaning wall, a bulging fence]. The enemies are

compared
therefore

to a wall that leans over

is

been pushed

in peril of falling

and so bulges and

in,

an unstable wall

dence

in his

from

down
is

upright position, and

its

and

to a fence

unsafe.

They

which has

are only such

in antithesis to the psalmist's stability in confi-

God.

From ??iy
MT. both

5.

preferred to 3 sg. of

dignity], so (3,

which

is

to

be

doubtless interpretations of a

noun without sf.

Only consult do they]. Their enmity amounts
to nothing more than consulting together, making plans to thrust
me out. It does not become effective in action, and therefore is
not really disturbing.
delight in craft

they take pleasure in falsehood].

they would be

false to the psalmist,

They

but really

PSALMS

70
they deceive themselves.

with their mouth they

but ifiwardly they curse.

Str. II.

Upon

to help.

late

glossator explains this

Rf. as

the honour

is

rock of my
my refuge in God], or
God." 9
**

8.

salvation

by

gl.

inserting

explaining

and my

and dignity of

glory'].

his posi-

strength], from which strength

the

as Hi., De., Kirk.,

is

essentiae,

v.^-^.

God depends my

glory of the psalmist

tion, cf. v.^

as

The same

6-7.

further the Rf.

The

bless y

is

is

also a gloss of exhortation to the

Jewish congregation, a trimeter

(^,

which

42* 102^ 142^.

cf.

Trust

in Him, O
more probable
pour out before Him your

tristich.

whole congregation of the people], so

than J^, " at every time, ye people."
heart] in public worship,

comes

interpret

is

Only a breath],

10.

nothing more substantial, are the sons of mankind, the

common

people of the enemies, as distinguished from the sons of vieny

their leaders, cf. 49^, which latter are a falsehood to their followers, deceiving

them and misleading them to no purpose. So

when weighed in the balances they are

unsubstantial are they that

without weight and have only

7nade
amount
it

nothing more than

in the aggregate to

original Ps. reached

give

go up in the weightless

to

its

striking end.

But

they added two gnomes.

11.

this.

later editors

another conclusion, and so in the times of

They

robbery be not vain],

Thus the
wished to

Hebrew Wisdom

trimeter tetrastich, Trust not

in oppression], antith. the exhortation to trust in

and of

scale.

of breath altogether], the emphatic conclusion.

become

filled

God,

v.^

cf.

delusive hopes, be possessed of unsubstantial self-confidence,

Je. 23^^.

do not

Wealth, when

set the mi?id

depended upon
stich.

on

it

cf.

beareth fruit], in ill-gotten gains,

it], as if

for salvation.

it

were of great value and to be

12-13

Another trimeter

a.

tetra-

One thing God spake].

divine in their origin, just as

with unsubstantial,

These gnomes were regarded

prophetic words and priestly laws.

as

Two things are there which I have heard], implying that God
had indeed spoken the two things that follow. This method of
numerical intensification

is

familiar in

WL.,

that strength belongeth unto God], that

that to
is

Adonay

belongeth kindness], that

improbable that

to the

2d pers.

in the original there

is
is

v. Pr.

the

6^^^''-

first

30^^"'-.

thing,

and

the second thing.

It

was a change of subject

The change was due probably

to assimilation to

PSALM
next clause, 13

which

ft,

is

!)n]

^v.^- ^-

cf.

'^-

71

Law

Rom.

(v.

De

asseverative, surely,

i'^;

2^^'*).

W., Hu., Ba,

The

same, prob. only, Ki., Che., Dr., Kirk., Ges., Ew., Hi.

verses.

d-'hSn '7nJ

prob. due to an original

lacking here,

v.^,

prob.

is

Di

Qal imv. 2

idi, the

}:^Si^r\

gl.

Ps.;
4.

(?) 120^^ 123^ 1291-2;

prob.

Polel impf. 2

Ba.
fist,

Wetzstein,

MV.

so

frantic against,

cf.

sf.

is

2 m.

3.

nan]

v.^,

Aq.

kiriTiQeade,
pi.

used as adv. for

subj. to

2d

and raised
Hu. iSSinn be

cries

iTri^ovXe^ere,

of obj.

is

to

insidiamini,

be noticed.

from 3d pers. of

pers.

Ps.

Pi.,

This

DpSo]

This begins third

but prob. dSd in original.

irdvTs,

na-^

HXn murder, Ben Napht. mxnn

The absence

al.

article.

prob. originally the

threaten, j5DB. si vera, so De., Du.,

at,

Pu. impf. 2

change of

gl.;

pi.,

102^; but

inxnn]

so , ^, Street, De., Ba.,

Sd with

"rnpn

Damascene Arab, mn riish upon one with

Form is unknown elsw.
Ges. nnn attack.

fiaraLOTrovqaeTe.

whole clause

cf.

SS.;

variation

v.",

nin s/ioul

pi.

The

v. 4^.

dub. and late usage not suited to early

without it (^v. 10^) that change improb.

not in

common

Phr. so

gl.

inn'inri]

v.^.

am,

f.

d^iSn
so here

\'di v.^,

afterward taking place of

"'r^Jiii'"']

same, the former an assimilation to

65I0

sf.

always

Vrss. vary in

in both.

resignation, dub. v. 22^,

n.f. silence,

BDB.

Che., Du., We.,

Bi., Gr.,
is

by measure

latter required

D^n^N*? v.^;

njcn]

for original nin\

from

later addition to the Ps.

still

the point of view of the Levitical

2.

LXII.

1.

and should have "ix, which has fallen out by haplog.

f^'P."] n.m.
t "il^] n.m. wall, fence, as So^^. but more
wall, as Nu. 22-5 q) ^5^ (P) +.
nvinin] ptc. pass. f. nm, pushed in. The artiprob. X nnnii n.f., as 89^1.
of

Str.

improb. after articleless

cle

^DB. 5.

iriyii'p]

On. 49^ (poem) Hb.

The

in

position, J nxt'

i";

n goes with previous word, as 01s., De.,

n.f.

other mngs. not in ^.

inf. cstr.

But

mj

8. 7C'"]

t;?

Vijd 61*.

couplet.
/5.

thrust out,

cf. 5-^'

and

iSpaixov ip bi^ei, ixn>, so

DsapS

pi. in

V.

v.*.

-isn";]

vd2] with
My

v. is

C"7 njr

-IDDU']

mere

S?;:]

Ty]v Tiixijv fiov,

which

nnnS]

Hiph.

cf similar
;

but

Qal impf. nxn,

as
?;;

@,

Sh,

^.

'Dnn 71^,

v.'^

ny nn;? So

11.

10.

J D>jtnd]

n.[m.] only

This n. emph.

+.

The measure

requires this.

It

was

'^^nn]

11. i^anjn] Qal impf.

'D of what they are composed.
denom. Van v.^"^. Qal become vain, possessed of worthless
23I6.
air] Qal
cf. Jb. 27I2 Je. 2^ = 2 K. lyi^; Hiph. Je.

^K ixaTaidTrjTos

vb.

self-confidence,

v. 40^^, so 3.

phr. a.X., cf

11s]

another late hand.

preceded by ^n, as other

pi. t ['^^"']

sf.

by another hand a tetrameter

is more prob., as Ba. nn;;?, v.
This v. is an exhortation in
phr. 42^ 102^ 142^.
repetition of

so

a trimeter tristich

originally

has

pi. vb., err. for iD^fi

12^ for inyv^i of original Ps.

This

9.

S>.

nm

dual, scales, balances. Is. 4012 Jb. 316 Ez. 451*^

exaltation, dignity, elsw.

doubtless correct, the original here as elsw. being without

is

n.

emph.

make flourish
12-13a. AnZc. 9".
This V. is a trimeter tetrastich, a S:;'0 of type of WL.
The
other trimeter tetrastich, a StrD.
it] relative, as 9^^.
:iSi is improb.
original was doubtless 'jnxS 01.
The change was due either to assimilation

impf .fau bear fruit,

fig.,

so of tree 92!^,

fig.

Pr.

and

Po.

to next clause, or to transposition of a

lo-^^;

by

error.

PSALMS

72

PSALM
Ps. 63

LXIIL, 3

the longing of an exile for

is

God

the glory of

worship

in temple

with vows

in the night (v."),

herence to His support

str.

Yahweh

(v."^),

To

this

(v.^),

remembering

and meditating upon

worship

of perpetual

(v.^).

4^

(v.^),

Him

and ad-

was appended a fragment

of

a royal Ps., expressing confidence in the overthrow of the enemies

and the rejoicing

(v.^"^^),

king and people

of

glosses emphasize various parts of the original

/yAHWEH), my
My
My

Thy

my

in

it

faints for Thee.

sanctuary

Seeing

beheld Thee,

strength

life will I

and Thy

glory,

bless Thee

up my palms in Thy name.

my couch I remembered Thee,
night watches was musing on Thee,

will

lift

\X7HEN

on

seek Thee.

doth long for Thee ;

flesh

in the

So

Several

soul doth thirst for Thee.

As a dry land

AS

God, earnestly

(v.^^'*-^).

(v.*-^-**^^'').

In the

My soul
On me

did cleave after Thee

did take hold Thy right hand.

It had the reference to David's life

Ps. 63 was in Q, then in fH and 15.
min> 131D3 invn:3 in Q. It was not in Si^ {v. Intr. 27, 31, 32). The
original was composed of three trimeter tetrastichs, v.'^ v.^- ^ v.'^-^, all in
assonance, in :]_. The author seems to be in exile, away from the sanctuary,

where he used
situation

is

by

and

The statement

txt. err. for n^x r"*'^-.

To this

Ps.

persist in prayer

similar to that of Ps.

early exile.

was attached

stich which,

Yahweh. Now he can only remember

and longing for a return. The
42-43. The Ps. probably comes from the

to behold the glory of

his former privileges

in IE a

on account of

was not

earlier

common

author, a

in the title

is

probably due to the use of

.)>{

ysH^

a simile, and not indicating the locality of the author.

fragment of a royal

"iS?:n,

was

preexilic, and,

than the reign of Josiah.

Ps. v.i'^-^-*, a trimeter

on account of

y\nr\

hexa-

nvnnn,

Possibly both Pss. were from a

companion of Jehoiachin. To these Pss. several glosses

were added v.*- ^- 8, all later than 1 and all emphasizing temple worship, and
V.^^c is a vindictive
therefore making the Ps. more suitable to public use.
conclusion suited to the Maccabean period.
:

Str. I.

syn. tetrastich.

the personal relation to

is

for the

2.

Yahweh

Yahweh, my God'], emphasizing

own God. The archaic *El

as his

^Elohim usual in such combinations.

It is

improbable,

PSALM
however, that

LXIII.

73

was to emphasize the original meaning, " strong

it

one," as J, or that it was predicate as EY". after J^, 3 ; for the

personal pronoun " Thou " was an interpretative insertion, making
the Hne too long.

dawn,

||

cf.

Ps. 78^*

for Thee ; with the

cf. Je.

water

4^^

is,"

earnestly

one

seek thee'], as

rising with the

long for Thee

||

simile of a dry land], greatly in

This

143^.

Ps.

thirst for Thee], cf. 42^

is

by a

explained

my flesh],
Two

the whole man.

antith. syn. couplets.

As

3, 5.

in the worship of the temple at Jerusalem in

my

so in

life],

plained as seeing

in

my

Thy

future experience.

strength

and Thy

tion of public worship, cf. 29^ 59^^

bless

rain,

interpreting the previous adj. as an additional attribute

Str. II.

faints

"where no

gloss,

of land, so Vrss., " dry and weary land without water."

.

||

need of

||

in the sanctuary],

my

past experience.

/ beheld

Thee], ex-

glory], in the contempla-

68^ 96^

Thee], in perpetual worship

my soul

In the future

I will

lift

life

will

up my palms in

Thy name], a gesture especially of invocatory prayer, cf. 28^ 141^

This Str. has been enlarged by two glosses.
4. For better than
Not only did they behold the strength and
life is Thy kindness].
glory of Yahweh in public worship, but also His kindness
and it
was not only earnestly sought and thirsted after, it was better than
life itself.
This beholding of Yahweh in His temple was in oral
worship my lips laud Thee. As the former public worship was

thus emphasized, so the future worship.

and fatness my

soul will be satisfied].

6.

As with marrow

Doubtless the poet

is

thinking of the sacrificial feasts which characterised seasons of

rejoicing before

God

in the worship of the temple,

It is true that the fat pieces

The poet

is

cf.

22^ 23* 36^

of animals always went to the

not thinking of them, but of the flesh of the

animals which alone were suitable for sacrifice,

altar.

young
where the fat meat
fat

was eaten by the offerers and their friends, together with bread
and wine. But these provisions for the flesh had as their accompaniment provisions for the soul also ; so that soul and flesh were

and together satisfied. The glossator is evidently thinkmore of the satisfaction of soul, for he adds and with lips
of jubilation will my mouth praise]. This tautology of J^ is

alike

ing

dubious, especially as

and adds

to

it

the verb

is

not in

(g,

"Thy name."

which omits "

It is

my

mouth,"

probable that both

PSALMS

74

are explanatory additions, and that the original was,

lips will praise

Two

Str. III.

synth. syn. couplets.

Awake during

the night watches'].

and

to the thirst of soul

passed,

cf.

La.

*'

my

and

with jubilation."

flesh,

couch

in

he counted the three watches as they

/ re7nembered Thee

2^^.

When on my

the night in the excitement due

||

was musing on

Thee'],

recalHng the joyous experiences of public worship in the temple

described in the previous

Str.,

and doubtless

of the strength and glory of

8.

God

one enjoying the privilege of worship

57^.

and public

Hfe.

For Thou art a help to me ;

shadow of Thy wings\ a statement only suitable

glossator inserts a syn. couplet.

rejoice in the

to

also the experiences

in private

9.

willing to

My soul

God

be apart from

a phr. usual in connection with

lowing the divine word or commands,

but here in the

strength.

in the temple, cf. 17^ 36^

did cleave after Thee], in close adherence, not

more personal

Ho.

Dt. 10^, also

cf.

relation,

fol-

6';

seeking comfort and

Yahweh also adheres closely to His servant.

on me
Thy right hand]. The right hand of God is usually

did take hold

stretched forth with power against enemies, here with tenderness

to sustain

The

His servant,

cf. 3^.

added a fragment of a

editor of IE

royal Psalm.

As for them that seek (his) life,

They shall go down into the nether parts of the earth
They shall be delivered over unto the power of the sword
A portion for jackals shall they become
But the king will rejoice in God;

Him

Every one that sweareth by

This

10.

little

piece has a syn. tetrastich and an antith. syn. couplet.

As for them

The attachment

that seek his

is

Sheol, the place of desolation,

32^^ -^

**

my

by a gloss

intensified

used in Ez. 26^

life], to

take the

life

of the king.

of this part of the royal Ps. to the Ps. of personal

experience led to the variation

This line

will glory.

||

soul," as referring to the poet.

:

that he

may go down

and subsequently

Is.

44^

The enemies sought

shall go down thither

Ps. 139'^ for the

send the king of

deeper regions of Sheol.

to

Israel thither, but they

themselves.

slain in battle.

11.

Their

They

will

They shall be delivered over unto

the

descent, however, will not be that of ordinary death.

be

into

nether parts of the earth, a phr.

PSALM
power of

sword\

the

LXIII.

be not in victory, but in defeat;

It will

be abandoned on the

for their bodies will

is

erroneous.

than the fox which preys on dead bodies,

It is the jackal rather

and which assembles

a portion

battle-field,

EV'., " foxes,"

for jackals, which will devour them.

"

75

troops on battle-fields to feed on the

in

no).

slain" (Tristram, Nat. Hist. Bible, p.

12.

On

the other

hand, the victorious king will rejoice in God, who gave him the
victory ; and the people, every one that sweareth by Him, loyal
servants, united in the oath of the covenant to

Maccabean

to the Ps. a thought appropriate to

appends

editor

the affliction of his time

God, will glory.

The mouth of them that speak

shall

lies

be stopped.

nnx] ][^, J, not

2. ""Sn] divine name as , and not fortitudo mea of %.
T).nrN] Pi. impf. i sg., strong sf. zm.X {y\v)
, is a gl., making 1. too long.
vb. denom. "inii' dawn (j7^), Pi. io seek with the dawn, early, earnestly 78'^*

in

Ho.

5^^ Is. 26^ Pr.

8^'^.

^DB.

be blind, so

faint,

pares 3xn, Ra. niN.

np::] vb. a.\., cf.

Ar. stem, be pale efface, weak-eyed,

3 desideravit, so S, ^. Ki. comquam i7iultipliciter, 9 Troaaxws =

l/xeipeTaL aov,

TrocraTrXtDs aoi, IS

n^x'ynjs]
nor, hoiv often, how long, not suited to context and improbable.
phr. 1073s Ho. 2^ Je. 2^ 5012 5143 jg. 41I8 532 Ez. 1913 Jb. 2^0; f n;x n.f. with
the same mng. desert land Is. 35I Zp. qP- Jb. 30^ Ps. 78^^ 105*1 (as only pi.

dub.)

drotight Jb. 24^^

assonance in
as 143^,
no^i?

:\

143^ has

on

1438 dependent

334

'i'

^^'^'Sa f\>p']

a^D'"'7:j

Neglect of agreement of
K6.'^y"-

is

f.,

is

also,

l.^V

n^yi n>-i y-ixa,

with

and r^

is

at the close of the

1.

6.

that

'D

1.

Ch.

for

i635.

assonance

nijn]

(v. 77-^).

pi.

The

prob. rd.
gl. to

phr.

'PBti'

as

3.

justified

pxj.

by some,

cf.

("2)

|~]

has as

tetrastich

its
;

f [na'^y]

congratulate Ec. 4^
Pi. impf.

The

so r;DC3.
n.f.

So r^ in two
complement \-d v.^.
and v.* is a gl.
vb. Aramaism, Pi.

therefore masc.

2 sg.

isi^x]

5.

\^ip_

"'3"'?^n'']

give vb. obj.; neither original.

nouns.

is

in the
sf.

sg., sf.

8^^^

Plithp.

2 sg., should

be

copyists did not regard the

jubilation, elsw. loo^ Jb.

so 3, but

late gl. of f^ to give vb. subj.,

is

simile

agrees with iiio, and

adj.

(i) laud, praise, elsw. 117^ 145* 147^2.

boast o/Ps. 106*'^

nn

The

nD^>'i n>x

The original of all is doubtless Je. 4^1 c. S. Ps.

demanded here for assonance. The is an error of

These two couplets belong together

4. :iMn3p'^] Pi. impf. full form with

original order.

therefore rd. here

noun v-x, though

its

previous lines should be at the end of

for

too long, and

1.

X^yy zd]. faint, zveary,

improbable.

The

interpretation.

form

makes

phr. dub.,

expl. gl., so Ba.

rsj Je. 31^5 Pr. 25^^, so prob. Je. 4^1 (for nsiy).

nD>57

pND

missing.

aipiaet rb dvofid crov.

and that t6

3'^

20^, late

It is

6vofid aov is gl.

prob.

of (S to

But the vb. 3 sg. is difficult in context of fem.

and the syntax is difficult. We should
explan. gl.
But even as emended this v. is a

nijj-i 'ncc' is a.X.,

v.*.

the original.

wd}
7.

is

Ti^nnDi'Dx].

This

is

prosaic order, and assonance

PSALMS

76
requires

jb. 1713^

end of 1. Better euphony is also given by

at

r\

sg. i.p. t [Vi^f;]

sf.

';?ix>

nnDK'N]

t !T^ict*N

pi.

impf. frequentative.

njjriN]

with >%

3^ 6oi3.

of.

desolation, V.

Ez. 3 1 14-

n.[m.] spread, couch, as

3^

16. 18,

= La. 3^

||

nnnu;] archaic

npni] emph. antith.

10.

e/j fidrrju,

an

expl. gl.

It

So

(/^)

is

to the

king

fig.

(i) throw

ain n>

11.

S;?

"Cfij is

'^^''t^'?]

Ez. 2620

for better
is

lower;

78**.

Ch. 5I

pi.

nw^r

n.f.

pK

m>nnn with nn 88^

referring to the

yi^'^- 24, all

For nNia'% 3
improbable. The form
error of interp. for

spilt,

pi., sf.

S.

3 sg.

14^*,

2^^.

euphony

n-rinn with

dub.

f.

Nnnnp*?.

Hiph. impf. 3
as water 2

inn-'j:]

Niph. (i) be poured,

maism.
La. 3^^

v.^^.

too long.

1.

form

n>nnn with S^\w Ps. 86i3;

in vantirn, nvj'S

makes

f.

| 'nnn adj.

^-s^ elsw. Ps. 1391^ Is. 4423

deeper, gloomier regions of Sheol.

Gn. 49^ (J)

132-^

a watch of night, elsw. 90* 1191^8 l^.

n.f.

8.

with fiNn nvnnna.

SiNC' Dt. 3222;

with

dn when, as

"^V'O^.

interficere.
is,

as Ba.,

tt'Djn

referring

["^JJ]

vb. Ara-

of the eye with tears

vanish Jb. 20-8; (2) be extended, of the hand Ps. 77^. Hiph.
stones Mi. i^, (2) extend the wine cup to one Ps. 75^; phr.

down

elsw. Je. 1821 Ez. 35^; (S irapabodricovTaL els

x"pas

l>o/x(f)alas,

BDB

Hoph. ptc. Mi. i* of mts. melting in theophany. The vb. is

The sf. vi, sg. for pi., is of dub. originality. It was not
pi. of indef. subj.
D^Vrr] pi. fSyir. n.m.yV3:<r-^dr/elsw. Ne. 3^ Ju. 15*
needed and was not in @.
12. -)5d:] Niph. impf. f [">3D] vb. Aramaism for
La. 5I8 Ez. 13* Ct. 2i^-i^
deliver over

to.

">JD

Niph., be stopped, here of mouth, Gn. 82 (P)

deliver

up

into the

not prose, and

is

hands

The

of, Is. 19*.

last half

of springs.

of

v. is

Pi.

shut up,

a pentameter

1.

if

gl.

PSALM

LXIV., 3

OTi.

5^

Ps. 64 is a plaintive cry of Israel to Yahweh for preservation

from enemies who slander and plot against him (v.^*"^'*), with the
fail, because Yahweh will overcome
own tongues and make them a lesson to all men

assurance that the plot will

them by
(v.'*'^*^).

their

Glosses pray for hiding from evil companionship

and express the assurance

of the eventual

righteous (v.").
J-^EAR, Yahweh,

From dread

my

of the

voice in

my plaint;

enemy mayest Thou preserve my

Who

do whet as a sword their tongue,

aim their arrow, a bitter speech,

Do
To shoot

in secret

places at the perfect.

gUDDENLY they shoot at him without fear;

They strengthen for themselves an evil speech
They talk to themselves of hiding snares
They say to themselves Who can see ?
They search out injustice they have hidden a plot
:

(v.*^),

joy and glory of the

life,

PSALM LXIV.

fj

TT is

plotted, and each one draws nigh with a deep mind.

Then Yahweh doth shoot at them sudden is their wound;
And He causeth them to stumble by their own tongue;
And all that look on them wag the head,
And declare His doing and His work consider.
:

Ps.

64 was

in

, then

in

fH,

and

!E,

Ps. has three tetrameter pentastichs.

It is

{v. Intr. 27, 31, 32, 33). The

a complaint of the community of

the early Restoration, encompassed by petty enemies

court of Persia.

It

probably inserted subsequent to the text on which

uses

m.-i",

and was therefore subsequent

Str. I.

2.

Him

to

in plaintive cry.

of the nation

was based

at the

(2) V.^^

also IBi^.

Yahweh

is

called

in their perils,

Thou preserve my

est

them

of two syn. lines and a

triplet

His people

may

upon

going up

life'].

The

from enemies, who make themselves

in peril

is

slander

not in ^^^ and was

is

and probably

my plaint~\.

in

in prayer to hear the voice of

to

to BE

and a

synth. couplet

third synth. thereto.

life

who

has two glosses: (i) V.^, which

3. A glossator
craft and cruelty.
upon these enemies as a council of evil doers] gathered in
companionship of workers of
to plot their evil scheme

be dreaded because of their

enlarges
secret

trouble]

cf. 2^ 55^^,

which

to

is

||

be preferred to the " insurrection "

of PBV., AV., or the "tumult" of RV., JPSV., neither of which

mngs. can be established, or

Psalmist prays to be hidden.

tongue y

II

hostility

4.

Who

these the

do whet as a sword their

Do aim

their arrow].
Speech of a hostile character is
weapons of war, the sword and the arrow; so 55^
^ bitter speech], that which they make in slanderous
at the court of Persia against the feeble community of the

compared
57^^59^-

From

suits the context.

to

Restoration,

v.^

cf.

They

in secret places].

shooting from ambush,

cf.

10^ 17^^

at

are like enemies

the perfect].

people, in the unity of his organisation,

is

man

Israel as a

of integrity.

His conduct has been unexceptionable towards the government of

Persia and also towards these crafty foes.
Str. II

is

stairlike in its

thought of the

last line

syn. parallelism.

surprise from

5.

advance, the

first

line

resuming the

of previous Str. and then explaining

it

in

Suddenly they shoot at him], taking him by

ambush, and accordingly without fear], because

they have taken him altogether unprepared and unable to defend

himself.

This shooting

is

now

explained as

6.

an

evil speech]

PSALMS

78
resuming the "

speech " of

bitter

themselves'], giving

which they strengthen for

v.*,

one another mutual support, and

fortifying their

They
themselves
consultation, of hidhig snares]
say
from the context, ensnaring words, of treacherous character.
word by the number of
to

false witnesses.

talk to

||

the7?iselves\ in their

that

is,

Who

can

They persuade themselves

see ?]

7a.

Israel will not see, cf. lo^^^^^.

may

something that they

diligently seek for

This

the most probable rendering,

is

of

wrest to their evil

have hidden a
and gives an appro-

though sustained by but few Hebrew codd.

priate climax,

ordinary reading
as

God

They

purpose, however unjust that would be.

plot].

even the

that

They search out injustice\

is

The
may be explained either
"we are innocent" JPSV.

a difficult one, which

"accomplished" AV., RV., or

as

but neither of these translations suits the context.

Str. III.

ductory

also stairlike to Str. II.

is

line,

resuming the

last line

thetical couplet of divine retribution

its effect

upon

deep mind], so

(^,

lowed by modern
every one "

||

observers.

all

It is

of

v.^'*,

composed of an introand then of the anti-

and a closing couplet showing

Each one draws nigh with a

Hebrew form as vb. MT., fol-

7i&.

U, taking the
Vrss., takes

it

as

noun

" mind," of which " deep "

" inward thought of

the

is

common

predicate.

The
and the thought abrupt.
Psalmist now would say that the enemies have undertaken to carry
out their treacherous plans. They draw nigh the Persian court,
each and all of them, with their plan deep in their mind. But
though it was hidden from Israel, it was not hidden from Yahweh,
But the connection

and

He

plans

difficult,

them with

visits

become

is

swift

and

effective, cf. Is. 29".

just retribution before their

8.

Then Yahweh doth shoot

enemy

at them], in antithesis with the shooting of the

and

this

because

shooting
it

is

not only sudden as theirs, but

accomplishes their wound.

at Israel

it is

effective,

"With an arrow"

is

an

unnecessary explanatory addition at the expense of the measure.

9.

The

divine shooting was also in the use of words.

cause th them

to

are turned against

the text.

dubious as

The
is

He

own tongue']. Their own words

own hurt so I venture to amend

stumble by their

them

to their

text of J^

generally agreed.

out of the text have

and the ancient

failed.

Vrss.

All efforts to

The

humiliation

is

corrupt and

make good
is

indeed

sense

in public

PSALM LXIV.

79

All that look on them

hidden craft.
and derision, as RV., cf. 22 Je. 48^,
" flee away " in
which is to be preferred to another reading
horror, of AV., although modern scholars are very much divided
10. A glossator explains
in their preferences between the two.
in antithesis with the deeply

wag

head\

the

in scorn

by the insertion of " and

all

And declare His

measure.

the insertion of the divine

word too

expense of the

shall fear," at the

doiftg], that

Yahweh's, recognising

is,

is made more definite in the text by

name for the suffix, making the line
His work consider'], observe, contem-

This

the retribution as His.

just this

men

long.

upon it and the lesson it conveys of warning and rebuke, cf. Dt. 32^ Ps. io6^
11. This Ps. ends like the
previous one, with a similar Maccabean gloss, expressing the conponder

plate,

reflect

it,

fidence that the righteous

in

Yahweh

all the upright of

||

mind,

who

in their distress, will ultimately rejoice

seek refuge

and

glory^ cf.

34' 63''but

y^n]

2.

(@i^;

to his interpretation of

of different measure from Ps.

is

it

"^^t

cstr. r\^r\_ n.f. a.\.

ace. to context,

||

with

i3"i for

Hb.

i^.

but Hiph. impf. with

sf.

harsh, severe.

consec.

Cf. Ju. i8"^^

rd. rinhS.

Je. 4^0 626

The

v.^".

improb.;

ix'T'^

5.

nSi]

same

i.p.

Cf. 2^.

euphony

Qal

3.

substitution by a

This

v. is
gl.

not in
nc'jn]

3 a tumultu;
nn \3n] phr.

4.

np

so v.^".

inf. cstr.

m^

but
a.X.;

adj. bitter^

(-^/^)

with V

and D-};i Hiph. impf. sf. 3 pi.

as two Hiphs. with same mng.

v.^^,

Ps.

as v.^ Disnc

Qal impf

doubtless a late

is

nn"''?]

3 m. ini>

use of Qal in

J aN.72]

life.

a multitudine,

companionship.

11D prob.

as

t'iJj

and

^t^^ irX-qOovs,

should have retracted accent with

purpose

The former unconscious

more prob.

^roj

owing

late copyist,

Cf. Is. 47II

adv. suddenly.

48*

nt> with neg. having force oi without,

a circumstantial clause, Ges.^^^- ^^. S, Lowth., Street, Gr., iNni Niph. impf.
nsi gives certainly a better parallelism, and is favoured by v.^^
6. "idS]
It is also required for measure and good sense
archaic sf. with '^j reflexive.
in

used in the weakened sense of speak, as 59^2 73^^. But "idS as obj.
unexampled and improb. It should go with nrx. It has been mis7. irsn;:] Qal impf. 3 pi.
X [c'on] vb. f Qal search out, think out,

after ncD",

of

nN-\^ is

placed.

elsw. search for Pr.

be searched,

2*,

search, test La. 3*0 Pr. 2Qp.

as Pr. 28^2^

v.''*

ron

n.

[m.]

clause ^^epauvcDires i^epavv-^a-ei.

= t'sn

con

too long.

O'lB'fjn,

to complete
Ba., Dr.,
is

al.

improb.

But the

as Gr.
it

as

1.

is

the latter as Qal

Qal

pf,

pi.

pf.

't'dn,

(5,

V, 3,

U,

take

f Pu.

@ in second

3, scrutantes scrutinio rd.

with subsequent

5*,

^DB.

The former goes with

of onn for iron.

De., Now., after

Pi. search, Ps. 77''.

a.X. device, plot

1.

ijon]

previous
is

1.

taken by

But the sudden change of pers.

it

Du. follows several codd. Kenn., De Rossi, and

as 3 pi.
rds.

udp

ijd3,

for icn Ges.

which

is

^o- 0.

favoured

PSALMS

80
by

v..

anpi] as 5^^ imuard part of man, 3 cogitationibus. But

3S1] of accompaniment.
as
U accedet =

irpotrt-

XeiJo-erat,

<far,

^n,-! ^/ratt;

JpDj;] adj.

inscrutable,

^<r^/,

dent on previous

pfs.

cf.

27^.

12^2 Ec.

Jb.

Dixno] ^

72-*.

8.

D>}]

consec. depen-

and thus sustaining them, unless we suppose a new

clause begins here with different tense.

able.

as v.^^ so

but

koX uxJ/uOT^a-erai

vtjtIcjp

cn^

is

improb-

wht^si (79*) tAe simple, so

parvulorum. It is however improbable.

orsp] pi. c. sf. 3 pi. J nrn n.f.
wound, blow I K. 22^ Ze. 136 Is. i^ Je. ioi+. The v. is too long for one 1.,
two short for two. yn is unnecessary gl.
not with vb. v^; so also i>n.
consec.
It is improb. that 3 sg. and 3 pi. in
9. 'I!^'?''r3'j] Hiph. impf. 3 pi.
same v. should refer to enemies. 3 et corruent in semetipsos Unguis suis,
et infirmatae sunt contra eos linguae eoncm, seem to have had no sf. but in>S>\
& Kol i^ovdivrjffav avrbv al yXCoaaai avrCou had the sf., but not lD"'Sj;; prob.
"iDiS;? Dy., Hi., Now., as 90^ is improb.
The
1^ is conflation of the two.
;

prop, reading
pi.

is

with Marti, Du., DJic^

3 fugient,

dub.

3
Du., Dr., Kirk., lu
as in previous

Ges., Ew., Hi.,

wag

1.

and subsequent
too long.

vbs.

11.

10.

nin-']

PSALM
Ps. 65

is

an ancient song

votive offering
(v.'*),

(v.-

makes

gloss

this

them an

S^'ij]

2 STR.

of

1.,

divine

certainly not in

temple at the time of

worship there

in nature (v.^ '^^^).

Yahweh

worship a universal privilege

Another thinks

(v.^").

making the
'iS>'c

4^

of universal confidence (v.*^).

(v.**).

gl.,

an original

for

gl.

of praise in the

of

Now.,

consec. should be prefixed

evidence of

Hithp. impf.

in horror, Ba.,

^), rejoicing in the privilege of

object of fear

of transgression

n^^jn^]

^"^^'^"^ '^^y^i] is

D'^hSn

LXV.,

and admiring the wonders

wonders a ground

idS''C3i.

the head, cf. Je. 482'.

specific reference of v.^ too universal.

name makes

"Si?

^DB, mj ^ee away

(v.^*)

and these

Another makes

of the covering over

Later editors add fragments of two harvest

songs in different measures

the former

(v.^^^^)

with reference to

the grain harvest, the latter (v.^^^) with reference to the richness
of flocks.

nrO Thee a song of praise is recited, Yahweh, in Zion

And to Thee a votive offering is being paid, O Hearer of prayer, in Jerusalem.
Happy the one whom Thou choosest and bringest near to dwell in Thy courts
;

We

shall

be

satisfied with the

goodness of Thy house, the holy place of Thy

temple.
awful things in righteousness Thou answerest us, O God of our salvation,
Who establishest the mountains by power, being girded with might;
Who stillest the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves

"l^ITH

With Thy wonders

jubilate.

the outgoings of the

morning and evening Thou makest

to

PSALM LXV.

But previously it was a I'-tt', cf. nSnn v.^.

Ps. 65 was in IB and then in JH.
was then in E and 2^ (z^. Intr. 24, 27, 31, 32, 33). The original Ps.
was v.2-3- 5. 6a. 7. 80. 96^ two pentameter tetrastichs, a hymn of praise to Yahweh
Many codd. @ (HP), Comp.,
in Zion, in peaceful times of the Restoration.
It

Aid., have

Kal 'lefextT^X Kal rod \aov rijs irapoiKla^ 6t e/ieWov

cpdi] 'lepe/xiov

iKirope^ecrdat

so 3L,

But

U.

this

is

an impossible assignment.

The

ten for use in public worship in Palestine.

is

due to a

in 3E.

Two

later editor.

The

first,

of

was

writ-

v.^*-^. 66. 86-9a

fragments of harvest songs were added, possibly

tetrameter lines,

five

It

universalism of

w.^^-^'^;

the second, of seven trimeter

lines, v.12-14.

Str. I. has a syn.

and a synth. couplet.

To Thee\ em-

2.

phatic in position and repeated at the beginning of the next line.

song of praise'], a hymn, as @, U, accompanying a votive

both specific and not general, " praise " and " vow," as

offering,

EV^ is recited], the most probable reading is being paid, to

be preferred to " silence," " resignation," J^, J, %, or " is becoming," "beseemeth," (^, S, F, which seems to be inappropriate
||

paraphrase.

The paraphrase

justifiable.

3.

of AV., RV., " waiteth,"

is

less

still

A
influenced by
66^,
worship a
reference by
of unto Thee
come,
A
makes the
more
ordinary worship by
able
the covering
a reference

over of
interpreted
the
our
of
have
prevailed over
so @; been
later glossator,

this

universal

flesh

4.

insertion

still

transgressions.

all

Ps.

inserting

^natters

sins.

gives

later glossator

to

56^

Is.

suit-

to

iniquities],

in

{they)

||

as

{its')],

too strong for us and so overcome us, involving us in transgres" over me," changing the person to pi in the
sion.
5^, J, have

second clause.
gation that

is

Thou

sin offering

the sovereign grace of

Happy

near

to

the one]

God

cf. i^.

it is still

more
is

the congre-

suitable to the

the protasis of the

This was in the later ritual

but more frequently in

without sacrifice,

whom Thou

cf.

32^

choosest

\\i

78^ 79^

and

by

bringest

dwell in Thy courts], not referring especially to the Leviti-

cal privileges in the temple, but

who have

this right of daily

community,

cf.

15^ 23^ 24^

more

generally to

all

worshippers

worship as members of the sacred

27''

84^

We

shall be satisfied with

Thy house], the bountiful provisions made there

the body and soul of the worshipper, cf. 36^ 63^.
the holy

the goodness of
for

is

This clause

coverest them over].

accomplished by the
5.

singular,

But the plural

later period of the glossator.

apodosis

was

If the original

speaking.

PSALMS

82

place of Thy te7nple\ not technically, the holy place as distin-

guished from the most holy, the palatial reception room, to which
only priests were admitted

but, as usual in
its

the entire sacred enclosure,

cf. 48^*^

the holy place as

i/^,

more general sense

identical with the temple in

79^

138I

tetrastich of introverted parallelism.

as

embracing

6-9.

With
awful things\ things or deeds of Yahweh inspiring awe, and so
with Thy wonders^y v.^; not miracles in the technical sense,
although this word is often used for them ; but, as the context
Str. II.

II

shows, the tokens or signs of the divine power in the control

of the great forces of nature.

in

righteousness\ not judicial,

vindicatory and saving,

and accordingly emphasized in O God of our salvation.
Thou
answerest us\ responding to the prayers and worship of His
people.
the outgoings of the morning and evening Thou makest
to jubilate^
It is probable that this does not refer to sunrise and
sunset, the East and West as the extreme limits of the earth, with
forensic, or legal;

but, as usual

in

j/a,

but rather to sunrise and sunset as the

and so the goings out of morning and evening
worship in the temple.
These jubilate in the assurance that
Yahweh has answered the prayers of His people with salvation.
universal significance;
limits of the day,

It is evident,

however, that a later editor gave the former inter-

pretation, for he inserts in v.^ the cofifidence of the extremities of

the earthy

and supplements by

the isles

afar

error appears in the text as " the sea of

certainly

an awkward expression.

The mountains

tains by power'].
stable,

and permanent

Who

which by copyist's

off^

them

that are afar off,"

moun-

establishest the

are conceived in

parts of the earth, the

xj;

as the strong,

most appropriate

being girded
with mighty passive or possibly reflexive, " girding Thyself with
representatives of divine power,

might,"

cf.

nature,

cf.

that

93^;

roaring of the

seas'],

36^

89^*^

of their waves.

is,

for so great a task.

93^;

the

There should be

tumult of
Another

measure.

more

defined

a later editor, wishing to give

the

90^ Pr. 8^.

Who

stillest the

the other great representatives of

nal Ps. referred to the real seas

as

cf. 36''

||

closely as

little

power

the

doubt that the

with the real mountains.

it

figurative

the peoples, cf. 46', but

glossator

adds,

origi-

But

sense, interprets
at

the

and

so

in

roaring

it

expense of
the

dwellers

PSALM LXV.

83

The power of God

in the extremities (of the earth) fear.

put forth upon the sea causes universal

ception

is

not homogeneous to

But

fear.

as

con-

this

context, or to the thought

its

of the Ps.

hymn

fragment of a

now appended

for the grain harvest is

consisting of five tetrameters.

Thou dost visit the earth, and water it, to enrich it.
The brook of God is full of water.
Thou preparest their grain, yea, thus Thou prepares!
Its

Thou

Thou

10.

its

ridges

its

growth

furrows saturating, settling

meltest

it

with showers,

dost visit the earth"].

it,

blessest.

The poet

conceives of

God

coming Himself in the storm, and as really present and sending

and water it], the
rain upon the earth, cf. Ps. 29 Jb. 38^^.
as

By dittography of a

most probable reading.

gives " makest

to

been

The

enrich //].
intensified

by a

impf. subj. expressing purpose.

The

full of water].

The

brook or

river,

God,

all

Thou preparest

their grain].

rain

it is

cf.
it

always

as the source of

The

Gn.

i^

38^, and

Jb.

and never becomes

full

grain harvest

is

Himself; the sending of the rain upon the land

parest

it].

meaning.

The

being

dry.

prepared by
is

yea, thus

one of the

Thou pre-

Its furrows saturating^ settling its ridges], that

11.

is

particle has the intensive rather than the causal

the ploughed field after planting.

land,

God

His river; and

especially

is

most important parts of that preparation.

The

brook of

sources of rain are here conceived in a

entirely at the disposal of

God

This has

expense of the measure,

later scribe, at the

by the insertion of the adv. "greatly."

superterrestrial

single letter the text

overflow," thinking of a drenching, flooding rain.

it

Thou

meltest

it 7vith

is,

showers].

which otherwise would become hardened and com-

pacted by the baking heat of the sun,

is

kept in a

soft

condition

by a succession of showers during the season of the early germination of the grain.

whole process.

its

The

growth

grain

is

blessest].

blessed in

comes

to maturity in the harvest.

The

harvest song of the flocks

heptastich.

is

This
its

is

the result of the

growth, and eventually

now appended

in a trimeter

PSALMS

84
Thou

dost crown the year of

And Thy
The

pastures of the wilderness drip;

And

the hills gird themselves with rejoicing;

The (mountains)

And

12.

clothe themselves with flocks;

the valleys cover themselves with lambs;

They shout

Thy goodness

tracks drip with fatness,

for joy

yea, they sing.

Thoti dost crown the year of

The

Thy goodness'].

year

Goodness

over the flocks of His people.

the year

crowned, or brought to

is

good

the entire year has been a

and abundant

rich

the land to bless

The

it,

The

and

And

is

EV^

but

crowned by the

And Thy
God,

tracks or footsteps of

as

13.

fat flocks.

These are so

of flocks.

it

He

drip with fatness, or rather with those

wilderness in Palestine

ness.

and

and enriching showers which produce fat

The pastures of the wilderness drip]

refreshing, invigorating,

pastures

not that with which

flocks of the subsequent context.

tracks drip with fatness].

visits

year,

is

conclusion, as

its

is

God

a year characterised by the goodness, the beneficent care of

the ordinary place for the pasturing

is

rich that they themselves drip with fat-

the hills gi?'d themselves

The

with rejoicing].

hills

of the wilderness are so rich in pasture that they rejoice in their

96'^"^-.

richness, cf.

The mountains].

14.

This

the most

is

probable reading, to be preferred to "pastures," J^, AV., RV.,

which is an awkward repetition, or "lambs," ancient Vrss., which

gives a dubious sense.

fied,

clothe themselves with flocks].

ous as to cover them from top to bottom.

The

cover themselves over with lambs].

although J^ and Vrss.

resuming
n*pt]

2.

Aq.

Personi-

they put on as clothing flocks of sheep and goats so numer-

1.

4,

and

in

n.f. silence,

all

give "grain."

climax

||

And

the valleys

suggests this rendering,

They shout for joy],

yea, they sing.

resignation (22^).

But Vrss. except

HL either ptc. as

^, V, as 147', which latter is

prob. paraphrase, although regarded as the meaning of Qal ptc. npT y/nD'\
{17^) by Ew., Bii., Du. This mng. has not, however, been sustained, although
aicoirQa-a,

the syn. nir has

si/ens, or pf. (3 irp^irei

it

in late

Heb.

It is

niNj

better in this early Ps. to

cf.

Ho.

12II

a poem, and point here n^i Pu. 3 m. 113 codd. HP, @^- ^'T, Compl.,
Aid., F, add D^tt'no; so Hare, Che.', PBV., justified by parall.
3. r^if] Qal
HD"! recite

ptc.

sary

II

Dv-iSs, for original

ryyT)"^.

complement of the previous

(5, 'S,
1.

3, imv., not so prob.

It is

the neces-

and does not go with the following

clause,

PSALM LXV.

85

as f^, Vrss. This clause, a trimeter, is a gl. with a later universalistic refer4. nry nni] phr. a.X. matters or affairs of iniquities, (3 X6701 avbfjuav,
ence.

verba iniquitatu77i.

parts of

had a

it

so

^p]

hymn

of praise.

enclosure, court,

i//

always of temple

a transposition

is

order of |^, as

This

is

617105 6

maris longinqui.

is

^^prr\

If the

were

1.

The omission

needed

for measure.

cious.

This opinion

fortified

is

by

to subsequent

jian

Qal

pf.

n.^

ry-:::.-^,

.nuj.

||

consec.

is

Gegiii. 3b

But

19'^.

juss. as (S,

It is

^ makes

in

is

^nbs] but

7.

it

suspi-

accord with

, 3,

^hd, both

tempting to rd. with Gr. n33 nnxj, as

If original, the latter

(jg^).

a.X.

T\\-ip_']

3, or future EV".
<=-a. r.t^

Accordingly Gr., We.,

universalism, which

1.

but

is

to

1/',

pi.

r<-ip_

is

it

gl.

it

makes

9.

-iNyn]

interpreted as result,

improb., esp. in view of v.^; prob.

we have

strange that

be preferred, as

looks like an explanatory

it

not suited to context, unless with Dr.

it is

While

second half would be

clause, taking

a complete and harmonious

"I

nxn n.m.

attached by |^, 3, to previous clause as noun {37^^);

it as vb. rapaxdificovTai,
turbabunter =

t^cni] is

8.

yet most Vrss. have the

of the second half in

its

but not with this temple Ps. as a whole.

cf. qtS'ii'' '^'^''''^J*

crou,

original, the

interpretations, rd.
15^.

2 m.

92I* 96^ icx)* Ii6i9 135"^.

dm] isnotin^, but in @^-

sfs.

Ex.

has

two
was

sanctificatione tetnpli tui, as if

v.*^

by

suspicious with following pi.

as Is. 66^^.

D-iiN,

0,7101/

But

>'a6s troy.

pi. sf.

^^l^fn]

Qal impf. 2 m., present, not

6.

Du., rd.

of forgiveness of sins

of the temple,

Aq. vaov

elsw. 48^1 Is. 26^^.

Jf

may be

be preferred with Ba., as best suited to previous clause and

to

iwn]
nN"\i>p] phr.
the vb.

2,

elsw. 843-

irni'^ >^(?/j///^(r<?

possible, cf.

it

before relative clause, Ges.^^^-^ {y. /^).

pi, cstr.

"'I'^n]

and

gl.,

not in accord with the context of this

is

final clause, Ges.i^)- ib.

phr. a.X.

:)SD^^ trip]

rip.

5.

Qal impf.

ptt*:]

The conception

different origin.

suitable for liturgical use of Ps. but

v. is

that the

not suited to context.

sg.

sf.

Jf,

But the whole

UDC, so Gr., Du.

^/(xas,

not yix

tixp,

as

v.^.

The whole

rT^Xi"?,

cf.

of this

rr'nn'iNr:].
clause is prob. gl. by same hand as v.^^, v.^.
p gives the ground
and reason, not of the fear, but of the rejoicing. It goes with the subsequent
niNiij, which begins the Str.
context to complete the measure and is
% ^^**
n.m. (l) sign, token, 86^'^; (2) sign, wondrous deed, miracle, 74^ 78*^ 105^7
"'N^f'iD] as 19"^,
Other mngs. not in ^.
1359, so here; (3) standard 74*-*.
cf. 75'^; refers to the dawning sun, but cannot refer to the evening, which is
|1

a place of entrance, not of outgoing.

Hiph. overrun, overstream,

here

but Vrss.

all

take

it

V. j6^.

rspMi^

as

if npE'ni,

10.

npnirni]

consec. Po. impf.

Polel causative, cause

and prob.

to

\pw

overflow, a.X.

this is the correct reading,

however, that they interpreted ppy)

n3"^] adv. as 120^ 123^ 1291-2, but (5 i-rrX^dwas n^a-i fol-

the double p being dittog.

4I3,
Jo. 2^*

It is possible,

lowed by impf. of purpose. This certainly best explains the impf., nj-^is'^'n
Hiph. of '^V'; (cf. 49^"^) with strong sf. 3 f. The 1. is, however, pentameter,
like the previous context,

which

is

tetrameter.

intensification.
v.ii.

DJJi]

sf.

when

it

really goes with the

n2"i is therefore to

The assonance
interp., not in

in

subsequent context,

be regarded as a

n_ begins with

this

so Lowth., Street.

1.

gl.

of adverbial

and continues through

11.

ninSn]

pf. sf.

3 sg.

PSALMS

86
foSn n.m. furrow^
(j6^), so nm y'nm

(/<J^).

48^^

nn]

cuttings

upon hands.

Pi. inf. abs. yjryyy

pi., sf.

f.

f
n^jjbn]

2 m., strong

f.

form 3

nnp>*]

sf.

as abs.,

it

a^wzj g^eges,

context suggests Dnn, as Hare, Street,

put

erunt.

on, cover oneself with,

f-^:ij

||

1 126^

14.
0!

12.

cstr.

I'^DiP"*'']

D>nr] pi. n3 n.m. dub.,

loa;*']

Am. 5"

twv wpo^dTuv.
Aramaism f 1^i*

of.

But
elsw.

U abundabunt, 3 plenae

Gn. 4186.49 428-25 ^^aa ()

S^-s

But although sustained by ancient Vrss.,

to see a sufficient reason for passing over from flocks to grain.

it is

difficult

The most

word in is ona lambs, which by copyist's error went into previous

making a double difficulty.
i;;;?^-(n^] Hithp. impf.
3 pi. pn, v. 41^^,

natural
so

njK*]

inadmissible.

is

icpioi

(S 'K'\i]Qvvov<nv,

ca':';

n.m. grain, as 72I6

Je. 2328 Ju. 224 pr^

@
Iloub.

trickle Is. 458.

which

f [l^"^] vb. trickle, elsw. d^r^/, of clouds

v. v.^^.

Hiph.

Pr. 320.

usually pastures, but

3720 ;

Po. inipf.

3 and EV. take

Qal impf

pi.

dew

Jb. 352?,

but

fur-

3 f t n?:^ n.m. sproutins^, growth, as Je. 23*

It should close the 1. for assonance. .1*^11 give five tetramejid.

a fragment of another Ps. added to the previous one.

sg. njr, so
full

sf.

Zc. 3^ 6^2,

T^-^^

ters,

1.,

fnj

def. written

O^'P"!]

copious showers, elsw. 72^ Dt. 32^ Mi. 5^ Je. 3^ 1422.

pi.,

']'^

10* 1212.

defectively written

7'^i''J]

roWf ridge, cutting, elsw. Je.

Ho.

elsw. Jb. 31^8 3910

|1

PSALM LXVI.
Ps. 66 is composite

(A)

for

His ancient deliverance

song of praise to Yahweh

Red Sea

of Israel at the

(v.^~^-^

His
watch over the nations (v.^" ^), and His present protection of His
people (v.^) ; with glosses emphasizing this praise (v.*), representing

how

and

to

The

editor of IE adds a reflection

awe-inspiring His deeds are to enemies in particular

mankind

in general (v.^)

the nation has passed

safety (v.^^^^).
sacrifices in the

tress

(v.^),

(v.^'^^^),

before

(B)

and warning the refractory

upon severe

trials

(v.^)
(v/'').

through which

Yahweh brought them

forth

into

prayer connected with rich and abundant

temple in fulfilment of vows made in time of dis-

a grateful public acknowledgment of the deliverance

God had wrought

in

to prayer (v.^^^^^^^o'^^ ^ftiih a gloss

answer

intimating that the Lord would not have heard,

contemplated wickedness

A.

v.^^2.

^HO UTto
Make

if

the people had

(v.^^).

6-76.

8-9^

2 STR. 2\ RF.

Yahweh) all the earth

2.

melody unto His name in a song ofpraise

Who turned the sea into

dry land,

That they might pass through

the flood

on

foot.

to

Him,

PSALM LXVI.
ITETallthe

87

earth worship Yahweh.)

Let us rejoice {in His name with a song ofpraise

ruleth by His might forever

Who

His eyes over the nations keep watch.

nLESS ( Yahweh) ye peoples ;
And let your voice be heard in a song ofpraise

to

Him),

Who
And

Him,

to

setteth us in Hfe,

doth not suffer our foot to be moved.

B.

V/"^

STR.

f.

WILL come into Thy house

with whole burnt offering:

pay my votive offerings to Thee,
Wherewith my lips opened,
And which my mouth spake, when I was in distress.
Fat ones will I cause to ascend to Thee,

I will

Together with the incense of rams.

Bullocks together with he-goats.

pOME, hearken

and

I will tell

What He hath done for me.

Unto Him did I call with my mouth,
And high praise was under my tongue.
Verily (Yahweh) heard;

He
He

U, because
original.

one of the two

/i v.^-^,

originally

dmo-Tcio-ews, so
;

certainly not

which were not

B v.^^-^o^ with many glosses.

in , M, ^.
The original

resembles the royal group 96-100 in tone and

It

It is doubtless postexilic,

earlier.

its

Resurrection

Pss. of 132^, 66-67,

was

It

was probably only A, and was composed of three trimeter tetrastyle, though simpler

n^B*, nSnri,

of

of liturgical use as a Ps. of the

It is

indeed a composite Ps.,

stichs.

and

prayer.

n^tt*,

It is

my

did not turn away His kindness from me,

and 133^ (v. Intr. 31, 32, 33).

66 is a Ps. of f^,
and also a nSnn v.2- 8^ a n^on v.^^- 20 (^p, i, 24). In

Ps.

attended to the voice of

optimistic universalism.

and belongs

Y.'^^~^^ is

to peaceable times because

a beautiful trimeter heptastich, seem-

ing to be a complete strophe of a longer Ps. describing severe national

afflic-

and deliverance from them. It is in the style of Is. 2 and was earlier
than v.2-9. It was probably added to the previous Ps. in fH. V.^^-^o is a
temple Ps. of two trimeter heptastichs, certainly composed in Palestine in connection with sacrificial worship.
It was doubtless later than the other two
pieces, and may have been added to them by SK.
The glosses are of various kinds. V.^ is a pentameter couplet, implying a divine judgment upon
tions

enemies; of uncertain date, but

confused

line,

modified to suit

ductory couplet of the 2d

line of

Str.

which was taken from

separating

it

from

its

cf.
its

81^^ for similar use of vb. B'HD.

present context

of the Ps.
46^.

It

was

V.^

is

V.*

is

a tetrameter couplet, the

certainly inserted subsequent to

original connection with

\.K

but originally the intro-

VJ<= has a

first

v.*,

word used

PSALMS

88
68''- 1^ cf.

elsw., Ps.

78^,

and probably was inserted under

a late qualifying insertion, expressing a legal attitude.

ejaculation, adapted to
in 35 or

its

influence.

V.200

is

V.^^

is

a liturgical

Probably none of these glosses were

context.

IBIfit.

PSALM LXVI.
The

A.

three Strs. have each a syn. couplet of the nature of a Rf.,

a summons to praise
1-2.

its

Shout

to

Yahweh

and a synth. couplet giving the reason.

\ make melody unto His name"] evidently

from the context in public worship

temple.

the

in

The

call

appears as a couplet at the beginning of each strophe in variant

ond

Yahweh

Bless

terms.
Str.

has

lost its

||

let

your

heard v.^

voice be

The

sec-

introductory couplet through the insertion of

the glosses v.*^; but probably it was transposed and transformed,

and should be worship Yahweh v."** let us rejoice in His name
v.^. This call is emphasized by a glossator in v.^ by attaching (in
" His name," and by inserting (in both
f^
J^, not in (^) glory to
||

and

()

make

glorious

both at the expense of the measure.

Moreover, the transposition of the Rf. of

with

v.^

made

it

Str.

IL into connection

necessary to change the 3d pers. into the 2d pers.

in a so7ig of praise to Zi'/';;/], a temple hymn; repeated in v.*

all the earth\ v."**, proband probably also in the missing Rf.

ably in missing Rf.

as the

God

||

peoples,

v\ The

author conceives of

of the whole world and of

which

religion of Israel as a universal religion in

The

reason for this universal praise

of the Strophes.

6.

to the passage of the

Egypt,

cf. 74^3

Who

is

peoples

all

all

Yahweh

and of the

men

share.

given in the second couplet

turned the sea into dry land'], referring

Red Sea by

Israel

when he went up out of

78^^ based on the narrative Ex.

i^"^^"^-

is^\That

they might pass through the flood on

foot\ probably referring to

the same event, because of the subord. impf., and not to the subsequent passage of the river Jordan. The attachment of v.^ to
the foregoing, occasioned the textual error which compels the ren-

dering There

let

us rejoice in

Him].

This

is

usually explained

out of the consciousness of the unbroken continuity of national

But throughout
and not the Israehtes
life.

this Ps. the

author

is

addressing the nations,

either of the present or of the past, or in the

unity of their national hfe.

ever], the universal Ruler

7.

Who

7-uleth

by His might for-

whose dominion extends

also through

PSALM LXVI.
all

time.

89

tempting to think with J,

It is

of

2E, Calv., Hi.,

D71^

in the sense of " age of the world," but this

meaning is much later

than this Ps. and the vb. requires the prep, and not the ace.
His eyes over the nations keep watch]. As Kirk., " He is the
world's watchman, sleeplessly on the watch lest any foe should
injure Israel

" but also, as the context implies, in watchful care

who

of the nations themselves,

account.

IVho

9.

setteth

summoned

are

us in

life'],

to praise

on

that

not referring to the birth

of the nation or the individual ; but to the preservation of the

life

of the nation and deliverance out of peril to Hfe.

not

suffer

our foot

nation,

cf.

to be

55^.

moved], of the firm establishment of the

later editor, in

an entirely different

that of the author of the original Ps.,

ful

And doth

who

times of friendUness to the nations, expresses his

liness to

them by

versal

own

inserting a warning at the close of

the refractory], cf.

divine rule

d^'-^'^,

spirit

from

evidently lived in peace-

unfriend-

v/

as for

also 78^; those obstinately resisting the

and refusing

ruler.

to take part in the worship of the unithem not exalt themselves], " their head " or

let

" their horn,"

cf. 3'' 75^.

Probably the same hand inserted
Say to God: How awe-inspiring are Thy works f] cf. 64^^
Because of the greatness of Thy strength Thine enemies come cringAnother and a later hand inserted
ing unto Thee], cf. 18*^ 8i^^

3.

5 a similar thought from 46^",

and a variation of
of mankind.
V.^^^^ is

Come

afid see the deeds of

46^^, Awe-inspirifig in

probably a

God

doing unto the children

taken from a larger Ps. and added by

Str.

the editor of 15.

Though Thou

hast tried us (Yahweh),

Refined us as silver

is

refined

Didst bring us into a net,

Didst lay constraint on our loins

Didst

let

men

Thou

head
and water

ride over our

We went through

fire

didst yet bring us out into a spacious place.

This heptastich has six syn. lines in protasis, preparatory to a

single line in apodosis.

as silver

is

This simile of the testing of

common

in

refined.

OT.,

10.

Thou hast

cf. Is. i^^ 48^^ Je. 9^

us into a net] Jb.

19*^, cf.

tried us], explained in

Ze. 13^ Mai.

32- 3.

Ez. 12^^ 17^, favours the

||

affliction is

11.

bring

more general

PSALMS

90

reference rather than the specific reference to a net spread by

enemies, Ps.

9^^.

Didst lay constraint on our

are the seat of pain, Is. 21^ Na.

12.

Didst

let

men

ride over

ment of

trial, cf. Is.

43-.

The

Ps.

Thou

as the climax,

room, and

all

upon

place," based

cf. Is.

51^.

state-

didst yet bring us out] from

movement,

text of J^,

all

a place

they had breathing space, ample

restraint,

of

liberty

6(f^.

summary

these afflictions, into a spacious place], as ancient Vrss.

where, free from

loins

They were thrown down

were driven over them,

and water]

through fire

loins']

and weakness,

our head].

in the highway, so that chariots

We went

2^*^,

is

cf.

EV.

18^.

Ps.

''wealthy

not so well suited to context, and

improbable.

PSALM LXVI.
Str.

Five syn. lines enclosing, after the

I.

couplet.

B,

13-16.

I will come

The

in the temple.

nation

is

an individual.

priest or king as

Thy house\

into

speaking

in its

first

with whole burnt

usual sacrifice to express public worship.

two, a synth.

pubhc worship
unity, and not a

for

offering], the

The whole

burnt offer-

This is more suited to

than
ing consisted of votive offerings.
" vows " of EV" ; for the entire Str. has to do with whole burnt
||

offerings,

which are then described

as/<^// oues,

the choicest, fattest

animals, rams, bullocks, he-goats, representing

the

best of the

herds and the flocks, in great numbers such as were appropriate

only for a national sacrifice.
that which was

vowed.

These the nation says / will pay],

?ny lips opened
which my

Wherewith

|1

mouth spake, when I was in distress] in a time of national trial

will I cause to ascend
from which they had just been delivered.
as is evident a whole burnt
to Thee] in the flames of the altar
offering, but a glossator inserts this at the expense of the measure
so also in the next line / will offer, which was sufficiently evident

from the incense of rams], the sweet odour of the burning flesh, as
I S. 2^ Ps. 141^ Is. i^^, and not the incense of fine spices burnt at
the altar of incense.
Str. II.

is

syn. triplet.

vow

composed of a

16.

synth. couplet, a syn. couplet,

Come, hearken; and I will

to tell of the divine deliverance, publish

the public, to

all

it,

and a

The usual
make it known to
tell].

^^s ^qIoh^
the world, cf 22=^ ^-^^

1^^^,.

gi^g.

PSALM LXVI.

91

sator limits the general reference to a particular class

fear God; but the measure does not allow

done for me] in delivering me out of the
^trSi

refer to the soul as distinguished

did I call with

my

from the body.

mouth'] in time of distress

The

and does not

Unto

17.

Him

but with an assurance of speedy deliverance.

tive prayer for help,

praise, anticipating the de-

in

to burst forth in speech.

tongue],

liverance.

Verily

did not turn

the fact which

He

attended

to the voice

away His

kindness

from me].

expressed in syn. clauses as

He

hath

not merely a plain-

high p7'aise\ expressed a hymn of

was under my
ready
19-20.
Yahweh heard] emphasizing
and

all ye that

distress of v.^^

as usual a poetic expression for the person,

is

What He

it.

of

is

my prayer,

The

latter is

explained by a glossator by the unnecessary insertion of prayer,

and the former

emphasized by the exclamation Blessed be God!

is

Vrss. render the adverb, " but " instead of " verily "

The

of the insertion by a glossator of the qualification

my mind,

templated wickedness in
is

from a more

legal point of

the

18.

because

If

I con-

Lord luould not hear]. This

view than that of the author of

the Ps.
LXVI. A.
2.

"'DC'

tion of

The

has only

iijd],

"I13D

which

iD^c

text is a conflation of

has two

The

iDtt'.

in archaic

two

phr.

suspicious.
differ

The

variants.

is

Heb. would

It

looks like a varia-

only in order of words.

original

was

in'rnn iDtr net.

and is
no good
measure or propriety in this duplication. The latter prob. goes with v.K
6. cn^N ni'7;?DD IN-11 idS] This 1. is tetrameter, a citation from 46^'* except
iNit for irn and o^nSs for rnn>.
The second 1. is also tetrameter, and a variation of 46^^. This V. is a late gl.
6 returns to 3d pers. and continues v.2
giving the theme of the hymn of praise.
"^on] But (3, B, ptc. as v.'''- ^ more
So

V.8

therefore a

gl.

11.,

4.

not three.
"^S

nspi]

is

has two pentameters and 2d

a duplicate of

correct.
"13

n^r]

nnnrj uv]

y,6a. h

and

Q^^- impf.

we would

only obscured in

v.*

insertion of

The

nnctfj
7.

is

v.^.

cohort,

D^')D,''D[']

Qal

and

expect one here.

v.^*,

sg.,

is

As the previous and subsequent

universal praise,

There

subjunctive after ion, expressing purpose.

an abrupt change in tone improb.

is

v.'^.

is

ncr\

^Dtt'

verses

which

in the original

Strs.

It is

between

begin with a couplet of

prob. that this couplet

originally

is

were together before the

couplet was prob. therefore

i pi.,

and can hardly be used with reference

to the past.

ptc. pi. X inD vb. de studdorn, rebellious, elsw. pi. 68^- ^^ sg.

PSALMS

92

788.

and

'id'?

Kt. Hiph.

'id">i>-'?n]

dativus commodi

10*?

with B'Nn or

juss.

Qr. Qal ian\

to

j'yp

be supplied in thought,

"U'^nSN] for D''n~?N original

8.

as

7\yr\>

@, U, 'iT'DJ; the same difference in 1:*?^"*, ^>r\', both

10. The 2d pers. begins
variations of interpretation of an original cd:, Sj-i.
It is a fragment of an indehere and continues through v.^- in trimeter 11.
11. t ^'^"'^p] nf- ^/ spread by hunter as Ez. 12^^ ly-^, so here
pendent Ps.

v.i.

Uw'Dj] so 3, but

9.

U;

6, 5, ^,

fig.

/r^y Ez.

a.X. compression^ distress,

The form

kijkXuo-lv.

as seat of strength
rd. prob.

"'njl'^

as

i9DB., (S

/r/.y<?,

tribulationes,

12.

Ez. 19^ so

npvic]

n.f.

siridorem,

Q^jPr] n.m. dual /oins

!^')1^] to satiety,

refrigeriu7n, also

Houb., Horsley, Ba., Che.,

cf.

as refuge, v. 18^.

25!'^.

r\p^MiT2

as 69-*.

ava\pvx'nv, IS,

els

God

dXlypeis,

prob. error for

is

Quinta,

ST,

always of

yp

and weakness,

e^/)uxw/)fai', Gr.,

Aq. 2,

1321.

Luther, Ba.; but this latter in

as 23^; but

^"^T^^.y <S

irnn

al.

LXVI. 5.

13.
v.*^.

change to

S. 2'^,

i^*^

J^N

too long.

1.

fat ones.

ni^;j is

prob. a

gl.

usually incense ; but here, as in

the earlier mng. of odour of sacrifice, cf. Ps. 1412. d^'^'n] pi.
6; as a victim offered in sacri-

n.m. ram, the animal as skipping, 114*-

emph., with apod.

cohort,

as

Is. S^"^

''!?^r] "-f-

often specific oxen, sg. coll.

fice

another Ps. which continues to

still

"H"'?] fully written for "'n? as

16.

of explan. making
Is.

introduces

ist pers.

here as

17.

"?]

OT.

in

original,

second

n.m. usually generic

"\|"J3]

16.

^'^}^'^> Pi.

most prob.

v.^^, is

glosses.

commonly

"i>rc' id"^]
i

p.

cattle,

here as

two Qal imvs. without

But

d-'hSn]

/ciJptos

conj.,

implies >jnK,

and favours the opinion that both clauses are

But
Dp''"<] Polal on he was extolled.
3^

subj., cf.

Now., Che., Ba., Bu., BDi9., 1 27p"i-i n.[m.] extolling, high praise, song
of praise, as pi. ^x PT^n 149^. Gr. rds. here '^ncD)n, the final n having been
Ges., Hu.,

omitted by

txt. err.

only rd. nirr:n, the

whole

because of
sf.

a qualifying

gl.

doubtless a liturgical

gl.

V.

initial

n of next word.

being unnecessary.
as

""Jin

It destroys

Ps. 67 is a

known

summons

This

ps] emph.

makes most prob.

the measure.

PSALM LXVIL,
(v.*^"^)

18.

20.

is

land (v.^).

fertile

3 STR.

(v.^), because

nations in equity

(v.^*-*),

53.

and

bless us,

face shine toward us,

(And give peace to us)

That Thy way may be known
;

Thy

Yahweh
is made
(v.^~^)
He

His salvation

salvation

among

all

and He blesseth Israel with

YAHWEH, be gracious to us,

Make His

but

''rSon is also a gl.

to all through the divine benediction of Israel

all

ns'N d\"iSn "ina] is

to all nations to give thanks to

and do reverence

governs

most prob.,

in position

in the earth.

nations.

PSALM

LXVII.

93

ET the peoples give

Thee thanks, Yahweh

of them, give Thee thanks
nations be glad, let them jubilate

Let the peoples,

Let the

all

For Thou governest the peoples with equity,

And

leadest the nations in the earth.

ET the

Thee

peoples give

thanks,

Yahweh

Thee thanks
The earth hath yielded her increase.
Yahweh our God blesseth us
of them, give

Let the peoples,

all

Therefore

the ends of the earth do reverence.

let all

fH, then taken up into 35 and 2^ ; but it was comT'::', which expresses its character (z^. Intr. 24,
In 193^ it was assigned to be sung D:^n2 (v. Intr. 34). It
31, 32, 23)'
presupposes the blessing of the high priest, Nu. 6^"^^, which it paraphrases in
V.2; but not necessarily the document P in which that is contained, for the
priest's blessing is much more ancient than P, and was one actually used by
Ps.

posed

67 was

at

an

first

in

earlier date as a

priests before the Exile.

is

improbable.

has

t^j

Aaveid after

nrjij3 is also incorrectly

"iidtc,

rendered iv

omitting

vfivois

in

versalism of the Ps. resembles that of 66^"^, and presupposes

of peace and friendliness with the nations subsequent to

Str. I.

but that

The

uni-

and a time
Nehemiah.
Is."'^

A synth. triplet and a syn. couplet. 2. The priestly bene-

diction Nu.

6^'^-'^

and therefore
fore

i"-'^',

is

turned into a petition of the nation for

in varied terms, cf. 4^ 29'^ 31^^ 8o*-^-^,

itself,

It is there-

improbable that the third clause was omitted in the original

We

must add

the line omitted, probably for abbreviation in writing,

An^ give

all

the

peace

more
to us.

that

3.

needed

it is

and not

in the

may be known],

earth
in the

Str. II.
triplet

as

Str.

Thy

salvation, in the

blessing as in previous and subsequent con-

more

that

Israel.

complete the

That Thy way'], defined

more general sense of

text,

to

||

is,

specific sense of salvation

from

evils.

mediately, through the blessing of

among all nations.

syn. triplet

and a syn. couplet. Str. III. A syn.

4. Let the peoples give Thee

enclosing a syn. couplet.

thanks], repeated for greater emphasis; so also at the beginning

of the next

Str., v.^, the first line giving the person to be thanked,

Yahweh, the second emphasizing the peoples by all of them.
This thanksgiving is still further emphasized in Str. II., v.^, by
let the nations be glad and let them jubilate], and in the last Str., at

the close of the Ps.,

do reverence~\.

v.^*,

The

by Therefore

let all the

ends of the earth

reason for this thanksgiving in

Str.

II. is

PSALMS

94
V.**-

Thou governest

'^y

earthy

in the

son in

the peoples

with equity

III., v/, is as in Str.

Str.

Israel, especially in

leadest the nations

||

government of the world.

in providential

I.,

harvest

fruitful

v.^,

The

rea-

the divine blessing of

The earth hath yielded her

increase,

4.

in f^,

^"f^''] bis,
iJ,

but

Hiph. impf. 3

also v.^ bis.

has sfs. only v.^, and not v.*

39) with sf. 2 m.

they were not in the

pi. n-it (y. Intr.

It is prob. that

onjn] Hiph. impf. m.

nSo^]
So> n.m. produce
851^ Dt.
irn^N cn^N]. The
Hg.
was
mn\ This
dviSn
evident that the
makes
was older than

makes the too long

than
interpretation of a
original, but are in all cases interpretative.

pi. nnj (5^).

Ju. 6*

7.

sf. f.

of" soil,

original

i^^.

Ps.

it

later

6.

certainly ij\nSN

1.

"UDri^'l is dittog.,

8.

15.

^r^N]

!5.

sf.

32^2

as 78*^

late scribe

is

at the expense of the measure.

PSALM

LXVIII., 8 STR. 6^

any particular

Ps. 68 is an ode, not based upon

tory, but

upon the victories

(i)

Israel.

of

reference to

Yahweh

Yahweh's

historical vic-

in the long history of

up

rising

in theophany,

causing His enemies to perish, to the great joy of the righteous

(v.'^^).

(2

A summons

ophany on behalf

to praise

of orphans,

reference to the theophanic

Him who

interposes in the-

widows, and prisoners

(v.^*').

(3)

march through the wilderness, with the

divine provision for His afflicted people (v.*"").

to the theophanic interposition at the

(4)

reference

Kishon, with the great

slaughter of the enemies and the rich booty for His people (v.^^^).
(5)

The

selection of Zion for the divine abode,

entrance into the sanctuary

(v.^^^^).

(6)

and the theophanic

The crushing

of the

enemies in the subsequent wars, probably of the reign of David

^y

22-24

j^

^^25-26.28^^

The triumphal processions

(7)
(8)

into

the

sanctuary

Final petition for deliverance from the world

powers and their dependent peoples

(v.-''"^

^^).

Many minor

glosses

emphasize various features of the ode, insert ascriptions of blessedness to Yahweh (v.^-^ ^ ^ ) and predictions of the homage of kings
,

to

Yahweh

in

liturgical use

Jerusalem

late editor adapts the Ps.

by adding Messianic prediction

to public praise
in

(v.').

(v.^^^''),

His sanctuary (v.^

and finally adoration

'')

to

(v.^), invocation

of the

God

of Israel

PSALM

LXVIII.

95

Ty HEN Yahweh arises, His enemies are scattered

And them that hate (Yahweh) flee from His presence.
As smoke is driven away when (the wind) driveth,
As wax is melted from the presence of fire,
The wicked perish from the presence of Yahweh
But the righteous are glad, exult with gladness.
make melody to His name.

CING to Yahweh,
Lift

up (a song)

to the

One

riding

on the clouds of His heaven.

Exult before Him, the Father of orphans.

And Judge of widows in His holy habitation,

Yahweh, who bringeth home

Who

the soUtary ones,

bringeth forth prisoners into prosperity.

YAHWEH, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people,

When Thou

didst

march

in the desert, the earth trembled.

Yea, the heavens dripped at the presence of

Yahweh

copious rain upon Thine inheritance.

If it were weary, Thou didst establish it, Yahweh.

For Thy living creatures Thou providest, for the afflicted, Yahweh.

^XrORD

is

given

The king doth

And

the beauty at

The dove on

And

the

women

strive

home

the wing

are heralding war.

armies

is

flee

divideth the spoil.

covered with

silver,

her pinions flash with yellow gold.

But (when the vulture spreadeth her wings), it is like snow on Zalmon.
of Yahweh, fertile mountain
Mount of summits, fertile mountain!
Mount Yahweh desired for His throne
Yahweh, Thou didst ride in Thy chariot from Sinai into the sanctuary.
Thou didst ascend up on high. Thou didst lead captives captive.
Thou didst accept gifts, to dwell among mankind.
will crush the head of His enemies.
The hairy scalp of the one going on in his faults.
Yahweh said " I will recompense them in Bashan.
1 will recompense them in the gulf of the sea, even I
That the foot may be bathed in blood
And the tongue of dogs may have its portion of the same."
'T'HEY see Thy processions, Yahweh, into the sanctuary.
The singers go before; behind the musicians;
In the midst damsels playing on timbrels.
There is little Benjamin, the conqueror;
(There) princes of Judah, a heap of them;

Q MOUNT

YAHWEH

Princes of Zebulon, princes of Naphtali.

YAHWEH,

command Thy strength for us,

Thou hast done for us.

Strengthen what

Rebuke

the wild beast of the reeds,

The assembly
Trampling

Yahweh

of bulls with the calves of peoples;

in the

mire the favoured ones, refined as

Disperse the people that delight in war.

silyer.

PSALMS

96

68 was originally a n^r, an ode, when

Ps.

was taken up into

it

and IBM
then in {M, and subsequently was used in
It has many glosses from different editors.
32, 33).
(i) Ju. 5, the song of

older poems,
JU. 5*-5; V.13,
cf.

5I8.

Ju.

Ju. 530 ; V.l*,

cf.

Deborah

Ju. 5 16; y.^^,

Cf.

Moses

(2) Dt. 3^, the Blessing of

cf.

Ju. S^^i V.22,

v.^*-

was

based on several

It is

march

v.^, the theophanic

It

19.

(v. Intr. 24, 27, 31,

^,

cf.

cf.

Ju. 526; v.28,

Dt. 3326-

28,

also Ps.

(3) Nu. 10=55, the Song of the Ark, cf. v.2.

(4) The
Ao/y habitation of v.^ depends on Dt. 261^ Je. 25^^.
(5) The representation
that Yahweh is the Father of orphans and Judge of widows is Deuteronomic.
(6) The triumphal procession into Zion is a later development of Ps. 24. The

18";

V.18, cf.

Dt. 332.

reference to prisoners and solitary ones

Egypt

v."- ^^

implies the prison of exile.

assembly of bulls used of Assyria and

probably refer to the Eastern world powers.
The calves of peoples

The wild

Edom,

beast of the reeds

v.^i,

probably refer to the lesser nations cooperating with them.

All this implies

a peril of the Jews between the East and the West, which was no less than
their being

enemy, as

Egypt, however, seems to be the chief

was not from minor nations alone, as in the

trampled in the mire.

The

80.

in Ps.

peril

The

early Restoration, but from great ones as well.

reference to the Sanctuary

and the mountain of the throne of Yahweh v.^", as well as to the temple
procession with songs and stringed instruments, implies thoroughly organised
temple worship, and therefore a date later than the erection of the second

V.18- 25,

The combination of these situations favours the late Persian period,

when Persia and Egypt were at war, about 360-350 B.C.
The tributary gifts of kings v.^, and the restoration to Yahweh of Egypt

temple.

and Cush

v.^-,

446 60, 662^tional

v.'^- -^^j

The
for

are glosses of a prophetic character based

All the uses of n^

21.

also the call '\y\i v.20-

nx"\

vPy cjjaj

v.i'^,

v.^- 19

27. 86,

x^iv

and

\vi nn for

v.^*
'\V'\

D\nDC

nn

"^ijSn

v.^^, pi>'in;D v.21,

a.X. for DTOtt'C

v.^i nra

for nio

from these glosses and errors there

on

Is.

is

all

nisxin

vP"

nc

cne

nnniD

ni^n|iD v.2^.

v.21,
v.'^

nncia

a.X. for nti trie

D^jctt'n a.X. for

no reason

are redac-

late uses

errors of copyists:

v.^^

18" 19I6-25 23I8

is. 20. 21. 23. 27. 33

and many Aramaisms and

following a.X. and strange forms are

nnciD

>jnN v. 12-

'jd

Dcn.

a.X.
v.^^

Apart

for dating the Ps. later

than

the closing years of the Persian domination.

Str.

I.

Two

syn.

and an

antith. couplet.

2.

When Yahweh

arises\ a use of the marching song of the ark Nu. 10^; and so
the ode begins with the

Yahweh was con-

march from Horeb.

ceived as present in theophany with the sacred Ark.

obstructed the

EV.

follow

He

arose in

march and when enemies

way, they were overcome by His divine presence.

the pillar of cloud as a signal for the

MT

in the translation " let arise," as if the verbs

were

making the Ps. begin with a prayer, when really it is in the

form of an ode, and the impfs. are graphic description of the

jussive,

PSALM

His enemies

march from Horeb.

wicked,

v.^],

LXVIII.

97

them that hate Yahweh

||

usual terms to indicate those

who were both

mies of His people and the enemies of their God.

are

the

the ene-

scattered

||

His presence perish from the presence of Yahweh, v.^],

This is illusin disastrous, overwhelming defeat and slaughter.
3. As smoke is driven away],
trated by two intervening similes.
of. 37^ Ho. 13^, but especially Ps. i'*, which suggests the original
when the wind driveth~\. By the omission of the noun
reading,
by an early copyist at the expense of the measure, an anomalous
Hebrew form has come into the text, which probably rests upon
ancient variations of reading, one of which is followed by EV. in
the imv. "drive them away," making a premature departure from
flee from

||

As wax

the simile.

These

Mi. i^

God
fire

of

is

is

melted from the presence of fire],

that of a thunder storm with a strong blast of

of lightnings,

Yahweh

cf.

Ps. i8^"^^

in antith. with their

4.

But the

Three

syn. couplets.

||

exult

5.

Sing

to

||

PBV. "magnify"

so S, ^T;

parallelism

verb.

demands, though

The more

usual

the clouds of

verse

in

it

is
is

is

suit

AV., JPSV. "extol," which the

a rare poetic meaning of the
(^, J, RV., " cast up a

given by

the context.

The

His heavens], the most probable

accordance with the conception

chariot 18" Dt. 33^^.

"clouds"

meaning

highway," which does not

else

are glad

exult before God.

Yahweh, make melHis name], a summons to public praise lift up a song to

to

Him,

wind and the

A glossator emphasizes

expense of the measure by inserting

Str. II.

ody

97*

righteous], the people

wicked enemies,

with gladness] in the victories of Yahweh.

this at the

cf.

similes suggest that the theophanic presence of

for

An

One riding on

original of a difficult

of

the

early copyist mistook the

theophanic

Hebrew word

another meaning " steppe, deserts," which nowhere

and that made it necesword rendered " His heavens " as if it were
the word at the close of the previous line, "His

used with the theophanic chariot

sary to interpret the

same as
name," and
the

" Yah."

this

occasioned the insertion of the divine name

6.

The Father of orphans]. Yahweh is the father of

the fatherless
and fudge of widows], their vindicator against
injustice; both Deuteronomic conceptions, cf. lo^"* 146^ Jb. 31^^18
(z;.Br.^-^-^-'5). / jji^ holy habitation], the heavenly temple,
||

as Dt. 26^^ Je. 25^.

7.

Who bringeth home

||

who

bringeth forth].

PSALMS

98
These are

different phases of the

same action

ones are those shut up alone in prison

for the solitary

own houses

brought out of prison to their home, their

reenjoyment of the privileges of home

perity^^ the

It is quite possible that

land.

prisoners^ and they are

||

ance from Egyptian bondage

the poet

is

thinking of the deliver-

but he uses terms which are more

suitable to the time of the captivity in Babylon.

that the

into pros-

||

in their native

two historic events were mingled in

his

It is

probable

glossator

mind.

added the line Verily the stubborn abide\ remain, abandoned by

God, who had released the faithful prisoners, either in a parched
landy as EV^ and most interpreters, referring then to the wilder:

ness of the wanderings

dungeon," referring

or possibly, by another explanation " in a

times.

Syn. couplets.

Str. III.

Thy people

didst

||

the desert'],

march\

8.

When Thou

from Sinai to Palestine.

9.

wentest forth before

march of

the theophanic

the

heavens dripped],

of God, the

glossator inserts from Ju. 5*

God of Israel. But

previous line from

its

10.

Yon Sinai at

rain, usually

mingled with

3^*^.

at

the

the presence

verb of the

makes the con-

copious rain upon Thine in-

heritance], a theophanic storm with thunder

heavy

in

the storm

in

this gloss separates the

object in this Hne, and so

nection of thought obscure.

Hb.

i8^'*^-

theophanic storm,

His theophanic presence

presence of Yahiveh],
clouds.

in the

Ju. 5*^.

the earth trembled], in

earthquake, as usual in theophanies Ex. i()^^^ Ps.

Yea,

Maccabean

to the prisons of the Exile or of

hail,

cf.

and lightning and

i8^'^^.

glossator,

misunderstanding the line as an independent sentence, and taking

the preposition for a divine name, inserted a verb at the expense

of the measure, which

cient justification.

is

EV.

rendered in

" send," without

suffi-

JPSV. "pour down," -5DB. "shed abroad,"

are better suited to the context, but are speculative meanings,

without authority in usage.

If

it

position, referring to the inheritance.

strengthen

Thy

it

remove

its

weariness and

were weary], emphatic

Thou

make it vigorous.

living creatures], as Vrss., including

man and

11.

in
it],

For

animals of the

Thou providest, and

when afflicted with need.

inheritance, connected with the verb.

the afflicted], these living creatures

didst establish

||

for
But

the insertion, at the expense of the measure, of the gloss, probably

PSALM

LXVIII.

a relative clause, " that dwell in

it,"

99

has been the occasion of

another interpretation in modern times, taking the

noun

initial

in

an ancient meaning, "community," sustained only by a single

certainly

and the inserted clause as a principal clause, and so

"Thy community dwelt therein." This is
a very weak outcome of a passage of a Ps. which else-

where

strong and vigorous.

passage,

getting the rendering,

is

glossator also inserted " in

The

Thy

goodness," certainly an unnecessary explanation.

Str. IV.

and one composed of a

synth. triplet,

with an antithetical

line.

Word is given'],

12.

lent to the English passive; but a glossator prefixed

if

God were

which does not

approach

with these tidings, which

less

13.
5

attaching

and

it

He

is

The

reference

it

is

doubt-

the verb for an adjective and

hne the noun was

to attach

certainly

is

The king

graphically described as striving

By mistaking

to the previous

was necessary

left

to the following

without a verb

noun, which then,

two are followed by a plural verb, had to be given as a

as the
plural

it

strive].

army of women
and impossible

in usage

battle of the Kishon.

the king of Canaan.

in battle with Israel.

wofnen are heralding

there were an

if

unexampled

is

The king doth

and the

the

measures in confusion, and occasioned

the rendering "great host," as

based on Ju.

misunderstanding of the proper place of

division of the lines put the

in reality.

as

advancing armies herald their

fleeing before the

for battle.

Adonay ;

gave the message or command,

at all suit the context.

Women

war].

He

the subject and

syn. couplet

indef subj. equiva-

and so J^ gives

us,

" kings of armies flee."

the subsequent context shows,

it

repetition of the verb in emphasis

But

in fact, as

is

the armies which flee.

is

against the measure

The

and im-

And the beauty at home divideth the spoil]. So (^,

U, J. This is evidently based on Ju. 5^, where the reference is to
the mother of Sisera, here to the fair wives and daughters of the
probable.

victors of Israel.

to render

it,

It is a

as EV'.,

mistaken interpretation of the

"she

sator inserts, probably at

that tarrieth at

first

home."

on the margin, from

initial

word

glos-

14.

Ju. 5^^ the reproof

of the Reubenites for their neglect to take part in the holy war

"Will ye

is

lie

down among

the sheepfolds?"

This has

made

the

and indeed a crux of interpretation and there

no agreement among commentators. De. thinks of Israel as

passage

difficult,

PSALMS

100
God's
is

turtle

dove basking

from Ju.

citation

It

but

would be more suited

peaceful

life

this

to the

to think of a reproof of those Israelites

to live the

preferred
perils of

5^

of prosperity

in the sunlight

certainly against the context.

who

of the dove in her cotes to the

war; but why then the emphasis upon

Before I saw that v."" was a gloss,

it

seemed

and gold?

silver

Br.^^^*^, to

best,

think of these words as carrying on the words of the messengers

summoning

the people to arms

with silver "

that

is, if

**
:

the winged dove

you would share

remain in the dovecotes, but take

in the spoil,

flight to the

is

covered

you must not

battle-field.

But

the removal of the gloss removes the difficulty of interpretation,

and makes evident the reference

on the

from

wifig~\.

its

The

enemies

to the fleeing

fleeing armies are

is

to a

The dove

dove

fleeing

her pinio7is flash with

colours of the dove in the sunlight as

covered with silver

yellow gold\ the brilliant

enemy.

compared
||

she wings her flight from her enemies, a metaphor of the spoil of

gold and silver abandoned by the fleeing armies in their tracks.

15.

But when

Israelites,

the vulture spreadeth her wings'].

victorious

pursuing the defeated and helpless fugitives, are com-

An

early copyist,

by

Hebrew word " vulture "

name "Almighty," which made it necessary to give

the

pared to a vulture
dittography of
divine

The

tT,

flying

after a dove.

substituted for the

the

verb the meaning " scatter " without justification in usage, and to
supply the object " kings," and the place " in it " all at the ex-

pense of the measure and to the confusion of the sense.

like

snow on Zalmon\

in flight

The

silver

// is

and gold colours of the dove

have as their antithesis the snow-white colour of the bones

of the slaughtered army, as they have been picked clean by the

vultures.

Zalmon

is

the

still

unidentified place where the bones

of those slain in battle were so thickly spread that they seemed

snow covering the ground. Those who retain the present

text think, some of a theophanic snow storm, others of a comparison with snow of glistening armour dropped in flight (cf. Horn.
//. XIX. 357-361), or of bleached bones on the battle-field (cf.
Vir. Aen. V. 865, XII. 36), and still others of "snow-flakes swept
along by a hurricane," Kirk.
Str. V. A tristich of two syn. and one synth. line, and a tristich
with a single line whose first part has its syn. in the second line.

like

PSALM
its

second in the third

line.

10

LXVIII.

16-17.

Mount of Yahweh\ deMount of summits, of many

Mount Yahweh desiredfor His

scribed as fertile mountain and as

rounded peaks, and

still

further as

no other than Mount Zion. But the change in 15

"
"
to '' Elohim " made it possible to think of " mounof Yahweh
"
as a gigantic mountain, cf. 36'', and then more
God
tain of
naturally of the giant peaks of Palestine ; and so by an easy
throne, can be

copyist's mistake in late texts of J^ " Mount Bashan " takes the
place of " fertile mountain " of the ancient Vrss. The many peaks

were then conceived to be those of Bashan instead of the several

hills

of Jerusalem

and

it

became necessary

to explain the antith.

between the gigantic Bashan and the mount of the divine residence by the gloss *' Why hop ye " PBV., " leap ye " AV., better
:

"look askance," RV., JPSV., "ye mountain of summits?" A

glossator also emphasized the perpetuity of the divine residence

" Yea, Yahweh dwelleth for ever."

by inserting the clause
18. Yahweh, Thou didst ride in Thy chariot from Sinai into the
:

This seems to be the original of a line which has

been so expanded by glosses that there are no measures left and
This Str. represents that Yahweh
the meaning is most difficult.
took possession of His permanent residence in the sanctuary of
Zion by a theophanic ride from His earlier residence in Sinai.
sanctuary'].

The

errors

and insertions of copyists made the present

best translation of

which

is

that of Dr.

"

The

twenty thousand, even thousands redoubled

from Sinai into the sanctuary."

angelic

strict

in the last clause, " Sinai in sanctity "

adherence to
that

is,

residence in Zion as sacred as ancient Sinai.

ascend up on high
Ju.

5^^.

This

is

Thou

them

the victorious ride of

all

Yahweh on

the triumphs of

the erection of the temple by

divine residence there after
gifts], gifts

its

are

is

MT.

gives

making the new

19. Thou didst
on

the heights of

from their enemies and

in triumphal procession to the sanctuary.

general reference to

God

didst lead captives captive], based

battle-fields, rescuing captive Israelites

leading

text, the

come
upon the

the Lord

This lays the stress

But a more

army of God.

chariots of

Yahweh from

It is a

Sinai until

Solomon and the taking up the

Thou didst accept

consecration.

of tribute from enemies, especially of offerings from

His people made

at the sacred place.

to

dwell among mankind],

PSALMS

102
in order to dwell in

His temple among mankind,

His heavenly abode.

to

emphasize the

in antith. with

glossator inserted " even the stubborn "

fact that the divine residence in Israel

was not-

withstanding the stubbornness of the people in their historic rela-

Him and

tion to

"

"

Yah

and

its

this

made

it

necessary to insert the divine

Qr. " 'Elohim."

An

name

editor, thinking of a liturgical

use of the Ps., inserted at this point an ascription of blessedness

Yahweh

to

us, the

God of our

reasons for the praise of

God

God is

salvation.

To Yahweh Adonay belong

to save.

who

20-21. Blessed be Adonay day by day,

burdens for

escapes

beareth

unto us a

God

deatli].

The

from

here given are general, and not in

accord with the context of this warlike Ps. They are

(i) that
Yahweh bears the burdens, cares, anxieties of His people (2) gives
them salvation from enemies and troubles; (3) is their hope for
:

escape from death.

Str. VI. has three syn. couplets.

22.

Yahweh

will crush the

head the haity scalp'], cf. Ju. 5^ Hb. 3^^ Yahweh will trample
under foot and stamp upon the heads of the prostrate foes, putting
His enemies the one going
them to the most extreme humiliation.
on in his faults], persisting in offences against Him and His people, until they have heaped up a vast store for retribution.
||

||

Yahweh

23.

said:], in resolute determination,

previous and subsequent context

with PBV., AV., after

^T,

*'

I will recom-

This meaning

pense], repeated for emphasis.

although

will

it is

bring again

is

required by

possible to render

(my people),"

with RV., JPSV., leave the object indefinite and think with

or

many

moderns of a pursuit of the enemy

in order to bring

the sacred place for punishment.

But the thought of the restora-

tion of Israel here,

an

intrusion,

ship

them back

though favoured by the preposition " from,"

however

suitable

it

might have been

for public

to

is

wor-

and the preposition was doubtless an error of interpretation.

of bringing the enemies back from their places of ref-

The thought

uge to a place of judgment in Jerusalem

9^, which

is

is

not sustained by

Am.

a pursuit in order to slay them wherever found.

Bashan gulf of the sea] are accusatives of place, and, as suggested

by Am. 9-"^, indicate in antith. the lofty peaks of the mountains
||

and the depths of the sea

refuge

as places

where the enemies have

fled for

but in vain, for the divine retribution overtakes them even

PSALM
there.

24.

That

may

the foot

LXVIII.

103

be bathed in

the slain enemies flowing like a stream.

blood\ the blood of

and

the tongue of dogs

may have its portion of the same'], lapping up the blood as predatory
dogs do in Palestine. The explanatory gloss " of enemies " impairs
the simplicity of the thought as well as the measure.
Str. VII.

Synth, hexastich.

25.

They

people generally;

see],

Thy processions, YahYahweh. unto

"are seen."

indef. subj. equal to passive

weh], the triumphal processions of the victorious

the sanctuary], entering the holy city, ascending the holy

and

hill,

This has been intensified

entering into the courts of the temple.

by a glossator at the expense of the measure by the repetition

26. The singe is go before,
processions of my God, my King.
:

behind the musicians, in the midst damsels playing on timbrels].

The

procession

is

preceded by the temple choirs, the singers and

the players on stringed instruments being separated by the damsels

These

playing on the timbrels.

latter

from the

temple service.

earliest times

This was not

part in triumphal processions, Ex. 15^.

took

strictly a

be rendered " in the midst of the dam-

MT. should

sels," as RV., the damsels marching on both sides of the singers

and musicians, so Kirk., but we cannot rely on the pointing of MT.,

and such an order of procession

is

sibly

26^^.

choirs,

Israel],

cf.

Je.

2^^

The

improbable.

introduces another ascription to God.

27.

editor here

In assemblies], posye Yahweh Adonay, the fountain of

bless

36^^

17^^ Ps.

By

dittography of an ancient

scribe the text arose, " from the fountain of Israel," which

then be interpreted as RV.

genuine sons of Jacob,

graphic,

cf.

must

" ye that are of the fountain of Israel,"

48^ 51^-^ Dt. 33^

Is.

an onlooker pointing

to the place,

28.

is little

There],

Benjamin,

the conqueror], doubtless referring to Saul of Benjamin, the

first

princes of Judah, a heap of them], the numerous

king of Israel,

princes of the line of David,

princes

of Zebulon, princes of
The omission of

Naphtalf], representative of the northern tribes.

Ephraim and the trans-Jordanic

the onlooker

is

tribes

is

a sufficient evidence that

only mentioning a few of the tribes, and that he

does not attempt to describe the entire procession.

Str. VIII.

A syn.

command Thy
F, 2,

ST,

couplet and a syn. tetrastich.

strength

J, and not

||

pf.,

strengthen].

as J^, followed

29.

Yahweh,

Imperatives, as

(^,

S,

by EV^, "hath com-

PSALMS

104

manded," which

The

is

inharmonious with the imperative that follows.

a suppUcation, based on the ode, for divine vic-

final Str. is

tories in the time of the Psalmist also.

"

Thy

interprets incorrectly

" to "

God," and compels the interpretation

of ** Thy strength," as referring to the strength of Israel, which is
contrary to the parallelism.
w/ia^ Thou hast done for us\ in the
by adding the

sf.

history of Israel as set forth in the previous context of the ode.

An

editor introduces here a prediction with Messianic significance

Because of Thy temple at Jerusalem to Thee kings will bring

prese?its\ based on Is. 60" ^i- 66-^ cf. Hg. 2^ Zc. 2"'"i- 6^^ S^i^J-.

30.

Rebuke

31.
cf.

the

wild beast of the

Ps. 80^* Jb. 40-^

"

justification whatever.

reeds~\,

company

the hippopotamus, Egypt

of spearmen," PBV., AV., has

under the dominion of Persia,

with
of
Trampling
the calves

lesser tributary nations, cf. Je. 46^- ^^

under foot

in arrogant,

no

the assembly of bulls'], the eastern nations

overwhelming

peoples']^

the

in the mire],

force.

Israel

was ruthlessly

trampled under foot in the mire by these nations traversing her

territory to

war upon one another.

the favoured ones\ the people

having the divine favour, though they are refined as

silver, cast as

come out

as pure silver

it

were into the furnace of

with

affliction, to

the dross removed.

all

of Israel by Egypt and her

This indicates very severe

allies.

this difficult clause, after the

in

it

such a state that

it

affliction

Glossators, misunderstanding

omission of an important word,

left

has always been a crux of interpreters

PBV., " so that they humbly bring pieces of

and Versions.
silver,"

AV., "

silver,"

RV., "trampling under foot the pieces of

(till

every one)

submit himself with pieces of

silver,"

JPSV.,

" him that submitteth himself offering bars of silver," are only

specimens of well-nigh universal disagreement, making

that the fault

in war],

all

is

with the text.

is

demanded by

The

imperative of

it

evident

the peoples that delight

these warlike nations, Egypt, Persia,

under her dominion.

AV.,

Disperse

(^,

and the nations

S, F, J, followed by

the context rather than the pf. of MT.,

fol-

lowed by PBV., RV., JPSV., whether interpreted as referring to

the past or as a prophetic perfect.

be followed

to

A
for

if

later editor

common

the Ps. originally

made

These Vrss. are

ended here.

the Ps., as he thought,

use by adding

v.^^^^.

all

the

more

more appropriate

These verses have varied con-

PSALM

LXVIII.

105

32. Swift messengers will come out of Egypt\ the most

probable rendering of a difficult passage after ancient Vrss.
" Princes " of EV^ cannot be sustained even by the erroneous

tents.

form of 5^ due to dittography. JPSV., " Hashmanim " leaves

As for Cush~\,
the word untranslated and without meaning.
Biblical

name

of Ethiopia,

Egypt and Ethiopia

33-36.

of earth~\,

all

in

his

This

gesture of supplication.

3^^.

is

accordance with

universal

of them,

summons

to

Him

melody

Adonay ; and

to

in the

He

ig'^^^'^-

to praise.

43^

45^^^ Ga'^'^-

^"i-.

34. Lift

still

verb

later the original

is

The summons

35.

interpreted

Yahweh

heavens by the usual reference to the thunder storm

voice'].

and
make

v.^

an interpretation

glossator emphasizes the theophanic ride of

His

Zp.

Ye kingdoms

33.

96^^- 97^ 98^ 99^

cf.

later glossator prefixes as

uttereth with

tinues

Is.

that rideth upon the ancient heavens'], based on

Dt. 33^^.

as Selah.

God, in the

to

sing to God~\, take part in the public wor-

ship in the temple in Jerusalem,

up

hands will run out

a prediction of the conversion of

Lo

to praise con-

to God], with loud

and probably also thinking

with a strong voice ascribe strength

praise of vocal

and instrumental music

of the blowing of horns, with blasts of the sacred trumpets

Whose majesty

God

in

is

over Israel,

His theophanic ride

the skies

but as Dt.

is

and whose

strength is in the skies].

conceived as majestic and strong

33^*^ it is all

the theophanic ride has been made.

36.

Awe-inspiring in His

The change to
improbable.
The

the second person

sanctuary'], as ancient Vrss.

in J^, followed

by EV^,

is

here in antith. with the heavenly.

upon the

in

for Israel, in Israel's behalf, that

peculiar relation between

the

earthly sanctuary

God of

is

Israel], emphasis

God and His

people,

Giver

of strength and great might to the people]. The strength that He

exhibits in His theophanic ride in the heaven is bestowed upon

His people on

earth.

the liturgical phrase

2.

Dip>]

Qal impf.

The

Ps. concludes in its present

Blessed be God,

indicative, not juss.

form with

cf. v.^- ^.

D|"

of Vrss.; so

isid^ (-^S^^),

idiJJ

and apod, without conj., as frequent

in poetry.
The v. is adapted from Nu. 10^^, the marching song of the ark,
where nrip Qal imv. cohort, is used with 2 pers. sfs. and with the shortened
forms 1X3"', "iDj'>; and n)r\\ which here, as throughout this Ps., was the original
of d^hSn of IE. In other respects the sentence is the same. The measure
(60^), not future, but temporal clause

PSALMS

I06
requires nin> >jdd for vjdd, as

v.^*^.

3.

MT.

1'^?'??]

an anomalous form,

is

prob. an ancient variation of reading between injn and

2 m., but 3

The

f.,

is

then a temporal clause.

clause

measure.
is

||

D.?np (22^^)

It is essentially

immediately after

0\-i'7N

It is

""Jij^.

Qal imv.

i^d]

5.

D"'nVs >jdS

4.

makes

ix'^y^]

the same as vjdS vSyi v.^, except that

an improbable variation in the same

cation.

the latter

*li:n,

and the masc. ]V';_^. r]-\ir) cannot, from context, be

implying n)^, Bo. as 7-4, which indeed is required for measure.

favoured by

therefore prob.

J ['^Vd] vb.

cn^N

Besides,

Ps.

difficult

for

yh-;

tS;?

jdS is tautological

or

txt. err.

gl.

of amplifi-

57I*
Je. 18^^ Is.

Qal cas^ up a highway

and most here but \ justifies lift up (a song), so &, ^, Street,

and Hithp. exalt oneself Ex. 9I' (J) BS. 392* 4028;
n^D {v. Intr. 41).
3?"^] Qal ptc. 3r^ as i8^i, cf. v. 84, all theo-

62^", so (5,

iJ,

Gr., cf. Pilp. exalt Pr. 48

also

cf.

phanic.

so

no;^;;]

Is.

33^

as

Is.

19I Ps. 1048;

, 3,

pi. J n^-^y n.f. steppe,

not elsw.

but Je. 2^ 17^ 50^2

i/',

not suited to theophanic chariot ride, therefore with Gr. rd. no;j,

18^'^

V.8*

cf.

plained as 3 essentiae^ Ges.^^*-

Dt. 33"^.

no]

^DU'

with pj abbreviated

^,

dub.;

is

ni,T, cf.

usually ex-

n^ v.i^

Intr.

(z/.

Hare, Dy., Oort, Du., rd. in::'.:', which is better suited to context;
32).
Gr. xav wia is improb., the vb. does not in any way correspond with letters

which is sustained by all Vrss. These words, according to the measgo with the previous 1., which needs another word. V.^ suggests VDC,
as Dt. 332*, which interpreted as ir^* would lead to the insertion of n"<3.
of

text,

ure,

VJdS

latter is

ir-j,-^

has d7aXXia(r^e ivibinov avTOx)

which

makes

this

1.

Then

probable.

to the context.

too long.

I7c] as Dt. 26^^

TVy so , 3.

It

Je. 25^^ Zc. 2^7

^"'S'd

(Kt.).

nnc^^r]

e/s eiduTrfffiv,

d7r6Xi;(rt',

22

(Qr. J)

all

Qal ptc.

3^'^^''D~"^n]

in

dentes

pi.

ptc.

7.

nw

\\

Is. 1417

S.

3>c^M:]

Hiph.

n^xid is

more

Zc. 911-

lead to an original

of prosperity, as

66"^.

But

cf.

Ex.

3,

n.m. pris12

La. 38^

^DB.

m fortitudine,

n"lntt'^D

26^2^

24^^

needed.

it is

pi. f "i'P<

^v ivdpelqi,

Dn-\::,

as v.^^

qui exasperant

cf. .?6.

D>n''Ds

\\

where

v."**,

But the

lun.

Judge, as

a.X. pi. [n-jc^^r] n.f. prosperity,

nc''0 =r n^r-'p 26^2^ level place, condition

V similiter eos

and

Ti.va.

?'^l]

Hiph.

n'-n'' {22^^) are solitary ones

3I8, cf.
Ju. 1621-25

e/s

2 Ch. 30^7,

But Lag., Ba., Du.,

But -y/irD Aram, and the form improb.

6.

has come up from

oner, elsw. 69=^ 79II 10221 ,0710 Gn. 392^Jb.

rapaxOT^o'oirrat dir6

evidently a conflation of xhy

is

an error not suited

;D>n^N]

ptc.

so 3', but

vS;*]

xpoffdiTox) ainovy

pi. abstr.

rj.

of

also 1C3.

6/xoius tovs vapairiKpaivovTas,

i^*;

where the phr.

v. y?^,

is

3 has increduli autem y?, insuper et non creBD^. n.f. parched land, (5 ^v rd0ois, U z sepulcris,

Kol 7A/) a.ir^iBovvri%.

v.^^.

'^i^"'?^]

a.X.

n.[m.] underground chamber Ju. 9*6.49.49 j g. 136; or possibly

siccitatibus, cf. n^it ^ ns 632,
t ""Of piU as La. 420 Ps. 1072^ = nnr, 3
8-9 is a condenThis 1. is prob. a late gl., qualifying the previous context.
prob.

tn"*"!^

sation of Ju.

5*-^.

qivxn] Qal
cf.

Hb.

312.

inf. sf.

'JdV]

takes the place of

2 m. with 2 temporal, of the

p::^ro]

wilderness, as Dt.

of original.

riOv'

32!*^

takes the place of

-\^r"i^,

generalising the

march

ons

niB'D.

Pss. 78*"^ 106^* 107* Is. 43^^:20.

The subsequent

lines

of

Yahweh,

first

1.

as Ju. 5*;

J TD-'C'^ n.m. wastes

!]

in place of dj

were condensed by the omission of

PSALM
ann

iStj

o^a leaj o^t; dj between

Qal

4I8 Ct.
drip, here as Ju. 5* Jo.

o'rc*/,

and

o-'Otr

ictoj

nin>

which were

""jij?:,

in IE to d^hSn as elsw.

was subsequently changed

tained, only nin^

107

LXVIII.

4"

re^'b.

H^^J

intrans. Jb. 292^.

56- 13 Pr. 58,

s Mi. 26- n.
f^, ^n Ez. 2i2- 7,
^rp nr] introduces a 1. too long for the measure, making the Str. too long.
The lines of Ju. are thus reduced to three in Ps.
It is a gl. from Ju. 5^
7I2 8^
Uoi00-^:] v. 5/,
10. X ar.:)] n.m. rain, shotuer, lof-^ Gn.
(J) +.
fi>j;n] Hiph. impf. 2 m. J i^J t Qal besprinkle Pr. 7!^ (couch with myrrh),
o-(oi/.

Hiph. idem Am.

of speech

913,

c. i';

Am.

Hiph. swing

to

and fro, wave,

share to God, often in P.

in the ritual for the presentation of the priest's

dcpopieh, Aq.,

elevasti for the syn.

::i-''\r^,

so

But i>DB. gives with hesitation a mng. corresponding with Qal,

shed abroad, here only. Lag., Gr., Now., Du., rd. ^iHori Hiph. ^6i drip. The
vb., however, requires '^x or *?;? for the second obj., and if this is supplied it

ncnN.

makes the

1.

too long

for

^nSm belongs with

in 1^, (5 (not 3), attaches

most naturally

it

this

1.

as (S,

to the next

and the

The

1.

with hnSj

divine

name

needed in the second. A copyist

probably mistook Sn for Vn and wrote it D-ihSn, and then omitted the D'tiSn
The force of the vb. iDt3J was then carried over from the
of the second 1.
l)revious 1. to this.
'^^^}\\ Niph. pf. 3 f. sg. % hnS Qal, Niph. prot. of temporal

makes the

D"'n'?N

first

too long, and

1.

is

clause, be iveary Is. i^* Je. 9* 20^

-f-,

(S koX -fjad^v-qaev.

laborantem, which would

strictly require article.

fwi

@ TO

Ols.,

interprets as ptc.

Now,, would

prefix

it.

U, 3, atiimaiia tua, cf. v.^^; so Hu.,

De., Pe., with various explanations. But most moderns think of f ^''Jl n.f.
community, as 2 S. 23^^; so essentially Ges., EV^, Hi., Ri., Ols., Du., Ba.,
11.

dub.,

n7*^n]

Now., but not

Dr., Kirk.,

so ^,

<jov,

sufficiently sustained

m.

when

seems to be an

expl. gl.,

amplification.

With these removed, the

pi. vb.

ordinary sense disappears.

and then

of previous clause

f.

sg.

difficulty

makes

1.

too long
""JIN

pj
somewhat

Ps.

cf. Sip

prob.

81*

Am.

most here.

But

2 S. i8i9-20. 26
all

make

to the ptc.

i2

it

K,

making

||

nxVj,

but as the rain suggests grain, so the

of interp.,

for.

cf. v.^^- 20. 21. 23. 27. 83^

12.

jin]

is

"^pN-in>]

liv-

dub.,
v.

^^ ;

n'int'3?:n] Pi. ptc. pi. f. women heralding glad

Sip.
^ and Is. 4o9-^4i27 52"^- of victory and salvation; so
may also mean simply bringing tidings, as I S. ^"^
'^

i42.

this ptc.

rir^n in its
'jy'?

Hb. 3^ the thunder of a theophany ace. Now., who

But such usage unexampled. n;:s is
Jo. 2" 4^6.

from

different

tidings {40^^), elsw.

U,

gl.

indef. subj., as

of explaining

with Hu. the quails as complementary

ing creatures, cattle large and small, are provided

without

n3"i2kr^]

^r-^vja is also a gl. of

the ace. of vb. ^on with ^ pers.

refers to the animals, not

manna

to the

It is

by a single passage.

subj. is

ti^at

depends upon our

second ace. to
it

]r\\

It is

interp. of the context.

(5,

3,

prob. that n does not belong

a relative clause, but with the previous noun, which

should be read n-inx {12^). Then the ptc. is in an independent verbal clause.
3n N3x] in (Q dwdfiei TroWrj,
virtute multa, 3 fortitudinis plurimae.

This

such a
or

more prob. than EV*. great company or

is

fig.

war.

sense, of

If

3-1

women

belongs to

or messengers.
it, it

is

great

It

army

host,

which

is

unexampled

must mean either a

as obj. of ptc.

If,

real

as

is

in

army
prob.,

PSALMS

I08

war

3"j is then Qal pf. 3n

and as subj..
niK3X oVc] phr.
ms^x is subj. of next vb.
a.X. and improb.
13. jm^] twice Qal impf. mj
most prob.; but 3 foederabuntur yf-yv vb. not used in Heb, roxi dyairi]ToO = nn> adj. (6o^). The repetition is, however, prob. a gl. of intensifica-

belongs to subsequent

3->

is

1., it

that

is

heralded.

strive in battle {v. jj^) with TjSp sg. as in (3

not in original

tion, certainly

But

"^

upaidTrjTt,

belongs to this

if 3-1

BDB.

that is abiding at home,

adj.

[p}}]

pulchritude ^

n>)

n^3"nij]

1.

[ni:] pasture,

cf.

f.,

nis3, as Je.

6'^,

phr. a.X. ske

meadow,

2^^.

the comely, beautiful one,

Pi impf. 3 f., phr. dependent on Ju. ^^.

V. 3S^'
'','??' \hjy^'\
14. p^oari'DN
o^ncB^ pa] is derived from Ju. 5^^ DTiflC'Dn pj r\yv^ t\-&^, cf. Gn. 49I* pa ^3-1

0>nBB'Dn.

5I sheep/olds,

with

'P^r ]

^J"^"'

njnj

Niph.

rather than construct, as

s.

pt.

f.

The

_n>n^n3N]

pi.

f.

Ps. 91* of eagle, Jb. 39!^ ostrich;

shimmering only here.

pio

npia.

Jb. 2o25,

cf.

sword Dt.

cf.

(2) i9DB.

needed

is

of grass,

cf.

Na. 3^ Hb. 3", cL glitter of weapon Ez.

21^5.

28^^.

ry

kv

Indeed,

"""T^]

Balaam) Ru.

nc

20. 33.

(j7^) greenness

p-^^

diaa-r^Wtiv,

both cases without

scatter ; but in

3 cum

D'-oSd

divideret

3^;

and nn demand some such

D'\d

sufficient

break in two, divide,

so possibly interp. of J^
But 1. is just these

sense.

words too long, and they are prob. interp. glosses. If so, we may
C1D of the spreading of wings of a bird, with wings omitted as

pret

As. arku, yellow. Sab. pni gold, so Eth. f rnn n.m. gold, as Pr. 3'*
15. B-noa] Pi. inf. cstr. t'->D spread out, always in Pi. unless here

used in Qal of breaking up bones in kettle Mi.

here.

green-

and Zc. 2^^ where some render

reason.

xi.

measure

for

used also of arrow

n.

so here of the golden coloured pinions in the sunlight,

gio. 19 16I6,

overlay

f.

Another word

This improb.

32*1, spear

Pi.

\^y^^^ n.f. pinion, elsw. Dt. 32^1

las 55' of dove.
p">r'T?] " with a,

\h. Jlash of lightning 18^^;

p-\3

Qal, cover^ as

vb.

f [p'^^~\

pale green of plague spots Lv. 13*^ 143';

tP'^rjl' adj. (i)

prob. a

is

so We., Du.

Niph. be covered, here only.

sf.

Gn. 49I*

clause

agreeing with principal noun

sg. Ges.^^- ^,

" winged dove."

if

yS^
Je. 148.4 Est, 612

530. 80

2 Ch. 35.5.7.8.9

rd.

Cf. other passages

here from context dovecotes.

not suited to context and misleading for subsequent lines

gl.,

o.X. prob. error for f D^nsrc.

D"nD'br

stalls, Ju.

i^o-si is. 136;

Sx characteristic of

Ez. lo^ dub.

MT.

pointed as divine name,

The

use of

Gn. 49-^

Jo. iis Ez. i^* dub.;

as speculative conception of
'ic'

Nu.

as 91^, so

dub. here.

It

24*- 1*

interi

Ch.

(Poems

but Jb. 31 times.

God

of patriarchs;

has given the chief

difficulty in

Du. suggests '""'ir field, of battle-field, as local ace.

more prob. that c is dittog. and that we should rd. f !^*"! n.f. bird of
34!^ Dt. \^^ = hnt Lv. ii^S cf. hnt vb. fiy swiftly of eagle Je. 48**^

dealing with previous vb.

But it is
prey Is.
49^2, in

both cases

||

VDJ3 c->d, v. 18^^.

This gives us the bird of prey pur-

suing the dove of the previous context, which

vious metaphor

as

improb. in context.

most agree.

The

3 as Bi., Du., cf. Jb. (f^.

T'^dVx]

tified

vb. itself

is

j|?\^'ii]

is

Hiph.

suspicious

indeed implied
juss.,

in the pre-

vb. a.X., juss. sense

rd. prob.

:hv

n. as

51^ with

Lag. jSc'n nna for j^cp na does not give good sense.

n. pr. loci, Ju. 9^^

wooded mountain near Shechem,

prob. here the same, as Ba., Du.

If the reference

is

not yet iden-

to the battle of

PSALM
the Kishon, Ju.
its

" As

we

think of some ridge of or near Carmel, famed for

we must

5,

Rob. BR.^-

forests.

109

LXVIII.

mentions El Mutesellim, of which he says

^^^ ^i-

stood upon the noble Tell with the wide plain and Taanach there

we could not but feel that here had been the scene of the great
Deborah and Barak." This tell would satisfy all the conditions
If the snow is a simile of bones which have been
of both passages.
stripped by birds of prey, there is no need of thinking of a snow mountain.
16. D-inSNin] either as Sn nin 36"^, cf. 80^ if referring to gigantic mounor for an original nin" nn, if referring to Zion.
tains, as Bashan or Hermon
jtrn'in] |^, Mt. E. Jordan and Gennesaret from the Jabbok to Syrian

before

us,

battle of

Hauran, Wetstein, Golan, Now., Bu., Hermon Ba.

But

irlov,

pinguisy

U, %, all favour |iri, as 36^ no yv^ the fat things, rich blessings of the
D-'^JDJ'nn] t C?"^?^] n.[m.]
temple on Zion, cf. Is. 5^. This is most prob.
peak or rounded siimmit ; many peaked as adj., or in apposition peaks, the
latter favoured by >JJ3J onn v.^"^.
rervpuixha, coagulatos, as nr^J milk^
so S,

The

enthroned.

is

1.

excehus

a late

gl.

Qal

'^ri^v*':']

cf.

tNjr]

innumerabiles.

sense," Ges.^'^-

^,

Lag., Bi.,

cially as

how

Sniii'"'

inijnn] Pi. impf. archaic

1.

o^nb">]

Aq.

contenditis,

ipl^ere

preg. sense, for His sitting

doubtless a

dual

a.X.

gl.

"13-;,

or myriadfold, v. Ges.^'^-\

18. 3D"i]

Aramaism,
/xvpioTrXd-

^DB., "in a multiplicative

Aram. Njn repeat, so 3 millia

a.X. repetition,

Ba,, pNtr,

Je. 48*^,

cf.

but not suited to the context.

""dSn

nn^n, but

it

difficult

is

the easy reading could give place to so difficult a one, espe-

and

are not easy to interchange.

jsr^'

evidently a late phr. and a prosaic

though sustained by

Now., Dr., Kau,

01s.,

favoured by Nu. lo^^ h^'sv^

al., Sn-ic"*

to explain

6^'^.

for X)V^ Y^Qi\.\.^.h ^nr>r,

abundantium, Aq., S,

17.

inf. cstr. sf.

the whole

2 K. 2^1

myriad duh., whether two myriads

(Tiov,

vTroXafi^dvere,

improb. in |

nirT-r|s]

of heavenly army,

coll.

excelsi, as if D>naj.

1^ look askance,

a.X.

"ixn

3 pi.
dub.

iqI"^.

curds, Jb.

kv avrois ev ^iva,

rd.

tdd

most prob,, but

f, 3,

doublet of DTiji, so Kau,

gl.,

in

N3 as Dt. 33^.

eis,

in Sina,

is difficult.

""rp

03]

Koster,

^ip'f\ either the holy place

of Zion as the goal of the march, as Now., Dr., or in majestic holiness, as

5^1 Ps. 77I*,

Ex.

ijns

is

The

Ew., Ba.

dub. and prosaic.

is

1.

improb. for the 2d pers. characteristic of Ps.

The 3d

A single

1.

pers. with

of four words

We first throw out |Nj!r dSn as doublet and gl,

was originally only one 1. D2 is also explanatory
of the clause v\p2 -"rD. That leaves cipj iro D">n3"i mni 33-1. ij-'D dtiji is
txt, err. for an original tdd n^Di.
^d'i was prefixed to explain DT^n.
The
original was therefore the theophanic ride of Yahweh from Sinai to the sancunderlies this conglomerate.
"ij-iN is

also improb., if there

tuary in Zion

lead captives

tt'ipj ij^dd

n^Di nin\

106^ 137^ with

19.

ob^ pi^B'] Qal

3 m.

pf.

^^f

vb.

n.m. collective captives, captivity, elsw.

">2iy

Dt. 2110 Ju. 5I2 2 Ch. 2817; with

Nu. 21I, cf. 2 Ch. 285- ". % ^2f elsw. ^
alone 78^1.
nunp] pi. % njpip n.f. gift, esp. of offerings.
o-jn3 does not
qualify the previous word, but ptt^S.
It is defined by onniD f]H\
See v.''^.

This phr.
V.17.

n;]

is

prob. a

gl.,

v.fi, is

gl.

V.

as

it

makes

1.

too long.

The various

pi:''?]

Qal

inf. cstr.

expl. of this difficult

1.

as mat:''?

are due to a

no

PSALMS
proper measures and the glosses, and therefore need

failure to recognise the

20.

Dcr] Qal juss. X ^> vb. Qal /oad upon Gn. 44I3 (E)
Ne. 13^^ carry as a /oad here, as Zc. 12^ Is. 46^- ^; @ Karevodua-ei paraphrase.
3 portabit, as Aq., S ^aarda-ei. unvvti'"'^ ^^'^j- The article improb. Sn has
not detain

us.

ijS

21. rn;'i:-ir] a.X.;

been assimilated to Snh v.^i. It is doubtless cstr. as , 3.
nvT''?] in E,
prob. Aram. inf. ';z'', @ tov (rco^eiv, 3 deus salutis, as above.
nis^n] pi. % [p^f^^ ^'f- only pi., (i) outgoings, extremialso evidence of gl.

ties

of territory,

E, P^ outskirts of

J,

Pr. 423 (?) as NXio (3);

Hb.

VD-'] ^^ lio^
for use of ipT, cf. y^*^.

22.

Vi^^^

fieXiais,

impf.

3^2, cf. Ju. 526.

v^u'n?]

dispersed Israel in restoration, 3,

not suited to the context.

latter

indeed
prob.

':s.

"^P^

with

ab

ing which

Hu.,

is

sg.,

3 a

word

v.^s,

temetipso,

^Kda-rov.

It

""Sn n"3''7n]

We.,
due to

01s.,

^^}jf\

so

noun

Trap'

miss-

is

not necessary with 01s., Dy.,

is

It is better to

injr.

then do-'IND

txt. err.;

is

an

in^] Qal pf.

3 pi. indef. subj. to be rendered by

{i) travelling company, caravan, ]h. 6^^;

25.

gl.

1.,

un-

v.'-^,

It is

vb. or

IT'^:)'''?!^] pi- t^5'^!l n.f.

(2) going, Na. 2* Pr. 31^^ (Qr-)j procession, here bis of

^^Sp

_23"tt'N.

missing from second

is

referring to Israel.

i-irh

and

]\:?2

with vb.

against the usage of Ps.

is

regard both as original, the former omitted by

passive.

with

;p
sf.

Hare, Kenn., Bo.,

rn"*r, so

^T,

so ^\3|^3

needed to give sense.

Hiph.

in defeat, (5, 5^, or

both cases

We., Du., Kirk., to read ^njo (//^) for

interpretative gl.

TrXrjfi-

clause with v^pi? Qal impf. assimilated to

cited here as in

is

ipso,

Bi., Dr.,

3'v'?]

suits the context.

It is really in

Rd. with @, S,
sf.

the oracle which

ai/Tou,

final

jV^*^]

@
bis,

{v. j^^),

better to interp. vb. as requite, recom-

has iv ^vdoh though iK paahv.

24.

suited to context.
al.

fault

v.'^.

scalp, phr. a.X.;

the former an incongruous idea, the

VL,

It is

improb., due to misinterp.

is

^pnp] hairy

offence,

(2) o>^n 'n

N>xin (2)

cf.

introduces an oracle.

pense {18^^) the enemy, which admirably

mVxs

nj;ir

crs n.m.

'pK "its]

23.

5I6;

Ch.

only;

the sense of bring back, either the enemies

sg. in

deliciis.

48*0

Ez.

city,

BDB., here

(3) escapes,

God;

so

the sanctuary. Street, Horsley, Dr., Hu., Pe., Ba., Du.;

itt

Hb.

3.

^Z??!

of amplification, improb. here in original.

i^^o

De.

holiness, Ew., Hi.,

TOV /SatriX^ws tov iv ry ayl(i} Ols., Gr., suggest r^P, Kadesh, 26. nriN]
45^^ 49^* 94^^; prob. paraphrase Hu.,Novv., adv.
prep, after, but ^x^/^*'o*>

Qal ptc.
so 2, 3, C
as
Apxo'Tes, H prificipes, so
But

cf.

0''">'^*]

cnr

improb.

87'^,

n-'C'

not so well suited to context.

rd. Pi. ptc. "'JJJD as elsw.

It is possible that ^in

should be

"l'^-'^^]

rd.

Qal

a-'jjj]

ptc. pi. pj {y. Intr,

as prep, in the midst

pir^'^j?]

pi.

ncSy

n.f.

of,

34)

so Vrss.

young woman

{v.

Qal ptc. pi. f. f\Qr\ denom. in n.m. timbrel Ex. 1520

Polel
Je. 31* +, usually played by dancing women in the Orient, cf. Na. 2^.
ptc. ni3cnD (dub. ^ mcxoxc).
Prob. the word has two tones, and we should
Intr. 34).

rd. Pi.

clause

ptc.

27.

niSnpr] assembly, choir, zs 26^^.

but phr. a.X. and improb.

Yahweh,

28.

n^Djj'in] a.X.

as Je. 21^1 7

i^,

so prob. here,

X -i\yx] adj. little,

50*^ Is. 6o2^,

Elsw.
'c

\j/

prep,

"^N'^c?]

-^ipn (j6^^),
is

dittog.

The whole

with the idea of insignificance, as

mng. young not

in ^.

Q'n]

Qal

ptc.

correct, rel.

if

the source of

mi

191^1

(^4g^^)

verse

life
is

in

a gl.

Mi. 5I Je. 49*^

with

sf.

3 pi,

PSALM

^ refer,

onnn, as

for wr^ or

But (S

TTttiSevT^s aiiTuv.

vb.

m ecstasy^

<5<f

cf. 76'^.

and dancing, but only

Gn.

sleep,

to Saul,

Ill

LXVIII.

continens

eos,

Aq. iTrcKparQp a^uv,

Wp

veibrepos iv iKo-Taa-et interprets

as ptc. f [0"T]

Both the vb. and noun are used not for ecstatic song
deep and profound sleep, cf. nDnnr) n.f. deep, ecstatic
%, V. Grill, Now., Du., would rd. Dip as above, v.^s.

for

2^1; similarly

But the easiest explanation lies in antith. of the insignificant number of rulers
of Benjamin with the heap of princes of Judah.
Qip?-)"}] c^* C'^^J"^] ii-f- ^^^J*
of stones, and so of people, Now. The phr. Aeap ofpeople, common in South of
the United States and suitable in antith. with the few princes of Benjamin.
Hu., Ba., Pe., Bi., Dr., i5DB., ar'^M") as 64^, cf. 55^^ But the mng. given by

them

to ^Ji is

avTwv, so

so

gives no help here.

it

ijyefxdves

n.(m.) purple garments, as Nu. 4^^ Ju.

The

Du.

29.

1.

n^x] Pi. pf.

(S evreiXai debs implies D"'n'?N

not suited to context.

is

3, K, Ew., Hu., Pe., Ba.,

V, 2,

Si,

ppN

needed to complete the measure of

Dc> is

as subj.

ti-ihSn

and therefore

{y. ^-'),

in purpura sua,

8^^ Je. lo^.

with

improb.

5 3

sf.

of |

mx,

interpretation.

is

nnv] Qal imv. cohort, n", de strong, prevail, given by , 3, as transitive, but
against usage.
1.,

and

vaov

<rov,

is

gl.

relative (9^'^)

Hiph. impf.

i'?^?-''']

The

this phr.

ir]

31.

v. is prosaic,
nji^

n*n]

water reeds of the Nile,

of Egypt,

cf.

here

ij'?

Ps. 80I*.

but

needed

is

30.

for

measure

Is.

not suited to context

va.bv,

The

i
1.

K.

f^' n.m. ^y?, only in

v.^^ rather, and

goes with

prob. closes

mj?

22^^,

princes.

D'^dj;

% njp

n.m. reed, the

The hippopotamus, symbol

here, and the divine name is needed

141^ Is. 19^

on''3N nny]. For

Dn/3vy of strong enemies

confederate

jfirst

@ dTrd ro^

so Ew., Ba., Dr., most

18'^.

phr. a.X. wild beast of reeds.

cf.

at close of

^^3"'nn is dub. (5*),

5td rhv

phr. 76^2

Sd"'

for measure.
86^*.

not needed in the second.

de templo tuo, so Du.

^v

prob.

D'^hSn is

35'*'.

m;; 7^, D^xnv ';;

Edomites Is. 34'^,

v. i^, cf. espec. d-'DnS

king of Assyria

Is. lo^',

These are not the people

''\^f\'

as calves

following the bulls as their chiefs, but the subject peoples, the lesser nations.

Dsnnc]

Hithp. ptc. t DC"i, variation of ^tr\ vb. stamp, tread; Qal c. ace.
water Ez. 32^ 34I8. Niph. a fountain befouled Pr. 25^6. Hithp. humble one-

self Pr. 6^

i?DB.

mire Is.

(RV. Toy

cf.

t[!i'?"]p]

^'f'^.

^ rov

bestir oneself) ptc. only

(water) befouled {hy

/xr}

\.\i^

omit

fjLT),

so

feet)

Ez. 34I9; f

dxoKXeicrdijvai Toi>s beboKifxafffxivovs

of neg. consequence as 39^ 69^* 102^ io6-3,

for n of Niph. inf.

here stamping, trampling

Ba. suggests

"i^cn.

But

v.

BDB.

dpyvpiifj

^-

( ?)

n.[m.]

makes

n must then be

O uses diroKXelo for iJD.

<=

err.
^-

ut excludant eos qui probati sunt argento, Hilary, Cassiod.,

ut non excludantur, Aug. Psalter

Rom. ut excludantur.

seems to reverse the idea which the context demands.

The vb.
mire. Then

other Vrss.

tQ

^^s*?.

The

negative here

sustained by
meaning trampling
, S, give no
''P,?]
Qal ptc. pi. cstr. fjix
Ptc.

is

best suits the hippopotamus, with the

those trampled must be Israel.

which is prob. interp. For "ixi, 'D-)X
refine {12^), which is well suited to ipD; representing therefore Israel as refined
as silver and yet trodden in the mire by the hippopotamus Egypt.
S toj>s

in the

evidence of

3,

cuSoKT^Touj ws 5oKipLj)v dpyvplov rd. 1D3

one i^o^^), and also nix refined,

ws

is

f]'\^

'1X"I.

>ixn ptc. pass,

prob. explanatory.

rvi-^

favoured

This gives the best

PSALMS

112

explanation, and indeed the missing

^, Aq., 3, the

similar words,

word of the

wheels^ from ^ii vb. run, thinking of silver wheels

possible,

is

not

demands

so

known

, 3.

Heb.

in

vb. scatter^

">f^

copyist's error for nrc.

32.

vrN;] Qal impf. 3

Aramaism,

Ges.''^-

Qal Dn.

4.

but such a noun, though

battle,

imv.

ip

as context

only here.

1-*, Pi.

n^3-^p] pi.

war

Prob. this

(55^^)

rel.

clause.

332- 21 Is. 4126 5612; here the

pi. J

-A-Ji.

as noun, pi. runners,

"'X-i

Pi. pf. error for

anp
npN come Dt.
D^jprn]
dub.

is late

is

in]

Lit.

one of the two

(8 took

line.

Aq., 3, interpret

other.

a.X.

<5, .S,

U,

form

Trp^a/Sets, legati,

ambassadors, nobleSy'L ^Ktpavivres, Aq. iaTrV(Tixivws,3 velociter,%o Hilg., Pont.,

Che.,

tone measure.

xz for

swift messengers.

Io6"'2i 114I 1358-9

phr. a.X. Hiph. 3

i>

makes

it

The

whether
latter.

with subj. land sg.

regard

It is better to

vb.

is

Ges. ^

f.

vi''

This couplet

was ncr

vb.

make a complete

clause to

Dt. 3326.

36.

:i^K'"i|"]iDr].

But

Nn-'j]

based on
cf.

45I*.

Is.

^yh

v.^

>nN

iVd.

for

(5 V2'ipD2

Nn\

tetrameter.

Niph.

ptc.

gl.

is

78^^

d^dSn r^na]

96*^,

liturg.

prob. goes with next

is gl.

making

1.

derived from
too long.

H in Sanctis suis, 3 in sanctuario

Rossi, have sg.

of interp., though in (5.

mighty 38"^

v/Dx;; be

D"'n'^N]

De

y^'^^P

of an original iripc, which

referring to the sanctuary, as 74'

Nin]

D'pn2'3 wyy iniNj] is

35.

iv To?s baloi^ avrov,

so 2, S, %, and 24 codd. Kenn., 30

pi. are interpretations

146^

gl.

is

, or 1*^0 as v.^,
has been repeated by
as

separating the clauses that belong together.

suo

\o^^'^-^

i'^; V^">7]

'^^ ^,

repeated in (S with ^i-h v.^,

^i

but 3 pi. m. sf. with

as the subj. with Bo., 01s.,

is

thinking of

go^ 8i-

needed with inn'^. It is not certain

which nSo, a misinterp. ; prob. the
"iS^ia ]t\) ^n]
34. "'nr]
dittog. D7n nr, cf. ^2,
46^; the thunder accompanying the theophany.
Here it is a gl.,
it

18^*

cf.

^s. 5i

'^r,

1361^.

as usual in this Ps., a gl.

is,

yg^^-

Egypt, elsw.

archaic strong

>vc,

had

Ju'iD n. pr. Ethiopia, eXsvf. 7^87*.

improb.

\JiK n^]].

from

dittog.

possible that (S also

n. pr.

yn

f.

would be

d^j

It is

t D:nxr>]

Hu., Now., Ges.i*^-

Grill.,

83.

Then

cm.

ptc. pass.

o-i'n

form of

is

and

^\^'W> Vn] cf. 3py> Sn

cf.

73!^.

J n'lcifpn]

addition as

Sf. in all cases

best interpreted as sg.

o.X. pi. n.f. mighty

v.^^.

PSALM LXIX.
Ps. 69 is composite

deadly
of a

peril,

(A) a prayer

stream with miry bottom

numerous and
charged

(v.^)

false,

may

covered Pit
(v.^~-^*),

for

from

who

(v.-"^)

explained as deadly enemies,

require retribution for offences

wrongly

(2) a plea for the faithful, that they be not put to

shame through the

fulness he

(i) petition for salvation

represented under the figure of drowning in the rapids

sufferer

(v.'^),

and that in kindness and

faith-

be delivered from the overwhelming flood and the

(v."*"^^) ; (3) renewed plea for an answer in haste

ransom from enemies (v.^^), and exaltation from afflic-

PSALM LXIX.
tion (v.^)

with the concluding vow

113

which the

of public praise,

author conceived to be more acceptable to God than sacrifices of

animals

Glosses intensify the suffering

(v.^^"^^).

as due to the folly and fault of the people

is

offered in a

of a sufferer

time

(v.*),

represent

it

and that the prayer

(B) The lamentation

of acceptance (v."").

who has

zeal for the temple

(v.^),

been persecuted for his fidelity to God and

(v.^^*')

His fasting made him the derision of

the idle and the drunkards (v.""^^)

His heart was broken because

of the pitiless conduct of his adversaries,

vinegar instead of food and drink

who gave him gall and

He imprecates that

(v.^'"^^).

may become a snare, their eyes and loins enfeebled, and

may be overtaken by the divine anger (v.-^^) that their
dwellings may be without inhabitants, their guilt so great that
they may have no salvation, and that their names may not be
their table

that they

recorded with the righteous in the book of life

sufferer

is

(v.-*'

the ideal community of Ps.

doubtless

^^).

Glosses attribute the suffering to the divine visitation (v.^)

sent that

God knows the reproach borne

(v.^")

This

22, Is. 53.

;

repre-

that his salvation

Yahweh as the
summoned to praise

will give joy to all the afflicted (v.^^), and honour

deliverer of poor prisoners

(v.^*).

All nature is

the Saviour of Zion and rebuilder of the cities of Judah for the

abode of His servants and their seed

CAVE me, Yahweh

(v.^^^^^).

for waters are come unto my life.

am plunged into the mire of the abyss, where there is no standing.
I am come into depths of water, and a flood doth overwhelm me.
Those hating me without cause are more than the hairs of my head.
My false enemies are stronger in number (than my bones)
;

What
J^ET not

have not spoiled, that

must repay.

Thee be ashamed through me, Yahweh Sabaoth.

Let not those that seek Thee be upbraided through me, God of Israel.
In the abundance of Thy kindness answer me, in the faithfulness of Thy
those that wait on

salvation.
let me not be overwhelmed in the depths of water.
Let not the flood overwhelm me, and let me not be swallowed up
And let not the Pit keep guard over me with its mouth.

Deliver me, and

^NSWER

me according to the goodness of Thy kindness, according

abundance of Thy compassion.

And hide not Thy face in my straits O make haste

Draw near unto me O ransom, on account of mine
;

enemies.

to

the

PSALMS

14
Afflicted
I will

And

and sorrowful,

praise

it

will

Thy name

let

Thy

Yahweh,

salvation,

with a song,

and

me on

lift

high.

magnify it with thanksgiving:

please better than an ox, a bullock horned and hoofed.
y^8-13.

Q^

20ft-26.

will

28-29

^3

g^j^^

prOR Thy

sake I have borne reproach;

Upbraiding hath covered my face.

am become

my brethren,
my mother.

a stranger to

foreigner to the sons of

Zeal for Thine house consumed

And Thy

^THEN
It

my

afflicted

me;

reproaches have fallen on me.

soul with fasting,

became a reproach unto me.

When

made my garments

sackcloth,

became a taunt song to them.

Those sitting in the gate composed
I

Winebibbers made

me

(a song) against

a theme for their

gEFORE Thee are all mine

me.

lyres.

adversaries.

Reproach hath broken my heart.

When I hoped for some one to pity, there was none;
For some to have compassion I found them not.
:

And
And
T

they gave
in

ET their

my

me

gall in

eating.

vinegar they gave

thirst

become a

table

my

me

to drink.

snare,

Their peace-offerings before them a trap.

Let their eyes be darkened that they cannot see.
And their loins be continually tottering.

Pour upon them Thine indignation,

let the heat of Thine anger overtake them.

And
T

ET their habitation
And
Add
And

become

in their tents let there

desolate.

be no inhabitant.

iniquity to their iniquity.

let

them not come

into

Thy

righteousness.

Let them be blotted out of the book of the

And

with the righteous

Ps. 69 was originally in 13

which we shall designate as A.
v.2-3. 5. 7. i&-. 30-32.

o>N

v.s

18^, cf. 661*

^3,j^

|^s

more acceptable

to

Intr.

them not be

27);

35^9;

that

nx^

v.i^ for Pit

V.19, cf. 5^ 27II.

Dxy

The conception

Yahweh than animal

is

as Ju. 12^

Is.

27I-

part

earliest

v.^,

as 3820 406- 13;

>S

nx v.^^ as

of inward worship as

niNa>{

is

mn>

as Ps.
v.*^,

18^''',

the

cf.

42^.

Ssna^ vnVx

v."^,

and 3N131 ^j;? o.X. v."". The peril

and the situation is that of Pss. 40,

-id;?d a.X. v.^

the overwhelming trouble of the Exile,

51.

its

sacrifices v.^^ jg as Pss. 40, 51

Several other words and phrases are to be noted

V.3- 16,

is,

of Sheol, as 552*;

figurative representation of trouble as peril of drowning,

nSac

living,

inscribed.

This Ps. had three pentameter hexastichs,

resembles other Pss. of

It

ojn >Njr, '\pv

{v.

let

This Ps. was taken up into E, and then subsequently into S3l, where it
a^jir'ic Sn {v. Intr. 32, 33, 34).
It is however quite

received the direction

PSALM LXIX.
2^ had

possible that

B came later

Ps. 4416-23 je. 1515 Zp. 3I8.

Nu. 25 11 (P)

80

v.^-i^- 206-26. 28-29,

hexastichs:

five

God

for

not A, but only

for the DiJtt'W Ps.

mxj

and

cf.

that the combination of

a trimeter.

This Ps. has

V.9,

v. 11

is

115

Jb. 1915;

its

and

poem

of

special features: v.^,

cf.

a trimeter

is

v.io zeal

as Ps. 351^; v. 12 pa'

temple,

for the

^m^h

as 3518;

cf.

Va'D as

44I5. y,i3

-,j.^

15I8 Mi. i^; v.22

,pv^ a.\.; V.21 m^::' as 34!^ 511^, ntruNi as Je.

>nna

but

cf.

a.X.,

as Mi. 73

Ho.

nn^

9'^

Ps. 78*9 85^; V.26

Is.

m>D

La. 4IO;

v.23

cpia

as Gn. 25I6 (P)

Nu.

Ex. 3232-33 ("E), ai^n(n) v^n Pss. 271^

cf.

29'^;

foes of the

3110 (P) Ez. 25*;

52'^

Ps.

(i) \M' pxT

n;?

same

= Is.

situation.
49^,

cf.

C.

also Is.

J, cf.

v.29D>^n isD, a.X.

The terms

142^.

The imprecations imply a severe

time when Nehemiah began his reforms.

characteristic of the

]nn phr. of

v.25 t^x

than Nehemiah.

is

nc 91^ 1419; mSa'

Ps. iS^ 64^;

cf.

v.^* -i;;Dn as Ez.

34^;

are not later

from unscrupulous

strain

The

zeal for the

temple

There are several glosses to this

This 1. is a seam uniting
58^ 6i2.

and B. It seems to have an original r\^r^> and is therefore later than IE.
If IBi^ combined the two, it was composed by him; if later, whoever combined them is responsible for it. (2) V.* '^ry ^'^D as La. 2^1 4^'^, yj> as Ps. 6^.
This tetrameter couplet

not late in

is

style,

but

it

introduces a different

was prob.

conception of suffering in the midst of a simile.

It

marginal note which subsequently crept into the

text.

Je. 51^2 La. 2^2 Ez. 261^ 302*.

str.

This

of the trimeter poem, which

(4) V.6 nSiN as

IB2t.

Aramaism.
This

gl.

This

v.

38*5,

v. is

elsw. Pr. 23

not do.

nrti'N

t.

same hand.

^-^'^

(7)

V.^

breaks up a

it

must be

c^n':'^

(5) V.20a the use of

(6) V.^"^-

from the Maccabean period.

but

It

later

usage of P, Chr.

poem,

disturbs the pentameter

belongs to the Greek period.

cates prob. the

not late in style

3^ would

originally a

(3) V.27 r]>hhn as

is
jj-i",

prob. original.
as in v.^ indi-

are based on Ps. 222^-

2&- 27

a later insertion in the above

is

PSALM LXIX.

than

h ace. late

gl.

gl.

A.

and a concluding line.

Save me, Yahwehl, as the context indicates from deadly peril
an individual servant of Yahweh, a prophet like Jeremiah.
for
Str. I. has a syn. tristich, a syn. couplet,

2.

waters are come unto

my

life'].

He

have so risen up about him, that he

in waters

in peril of death.

3.

which

/ am

into depths

Jordan
flood.

drowning

of water']. He is beyond his depth in the stream.

and a flood doth overwhelm me]. He is in the rapids of the

come

is

is

and the waters,

This

is

swiftly descending,

doubtless figurative, as

18^''

come upon him

42^,

and not

glossator inserts another description of the sufferings

weary with my
waiting for

calling

my God].

his throat has

my

He

throat

is

hot

Mine

like

real.

4.

I am

eyes do fail in

has so Jong called for divine help that

become heated and

feverish.

His eyes

fail

because

PSALMS

Il6
of weeping hot tears.

This

is

not altogether suited to the con-

makes the Str. too long even if the measure of this v.

Those hating me without
5.
were the same as that of this Ps.
and

text,

cause

it

my false

II

enemies']

The

of a river passes over into

Their
I

causeless hatred

is

He

is

have not spoiled].

drowning

figure of

his

insist

explained in the
falsely

/ must repay]

upon.

make

in the rapids

explanation as perils from enemies.

what

clause:

last

accused of having taken spoil

enemies or their friends by violence or

from
they

simply

its

make

and

injustice,

retribution for

restoration, for their purpose

it

a deadly one

is

this

not
they

would destroy 7ny life]. These enemies are not only false, without
and deadly but they are very numerous
more
than the hairs of my head \ strong in number].
A glossator

justification

explains the suffering as due to the folly and fault of the sufferer,

measure from the context

in a line of different
II

6.

frotn Thee are not hid] positively and negatively

to

God.

my

folly

||

my faults\ both

Thou knowest
all is known

terms of late usage in the

time when the legal type of righteousness was mingled with the

more

ethical type of

Str. II.

Hebrew Wisdom.

has a syn. couplet, and a tetrastich whose second and

third lines are syn., the

ing.

7.

and fourth introductory and conclud-

first

Let not those that wait on Thee

Yahweh

real worshippers.

names which

in

Sabaoth

||

that seek Thee], the

||

God

of Israel], divine

themselves are pleas for help in the mouth of

be ashamed
through me],

and
example
worshipper
as an
of a
of
Yahweh deUvered over into the hands of enemies.
A later editor
now inserts a portion of another Ps., v.^^^, which in trimeter measure describes the sufferings of a persecuted prophet. Then 14 a
an Israehte.
humiliation.

was inserted
my prayer is

as a seam.
to

||

be upbraided], suffer disgrace

But as for me],

antith.

enemies.

Thee, Yahweh, at the time of acceptance,

God].

This expresses an assurance and certainty of redemption, which

not in harmony with the context.
phr. elsw. Is. 49^,

is

the time

when

the prayer will be favoured by

God

with an answer of salvation.

Thy

kindness, intensified by in the faitJjfulness of

The

attributes of kindness

salvation

is

usually based.

and

14

Z?-16.

In the abundance of

Thy salvation].
upon which
these are intensified by abun-

faithfulness are those

When

is

**The time of acceptance,"

PSALM LXIX.

117

dance, superabounding every need, they constitute an invincible

On them are heaped up a number of verbal pleas, at first

more general answer 7ne deliver me, then more specifically,
plea.

||

referring to the figure of v.^

depths of water

||

Let not

Let

the flood

not be overwhelmed in the

?ne

overwhelm

f?ie,

and let me not

swallowed up\ concluding with deliverance from the

Let not the Pit keep guard over me with its mouth\

go down

into the Pit of Sheol,

and be shut up

be

Pit of Sheol

Let

me

not

ward

there, kept in

by a safely fastened door at its mouth. Those who think of the

dungeon in which Jeremiah was confined, Je. 38^, fail to see the
incongruity between the figure of the rapids of a river and that

of a damp, miry dungeon.

two synth.

Str. III. has

of the petition,
the goodness of

compassion].

Thy

tristichs.

17.

Answer

with slightly varying

v.^'**,

me'], a

terms

renewal

according

to

Thy
making

kindness, according to the abutidance of

This was enlarged by an ancient copyist,

the V. into two tetrameters

" answer me,

Yahweh

for

Thy

kind-

good ; according to the abundance of Thy compassion

This reading, although sustained by ( and other
turn unto me."
Vrss. and followed by EV^, cannot be justified save at the expense
of the measure and strophical organisation of the Ps. and at the
ness

is

cost of the correspondence of the v. with v."^.

not Thy face], so as not to see,

in
Thy servant
with " for I am in

my

cf.

io\

straits], as elsw.

straits."

O make

to the trimeters of the

continues through v.^.

made

The need

to assimilate these

poem, whose second part

19.

Draw

hide

from

but a glossator enlarges

haste].

tive, and unless speedy help is given it will be too late.

was enlarged by a glossator's appending " answer me."

additions were probably

And

18.

glossator adds

is

it

impera-

This also
All these

pentameter

lines

begins, v.^*,

and

near unto me,

ransom, on

account of mine enemies], referring back to v.^ The glossator

appends " redeem me " to make this line also into two trimeters,
as v.^^.

30. Afflicted

and sorrowful], emphatic

the condition of the pleading sufferer.

v."^.

lift

me on

cannot reach me.

let

description of

Thy salvation\

cf.

high] in safety from the enemies, where they

31.

will praise

a vow of public praise in the temple.

Thy name

with

i^S\ ^ song of thanksgiving with vocal music.

magnify it],
a song thanksgiv||

32.

||

And

it

will

PSALMS

Il8
please\ give gratification to

an

better than

God and

find acceptance with

horned and

ox, a bullock

Him.

the choicest

hoofed']^

animal slaughtered in the thank-offering.

PSALM LXIX.
Str. I. has three syn. couplets.

show
of Yahweh, and
position to

J have

that the servant of

for

borne reproach

8. For Thy sake"], emph. in

Yahweh suffered for the cause

cause alone,

that
||

B.

Reproaches are heaped upon the servant

in such quantity

face

a stranger

my

44^.

Ps.

my face\

cf.

44^^

Yahweh,
bear, and his

for his fidehty to

intensity that they are hard to

9.

/ am become

a foreigner^ instead of an acquaintance and native

even

sons of

15^^

Je.

covered over with the shame of them.

is

born.

and

cf.

upbraiding hath covered

to

my brethren^

mother'], in a

the sons of the

polygamous

than sons of a

common

can hardly be

for the erection of the

father.

same

father

||

state of society nearer

10. Zealfor Thine house].

the
still

This

temple in the time of Zerub-

babel, or for the purification of the temple in the time of the

Maccabees
ship of

but rather for the honour of the temple and the wor-

God

unfaithful

syncretistic in their tendencies.

zeal as

by a

fire in his

annoyed by

it.

bones,

And Thy

the cause of
II.

God and

//

who were

God,
on me], as espousing

11-12.

IVhen

soul with fasti?ig], in humiliation and penitence for

God by

cloth],

have fallen

interposing on His behalf.

the neglect of the religion of

offensive to those

has two synth. and a syn. couplet.

I afflicted my
their

became

reproaches'], reproaches against

resuming the thought of v.^

Str.

Nehemiah, against those

their own people and
The servant, consufned by this

therein, as in the time of

Jews who were treacherous to

compatriots.

Yahweh and the dishonour done to

IVheji I made my garments sack-

put on the outward badge of sorrow and fasting,

cf.

Ne.

9^"^.

becarne a reproach unto me], the impenitent and ungodly

reproached him for it

I became a taunt song to them], cf. 44^^
They composed {a song) against me], they taunted him in a song,
which they composed to hold him up to ridicule and scorn
13. made me a theme for their lyres].
The taunt song was
||

||

accompanied with the music of the

common

sort

instruments used by such people in such places.

of stringed

Those

sitting

PSALM LXIX.

119

in the gate\ the public place inside the gate where idlers gathered

and partisans gathered together

for gossip,
bers'], as

groups

in

witiebib-

||

usual in such cases indulging freely in wine, which

made

Doubtless the
and abusive of their opponents.
poet is contrasting in his mind the worship of God with song and
music in the temple with this abuse of song and music by the

them

hilarious

ungodly in the public squares.

Str. III. has a synth.

and two

syn. couplets.

20

anything without the divine knowledge.

He

Ps. 22^^.
tice

is

and wrong.

v.^--^"^\

all

hath

21.

broken

my

Reproach'], resumheart'],

cf.

23^

Je.

When

I hoped for some

one

pity

to

some

||

to

In his heartbroken condition he looked about

sympathy and pity for his sufferings.

there was none
them not]. He was left alone in his agony like the suf-

I found

ferer of 2 2^"^

my

are

heartbroken with sorrow, and the sense of injus-

have compassion].
for

sight.

They have done nothing; they cannot do

mine adversaries].
ing the term of

Before Thee\

b.

emphatic in position; in Thy presence, in Thy

eating

22.

And

||

to aggravate his hunger

mock him

||

their food

on the table

to

drink, in

or

my

thirst'],

of satisfying them

and drink are spread,

23.

to

Let their

antith.

wP, and

their peace-offerings], the flesh of the festal offerings

;

which

certainly to be preferred to

is

which should have been

fication

thirst instead

an imprecation in three syn. couplets.

upon which

therefore

and

gall instead of bread, in

me

in his misery.

Str. IV. is
table],

me

they gave

vinegar instead of wine, gave

||

RV. " when

which

AV. " that

without justithey are in peace," JPSV. " unto their

for their welfare,"

is

which are not well sustained ; or (^, F, 3, Aq., Rom. 11^,

" for retribution," which is sustained by good usage, but does not

friends,"

suit the context.

become

a snare

||

a trap]. The
meant; whether

before them

context does not indicate in what sense this

is

the rich food was to be poisoned by treacherous enemies, or

whether they would be surprised by enemies while indulging at

The author leaves it indefinite purposely,

many possible explanations.
24. Let their

the table.
tion of

ened that they cannot

calamity.

And

sudden shock,

see].

with suggeseyes be dark-

Let them be blinded by some sudden

let their loins be contiiiually tottering],

filling

them with

terror

and despair.

from some

25.

Four

PSALMS

20

let overtake them\ as a downfall of rain, a deluge, a

Upon them
the heat of Thine anger],
Thine indignation
26. Let their habitation
Str. V. has three syn. couplets.
in

storm.

||

||

||

their tents'], the dwellings of the families of these

Yahweh and His

servant.

become

desolate

||

Let their wives and children, and

habitant].

enemies of

let there

be no in-

their adherents

all

A glossator inserts a reason 27. For whom

and posterity perish.
Thou hast smitten they do pursue, and of the pain of those whom
Thou hast pierced they tell]. This glossator states that the sufferings of the servant of Yahweh are due to the divine visitation, which
is

contrary to the entire tone of the Ps.

time that

this

Increase this

iniquity to their iniquity].

more

guilty.

Let them not come

Let them be blotted out

29.

istered,

the book of

of those

who

Hb.

This brings

||

2*.

late editor

this

glad].

When

Add

righteousness], share in
faithful servants.

among them, cf.

the living], the

life,

Je. 22** Ez.

book recording the names

cf. Ex. 32^^-^ Dn. 12^ also

simple and impressive Ps. to a conclusion.

of the Maccabean period, thinking to give the

composite Ps. a more appropriate conclusion, added

the analogy of

28.

make them more and

them not be inscribed], reg-

let

share in everlasting

guilt,

God on His

with the righteous], their names

13^ Ps. 87^

but he thinks at the same

Thy

into

the saving righteousness bestowed by

aggravates the guilt of the persecutors.

22^*- ^-

-'''.

33.

Have

the delivered praise

God

^^

after

in the temple, they will

seen by others, afflicted as they have been,

v.^^^-

the afflicted seen, they will be

who

will

be

be glad with

will say: Let

Those seeking God], His worshippers
them.
34. For Yahweh heareth the poor, and
your heart live], as 22^.
His prisoners He doth not despise], as 22^. The poor and the
prisoners are doubtless those of the Maccabean afflictions. A still

later editor inserts here

heaven and

36.

earth praise

For God

an invocation to universal praise

Him,

35. Let

the seas a?id all that glideth therein.

and

of fudah],
were
in ruins
Zion was still in danger, and the cities of Judah
and
have
and they will dwell therein,
owing to the Syrian wars.
will save Zion,

rebuild the

cities

it in

possession

||

37.

The seed

also of

His servants will

inherit

it,

His name will dwell in it]. The author looks

forward to a long and peaceful residence of the faithful under the
protection of God in Zion and in the rebuilt cities of Judah.

and

they that love

PSALM LXIX.
A

LXIX.
dtiSn] for mni of 10

2.

wherever

(fl).

^o^

]V2'] elsw.

3.

standing ground, foothold.

a.X.

130I,

>pDj;D

D""

51I0,

Is.

so here

appears in present Ps. of 3E

nini

either verbal gl. or part of a longer gl. or

cited Jon. 2^.

n.(in.)

pi.

O'l??:^,?

elsw. Ez.

d^d 'D

is

it

VQ^'^V on] phr.

f^l!?]
n.m.
(VP^;?)

v.^.

Je. 38^ (t3^?3).

= v.i^

u^Vi-^^J^'JJ^']

as

txt. err.,

t3>3D, cf.

i}"'"!?

121

27^4.

J nS*3K^]

n.f.

12^ (the Jordan), Is. 2712 (^the Euphrates).

t (i) stream, flood, elsw. v.^^ Ju.
^Jnc'^if] Qal pf. 3 fs.,sf. i sg.
(2) ears of grain Gn. 41^27 Ru, 22 Is. 17^
v.i^, cf. Is. 8^ 28^ 3028" 432 66I2 Je. 472 Pss. 7820
J f\m vb. overflow, wash away,

124*

for the idea in different terminology, cf. i8^ 42^.

67 "innjN3

Niph.

pf. t

Qal

vb.

"^"^n

Niph. (i)
Ps. 102*

@ Kpd^cav, 3

'n;;j}\

<5<f

damans without

hot, Ez. 24^1, <5?^rw Is.

scorched ]e. 629 2. 15^'^ 241"^;

l>e

de parched, of throat here only.

40^^

This
D3n

-\p!y

'HW 38^.

3oi4-

15^

syntax.

has two

v.

The

improb.
"nDxp

1DX>'] be vast,

""ri^pxp]

cf.

is

so 3,

o.Tch

5.

i]^ii-\

n'n^fe'c], phr. elsw.

||

||

my

(^18^)

sg. y'^'^cx

to

Vm j/25,

11982.123.

-jp^ ,3,5^ _ ^yg^ ^f^

La. 3^2.
131; 38'^ 406- 1^ 139I7 Is. 31I Je. 56

exterminators, but

Hare, Lowth., Street, Ew.,

a comparison.

Jb. 4^*,

A word

measure.

sf.

30^,

so Du.; most prob., easiest

''a''N

but this mng. dub.;

locks,

Hu., Dy., Kau., Ba.,

Djn

numerous

ptc.

parall. suggests

my

than

Hiph.

cf.

im]

in fever Jb.

4^^ Ps.

cf.

Pi. ptc.

inf.,

is gl.

phr. elsw. jj^^

iNpt']

2II,

W]

tetrameters;

rbv dedv fwv, Vn^p prep, and

iirl

gl. in |^.

Pilp. kindle (strife) Pr. 2621.

for vb. cf. 18^^ 71^ 7326 843 1198I 1437.

rod iyyl^eLv

iNnpa Tip^],

4.

(2) durn, of bones in fever

by weeping, phr. La.

^r^ iSs] fail, exhausted

which is a
24^, of bones

sf.

my

than

"'n"^OXj?p

be preferred, and

Gr.,

bones, so 01s.,

two beats

this gives us

missing with reading of |^. It is favoured also

rs]
and % is difficult unless la's be
by the word play of vb. and noun.
for the

is

regarded as relative of time.

If not,

regarded as a corruption of

ijn

S of ace. of late style,

@ tt]v

and

t.

here, elsw. Pr. 23

pass a.\. in
;

\p,

Twj'

original.

but Lv.

526

dcppoaivijv fiov,

ip'idc'n: pi.

||

This

is

v. is

doubtless a late

3 domine

'JJD

nnSs

wrong

7.

The

order here

For

npSi)

Niph. same sense

10.

Is.
rin^3

i*

v.

Ez.

is

nsnn (/j^).

suspicious.
9.

tn is

^n'?iN'?]

n.f.

38^

Am. S^\?)

Chr. 3

t.

nin> in IE

has only

cannot be

and dtiSn of 35.

{a).

nnn]
14^ nsj]

4^.

6.

implies late date subse-

mN33f n)n> ^jin]

Ps. begins here with trimeter measure.

n2>3.

meam, nViN

doubtless correct as a conflation of ijnx (for nin>)

jnDD.

Dn>j>y3 inoj.

gl.

or nxT.

doing, guiltiness, tres-

Lv. 4^

deus exercituum

nsnin ^riNC':] phr. elsw. Je. 151^ Zp. 3I8

JD

stultitiam

(action)

t.

LXIX. B

Another
-ijnos

J npE'N n.f.

and Chr. 10

dvvdfxeuv, but

n;

by Lag., Du.; but unnecessary,

Lv. 524 22^^ of bringing trespass offering

quent to P.
KiJpic

interpret of logical sequence, as

But we would expect rather a demonstrative

408 1196-92^

(guilt)

we must

It

Hoph.

8.

^''f?P"''3]

jd

hdSd nnps],

was

at

an

cf.

4423.
cf.

441^

earlier stage

estranged

a.\.',

adj. foreign, alien, cf. Jb.

igi^

ptc.

nxjp] phr. a.X. zeal for thy house.

-\it

nNj,-i n.f.

ardour

PSALMS

122

(i) of jealousy not in ^; (2) of zeal for God 2 K. ioi Nu. 25II (P), so here ;
(3) of anger Ps. 119^39 j^. ^2 (men); ^ nt<:p ij'n Ps. 79^ Is. 26^1 Ez. 36*

I^^ 38.
The original
n"'?")'^n H'^Dnn] prob. dittog., makes too long a 1.
was prob. ^>mD1^ reproaches against Thee. It is possible that ?\ti-\T\ came in
by error from next v., and that made it necessary to interpret the other form

Zp.

as ptc.

11.

"'???<,i]

consec. prot. temporal clause with Qal impf.

"I

sg.

^ 78*^ 126^ 137^ This form is dub. with 'rp: a^s^

with fastings as 3^^^. MT. seems to make ""C'DJ a second subj. of vb, so Ew.,
Hi., De., Ba., Ges."*(<).
3 makes it ace. after vb., so Aq., S, interp. Pi., as
J n^j vb. weep elsw. in

properly bewailing oneself for oneself

cf. Je. 31^^.

This is most prob.
But (S^ avv^KaiJ.\pa, so &. r33C suggests either as Houb., Lowth., Lag., Now., nrrs; Aramaism, cf. Ps. io6*\
of
8S^^ Jb. 242* Ec. 10^^, or n:?N assimilated to 35^^, where alone the same phr. is

Ez.

8^*,

with text, as

found with

suited to the context.

is

it

this vb., so

nrDN^i

which

consec. prot. temporal clause, Qal impf. cohort,

1

consec. apod., Qal impf. 3 sg. juss.

be at close of

Qal impf.

n>2',

B^

Hu., Or., Du.

Dy.,' 01s.,

operui would represent an original

is

sg.

avvcKdXvxpa,

improbable.

But rhyme requires that

n\-i.

*^^^'^]

'Hni]

pc* ^rii*^] z'.jj^^.

for a by-word ox taunt song, as 44^^

not (l) complain, as 55^^, nor (2) muse, so Dr., as
1.

nins^]

12.

it

should

13.

in'-r^]

77'^- 1^

but

compose (a song), as 105^ Ju. 5^*^.

'2] makes 1. too long unless attached by
Makkeph to vb. It should also come at close of 1. with retracted accent,
^a-in^ir;.

those

who

"^'i^ "'^C'^] sit

sit

in

in the gate, as Dr., not dwell in gate,

judgment

there, rulers, but here, idlers.

koL

instruments (see Intr. 34), cf. 77"(?) Jb. 30^ La. 3^* ;
in me psallebant, and 3 et cantabant, rd. vb. and sf.
\oVf

and put

at

end of 1.

'\yq ^r'^r]

mocking enemies

plete without

of

it.

gl. as in v.'.

cn^.s] as in

so

'H^""''?!???]

c.

42^

first

is

possibly assimilated to other

^^2f3Ni]

long.

351^ (aicn >p>n

cf.

Houb.,

av

Is.

measure is commn^] mark

V;:).

58^

"\ nj> Is. 61'*.

(i).

resumed here with

'^?30X"Sni] Qal cohort, with

\pa\-

ifi^

>3ij3

part of v. for an original n"in\

LXIX.

The pentameter poem

this v. is a gl.,

r^"i"n>;] phr. elsw. Is. 49", cf. "\

goes with

th

Rd.

drinkers of strong drink, Qal. ptc. fully writCf. Is. 5^1- 22 Mi. 2^1 +.
14. 'JNi] emph.

not original

c. a,

ten, pi. cstr. t-\3C' n. a.X. in ^.

antith. to

Gn. 19I

cf.

n^jMj] of stringed

coord.
11.,

See

v.^**.

v.*.

which have

'rs,

tva

15.
fxrj,

{i8i^.

t3>t?p] gl.

so

possibly phr.

requires nSi

after v. 3*.

is gl.

Niph. cohort. Sxj (7^) doublet of ^j^''xn, improb. The 1. is too

must go out as gl., so Ba., or the following words as repetition
.-

"xj2a

from

v.*.

also,

whereas

But other terms are repeated from

'Njrn is

3 for D before

"'pep::.

only here

o-'D

rhiv

makes

too long.

1.

iBNn] vb.

a.X.

gests DOK which

is

v.'

We

would expect

this phr.

explanatory of trouble and disturbs the metaphor.

16.

''JD:2'^'n-SN]

for r>3"^ there

^^1^?

Qal

prob.

unnecessary,

juss., cf. v.^

a**::

a later addition, as unnecessary;

gl.

to give

has o-vpo-x^tu} usually for

not so easy.

Rd.

attached to same noun,

Better n^cn as

nx^*,

Is.

second vb. a

3 coronet =
5" of Sheol,

~aj,'-

cf.

Jb.

subj.

Gr. sug16^*^.

-^

PSALM LXIX.
1K3] pit of Sheol here as
tained by Vrss.

We., Che., Ba., Du.

belong to the

3*5^^.

gl.

18.

Drj

"IX

prob.

therefore

v.

But

^jifl

gl.

x^rh

||

8^

in

is

'Jjy

unto

^^aJ'Sn]

19.

onmx

Xixh 5^ 27II,

onmB'

i3>^ ^yp'?] cf.

phr., 102^ 143"^, cf. 79^ (v. 16^').

beginning of previous

dittog. of

a clause

102^

59!'^

same

auxiliary,

iSn njo] does not

jcp') prob. gl. as

(cf.

n^^V?]

>S-nx-'3] as zi^^ elsw. always with

cf.

Du.
2; S'nx^ 18^ 66I* 106** 1076.13.19.28;
"ijiir "inc]
so prob. here also.
two imvs., the first

prob.

is

although sus-

3it3 ^d]

therefore rd. avjD with Street, Gr.,

:3"ij,

||

has been assimilated to 63^ 10921.

It
it

1. ;

mn-'] gl. as v.i*.

17.

not according to

is

123

here prob.

myself^

these cases concluding

all

There has been an

hSnj.

gl.,

cf.

effort to

change these pentameters into trimeters because of subsequent trimeters.

inra] (jj^)
L. a gl.
20. nns] emph., but without apparent reason.

^nob/cf.

V.8

n.

lo-

>ni3nn, cf. v.^-

LXIX.

The

trimeter Ps.

V. 34!^ 51^^ 147^;

= ni3t:*

subj.

c'u vb. a.X.

improb.

sick,

TOKaiTTwpiav

f.

sum, so ^,

Che.

impf.

Pi.

Bi.,

sg.

Qal

ptc.

is

with

17

21. ^aS ^1^^'\

Awu

i/'i'X'J

weak,

to be

i^'jN

= >irDJ

as

consec. with Qal cohort.

attached to previous context by

prob. this

emph.

riijj]

1191^^ I45^^ in accord with subsequent context.

so Jb. 2I1

irpoa-eSdKTjffev

sick, as Je. 15I8

Unpointed |^ would

(^2^^)

nu {11^)

inf. c.

lo^^

has

both interp. glosses. npjNi]

1CDJ of

<^<?

contritum.

Pi. /io/>g, v.

oS of f^ and

(3).

here resumed with 20^

is

11

21.

consec. reacted

iDnjS;

yield ptc. also.

cf.

Jb.

42"

Mi.

MT. and Vrss.

i^,

disperatus

nii-iNi]

upon previous

nj>i

1.

consec.

"iijS]

mn.jM, condole withy

shew sympathy, only in these passages in this sense. But (5 (rvWvirotjfxevov =

D^DnjD Pi. ptc. pi. (2ji), so Ba., Du. 3 renders both
ptc. nj required also by
|1

by

rel.

clause,

(y^nna eat^.

prob.

inf.

and prob.
e/s

here with

herb, elsw. La. 3^.

Dt. 32^3 Jb. 20I6.

rd. ptc. also.

my food,T\y^i

X.

t)ut

pi.

their peace-offering, S prep,

of diVj' always

KoX els &vTair65o(xiv Kal,

txt. err.

(v.

^ rd.

BDi5.).

i^'^'^i*

being assimilation in connection with misinter-

pretation of text, so Houb., Gr., Du.

""nn^a] as

:j

19

careless, cf. 4^ Z'f^'y

TLixi/jplav,

22.

3 in esca mea ; cf. inf. Pi. nn^S La. 4IO;

of time V7i'i"i33 when I ate.
f "^^"^ n.m. (i) poisonous
Dt. 29!^ 32^2 Am. 612 Ho. lo* Je. gi* 9!* 2318; (2) venom
23. D>p'iW'7}] MT. pi. of m'^r, as Ra., those in security,
rh ^pC}ixd fwv,

U, 5,

et

e/s di'Ta7ro56(rets, rd.

But

all

D^ciW

other Vrss. are different.

in retributiones ad, Aq.

e/s

d7ro56(rts,

has

e/s

ciVrn.m. recompense, retribution,

The three nouns with S prob. parallel,
pi. f

Ho. 9"^ Is. 34^, so Street.

and the measure so requires. If the present order of | be correct, we must
interpret the word after
but the v. seems to have lost its parall. If d."tjdV
is transposed to the second 1. and r\th to the first, then we get better
by

elsw. Mi. 7^

thinking of

D'-aStt'

vb. QlzXgrow dim,

JD 139I2.

Ez.

where

29'^,

MT.

as the festal meal.

fig.

as La.

njypn] for njJDn

mD;;n).

rd.

mpan

5!"^

24.

Ec. I2^

||

njpE=nn]

Qal impf. 2

Hiph. cause darkness

Hiph. imv., so , 3,

'r^'o

pi.

f.

yon

Ps. 10528, sq.

(^18^^, cause to totter,

cf.

with D^jnn Vd after Sm., Co., Da., Berth, (instead of

Gr. suggests nycn niyo here, but the change

is

unnecessary

PSALMS

124

i^'f-

C'"'"'"'^]

(P) Ez.^254

riBN jNnn]

25.
sf.

27.

||

Ch. 6;

nns

so yS*^ 85*, early usage J, not E, D^, H, P.

26. onn^to] pi.
Dn>SnN, cf. Gn. 25!^ (P) Nu. 31^'^
(i) encampment; so here

(2) battlement, Ct. 8^;

emph., as vP.

-"r]

therefore rd. irN-pN.

It is

But

(3) r^> of stones Ez. 46^3 (p),

singular before i^'n; Perles, Du., Che.,

it is

a misplaced

^^^^n]

gl.

pi. sf.

(l) pierced, fatally wounded, here, as Je. 51^^ La. 2^2 Ez. 261^
Ps. 88^ 89II

Nu.

19^^

+.

Pi. impf.

n.sD>]

Lowth., Street; Ew., 01., Gr.,

nno

V. disturbs

(g^).

0""n -^od] phr. a.\. doo^

'nn nis Ps.

cf.

56^^ '^^

ii6^

nix-\N

is

to gl.

and not

original.

a late

gl.

29.

of the living,

cf.

yi

30.

^Dp-^

inn^]

Hiph.
Niph.

it

n.m.

does

e]D\ add.
juss.

pi.

j^jj^ j2i^

Ex. 32^2.33 (^^

D-i^mn) y-\N 27^^ 52^

LXIX.

The pentameter is here resumed.

(2) slain

/^//^/ so 3, but

pi. -idd

Che., Ba., Du., Dr.,

Bi.,

the imprecation, and

'^^n

302-*;

V addiderunt, & idDin, so Hare, Houb.,

not suit the context. (5 has Trpoa^drjKav,

This

2 m. J

142^

{c).

^jni]

phr. a.X. J
gl. as in
always.

aN^'Di ^jj?]

emph.

above

as

dno Qal

v.^*,

but owing

ptc. be sorrowful, cf.

v.^^^.
32. nin>S] is
E
IIPp] Hiph. ptc. f pp denom.
having horns, horned, putting forth horns, elsw. only Qal, of rays Ex.
^^29.80.86 (^p),
Dpp::] Hiph. J d-id denom. no-^s n.f. hoof^nA^o hoofed;
only here ^, but Hiph. elsw., dividing the hoof Dt. 14^-^ Lv. ii^"- '^.

aiN30

Pi*l

Du. makes it imv.

dd^^S n''T d^hSn 'rni], @ has for
this KoX ^<re<T6y which paraphrases it, cf. 22^, which is the original passage.
ovhSn is gl, 1 of ^n") goes with ptc, rd. ddddV ^n^ vc-^i.
34. mn>] is gl.
iNn]

33.

nra nS],

Qal

cf.

pf.

the original 222s.

reptiles Lv. 20^^

II*

(H), Gn.

(H) Gn.

i2i

35.

9^ (P)

LXX.,

Ps. 70 is a prayer used Ps.

40^*"^^,

PSALM LXXL,

He has been

Ps. 104-0

Gn. i^ (P).

4^

STR.

where

it

has been considered.

4 STR. f.

Pa. 71 is a prayer of the congregation to

from enemies.

Qal (i) creep of

(2) glide about of water animals, here as Lv.

(P); (3) move about oi wild beasts

PSALM

rc'i] Qal ptc. X irnn vb.

Yahweh

for deliverance

the hope of the nation from its infancy,

indeed from birth; and has continually been praised (v.'^).

His

people have become a portent to the nations on that account, and

the praise of

Yahweh has

fore the plea not to cast

ever sounded forth in His temple

them

off

when

old

and feeble

there-

(v.''"^).

They

continue their hope and their praise of His righteous might and
salvation

(v.^*"^").

He has taught them from

therefore the renewed plea not to forsake

them

earliest

youth;

in old age, but to

PSALM LXXI.
let

them continue

erations

to praise His

125

wondrous deeds

to succeeding gen-

concluding with the exclamation that their God

comparable in His great deeds of salvation

numerous glosses

of

(y.^"^^^^^-^'^^).

enlargement and emphasis

lyr Y God, deliver

me from

the

hand

is in-

There are

(v.^''"^^).

of the wicked,

From the palm of the wrong doer and

For Thou art my hope, Adonay,

the violent:

My trust from my youth, Yahweh.

Upon Thee have I stayed myself from the womb
From the bowels of my mother Thou drewest me forth.
Of Thee is my praise continually.
A S a wonder I am become to many,
Since Thou art my refuge (and) my strength.
My mouth is full of Thy praise,
[That I may sing of Thy glory].
All the day of

Thy

beauty.

me not away in the time of old age:

When my power faileth forsake me not.
ON my part continually hope,
And add unto all Thy praise.
Cast

My mouth

of

tells

Thy

righteousness,

All the day of Thy salvation;

know not how to tell it.

Thy might, Adonay.
make mention of Thy righteousness, Yahweh.

Though
I will
I will

'T'HOU

bring

me from

hast taught

youth even until now,

age and hoar hairs do not forsake me;

declare Thy wondrous deeds to a seed,

Even

to old

Until

To a generation to come Thy might.

And Thy righteousness, O God (extendeth)
The

great deeds that

God, who

is

TpQiTcov aixi^a-^i^Tia-d^vTcov,

The

title

of

(3,

ry

Aaveld, vlCop 'Iwj/aSd/S koI

a late conjecture, due probably to the fact

is

that the Rechabites of Je. 35 were faithful to their father's

be to those of

this poet claims Israel to

nally

composed of four trimeter

ent measure appear in

The

312-4.

366 in

Yahweh

his

God.

heptastichs, v.*-^-^*-^^;

v.^^"^^- 20-24^

63I* in

v.^, Is.

46^ in

but glosses of

v.^- ^,

Dt. 28^ in yJ.

v.^-*, 22^1-32

It is

differ-

gloss

from

j^ y^is^

evident that

some time after these writings, and therethan the Greek period, and probably late in that period, too

the author must have composed

fore not earlier

commands, just as
The Ps. was origi-

^nd an introductory trimeter

original Ps. has reminiscences of: 22I0-11 in

V.19, Is.

to the height,

hast done.

Hke Thee

Ps. 71 is without title in |.

Twv

Thou

late for his Ps. to

it

have been taken up into any of the minor

Psalters.

The

glosses are still more dependent on other Literature: v.i", cf. 56'^; v.i2, cf.
22l2a
3823; v.l3, cf. 35*' 26
40^^
3^226
33226; y,l2b^ cf. 40^*^
"JO^^

PSALMS

126
708;

itair,cf.

382I;

3528;

v.24<, cf.

na>',cf. 10919-29;

V.2**, cf. 35*- 26

the Maccabean period.

these, as

it

It is

v.20, cf.

6310

Is.

4423, also Ez. 2620 32I8.24.

These glosses doubtless come from

probable that the gloss v.^-^ was prefixed before
708 40!^

has been assimilated to the structure of the Strs. of the original.

This Ps.

introduced by an editor with a

is

slight variations

from 31^^:

In Thee, Yahweh, have

Let
In

me

Thy

not be

shamed

taken with

Str.

taken refuge.

forever.

righteousness rescue me, and deliver me.

Incline unto

me Thine

ear.

Become to me the rock of my stronghold,

The house of my fortress to save me
For Thou art my crag and my fortress.

The

variations from the original are discussed in the critical notes

The

3i^-\

editor adapted

to the

it

strophical organisation of

this Ps.

Three

Str. I.

syn. couplets

and a synth.

line.

4.

My

God~\

enemies, and not personal ones.

because of the urgent plea deliver me

from the hand of the wicked the palm of the wrong doer and the

emphatic

in position

violent^

These are national

||

For Thou art my hope my trust'], upon whom the people

from my youth] that of the nation; the time
of the Exodus, cf. Ho. 11.
Adonay
Yahweh^^ the two divine
names in syn. lines so v.^*'. V.^ ' is a citation from 22"; there
5-6.

||

have been relying,

||

used of the ideal

in position,

is

sufferer,

here of the nation.

my praise],

ha.sed

on the

from the youth of the nation

tinually]y
will

Of Thee], emphatic
conhope and
trust,

until the present,

be in the worship of the temple.

and ever

and a syn. couplet.

7. As a wonder\ emphatic in position ; not on account of the
unexampled sufferings, due to abandonment of their God, which,
though sustained by Dt. 28^, does not suit the context, but rather
on account of the wondrous deliverances which they had experiStr.

enced

II.

synth. couplet, a syn. triplet,

in their history.

I am become

many], the many nations

to

with which they were brought in contact from the Exodus onward.

since

Thou art my refuge\

strength], as 46^ 62^;

a circumstantial clause.

and my

reduced by copyist's error against the meas-

ure to the phrase, a.\. and ungrammatical

"

my refuge of strength."

PSALM LXXI.

127

mouth is full of Thy praise\ resuming v.^ that I may

Thy glory'], a line preserved by (3, V, and PBV., and neces-

My

S.

sing of

||

sary to the completeness of the Str., though omitted by copyist's

mistake in

RV.

followed by AV.,

||

all the

day of Thy beauty\

the manifestation of the divine glory in the beautiful ornaments

of the temple worship.

based on

v.^"-^,

Cast

9.

not

7ne

in the time of old age

away forsake 7ne not\

when my power faileth'],
||

power due

in the decline of the nation in

to

its

age, over against

the support given from youth of v.^

late editor inserted several

and making the

10. For mine enemies

peril

petition
\

Hnes
for

they that

enlarging

v.^"^^,

more

deliverance

upon the
urgent.

watch for my life\ deadly ene-

saying].
They express
say of me consult
consulting together to accomplish
deadly hatred
11. God hath forsaken him pursue and
wicked

mies,

together

||

in

talk,

desires.

him for
J

there

12.

SS^,

their

is

none

to deliver].

They presume

seize

that what the

may not take place, has already taken place and

God has already abandoned them as a helpless prey.

people pray
that their

their

22^^

God, be not far from me], urgent entreaty, based on

my

God,

haste to

my

help],

based on 38^*.

Let

13.

them be ashamed and confounded together that are the adversaries

of

my

life

Let them put on 7'eproach and confusion that seek

hurt], pentameter couplet of imprecation based

Str. III.

synth. couplet, a syn. triplet,

/ on my

14.

part], emph. in position,

on

and a

cf. v.^"'^*.

70^, cf.

7ny

35*"^

syn. couplet.

continually

and add unto Thy praise], continually

God,
increasing
and so constantly add
His
amount and volume. 15. My tnouth],
day],
v.%
of Thy
vindicatory righteousness, which
His people from
enemies, and so
of Thy
Though / know not how
exso great
so
ceeding understanding and narration. 16. / will bring], the
of the
/ will make mention of]
and the
hope], as v.^

praise

all

as v.^-^;

to

praise,

V.*,

delivers

their

1^, followed

Str. IV.
line.

17.

praise

salvation

as chief Vrss.

to

by EV^, because of

salvation.

1|

to tell it],

Thy might],

as

righteousness],

tells

story

its

all the

as

is it,

vastly

||

be preferred to " mighty acts

v.^^

and the

||

" of

Thy righteousness.
and a concluding

synth. couplet, two. syn. couplets,

Thou hast taught me from youth even

until now].

PSALMS

128
resuming

only changing the relation of trust into one of instruc-

v.*,

and guidance.

tion

me\

forsake

Thy wondrous deeds

difficult passage,

v.^

to

due

Even

18.

resuming

and hoar

old age

to

with slight variation.

hairs do not

Until I declare

most probable

seed'], the

original of a

in part to the mistake of transposing a clause,

and in part to the mispointing a word. The line is based on 22^^

Thy might'], as v.^^. 19. And
To a generation to coine\ as 22"^-.
Thy righteousness, O God], resuming v.^^-^^,
extendeth to the
height], the height of heaven in its reach, cf. 36^ 57^^; and so

II

beyond the reach of praise however

deeds that

Thou hast done],

O God, who

is like

great, cf. v.^^.

The great

deUverance of

in the historic

Israel.

Thee!], concluding with the praise of their

God

as the incomparable one, in accordance with the ancient

song of praise Ex. 15^ cf. Pss. 35^^ 86^89'^ Mi. f^.
A later editor, probably the same who inserted v.^'^^^, appends
^20-24^

20.

Who hast caused me

to see

mafiy troubles

and straits]

This editor lived in more troublous times than the author of the
Ps.,

and not only looks back upon many past troubles

tory of the nation, but seems to speak from his

Quicken me again, and from

me up

own

in the his-

experience.

the lowest parts of the earth bring

The nation has fallen so low that it has, as

died and gone down into the depths of Sheol; and the
again].

the bringing of the dead to hfe,

tion of the nation

is

Ez. 37^*^".

Mayes t Thou

21.

greatness of God, as
EV*.,

is

IT;

(!^,

By

PBV. and AV.

needed

is

6^"^

Ho.

greatness" of J^, followed by

and again comfort

by

error of a single letter J^, followed

EV'., uses a cognate vb. "mayest

in

were,

multiply greatness], doubtless the

"my

a misinterpretation of the original.

me], so most Vrss.

cf.

it

restora-

Thou encompass me," which

rendered "on every side."

to complete the previous line v.^.

It

22.

even me],

makes the next

line

too long, and would unduly emphasize the subject of the vb.

will give thanks to Thee

ship,

with

faithfulness,

divine
late

my

harp

||

||

make melody

to

Thee], in public wor-

with the lyre], instrumental music.

6^^^], second object of vb.

||

Thy

Holy One of Israel],

23-24. My lips willjubi^ as Pss. 78^^ 89^^

A copyist's
tongue will muse], oral, vocal celebration.

name
7?iy

II

the

of

Is.^

mistake inserted against the measure, " Yea,

probably dittog. of

v.'^*.

The

first

I will

make melody,"

line has as its

complement.

PSALM LXXI.

129

even the person Thou hast ransomed~\.

The second

Thy righteousness^ manifested

the vow of
long-continued
For are shamed; for
based on

the theme,
also

celebration,

its

35^^.

is

line gives

ransom,

in the

2i?>

they

all the day'].

It

abashed

they are

that seek my hurt\ an expression of certitude of the retribution

upon the enemies, substituted for the imprecation of 35^^

1-3

3i2-4o ^ith slight variations.

Tos, 3 iniqui.
^DB. ruthless,

which

for

so
I

4.

m.

it

may be

Ti^Wn.

ptc.

as Che.

txt. err.,

5-6

support oneself, as Ju. 16"^

Qal

"p;)]

t [f ^^n] vb. a.X.

De

lines, so

Ba.

nocentis

5.

Cf. Dc'in
ij-\n]

nin"i

Niph.

''ri^T^p:]

pf.

This softens the original

Is. 36^.

cut

Trapavo/j-ovv-

E f|iDn.

cited from 2210-^^.

^DB.

ptc. \ r\u vb. a.X.

iKatrda-as 221*^ prob. originally as

has

ahiKovvTo^,

Cf. ri2n n.[m.] a.X. Is. i^^ also dub.

them properly between two

divides

"|CD (j*^),

Qal

I'pin]

dub.

denom.

Pi. ptc. o.X. f [Si;*]

'?;V;c]

act wrongfully, elsw. Pi. impf. Is. 261*^; a late word.

Si];,

(& (TKeiraaTris for

off, sez>er.

having same form in both

iK<nra<XT'/is, (3

passages; U, 3, protector; Ges., Ew., Hu., Pe., benefactor; cf. Talm. Nn^
but dub.: prob. err. for ^m.
vfjLvrjais, 3 laus, cf 22*;
but
6. 'i?';?'?.';]

as 39^, so

""nSn'r]

has arisen from assimilation to

as

1055.27 1259, based

78'^3

mon

apart:

8.

&, 3,

Du.

It

hSd

(^18^^')

9.

v.iS;

cf

as Ba.

in this phr. elsw.

but

Yahweh,

beauty, glory of

Ne.

'''^Dt*]

nni]

com-

measure requires.
not in

is

it

it

so

as 78^^ 89^^ 96^

for idea Is. 46* as applied to Israel.

K. 11*

1523.

_,nb

n^Sr] Qal
143'^.

good sense, but here in bad

though in ^ is prob. gl., as Ba.,

usually in
(^^)

6^ Is. 45^1, cf Ps. 83^.

11.

inxS]

is

prosaic gl,

imrsn]
1/'

Qal imv. 3 pi. sf 3 m. rijn grasp, seize, take prisoner, only

in Qal, but Niph. lo^; common elsw., as Je. 34^ Ez. 1213+.

Svsp rN->2] as
ter only

5022.

with ^hSn.

12.

clauses

is

not in @s, but

\7in

'i:?3D

>J5??

r\mT\ nnT^S]

the two former with mn>.

13.

^-f-

njpT nj?^]

here in

phr. a.X., both words

bb^av aov, so

elswVGn."2436 (J)

"'^SJ
of me, not to me.
sense, watch for my life, cf 56^.

Du.

TV^Dnr]

62^, so prob. here as

tt]v

ifhnn

this case

n.m. wonder, of divine power,

finished, spent, exhausted, cf 31I1 69* 73^6 102*

i'7]

.10.

28*6^

In

suits context.

J rifl^D]

v/jlv^o-o)

2 m. J ^1^9k}

sf.

fnji^T n.f. old age,

cstr.

mj;

7.

however, doubtless original, as the measure requires

is,

innNi3n]

on Dt.

inserts after inSnn, Sttws

VL.

Is. 6o'^- 19 6312- 14. 15 64IO.

inf

v.^.

nona 46^, ^pnp

v;^

We., Du., which better

pnnn-Ss]

= 401*^ =

702^

22i2

na'in Kt. is evidently txt. err.

is

hdS^i nsnn

in

^- ^.

-lajj^

The

35226

38226, the lat-

3823*, the latter

with

The second

>y\\i~,

of these

two, however, belong together.

'^^^i \Jtot' hy^_ i^'??.]-

here as in 35* 70^ in accord, with 352^ 401^, and then

We should

insert it,^

we would have two

pen-

These four passages vary in terms slightly, but they all go back to
the same original.
iSp^] Qal impf 3 pi. nSo is error for ^xh^\ 35'* 40^5; so
tameters.

i^'pj \jt:ii']
S, Hare, Lowth., 01s,, Dy., Hu., Oort, Che.
40IS 7o3; ^rtpir Qal ptc. pi. cstr. pty as 3821.
'tt'DJ v^p^o 35*

a variation of

>ny-i >:3B'n 35*, '1 'nnt' 352^,

'-

ixdh 40!^ 70^.

is

a variation of
^ny^->^

-ito^j

'\r'i7?c]

is

is

a poetic

PSALMS

30

variation of vioS^ 3526.

J n-^-; vb. Qal 7vra/> oneself, enwrap : of God with

garment 104^; of men -"j^j 1091^, with shame 1092^, reproach, so
Hiph. enwrap, ace. shame, c. V>' 89'*^, subj. n-nn and ace. blessings 84'.

^iN as a

here.

This

depends on

V.

6;

Pss. 35,

but Aq., 2, 3,

numbers;

mr)p

nsDD

i^apid/xijaai vb.

i!:x;',

o^sps, so Ba.

ni33 might zs

tween the two

12^.

It

1\-iinSdj
txt. err.

ing

11.

'^;o^.

v.is,

^l^^in]

14. jni] emph. antith.

nnbp] MT. pi. nV-D n.f.

Onb. a.b

17.

so

BDB.

a.\/,

S srncD, 3 literaturas,
Du. O Trpayfiarias prob. txt.
n.btp is
favoured by analogy of 40^ 139I7. I8
We might read n-jsD and take ^3 as conces;

ypan/jLarias,

so Street,

sos] Qal

so Ba.

15.

no

impf.,

with 2 come with, bring,

Yahweh
so 3; but

q{ mighty deeds of

^\^

lines.

inf.

16.

nn3j]

as 408 6613.

jointly.

writings, scriptures

sive, as Gr. suggests.

sg.

Houb.;

tmj^j-, so

pi. n-i;p

err.

38

.S, pi. rir^^^nri.

nin^ >j-in]

but 6, &, 3, 2, ^, rd.

correctly divides be-

anc^ until noxv, phr. of tim^ as

i Ch. 9^8
goes most naturally with previous context, and then d^hSn is gl.
n^js] Hiph. impf.
ijj is unsuited to njn-i;'.
It has come up by
from v.^^. It disturbs the couplet made by the previous and follow-

18.

njpr-i^ D.n]

''^^^""'r]

of intensification,

cji is gl.

cf. v.*.

and a\nSN makes

n.m. old age; elsw. in ^, 92I5, but cf. Is. 46*, on which
V. is based, also Ho. 7^ Dt. 32"^ -f.
qy^nr n\JN-n;;] ^>-ir of arm of Yahweh,
symbol of strength and salvation, as Is. 33^ 40^'' 51^+, but nowhere else for
1.

overfull.

that which

t na^u-]

accomplishes and improb. here.

it

The

depends.

this v.

sf. is

which has gone up with

The

S3

prob.

is

as in 223-.

omits

T'JN into previous v.

of intensification,

gl.

Rd.

The

interpretation.

So,

and

-in'? is

so Oort, Ba., Beer,

jr-^r

as in 22^1

obj. of vb. is

'^^'^

nn"^]

upon which

then q^msScJ,

Trdo-T;

followed by NU" in

al.

r^

^tvtq..

rel.

clause

but other Vrss. give

it.

Dn?:"-ty]

as the extent of the declaration of divine righteousness ; not

of the righteousness itself, as Ba., who cfs. 36 57II 108^ where, however,

19.

faithfulness

20.

is

used.

in ir.:nn.

The

pretations.

should be

juss.

-;^t7

nrs]

pers. sg.

first

avj'ri]

is

"d 22^2^

defined by p^Sn.

The same

difference

T^5 7^9, repeated

TrXeoj/dtras.

of obj. as nr>'

, 2, 9, 3, 5, %.

Qal impf. 2 m. bis followed by impfs. is auxil. again;

f-\Nn ncinr] elsw. always of depths of sea; so 01s.,

arn.

''''?'^7-?]

Is.

4428;

so

(S, in v.21 at close.

nation, as in other passages.

rel.

best suited to the context, but both are inter-

Rd. r->Nn nvrnn 63^^

We., Du.
i.^v(T<T(j)v

Kt., Aq., >/_ Qr.,

urvs-^-;^]

21.

nvnnn
The

Hiph.

a->-]

h\.Kaioa<)vi]v gov.

pN

262'^ 3218- 24_

Ez.

peril js of death for the

juss.

follows

2 m. nan multiply

MT.

great

number

of codd. H and P ry]v /jLeyaXioa-vinjv <tov.

Both sfs. interpretations.
^^r}"^^
Qal impf. 2 m. 33D (77^-') for which (5,3, &, 2:rr, which is favoured by V.20;
so Houb., Lowth., Horsley, Oort, Ba. The 1. lacks a word. Gr. attaches
||

^js DJ.

usual.

E,

22.

tti^n]

S^r^':'^?]

Hiph. impf.
cf.

D^Saj ^^aa

sg., sf.

Ch. i6^

after riniN rd. iv Xaot? Kvpie, n^n^ o^ua,

We., but without

sufficient reason.

2 m., but better parall. with

Ssir''

U'n|-i]

Is.i

i^ ^1^1^, '2] temporal clause, but difficult with cohort. Pi.

t.)

Is.2

(i3t.).

23.

as

as yS^^ 89^^, characteristic

of

(II

':]^

(S^ 103 codd. HP, Compl., Aid.,

as 18^"^.
So Oort, Ba., Beer, Che.,

nin.n] so BD., Ginsberg,

al.

Ges.-

v.

Prob.

txt. err.

PSALM

"inSnn.
nv"\

ti;;-!

1.

icpan nan'o

The

'nc'^'.

la^i'^j]

also variation of 35^6

is

was

id

for

1,

STR. 7^

originally a petition for a king on his ascending the

(i) that

non*'! ib'J*

and omission of nn\

PSALM LXXIL,
Ps. 72

^^n>

only differences are in tense of vb., repetition of

substitution of 'a'pjD as v.i^ for "inDC,

throne

131

3528 -jp-fx njnn 'j^trSi

24. inpnx njnn arn-^D "jic'S-dj
the only variations dj for 1, r^p-^it for p-^-i, and the omission of

from previous
"inVnn Drn-':'^

LXXII.

Yahweh would endow him with

might rule righteously, and especially save the

justice, that

afllicted

injustice suffered during the previous reign (v.^~')

he

from the

(2) that the

king might have pity on the poor and so enjoy their prayers and
blessings, that abundance of grain

and that he might

live

and

cattle

might be

and be honoured forever

(v.^^^'")

adapted the Ps. for congregational use by giving

nificance,

it

in the land,

An

editor

Messianic sig-

applying to the king from other scriptures the world-

wide reign

(v.^),

the subjugation of enemies (v.^^^), the deliverance

of the afflicted (v.^^),

and the blessing

of

the seed of

Abraham

(v).

VAHWEH, T\\y justice give to a king, and Thy righteousness to a king's son
May

he rule Thy people

{govern)

May
May
May

in righteousness,

and Thine

afflicted ones

viWh Justice

mountains bear peace to (Thy) people, and hills righteousness ;

he govern the afflicted of ( Thy) people, save the sons of the poor.
he (prolong days) with the sun, and before the moon for generations of

generations

May

he descend as rain upon the mowing grass, as showers (besprinkling)

the earth

May righteousness flourish in his days, ^xidi peace till there be no moon.
TyrAY he have pity on the weak and poor, and \\\q persons of the poor save;
From injury may he redeem their person, and precious may their blood be

in

his eyes

May (the king) Hve, and may there be given to him of the gold of Sheba
And may prayer be made for him continually, all day long may blessing be
invoked on him

May there

in the land on the top of the mountains (sheep)

and may flowers blossom (out of the forests) as herbs

be (an aftergrowth)

(Kine) on Lebanon

of the field;

May

his

name be

forever,

Ps. 72 has in the title

and before the sun may he be

nnW?, which

nor a reference to the theme of the

is

established.

neither an ascription of authorship,

Ps.,

but a pseudonym (v.

Intr., 30).

PSALMS

132
After the Benediction, v.^^^,

The

we have

in the prayer-book of David) are completed

{v. Intr.,

I,

27).

This implies that

present form, unless 13 be very late

its

Zee.

niScn

y^D.

this is the last of those prayers

(i)

for:

giving the king a world-wide dominion

9^^,

earlier

than the Assyrian rule

(z/.

the nations pay tribute to Zion

king was the

this petition for a

This statement

prayer of this ancient prayer-book.

in

nn

the subscription c^-p

prayers (the written prayers) of David the son of Jesse (those contained

Ps. 2).

(2)

V.^"

and do homage

is

last

impossible for the Ps.

we have a

from

citation

which could not be

v.^,

uses

to her,

Is. 43, 49, 60, where

and adapts the lan-

guage and conceptions to the Messianic King.

(3) V.^"* cites from the
blessing of Abraham Gn. 12^ iS^^ 22^^ especially, in its latest redactional
form, terms which originally applied to the seed of Abraham, and adapts it to

These adaptions could hardly have been made until late in the
(4) V.^^ jg a citation from Jb. 29^2, which could hardly have
been made prior to the Greek period. Furthermore, these adaptations imply
the king.

Persian period.

when a Messianic king again absorbed

a time

himself the redemptive ideals

in

of the nation, a time illustrated also by the additions to Ps. 89.

a contrast between the use of other writings in these lines,

remaining lines of the Ps. that we are

nal Ps. in
in

B.

v.i-'^'

This

18-17,

is fortified

by the

in

justified

Greek or Maccabean
and also in thinking

verses as glosses of the

times,

There

v.^-^^- 1"&,

is

such

and the

regarding the former

and

in finding

an

origi-

that only this original Ps.

fact that these verses, separated

by the

was

glosses,

two complete Strs. of seven hexameter lines each,

harmonious throughout. The Ps., in this original form, was,
throughout, a prayer for a king on his accession, and therefore most approconstitute in themselves

and

that they are

priate as the closing prayer of

Q.

given in the petition that the king

poor, weak, and afflicted ones

The prophets rebuke

reign.
Israel

and Judah before the

hint as to the time of composition

may be endowed

who had

just

with justice

is

there were

suffered from injustice in the previous

such injustice of kings and princes both in

Je. 22^^^^ uses similar terms for the reign

exile.

But there was no period when there was

as the reigns of Manasseh and Amon 2 K. 21, and the accession

of Jehoiachim the son of Josiah.

so

much

of

it

of Josiah to the throne might or would have encouraged just the petitions

used in this Ps.

that occasion.

It is

mn> was changed

Roman
and

probable, therefore, that this prayer was composed for

This Ps. was not in

use for Epiphany, in the

in the

but

it

was

The

in

E,

for the original

Ps. is assigned in the

Sarum and Roman use

for Trinity

Sunday,

Gregorian use for the Nativity of Christ.

Str. I. has

blematic

TB^

to dviSn in v.^ (v. Intr., 32).

seven hexameters, a

tristich, all petitions

stair-like tetrastich,

of the people to

Yahweh

and an emfor their

new

Yahweh, give Thy jus tice'\, so (^ and J, in accordance

with
Thy righteousness, cf. v? interpreted as pi. "judgments,"
acts of judgment" in H.
to a king's son'].
This
to a king
king.

II

1.

||

rSALM
monarch

LXXII.

133

king by inheritance, and not by appointment or usurpa-

is

and righteousness are conceived as the essential endowments of a king, just as they are the foundation of Yahweh's
2. May he
throne, 89^^ They are gifts of Yahweh to the king.
rule Thy people in righteousness^ syn. with second half of previous
line.
Only the king is now subject instead of Yahweh, and conThose whom he rules are the
tinues so to be throughout the Str.
a7id Thine afflicted ones with Jus tice~\. This
people of Yahweh.
Justice

tion.

is

The

syn. with first half of previous line.

omitted the vb. which the measure requires.

ern, as

The people have been

v.'*".

traditional text has

It

was probably ^^z'-

afflicted, as the petition sug-

by a previous king whose rule was in the reverse of justice

and righteousness ; by such a king as Manasseh and his son Anion
2 K. 21, so that Josiah would suit well the king prayed for at the

gests,

installation.

3.

mountains and
to

Thy

This

is

metaphor appears

hills'],

in the third syn. line.

instead of the king,

may they dear peace

people], peace taking the place of justice

not the bearing them, producing them as

||

righteousness.

fruit, cf.

Jb. 40^

Ez. 17^ 36^, but the bearing, carrying, bringing as a blessing,

The mountains

Ps. 24^.

are personified for the messengers

come over them, proclaiming from

and righteousness.
ness,

is

parts the prevalence of peace

Cf. the messengers of

The peace

Is. 52''.

all

cf.

who

peace on the mountains

here, as substitute for justice

and

||

righteous-

not peace from war, for no hostile nations are in the mind

of the poet, but internal peace as established by the administraso that the afflicted ones are no more afflicted, v.^- *,
the poor v.* ^^" no more suff"er poverty, cf. v.'^.
4. May he

tion of justice

and

v.^;
of Thy people, save the sons of the poor]
do them justice against those that afflict them. The afflicted are

govern the

also

poor

afflicted

||

they are sons of the poor, not as children of poor men,

but as afflicted with poverty, belonging to the class of the poor

and, as the context suggests, those reduced to poverty by injustice

and unrighteousness.

Cf. Je.

22^^^''

for

an identical situation

in

the reign of Jehoiachim, Josiah's son, described in terms similar

to those of our Ps.

so (3, U,

cf. Is. 53^^

"

May

May

he prolong days], have a long reign,

is

and the petition

suited to the

1|

for genera-

but J^ and other Vrss.

they fear thee," which changes subj. of vb. to the

tions of generations,

read

5.

Ec. f^; which

v.^^;

PSALMS

134

With
com89^"^.
ence of the moon,
duration,
May he descend
as rain\
of refreshment,
Dt.
29^
may
as
descend,
administration of
Mi. 5^
by an easy
change of a corrupt
instead of
noun dripping," upon
people contrary to the usage of the

panion in duration with the sun,

in

6.

cf.

simile

32^^

cf.

his justice

in his

Ps. 65^^

the sun'],

Str.

before the itioon\ in the pres-

2 S. 23*

Jb.

showers'],

it,

cf.

besprinkling], interp. as participle,

*'

as

text,

mowing the earth. As

rain and especially showers descend upon the grass ready for mowing and refresh it, and make the earth fertile
so the administrathe mowifig grass], the grass ready for

||

by the king refreshes, strengthens, and enriches

tion of justice

people.

7.

The climax sums up

terms from

in

his

the entire

v.^-^-^

preceding context, changing the subject to the attributes which

rule the Str.
v.^-^-^,

May

righteousness flourish], as (^, J,

and not " the righteous," as H, Aq., 2,

a term foreign to the entire Ps.

vA

"Abundance of"

perity,

is

////

and peace],

in the

cf.

IJ,

cf.

suggests pros-

It

mind of the

there be no moon,

Si,

which introduces

internal peace, as

probably a gloss.

which may have been

his days], syn.

3E,

v.*.

in

psalmist

is

glossator.

The

thinking not only of the king just beginning his reign, but merges

him

in a dynasty

which he prays may administer

justice

per-

petually.

8-12.

An

editor inserted a series of glosses, to give the Ps. a

Messianic meaning and so adapt

it

These

for public worship.

glosses are citations or adaptations from several earlier writings.

is

cited from Zee. 9^^

And may he

rule], in

the previous context, or "and he will rule,"

accordance with " his rule shall be " of Zc. 9^^ ;

from the Mediterranean to the

accordance with
cf.

144^, in

iio'^

from sea to sea],

Indian Ocean, and from the river

unto the extremities of earth], from the Euphrates unto the extreme west coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Cf. Ps. 2^, where the
extremities of the earth are the inheritance of the Messiah.

can be no doubt that

Messianic king.

9.

Before him

let

adversaries bow],

the ground in defeat because overthrown,

change of text

cf.

18*^; so

down

to

by an easy

to suit context for " desert dwellers," J^, a term

used elsewhere of animals but nowhere

lick the

There

this verse sets forth a universal reign of the

dust], in the

else of

men.

his enemies

humiliation of defeat, prostrated on the

PSALM
Mi. f^
Tarshish

ground,

cf.

coasts^

Ps. 48^

cf.

term of

(12

t.).

The

10.

presents'], cf 2

Seba has not been

Red

about Massowah

K.

17^,

the

is

a favourite

or tribute,

Let kings of Sheba and Seba].

Arabia Fehx, the Sabian empire,

coast of the

Let kings of Tarshish and

coasts, including islands,

return

60^ Ps. 45^\

Is.

135

the Phoenician colony of Tartessus, Spain,

is

60^ 66^^

Is.

Is.^

49^^

Is.

LXXII.

identified,

cf.

60*^

Is.

cf.

Sheba

is

Je. 6^" Ez. 27-^ 38^^

but was most probably on the west

Sea, in the Adulic

Gulf (j5DB.), or the region

in Abyssinia (Dr.), cf. Is. 43^.

bring

gifts'], cf.

which are pentameters, the

kings in the extreme West are contrasted with those in the extreme
11. And let all kings do homage to him], cf. i K. i^^
Southeast.
In these two syn.

Ez. 27^^

lines,

Ps. 45^^ Is. 49'^

all fiations

world-wide empire over

Is.^-^,
is

dependent

are

(v.^^^)

all

nations,

to Zion, the restored

The

changes.

and

12

and him

later

glorified nation, here to the Messianic

is

For he will redeem

the afflicted

These verses

But the homage there

and conception of these

glossator adapts the language

passages to the king.

2^^".

Ps.

cf.

phrase and conception on the

in

especially chapters 43, 49, 60, 66.

king.

and

homage of kings between the extremities

seme him]. He is to have a

universal

of the earth, of v}^.

a citation from Jb.

the poor^

with slight

29^^,

when he

crieth

This

that hath no helper].

for
is

help,

only a

variation of v.*

This entire section,

citations

v.^^^, is

thus a series of glosses, especially

of a Messianic character, which

the

editor does not

trouble to adapt to the measures of the Ps.

Str. II.

and a
of the
13.

is

composed of seven hexameters

also

line of climax.
first

May

Str.

It

without

three distichs

continues the petition for the

regard

to

the

intervening

new king

glosses.

weak and poor], may his justice

The "weak" are added to the "poor,"
and the persons of
the "afilicted," v.^-*.

he have pity on the

take the form of pity.

and take the place of

the

poor save],

person].
in danger.

cf.

v.^*.

14.

From

The injustice had been

The Hebrew word for

so a glossator adds in explanation a

injury

may

he redeem their

was

still

" injury " was a rare one,

and

so great that their

common

life

one, " and violence,"

which makes a conflate text and impairs the measure.

precious

may

their blood be in his eyes].

The shedding

and

of the

PSALMS

136

blood of the poor was characteristic of the unjust princes and

kings of the preexiHc times in Israel and Judah.

now

15.

couplet

implores long Hfe and blessing for the king himself, renewing
May the king live']. The word " king " of the usual formula,

v.*.

S. 10'^ 2 S.

wishing long hfe to the king (i

22'"^

16^^

K.

Ps.

i^^, cf.

69^) was omitted by scribal contraction, but the omission

measure and the meaning.

spoils the

him of

afid may

there be given to

of Sheba\ not tributary gold from Sheba, as the

but gold from Sheba given him by his own grateful

the go hi

gloss v.^^

And may prayer be made for him

accordance with
such a prayer. All day long may
be

subjects as in the syn. line.

Yahweh on

continually'], to

which

entire Ps.,

is

him\

his behalf, in

this

blessing

him of gold, as the prayer

him long life. A couplet, petitioning for prosperity in vegetation and cattle under his reign,
now follows, but the text of J^ is obscure and the Vrss. dubious. It

invoked on

him

for

is

is

syn. with the giving

syn. with the wishing

make

necessary to

an aftergrowth

conjectural restorations.

in the land~\, that

may

is,

16.

May

after the crops

there be

have been

be a second growth, which the land

and which will be exceedingly great. J^
gives a phr. found only here, and which can only be explained
on the top of
by conjectures, none of which explain the Vrss.
so by an easy change of text.
We would
the mountaiyis sheep]
gathered

will

in,

produce of

there

itself,

expect cattle to be associated with vegetation in the prosperity

JCine on Lebanon]

of the land.
" May the
J^,

The

sense.

move

fruit

and

to

shaken,

is

it

fruit

of corn

fro, rustle

J^.

II

the ear

the standing corn

beaten to the ground and destroyed.

and a

aftergrowth

in

is

The

always used of earthquake

is
is

ripe

may
and

vb. ren;

but an

hardly conceivable with the thought

rich harvest.

And 7nay flowers

field]

in

is

earthquake shaking the corn

fertility

sheep on the mountain tops.

in the wind, but if the fruit

dered " shake " elsewhere

of

||

thereof shake like Lebanon," gives no good

(S, 3,

imply a different text from

blossom out of the forests as herbs of the

the land.

associated with Lebanon.

The

forest

land

is

naturally

Flowers are associated with forest

Carmel and Lebanon Is. 35H J^, *' out of

implies the subj. " men," which is altogether incongruous

land, especially with

the city,"

with the context.

17a.

The

Str., in

conclusion, petitions long

PSALM
life

and honour

LXXII.

137

most appropriate climax.

to the king, a

May

his

name be forever^ and before the sun may he be established^ cf. v.^' ^^
The vb. " estabhshed " is favoured by (, J. J^ is uncertain. The
vb. may mean " have issue," RV."", so Aq., 3, " sprout forth."
Yinnon is a name of the Messiah in Talm. Synh. 98* based on this

His

passage.

name'\

is

repeated in a second clause by copyist's

error.

And all the

Ylh.

clans of the earth will bless themselves in hitn,

him happy']. This is also a gloss based

Abrahamic covenant, representing the

all nations will pronounce

12^ 18^^ 22^^, the

on Gn.

seed of Abraham as the

medium

of blessing to

nations.

all

omits by copyist's error, all the clans of the earth, which

is,

J^

how-

ever, sustained by (^, and required by first vb. as subject, and also
by the measure. The Psalmist here applies to the Messianic
king that which, in the covenant of Abraham, was ascribed to the
seed of Abraham ; just as above v.^^^ he apphed to the king that

which
1.

Is.^

ascribed to the people of Zion.

d^hSn] by

an original

for

This

or deeds of judgment.
Kpifxa

aov and

t23'>yn3 V.2.

more prob.
improb.

as

sg.

Qal impf. jn (7^).

p-;^]

It is

used

It is

the

Ez. 1723

Dnn

iV inC">

peace and righteousness

has

PI?;?]

tSfliri

required by

has fallen

3.

QiSw'

Dnn

in

^inpix;

rh
cf.

reading piS or

KplpcLv, either

between

||

v.^

rfp'i^i

and

v.^ is

by haplog. after

off

middle by caesura,
phr. a.X., usually

ixi:'"']

is

S13,

hardly the idea of the poet.

vb. as dear, carry, so a blessing from

to another.

pi., tODtfD (/^), acts

and so of tree bearing fruit Hg. 2^^

368; but mountains and hills bearing as their produce

explained after Jb. 4020

fig.

is

would be divided

1.

most frequently in hexameters.

Jo. 2^2,

prob. that vb.

Then

v.'*.

ri^EJsrp]

which

"['JisttT,

interpreting as subjunctive.

rd. np-is.

DS'J'a:].

3 iudicium tuum,

2.

m-i> of 13.

a misinterpretation of later times.

is

The mountains and

Yahweh

Better explain the

24^, provision

from one person

are personified for the messengers com-

hills

ing over them, and they bear to the people messages of peace and salvation
cf. Is.

n^/3J]
o>S]

52^.

Dt. 33^^.

in

xj/

always

pi. |

(3 Tip \a(p (Tov

nv2i

sf.

is

n.f. Ait/,

elsw. 65!^ 1144-6 148^;

interpretation.

npn:^^]

cf.

as instru-

ment by which the mountains and hills produce peace. But this is later
interp.
attaches this word to next v. because of the 2, and so destroys the
measure of both lines; 2 is an interpretative gl.
4. p'':3N iJiS] phr. a.X,,
S ace. Aramaism, prob. not original.
p''3N (9^^) coll. v.^'^' ^^, O^JION mtrsj v.^^.

'X >:2

used for measure,

NOT vb. Qal crush;

(i) oppress,

wrong by

a nation Pss. 105 1*

just as

d;;

i">jv

for

D'"jj,'.

pf^y

elsw. ^, 89^1 94^ 143^.

p"^^^

X3-ni]

Qal

extortion, elsw. 1036 146'^ Je. 21^2 g^. 4^

(=

Ch. 1621) 119I21.

122 _^.

conj. Pi. impf.

ptc. XpV'i vb.

xhis clause

Qal

(2) oppress

is

gl.,

as Ba.,

PSALMS

138

appropriate in thought but not suited to context, which does not depart from

and alllicted people, and it makes 1. just these

Here the context favours individuals, but the glossator prob-

relation of the king to the poor

words too long.

ably thought of the nation.

Qal impf. 3 pi. n-\'' with sf. 2 sg.

CD^ ^nN^ Ec. y^^ which is more in
accord, with onn -in, so Houb., Lag., Now., Oort, Ba.
Change of subj. is
striking.
In previous and subsequent context the king is subj. of vbs. and

but

(xv/nrapafXVi

also in

The

v.^^.

niNn>;]

5.

y'>i<:\ cf. Is. 53^0,

context favours inN"*, but 2, &, 3,

6.

in]

n.[m.] (i) shearing, for wool shorn Dt. 18* Jb.

(5,

2,

3,

5",

Street,

N^DT

the

or people, elsw. 92^-

Ps. 92^* Jb. 14^ Pr.

1*',

tree, in

as

Is.

thought and construction.

\-\H 'DON

jnM

i>'

v.*

and a complete

11.,

'\ryl'z^

only

\}/

adapt the

for '^^t'^\ in order to

form here

juss.

dry desert, 74^*

and so the

is

""X

146-8 Pr. ii^S;

late style.

is

rain.

prob.

so in Hiph.
i"'"'"J>']

v. to

we have had

nnjm

CD

D>*n;;
is

D",^]

seven

rn'i]

conj.

Qal impf.

pi. t ['>J

This sense

It is

evident

vb. (^9^^)

r\'\-^

nm. an
is

Zc. 9^

cf.

the sulDstitution of

the context of the Ps.

Tj*i,

9.

implying inter-

gl.,

far

so Aq.,

DiVr in

V.^ begins a change in the

the only difference

13^^ 23^* 34!* Je. 50^*.

Is.

is

Thus

before us.

that the Ps. quotes from the prophet.

the

Ho.

before ut?z>

vin-^ddn""!;?

8.

n;; D"d '^'^uti;

ptc. pi.,

of flourishing condition of a

fig.

suggest peace.

Str. is

ptc. pi.,

Rd.

so Hare, Street, Lag., Oort.

3"^]

NH.
drip,

to

nno^J Qal impf. % nnc \h. flour-

7.

27^ 35^ 66I*

n,->-;x,

and

pret, prosperity, but npiif

hexameter

viown

together,

inroranteSy bedewing.

14"; suited to the simile of the king as

but 0, F, Sb, iJ, p??. or

parall. suggests npix as above.
2, IE

J[

so here

latid to be

flow

I'J.";!

But the Vrss. presuppose a

ii3''>n>.

been transposed.

bloom of plant or

ish. Sprout,

man

rd.

cf.

j5DB., impf. Hiph. finr cause

Bi.,

drops dropping upon^

in ivnr has

"

and here most prob.

7"^,

a-^- n.[m.] dripping, dub.

Krochmal and Gr.

<iT6.^Qv<jai

"'DT"^? ;

mowing Am.

(2)

pj'!")!]

drops of water ; Hu.,

^c\r";T

irrigate.

Houb.

^DB.

agree with ^.

-^^x-^ fleece,

animal of the

inappropriate here,

thought to be an inhabitant of the thirsty lands

but there

@, Aq., 2, Aldloires, "B, 3, Aeihiopes rir, % n>d-idn,

prob. an interpretation due to Is. 43^. ^ rds. D"'"'N, which is assimilation to
C'3'N, which is appropriate
v.^*^; 01s., Dy., Oort, Gr., SS., Bu., Du., rd. cnx

is

no authority

for this.

1|

to

;n:;.

Is. 49^8.

on'7''

^ni*]

This

last

the writer of this

22* (E)
tessus,

K.

Spain

i828.
;

0'!^] pl- X^^

24I5 Est. iqI ;
Is.

lick the dust in humiliation of defeat, phr. elsw. Mi.

passage
1.

is

Vb.

10.

Pi.

so similar that probably

it

was

in the

impf. f ly)^'] elsw. Qal Nu. 22* of ox. Pi. Nu.

Tarshish, the Phoenician colony in Tar-

'^''?'"!0]

elsw. ^ only 48^ 'n nvjN ships of Tarshish, cf. Is. 60^
n.m. coast land, including islands, fuller form Dvn >'>N
abr. c^'S

411-^ 42*-

Is.

10

42^249! 5i5 59^8 6o9 661^ islands

phr. elsw. 2 K. 17^;

nn:-:

the idea in another form

7^'^

mind of

Ps. 97I

Is.

40!^

60^ Ps. 45^^

ii^i

Dn. ii^^ so here; cn'^C'M

|1

T^^-\ry:

Is. 42^5.

n^r;

nnjr]

5I

Ho. io -f. For

Arabia Felix,
fs^D]
only here and v.i^ ^.
i

K.

X ^'?V']

^'

as tribute Ju. 3!^ 2 S. 8^

cf. Is.

661^.
Is.

P'^- ""

Sabian empire. Is. 6o Je. 62*^ Ez. 27^2 3813,

m. name of first son of Gush Gn. 10^ (P) = i Ch. i^, of nation or
territory here as Is. 43'; not identified, most prob. on west coast of Red

n. pr.

PSALM
Sea

Adulic gulf (^DB.).

in

12.

1^

"it;*

i'^ni >j;i i'v>:'D

i'ion

LXXII.

f i^c'n]
=

'd]

'^vs^^

139

n.m. elsw. Ez. 2 f-^ gift, tribute.

n?;? sSi o'lr^i ^^va >J>' is^dn d;

Jb. 2912 iV

the only differences are (i) change to 3d pers. as above,

(2)

from

in citation

v.^,

orphan^ appropriate to Jb. but not to Ps., and so poN

as a syn. of iJ>'; (3) pNi is smoother style than ^W, (4) the more
13. Dn;] Qal juss. Join Qal/z/y, spare ; Din^
vb. ?xj for syn. to'rc.
Zc.

Din"!

taken

is

common

Je. 21'';

13I* Ez.
45'^o Ez.
9^, {a) of God c. Vj; Je.
9 t, but Dnn Gn.
24I4
21"
familiar
Dcn^i]
is
a
*?;;
^^
here.
14.
and
man
of
c.
Jon.
Je,
-f (^)
word, inserted as gl. explanatory of less familiar "i^i violence. The 1. is just

D^nn Dt. 7I6

cf.

word too long.

this

cci

Nr^ ^njn
is

This

^S'ln:!].

out subj.

Qal

ni'^-'i'.i]

t6 dJw/xa ayrwj/ DDt^, so U, as

The missing word

""nil

misunderstood his abbreviation.

2 K. ii^^ 2 Ch, 23II;

K.

928

with strong

T^3
dered by passive.
(jr-^^)

16.

is

coord,

The

doubtless

in"-

2^,

iqH 22*9
a.X.

npo

gl.

Gold

v.^-^i.

Qio.

is

cf.

usually

mjp-ia^]

Hebr. nc.

=.

"\:3,

Pi.

be ren-

S. 26^^ ^aTr^plaOai, so prob.

<TTrjpi.yp.a,

which must therefore

of explanation or part of another word.

renders nsnpn

i^S- 31.34, 39

phr. a.X.

extremity of the hand or foot.

'S firmafnentJim, foundation, support, did not read

for

later scribe

K.

which

\t\\,

for vi-, continues indef. subj., to

NH.

^n'-i

It is prob.

and that a

Ch. 29* 2 Ch, S^^

subj. as
^"^x^h.

nijc' anr::]

the interpolation of

DD piece, DDD thresh grain, Aram, piece of bread

be either a

with

S. lo^* 2 S. iG^^- 16

^Sdh Ne.

G,

(g,

16.

|^.

vb. stands alone with-

first

'p'orx

precious ;

%, J, as

.S,

This suggests same

-qSon

sf. ")nj_

pdd]

be

V"''"'''

for the longer formula,

dSi^jS

may have suggested

associated with Ophir

juss,

n>n'

cf.

but Aq., S,

a defective line.

is

that an ancient copyist used

This

juss.,

iS'^*^,

coord. Qal juss, n^n live.

impossible.

v.i*^.

S.

It is prob.

here

the former,

o-T-qpLy/xa for HDD.

But t rfDp n.[m.] aftergrotath of vegetation, that which grows of itself,

Lv. 25^- li Is. 37^0 = 2 K. 1929, would admirably suit the context, to which
"ID

might be a more exact

-\3n nsi;;,

TDD and

which

r^Tf^^

is

definition,

an easy error

for

n:3

memorabile triticum

is

nnor: one plotving thefield,

based on

cf. Is. 28^^.

v;iiV Jb. 22^1 overflow,

are easy mistakes for an original n^cD.

abundance, suggested by Lag., Gr., We., SS., gives good sense, but cannot
explain the Vrss. except S> nnjid.

MT., but that makes

impossible.

five

words

Qal impf.

'^"y_']\']

onn

for this

cjrn {18^)

ti'sn::]

1.

closes

and seven

the

1.

difficult to

reconcile,

movement

inrepapd-qaerai

virkp

and,

if

tyN-\

come

possible,

it

to

a head,

attaint the

is

It is

But the shak-

of grain caused by wind are

rbv

M^avov

elevabitur sicut Libani frtictus eius, imply another word.

denom.

which

elsw. always of earthquake.

usually interpreted here of the rustling of the standing grain.

ing caused by earthquake and the

according to

for the next,

Kapirbs avrov,

Ew. suggests

stnnmit ; but no such usage

would not give a poetic conception.

is

known

Evidently these Vrss.

had not tt'-y'T' in their text. It prob. represents nt'-;'n;i may sheep pasture.
jn; would then be a gl. to explain an original nr.
This would explain and
pJ^Vr] so 3.
3, which rd. rst;-.
But @ vir^p = 2, which is more prob.,
unless both prep, interpretative.
in^] ins n.m. with sf, 3 sg., referred by
De. to -13, by Hi. to ]nN, by Ri. to C'Ni; all aUke improb. Ba. would rd.

PSALMS

140

nc vb. Qal impf. nne and connect it closely with following. He suggests it
might be a gl. for i^cx-, for it is tautological. If n;:* was original in previous
expect an*: here, pi, is n.m. buU, i often error for c.
1. we would
tx-'Vi]
coord. Qal juss. 3 pi. J j'lx vb. bloom, of grass or flowers 90*^ 103^^, so prob.

"I

here;

fig.

sense; rd.

of wicked 92^, Israel

prep, with

'>;"]

'\y_\-q

but

-)'>;;

from

Is.

27^; shincy gleam, of royal

though sustained by

this,

the forest (^9^)

interpretative gl.

The second

is

i::c'

Qr. Niph. impf., in either case a.X.

pj^S.

||

has iarw rh 6vofia airrov evXoyrjfi^vov

prob. a

17.

els Toi>s

gl.

Sta/iei/e?,

ornament

d''i>'? '^-cv

alupas

pr]

vn^]

132^^.

no good

Vrss., gives

so

Kt. Hiph. impf.

3 perseverabit,

but

eiXoyrj/j^vop

is
;

an
fu^

^T r^'r, favour

p3^ Niph. po be established ; Ba., SS., i5DB., Aq., 2, yevprid-^acTai, favour pj

denom. |'j n.[m.] offspring, posterity.

vnnrN"' d'-u'S^ ta lanar^].
This
based on Gn. 12' (J) nD-iNn rnoiTD So ^a i3-^2j\ Gn. 18^^ r->Nn >>)j 73 o io->3r,
Gn. 22^* y-^NH >>ij So ipnra i3-\3rn). It is a paraphrase based on the redacvb.
is

That which referred

tional passage.

to the dynasty of David.

from Gn.

12''.

after nin\

to the seed of

(5 inserts after

""O

Abraham

18-19 = doxology of the second book of ^.

conflation of Elohistic

It is

is

here applied

lonor^i Trao-ai aX <pv\al rijt yijs

and Yahwistic

editors.

(S omits
(S

ch^n

adds after

20 =

C>v;^ Kal els rbv alQva rod alCJvos, a fuller doxology {v. Intr. 40).
editorial statement to the effect that this Ps. closed the Prayer-book of

David

iv. Intr. i).

PSALM
Ps. 73 has

IJCXIIL,

two Parts.

The

2 PTS., 5

states

first

4^

STR.

how

near apostasy the

psalmist had been because of the prosperity of the wicked

who

are described as without trouble as other

and violent in their iniquity

(v.^^)

(v.^'),

men

(v.*^)

(v.-"^),
,

proud

mocking and blaspheming

and, while increasing their wealth, denying God's practical

knowledge

of their doings (v.""^-).

In the Second Part he laments

that all his efforts for purity have only resulted in suffering (v.^^^^),

then remonstrates with himself for such a thought as treacherous

to

when the

God,

^^15-16^^

beast (v.^^""),

when

guided him in this

^^23-24^

suffering should urge rather to

really
life,

God had kept firm hold

In this consolation he exclaims that God

better

of

him and

and would eventually take him to glory

delight in heaven and on earth, for

(v.^-^)

know

and as having a mind embittered and being a stupid

Besides minor glosses

whom

(v.^ ^")

is

his only

he pines body and soul

two larger ones

by reflection in the

there are

(i) giving a solution of the problem of the Ps.

temple upon the calamitous latter end of the prosperous wicked

PSALM
^^17-20)

LXXIII.

141

(2) contrasting the ultimate ruin of apostates with the

Him

goodness of God to those drawing nigh to

(v.^^"^)

I.

jyr Y feet were almost

My

steps

For

gone

had well nigh slipped

was envious of the boasters,
While the prosperity of the wicked
they have no (decisions)
Sound and fat is their (strength)

was

seeing.

pOR

men

In the trouble of (ordinary)

men

Together with (other)

'T'HEREFORE
They

they have no portion,

they are not accustomed to be stricken^

pride serves them as their necklace.

clothe themselves with violence.

Their (iniquity) doth come forth from fatness.

Conceits of the mind overflow.

'pHEY scoff and

speak of

evil,

Of oppression loftily they speak.

They have set against the heavens their mouth,
While their tongue goes about in the earth.
AND they do say " How doth "El know ?
:

And

"

there knowledge with "Elyon ?

is

Behold, such as these are the wicked

And, being always

do increase

at ease, they

riches.

II.

CURELY in vain have

cleansed

my

mind,

And washed in innocency my palms,

And become one smitten all day long.
And had chastening every morning.
p^ AD
I

And

said

" I will tell

it

thus "

would have been treacherous

so

trouble

thought

was

it

how

in

mine

to the generation of

might know

Thy

sons.

this.

eyes.

"pOR my mind was embittered.

And in my reins was I pricked.
I

was

brutish, without

stupid beast was

YET am

knowledge;

with Thee.

continually with Thee,

me by my right hand.
(Now) with Thy counsel Thou guidest me,

Thou

And

dost hold

afterwards unto glory (Thou) wilt take me.

Vy HOM have I
And

in

heaven?

having Thee on earth

delight in

nought

else.

My flesh doth pine and my soul.

My Rock and my Portion forever.

It was
It was then in ilH.
Ps. 73 was originally in
as 50; 74-83.
subsequently taken up into 3E {v. Intr. 29, 31, 32). The Ps. has two

PSALMS

142
parts,

each of

trimeter tetrastichs:

five

v.i-

v.2-9- 11-12,

(i)

The

v.i8-i8- 21-28.

(2)

i'-2J- 27-28^

'p^e original Ps. resembles others

( I) in the use of Vn v.h as 50I 748 7710- !* 16 787- 8. is. 19. 34. 86. 4i SqU 82I
of
832 (gl.v.17); (2) of p>^y v.iias 50I* 77" yS^^^^^ 56 82^ 8318; (3) of 33^ v."^- 1

other verses are glosses,

(gl. v.i-21-26)^ as in

The

1*^-

77^ 7818-72 (gl.), characteristic of time of Chronicler.

good syntax (i) cohortative v.i^There are several interesting words

is ^gi^ v.i"),

Ps. has

V.13. 14^

txt. err. for

mx-(n

d^m< a.X. Sin,

v.*

txt. err. for

(2)

uh^n;

consec. impf.

maxnn, elsw.

58*, prob.

Is.

v.^ "iDPpjj; elsw.

Dt. 15I*;

Aramaism, elsw. Ps. 65^* ; n^O' as Pr. 7^*^, interp. gl.; v.'^ nvDti'D Aramaism
VD", Aramaism, a.X. v. "^'^nn strong form ; v.12 urn Aramaism Ps. 92I'

r\iDp

V.8

Jb.

Phrases to be considered are:

8''^.

v.^

cijn Vc>' a.X., but both words apart

common; v. V"i^*2 l'^^^ cjv^'Si an^o d'':;c3 ini;'; v.^2 2i;,^M,is.j. ^^x., cf. Je. 493I;
v.i^ T'ja nn a.X., but words apart common; v.22 -^;2 as 49II 92'^.
V.^'^* is a
from

citation

use of Gn.

Enoch

V.24 implies the story of

26^.

52*.

V.28 in

in its phrasing,

use of hSd resembles Jb.

its

experience of an individual

who

contrasts his

own

and so the

Ps. gives the

experience of sorrow and

He

trouble with the prosperity of the boastful wicked.

guidance in

The

19'^'^.

finds his consolation

and a hope of glory after death, indicating a

highly developed eschatology. The wicked are boasters, v.^, and scornful.
The Ps. came from a commercial period, the beginning of the Greek period.
V.i is an introductory liturgical gl., which generalises the Ps. and makes it
in the divine

life

V.i

applicable to Israel as a people.

of God's people to their

own land and

from Maccabean times.

V.17-20 is

wicked, made in the sanctuary.

Aramaism,

inf. cstr.

sr:,

cf.

a gloss, looking to the restoration

nmSj,

cf.

Jb.

V.27-29 gives

v.^'^ jnN.

Both of these glosses are Maccabean.

gates of the daughter of Zion," to accord with

probably

Pt.

I.

1.

Str. I. has

Surefyl^,

is

two syn. couplets.

a sort of

V.28

in

" in the

nanp elsw.

Is.

58^

later glossator prefixes

and the wicked, and so only

to the

is

good

7ne,

to

life,

Israel\ not simply

between the righteous

pure-7ninded.

often for the course of

by the prefixing of As for

is

2uere almost gone

given in general,

who were

2.

3.

My feet my
\

emphasized by a glossator
||

had well nigh

The

God in apostasy.
For I was envious

slipped^ in the peril of falling away from

boasters'], those

the Ps.

appearances and everything that

all

God

as a nation, but distributively, distinguishing

reason for this

God

near to

gl. v.^^^,

summary of the conclusion of

notwithstanding

might be said to the contrary,

steps'], as

adds a

v.i".

of the

an antithesis between

who draw
(S

doom

V.I8 niNvrc prob.

2ip.

inf. cstr.

hexameter which

therein, probably

final

iSH +.

the final ruin of apostates and the benefits of those

worship.

them

life for

a reflection upon the

V.i^

Ps. 74^

is

a long

of the

boasting of their success and prosperity,

and so were arrogant toward those

less successful

than themselves.

PSALM

WTiile the prosperity of the

LXXIII.

143

wicked I was

seeing], a circumstantial

clause implying an habitual observation of this strange circum-

Deuteronomic principles, which promised

prosperity to the righteous and threatened adversity to the vi^icked.
This inconsistency is what troubles this poet, as it did the authors
of Pss. 37 () and 49 (It), and more especially those of the
book of Job. The remainder of Pt. I. is an enlargement upon
stance, so contrary to

this couplet.

Two

Str. II.

This

is

syn. couplets.

4.

For

no

they have

decisions'].

the most probable explanation of a difficult text, where

5^, Vrss.,

and commentators greatly

"bands," AV., RV.,

The word rendered

differ.

used elsewhere only

is

Is.

58^ in the sense

of " bonds." This gives a good sense here only by the paraphrase
" restraints," JPSV., which, however, is not justified by other usage.
The paraphrase " peril," PBV., " torments," Hu., Dr., Ki., has still

Most ancient

less justification.

may be

Vrss.

had another reading, which

The

conjectured and given as above.

text " in their death,"

though given by J^ and Vrss., is abandoned by JPSV. and most

for it is against the measure and the context, which is very

moderns,
far

from suggesting their death.

Sound andfat

is

their strength],

the most probable rendering of a difficult clause, adding to the

freedom of the mind from anxiety the

full

strength of the body.

In the trouble of ordinary men], that which men ordinarily

experience,
they have no portion], they alone are exempt from
5.

trouble,

||

accustomed

them

common

together with, in
to

as they

Str. III.

be stricken].

do repeatedly

Two

with other

The blows
all

men

they are not

of affliction never strike

others.

synth. couplets.

6.

Therefore pride], appro-

selves them as their necklace],

an
ornament worn about the neck of men as well as women in those
times, cf. Gn. 41'*^ Dn. 5^, and conspicuous as an evidence of wealth
and power.
They clothe themselves with violence]. Their pride
priate to the boasters of

v.^,

of wealth and

power

naturally

and inevitably leads

to violence

toward others, and such conduct becomes habitual, a characteristic

which they present to others as the dress by which they are recognised.

glossator

"clothing."
erns

7.

makes

this

more

definite

Their iniquity], so

more appropriate

(^,

by inserting the word

U, and many mod-

Ss,

to the context than " their eyes " of J^, 3,

PSALMS

144

doth come forth from fatness\ their fat, gross

followed by EV^
mind and body breed iniquity, cf. Dt. 32^^ Ps. 17^^
Conceits of
the mind overflow'], their minds are full to overflowing with evil
imaginations and conceits, which flow forth in word and deed,
The rendering of AV., RV., " they have more than
cf. Hb. I ".
heart could wish,"
Str. IV.

is

a paraphrase which cannot be justified.

syn. couplet and an antith. couplet.

They

8.

RV., JPSV., and most moderns ; the rendering " they

corrupt other " of PBV., " they are corrupt " of AV., cannot be

scoff], so J,

sustained.

and speak of

evi/], talk with

a suitable and habitual theme

evil, as

||

one another about doing

of oppression they speak],

they propose to oppress the weak.

cf.

v.^

on

high, far above others in the exaltation of pride

They have

9.

loftily], as

set against the heavens their

blaspheming against

God and

if

from

and arrogance.
mouth], as AV.

divine things in accordance with

"in the heavens," of RV.

" they make an
v.^*
impious claim of divine authority, and dictate to men as though
the earth belonged to them."
10. This verse is difficult.
Kt.
v.^

which

",

is

explained by

to be preferred to

Kirk,

in

accordance with

can only be explained as a divine promise

restore

them

to their land

to afflicted Israel to

and give them abundant

prosperity.

This was probably originally a marginal note of consolation, which

subsequently crept into the text.
the people thither,

Therefore will

and waters of

lie bring back

drained out

fultiess will be

to

The

Qr. and ancient Vrss. probably had essentially the

same meaning " His people will return." This is so against the

them].

context that various explanations have been sought.

" Well, then,
these the words of the prosperous.
turn hither, and water shall be found for

promise of prosperity to

all

prosperous for prosperity.

Str.

V. syn. and synth. couplets.

doth ^El

know?

||

And

them

people who

11.

JPSV. makes
His people

let

abundance."

in

will

come

And they do say

to the

^^

How

there knowledge with 'Elyon?''], not

is

denying the omniscience of God, but the divine practical knowledge

or interest in

human

of their evil conduct.

The
up

description of

and therefore the impunity

Behold such as these are the wicked].

affairs, cf. lo^"-^^,

12.

them has now reached

in the final statement

its

end.

and being always at

It is all

ease]

summed

having ever

PSALM
an easy and prosperous
content of mind.

and

richer

from

they do increase riches\

Str.

I.

has two syn. couplets.

without

become ever

richer

Surely in vain'].

13.

has been to no purpose, has not been success-

it

have I cleansed my mind], made and

emphatic in position.

completed by keeping also the body clean,

and washed in imiocency my palms], cf. 26^; the conception

kept

God and

enjoyment of health of body and

since they are unscrupulous as to means, shrink not

It is certain that
;

full

deeds, and indulge in violence and oppression.

evil

Pt. II.

ful

145

without fear of

life,

anxiety because of men, in the

LXXIII.

it

clean from sin

based on Levitical purifications for public worship

but here evi-

dently referring to the keeping the palms clean from bribery, rob-

and just those forms of violence (v.^*) and oppression (v.*^*)

by which the wicked had to a great extent gained their wealth and
prosperity.
and had
14. And become one smitten all day long
bery,

||

chastening every morning], in antithesis with the wicked,

been ever exempt from such blows,

v.^.

who had

This serious inconsistency

Law

with the promises and threatenings of the Deuteronomic

tempted him here to the assertion of the failure of innocence

and virtue, as in the previous part to apostasy, v.^.
Str. II.

The statement

renounced
thus].

He

in

had not

thought of saying

said

it.

made

of the previous Str. was only

two synth. couplets.

it

15.

to

be

Had I said: I will tell it

but only entertained in his mind the

/ would have been treacherous

Thy sons]. Israel in his national

of sonship to God, Ex. 4^ Dt. 14^ in which

eration of

unity
all

is

to the

gen-

in a relation

the faithful share.

Unfaithfulness to this relation of sonship, as well as to the similar

relation of marriage,

is regarded as treachery, cf. Pss. 25^ 59^ Je. 3^^.

Nothing could be more treacherous to the family of God than

to assert that

His service

vain and of no use.

experience,

in

innocence and purity of hfe was

And

16.

how I might know

and understanding of this

between theory and fact.
toil in

I thought],

this],

difficult

involved

so

in

gain a practical knowledge

problem,

trouble

all

as a result of this

was

it

this

in

inconsistency

mine

eyes].

It

anxiety and perplexity of mind, and sorrow in the

distressing experiences involved in such a struggle to resist temptation

and gain the true solution of the problem.

later editor,

not altogether content with the solution given below,

v.^^-^^

here

PSALMS

146
inserts another one, v.^^'^.

sanctuary of

*El\

17.

Until

entered into the great

named

the temple at Jerusalem,

sanctuary by the use of the Heb.

pi.

God was accustomed

place of public worship, where

the great

There, in the

of intensity.

to manifest

considered

Himself, the perplexed might look for a solution.

and present prosperity, but

end of it all would be. This

their latter end'], not merely their past

what the ultimate

result, the final

editor finds the solution of the problem in the final punishment

of the wicked, which would be in dreadful antithesis with their

long-continued prosperity,
of this punishment

them\

now

Thou

settest

utter

ruin\ ere long they

no more

follows.

35^ Je. 23^^.

description

in slippery places

and

slip

The

8^^"^^.

Ec.

18. Surely
Thou causest them
fall,

and from the

to

fall

they remain like a fallen wall in utter ruin,

How

19.

cf.

37^**^-

cf.

fall into

they

cf.

rise

74^.

have they become a desolation in a moinent !\ when the

time of their ruin

come,

is

sudden, unexpected, and

is

it

all

ac-

They have come an end,

are finished], the two
more emphatic than the
by
a term of
dering of AV., RV., "utterly consumed by
complished

in a

moment.

they

ren-

vbs.

"

Job, 18^' -f.

20.

II

sator,

mere phantasm, an image of the imagina-

Adonay], divine name of the time of the

Thou rousest Thyself],
so
unsubf 35^. Thou

phantofn.

zvhen

glos-

despisest],

cf.

stantial, despicable, the life

really

Str.

been

in the sight

Two

III.

depends

at

of God.

21.

For my mind was em-

by the inconsistency of innocence and

This verse

once upon

is

altogether unconscious of

v.^^"^^

And

reins, the seat of the feelings,

sword or lance.

trivial,

of these rich, prosperous boasters has

syn. couplets.

bittered], or soured
tion, cf. v.^^

active intervention, in

in

judicial activity,

The

terrors],

as a dream after awakening], unsubstantial,

in recollection only as a

tion

intensified

to

22.

knowledge], not able to

in

my

as if pricked

was

know what it all meant, cf.

"a mere beast," Kirk.,

with Thee], in relation

communion with God.

Str. IV.

Syn. and synth. couplets.

with Thee], though in knowledi^c

to,

by a

without
a stupid

49^^ 92' 94^,

cf.

beast], the intensive pi.;

Dr.,

and

was I pricked].

reins

were pained

7aas brutish],

afflic-

v.^"''"^,

and

23.

v.^^,
*'

a very beast,"

in association

Yet

and

am I continually

niul action stupid as a beast, yet

PSALM

LXXIII.

147

Thou

he knew that he was in communion with God.

me

by

my

right

hand\

time of perplexity and

63^

peril, cf.

24.

dost hold

and consolation

to give support, help,

Now\

inserted to complete the line in antithesis with,

in

probably to be

and afterwards

with Thy counsel Thou guides t me'], habitual action, giving constant
advice and counsel, as well as support and help.
wilt take me], in the future, interpreted by

of the

life

of the righteous

more properly

Ba.,

by

Unto glory Thou

some

others, AV.,

especially as the

as in the hfe after death,

story of the translation of

Enoch, Gn.

5^'',

49^^, seems
With the former

cf Ps.

be implied in the terms that are used.

to

interpretation Dr., Kirk., after (g,

TQ2

as adv. ace, " with

U, J, PBV., prefer

glory "

end

as the latter

RV., JPSV., Pe., De.,

or " honour."

to interpret

The

psalmist

finds the solution of the inconsistencies of this life in the final

reward to the righteous after death,

Str.

V. Synth, couplets.

cf.

Jb. 19^^^', also Ps. 16".

25. Whom

have

plying the answer that he has no one but God.

v.^

as

on earth I

delight in

and exclusive object of

nought

else].

his dehght, his only

I in Heaven ?\

And having
God

good,

is

cf.

im-

Thee],

the one only

i6l

26.

My

flesh doth pine], for the realisation of this joyous anticipation,

Jb.

19^

Ps.

terpretation

cf.

my Rock], 18^, to which a glossator added the inand my Portion forever], cf. i6^ To this
of my soul.

84^

"God," which is sufficiently eviBoth of these glosses impair the measure.

the glossator adds the interpreting

dent from the context.

The

Ps. has

now reached

the grandest climax

but a later

added an emphatic antithesis between the fortunes of the

righteous and the wicked.
27. For behold those departing from
Thee], those who had acted as this psalmist had been sorely
tempted to act, \?,
Thou dost exwill go to ruin], cf. i^.
terminate every one that goes whoring fro7n Thee]. Yahweh was
the husband of His people, Ho. 2^ Is. 54^" ^-f ; apostasy from Him
was a rupture of the marriage relation, and so spiritual whoredom.
28. As for me], in antithesis with such, drawing nigh to
God is good for me \ my making Yahweh my refuge]. The same
glossator as that of v.^ inserts " in Adonay."
telling of all Thy
editor

occupations], in general care over the righteous;

for creative, Je.

50^

where

is

this

word

for judicial

cf.

Gn.

2^-^ (P),

works of God, where alone

used of divine work.

else-

PSALMS

148
1.

33S

particle of asseveration, as 23^;

"in]

too long

1.

subj.

subj.

agree with Qr.

tuSy
all

n^3xnn]

4.

sg. neglect of

f.

attamen.
g^ ^yv^

agreement

33S
2.

man

but Qr.

Qal

ptc. boasterSj as j^ 75^, not di'6/iots

f ['"i^x^n] n.[f.], elsw.

^ prep.,

sf.

cf.

makes

himself,
pf.

i09*r

3 pi.
3

pi,,

"''7

3. 2^^"?^]

pi.

^-na]

'jsi]

most prob. that MT. has interp. the sg. J-}, "^C'N as
both cases be correct and the agreement complete. i@, 3,

Aq.

5i;(77rd^eiat,

bonds ; (5

Is. 58*^

&

ivedv^vm-o,

@, iniquos 3.

U respec-

dvdi'ei'o-ts,

H2D,

These

T'?)-!^'

as different interpretations of nixin, properly decisions.

n.m.

r"r

dea//i {6fi)

sf.

m.; so Vrss.; but most moderns

pi.

after Moerlius (scholia 1737), Ew., Hi., Bo., Ols., Oort,

session with

secondary subj.; but Qr. v^3 Qal

n.f. is

2s.

It is

3 recogitaverinty
may be explained

37'?:'^]

pf.

13. 21.

Kt. Qal ptc. pass., subj. the

>\>2\\

''rj-i

Kt. Pu.

!^?9'^']

Kt. would then in

pi.

which

to

""JN,

C-/^)-

''jv"!*

explan. gl.

is

explained by
"'?j-i

(5 ws,

24*; :33^ characteristic of this Ts., vj-

-\2

on

pi.,

wholesome

adj. sound,

prep.

'^r'^,

of pos-

^7

The measure

(J7^'").

also re-

" is. 20
^g^ j j^^
f n>-.?] adj. of cattle, /<?/, Gn. 412- * 5.
53 Ez. 34'^-2) Ze. 11I6; of food, Hb. i^^; of man, Ju. 3^^ Dn. i^^; here only of

quires the two words.

*MN.

-/In] dub.;

i^DB.

irpdirvXa,

f.

sg.,

archaic

Dt. 15^*-^*.

rect.

7.

sf.

sf.

Rd.

pi.

c'^^n

(j^).

with

so,

a^^n, S

in plaga

their strength.

6.

Qal

icr|';'r:]

pf,

denom. serve as a necklace, elsw. Hiph.

Q*^ impf. Aramaism, elsw. b^^'*. , 3, 3 pi., prob. cor-

pi.

T'^r.]

t [i"'JV]

vb.

n[m.] clothing ; but (5 ahiKlav koX

'"*?']

archaic

^-J'"]

with

?'

/xda-Tcyt ai^Twc,

n.m. porch).

(-';"iN

^o\rs*] fully written for "'crN']

6.

r^

(S ^v

= 2^^-)H

veslibula

n.[m.] a.X. body, belly (in contempt);

["^in]

hesitation, Ba., but improb.

with \y\ so

sf.

BDB.,

Hi., Ew., Ols., De., Oort, Ba.,

but (S

>-]-.

dcr^/3etav is

prob. interp.

ddiKia avriov, so 5,

y)

P^^rJ'p] pi. f

U,

r^'?'^*? n.f.

gl.

Street,

(i) show-

Nu. 33^- Lv. 26^ (P) Ez. S^'^ (?) Pr. 25II; (2) imagination, conceit, Aramaism Pr. 18^^ and here; so 3 cogitationes ; but @ ct'j Sid^co-ii', U
8. ^^^"^'^ vb. Qal or Hiph. pi2 or p-'D a.X. ;(7ry^, ^^rr/d'*?, Aramaism,
affectum.
piece, ^gure,

divoi^dri<Tav,

inriserunt.

prep, interp. glosses

strong form, Ew.S

n^nn-.

10.

C'"<9~] so

but (S

ets

subsequent context favours ^.

^^- ^ Ges.<^- "

K6. 'i^ for usual

3^r;] Kt. Hiph. impf.

'i':^:'.

t6 u^oj, prob. both

9. I'Til*?] Q.^ impf.

But Lag., Now., Du.,

Qr. 3^r; Qal impf.; so

211:*;

3.

(5,

^cv] so 3; but @, 5, ::;; both sfs. interpretative.

JiSn] adv. hither.
Houb., Lag., Oort, Now., .5DB., rd. en*? i::;*3i'"' satisfy them with bread. But
the V. is prob. gl., and the Hiph. of Kt. should be followed, which gives us the

restoration of God's people from exile.

nn;^

@, V, %, 3, 2,

U, >r\

htbax^h

\~v^ Nu.

cf.
Is

interp. of

n::-i]

^"?.

n.f.

(^9^)-

r\':^

quiet, Zc. 7^

yp,
I

Ez. 23*2, both

n";^;^

^-^j"]

vb. Niph. impf. 3 pi.

most moderns

coord, connecting with

v.i^

50^ 748 7710- W-

15

ygv.

x*;;^

^r

to think of nv-,
v,^,

possibly

8. is. 19. 34. 36.

41

gl.

?/.

4*^';

txt. err.

common

v. Intr.

Ch.

ix;;*^

S. 2^ Is. ii^ 28^ Je. 3^^ Jb. 36*, poetic for usual
divine name,
in ^, 50" 77" 7817- 85. 5 826 83I9,

knowledge, elsw.

seldom early

3 quisplenus invenietur in eis,

ip leads

^.

11. t<^<]
75/ but improb.
^v] divine name, frequent in '%

1^^;

32.

12.

of quiet, easy

iJt'^'J

Hiph.

'^^'i

life

pf.

"h"'] P^r. a,X., f ^br ^^J- ^^

Je. 4981 Jb. 16^2 2128.

'^^^'^

abst. Jb. 2020

f [ijtr] vb. Aram., Qal

grow

great.

PSALM
as cedar 92^^,

cf.

8'^-

Jb.

LXXIII.

Hiph. increase

^^,

149

The

unusual in late Pss.

14.

clause with pf.

interp. gl. as Ba.

Ba.

rd. anico,

alone

5*

cf.

consec.

551^.

iDr] adv.
which

^''C~,

OT.

18.

cited from Ps. 26^.

conditional

dx

It is possible that

Ew., Dr., add n:n.

n\i] Kt. agrees with nxT.

tin] as v.^.

consec. impf.

'OI^N'sf*]

more prob. because of following

is

16.

crimination, as usual in

@ ovtws, 3 sic.

so.

13.

cohort, expressing reso-

Pi*

'TJrP>!]

'i^niN>]

is

15.

attaches the condition to msD-v.

unexampled.

is

'-,

(^5^) in apod.

"'iTl^a

lution, cf. 2^.

phr. apart from

without

1018;

as

D''"!'"^3^]

riches, a.X. here.

prefixes Kal elira as v.^^, but this evidently a gl.

is

Bo., Gr.,

The

n.

adv.

xin Qr. without dis-

place of deception,

niNVkj'p ari'^;?n] f ,-iNv^r n.f.

elsw. 74^; V*"^'F^ beguile (jS^^) > but improb. 2 els d(pavt(rij,0ijs,3 adinlerilum
n^Nirn pi. nx^crp ysic* ruift, as Zp. i^^ Jb. 30^, so Klos., Now., Ba,, ^DB.

has not this clause, but

allevarentur, Aug.

dum

inf.cstr. mN-.ToS as Ez. 17^

Qal come

V^'^j

Am.

end, elsw.

i2-3. 3 je_ gis (^all

Zp.

an

to

^x-RT

Kari^aXes avroi/s iv ry

iirapdrjvai,

'!E

extollerentur, so Horsley, " in their elevation,"

dub.).

up,

lift

Qal

19. -icd]

pf. 3

m.

f [^iD] vb.

pi.

Hiph. make an end of

3^^ Is. 661'^ Est. 92^.

id^] Qal

3 m.

pf.

dum

Aram.

emph. coordination.

pi. a:2ri

t ^7^7? n.f. (i) terrors (only pi.) Jb. iS^^ 27^0 301^, spec, of death
24I"; (V) calamity sg. Is. 171^, elsw. pi. Ez. 2621 2786 28^^.
^DB.
Jb. 1 814
P''n';3] pi.

more prob.

classes our Ps. with (2), Dr. with (i);

hib. TT]p

dvofiiav

a tetrameter

gl.

and

interpretative

% D^Sn]

20.

Lit., cf. vb. 126I.

is

i^eyeipo/x^pov VH!??

= Vi??*

with second clause, making

-i-'ys]

contr.

-i-'vn^

v.

Hiph.

esp. if

it

be a

late gl.

quasi non sint.

This

@
v. is

n.m. dream, only here ^, but frequent in early

Hiph.

VP.^^~\

so also

inf. 7^->

{^) with p temporal, after, Ges.i64-g.

'Jix] as , S, MT., belongs
U.

so S, 3, &,

hexameter with caesura

(f) with

inf. -^r;

after the

second beat.

temporal as W, Ges.^i; so

Oort, Ba., al., and most moderns.

iv ry 7r6Xet aov, sustained by U, 3, S, is
an erroneous interpretation, which does not suit the context.
21. Tsnn^]
Hithp. impf. 3 sg. f T^r] vb. Qal be soured, leavened, Ex. I2^- ^9 (E), cf. Ho. 7*.

Hithp. be soured, embittered, a.X.

circumstantial, w/V/z<?/ /^^7^^z^
pi.

iVnirx Hithp. impf.

\\

cf.

not of number but of intensity

not the hippopotamus, as De., Hi.,

and afterwards,
it

as prep.

as 3, S, so

stupid or great

Now.

24.

most moderns.

sg.

14* unintelligent.

beast,

^era

"ins in the

22.

56^?7S,

y-M* xSi]

nnna (5^),

" a very beast," Dr.;

1133 "inxt] adv.

The

But ins as prep, nowhere has this sense.

admit of the use of

pr.

n'^iDns] pi.

term with conj.

<rM/?2

gloria, take

vb. npS does not

sense of following after, though Ew., Hi., sug-

The mng. is evident enough, and is open to

no other objection than dogmatic presupposition. The text is only made more
difficult by the emendation of Gr., "^^p ri"'";]ns"', though adopted by We., Now.
1133 is ace. of direction, the place of honour, in the immediate presence of
God, as 16II; cf. 112^
26. ^-;x-f'] sf. i sg. % nxc' x^.xtv. flesh, elsw. 7820- 27 Mi.

gest

it

as the goal of the taking.

32- 3 Je.

51^5

though both
as

^7'^n

&

ol

in (g.

(765).

'3-i'^

-nx] phr. a.X.

The 1.

27.

is

n^?.n-;]

improb.

oaS

is

complete without

either.

2 sg. with

adj.

sf.

fiaKpiJvovTes iavro^s dirb aov,

pi.

qui elongant

dittog.

^yr^-^

se

D'hSx

is

also gl.,

We should rd. ni]f

a

a.X. departing,
te.

It is

(^<5'^)

BDB.

more prob.

PSALMS

50

ptc.

II

Rd. therefore

nj^r.

written HDX {18^).

physical sense

only here

Ho.

ni|r V.18

makes

with Gr.

ptc.

^n^^f?]

Hiph.

pf.

2 m., fully

commit forttication,

njt vb.

Is.

it

c.

'-ins,

usually Ex.

2^ 415 Is. 578 Ps. io639.

prob., rd. cn'^N Sn

u%\xdA\y

Yahweh for another God,

34!- ^^ +, ^;;d Ho. 9I, nnnn
r^^?'] cstr. t [i^y] i5DB.

28.

58- in same phr. ; but @, 3, interp. as vb.

>nr] Qal

inf. cstr.

with

improb. that we should have

nn::*

nan,"^.

MT.

of pointing in

Qal

alone, elsw,

Ho.

approach^ elsw.

^\':in-)C

but in religious sense, by forsaking

c.

4I-, abs.

nri]

anN] is conflation.

r\^7^'>

either gl. or evidence that context also

is gl.

22-

work^ t of God, elsw. creation Gn.

2-

sf.

inf.,

which

is

more

sg. nntr, cf. 49!^, but

here.

There

(5 Kuptos for

n^"*''->!^r] sf.

is

prob. error

""Jin.

nin> in fS

2 m.

pi. J nss'^a n.f.

^p)^ judgment Je. 50^5;

of

men,

10723.

PSALM

LXXIV.,

3 PTS. OF 3 str.

3*.

Ps. 74 is a prayer of the exilic community

I. An expostulation
with God for continuous anger against His ancient people and Zion
:

(v.^ -'^).

The enemies have destroyed the temple

(v.^"**^)

they

planned the exile of the people and the destruction of their

reli-

The enemies reproach God and He still withholds

His hand from them (v.^*^'^')
and yet He has wrought wonders in
gion

(v.^^).

II.

the past (v.^^^^) and

He

is

sovereign of nature

(v.^^^^).

III.

plea

remember the reproaches of the enemy, and not abandon His

people to them (v.^*^^^), to look upon the violence and not let the

to

afflicted

be confounded (v.^^), to rise up for His

against His adversaries (v.^^).

own

inserted (v.^*-^--^^^^").
I.

"^HY, O

God, dost Thou cast us off forever;

Smokes Thine anger against the flock of Thy pasture ?
Remember Thy congregation, which Thou didst get of old;

Mount

A LL

Zion, wherein

hath the

Thou

enemy marred

hast dwelt.

in the sanctuary.

Thine adversaries roared in the midst of Thy meeting place.

set on fire Thy sanctuary, (O God).
To the ground they profaned the dwelling place of Thy name.
'T'HEY said in their mind " Let their offspring become solitary."

They

They made the festivals of God in the land

Our signs we do not see
And there is not with us one who knows.

to cease.

I-JOW

long,

The enemy

God,

shall the adversary reproach;

ever contemn

cause

Glosses of various kinds were

Thy name ?

PSALM LXXIV.
Why

Thou back Thy hand, (O God)

hand in the midst of Thy bosom
divide by Thy strength the sea.

drawest

And Thy

HTHOU

I$I

didst

Thou
Thou
Thou

right

didst

(retainest) ?

break the heads of the dragon by the waters.

and brooks.
up everfiowing rivers.
'pHINE is the day: Thine also the night.
Thou didst prepare luminary and sun.
didst cleave out springs
didst dry

Thou didst fix all the boundaries of earth.

Summer and harvest Thou didst form.
III.

D EMEMBER this:

enemy doth reproach

An impudent people do contemn Thy name.
Give not

The
T

OOK to

to wild beasts (the

of

life

the

Thine

person that praiseth Thee).

afflicted forget

(the fat ones)

not forever.

for they are full.

The dark places of the earth are dwellings of violence.

Let not the crushed turn away confounded.
Let the afflicted and poor praise Thy name.

O
Q ARISE, O God reproach

plead Thine

Remember

own

cause.

Thee by the impudent.

Forget not the voice of Thine adversaries,
The roar of those who rise up against Thee, going up

was

Ps. 74

29, 32.

It

of

the

in "E, of the class h'^yy:: as 78,

has three parts

(i)

and subsequently

v.i- 2c. 36. 4a. 7-9,

(2) v.io-n-

continually.

in IE

13. 16-17,

v. Intr.

(3)

v.i8-23.

Each part has three tetrameter tetrastichs. The glosses are all added to (i)
and (2), not to (3). These are: (i) v.^^^, from Je. lo^^; (2) v.3, a petition
in time of depression
(4) v.^^, a general refer(3) v.4*-6, a Maccabean gl.
ence to God as king
(5) v.^*, a haggadistic gl., the first 1. of which is absent
from . Apart from glosses the Ps. shows no evidence of very late date.
The reference to the capture of the temple, the setting it on fire and profan;

ing

it

to the ground, v.^-

The

Babylonians.

'^,

best suits the destruction of the temple by the

reference to the

mind

of the

enemy

make

to

the posterity

of Israel solitary and to cause the festivals to cease from the land,

The

best the Exile.

expostulation which

is

back upon these things as so long past that the people of God are
in remonstrating with

Yahweh

for their continuance.

absence of miracle and prophecy,

cabean times,
lowing:
elsw.

v.i

gl.

The

v.^,

linguistic

The

justified

reference to the

usually regarded as evidence of

and

stylistic

1DN y^^p phr. elsw. Dt. 29!^,

cf.

Mac-

resemblances are the

Ps. 80^ ("E)

fol-

rm^^nD |xx phr.

loo? Je. 23I Ez. 3421 ; v_2 ,-,jp of getting of Israel by

Ps. 78^^ (<!) Ex. 15I6 Is. iiH; v.^ '?'7n yyn^ phr. of 8940, cf. La. 22;

Pss. 79I3 (^^)

redemption
v.8

is

v.^, suits

the ground tone of the Ps. looks

Dr: prob. pj, elsw. Gn. 2i23

common

in the

has no justification

Is.

1422 Jb, 18^^;

'?n

^^-j;?:

phr. a.X., but Dnyia

@. The reference to synagogues

in Hebr. language, and therefore cannot give evidence

sense of feasts

so here as

PSALMS

152

of a date of composition after synagogues were established in the land.

yp2 as Ps.

Ca), ir^N nnnj phr.

781=^- ^^

a.X., cf. 'n Vnj

h2: as 14I Dt. 32-1, referring to national

enemy

are several passages which remind of Ps. 9-10

V.20,

10";

cf.

Exodus,

whole, the Ps.

The

Am.

There

yi9^

^f^ gi3.

\.^^, cf. lo'^- ^^j

c^j^jn v.^^ refers prob. to

Egypt of the

On

V.15 refers to the crossing of the Jordan.

to the Exile, by a poet subsequent

of E, chiefly

Is.-.

To

in the time of Antiochus.

of the temple

this event the erection of the signs therein

the ruthless destruction of the ornaments of the temple naturally refer.

desecration

is

mNCO
Pt.

I.,

onn

o;*D

and

Such

not altogether homogeneous with the destruction of the temple

The

as described in the original Ps.

V.8

the

best explained as written with reference to the destruc-

by the Babylonians, and

to

V.^*

yU.in

52*;

v.^^ yi'n^ as Is. 29^^.

The glosses are partly from the editor

Maccabean editor who wishes to refer to the desecration

and prior

from a

10I8.

g^'^

may be

tion of Jerusalem
to Ez.

as

v.'-i,

Ez. 293 322.

cf.

Dt. 21*

a.X.

v.^

Two

Str. I.

cast us off forever

*?":),

glosses have also evidence of late style

nifiS''r;

syn. couplets.

?\

\M

in^S and

1.

expostulation with

IV/iy,

God

d^-'xS d>'S.

God, dost Thou

for the long-con-

tinued abandonment of His people during their exile from their

native land.

La. 3^.

Thy

seems

It

as

Smokes Thine

if it

were to

a;ij^er'], cf.

last forever, cf. 44^^* 77 79*

iS''

8o\

against

the fl^ock of

pasture'], phr. elsw. Pss. 79^^ 100^ Je. 23^ Ez. 34*^^

conceived as the flock of God, their Shepherd,

pasture;
call to

cf.

mind

23I-2

Pss.

7721

78" Sol

2.

who

leads

Israel

is

them

to

Re??iembe?''],?,oy}^-^.

the facts of the past; two are mentioned:

Re-

(a) Thy

Thou didst get of o/d], referring to the Exodus

from Egypt and entrance into the Holy Land, cf Ex. 15^^ Dt. 3 2^1

congregation which

glossator emphasizes this by inserting from Je.

redeem the

tribe

of Thine inheritance.

Thou hast dwelt],

(6)

referring to the selection of

the permanent place of the divine temple 2 S.

Ps. 132^^", in

which the

God

a.

usual explanation

is

''

Mount Zion
7^-"^"^

by stepping up

by ancient Vrss.
in the

K.

as

6""^^

to everlasting dignity].

God

is

urged

them and inspecting them Himself.

abrupt and awkward in the context, and is not sustained

to interpose
this is

continual desolations," such as have so

long continued that they seem to be forever, and so

But

didst

glossator adds for emphatic

enlargement, which Thy footsteps exalted

The

Thou

of Israel had resided from the time

of Solomon until the Exile.

lo^'^,

Mount Zion, wherein

unpointed

The
text.

to

translation given

above requires no change

PSALM LXXIV.

they have

A//] or "everything," em-

enemy marred

haf/i the

in the sanctuary']

nothing intact: everything has been destroyed.

left

Roared\

a.

3b.

Synth, tetrastich.

Str. II.

phatic in position

153

the uproar of a crowd of adversaries,

who have

captured the temple after a prolonged conflict, and make

ancient walls ring with their shouts of triumph.

Thy meeting place], the

trated even into the midst of

its

They have penetransfer to

the temple of the idea of the ancient tent of meeting, where Yah-

weh met His people. There

" Thy congregation " of AV.

is

After rioting in

it,

spoiling

it

its treasures, and destroying everyaway with them, they finally set the

of

thing that they could not take

temple on

no justification for the rendering

They set on fire Thy sanctuary].

7.

This probably refers to the destruction of the

2 K. 25^^^
They pro-

fire.

temple by the army of Nebuchadnezzar

faned

of Thy name]. The sacred places were

who must be consecrated in order to have

the dwelling place

reserved for Israelites,

These had been profaned by the presence of the

access to them.

heathen soldiery, unconsecrated and defiled with blood.

ground],

utterly, cf. Ps.

this description

A Maccabean

89^*^.

of the destruction of the temple to

appropriate to the desecration by Antiochus.

set

up their own signs as

make

the

to

editor enlarges
it

upon
more

They have

4Z).

signs], probably referring not to the

standards of the army in token of victory, but to the religious

symbols of the Greeks as a supplanting of the Jewish religion.

5.

was

//

perceived],

lit.

"made known"

or

"became known,"

namely, that which was done by the enemies in the temple

form should most probably be rendered.

this difficult

interpreters differ greatly in their views of this passage.

who
man
6.

upwards axes in a
up his ax in a forest

wieldeth
hfting

So now

its

down trees, cf.

and axes

doors together with hatchets

down], breaking open

all

the

Vrss.

as

thicket of ti'ees], simile of a

to cut

so

and
one

wood-

Je. 46^- ^.

they strike

doors of the temple, a graphic

description of the desecration of the temple by Antiochus; cf.

I Mace. I.
The reference to " doors " of (^, F, is more probable

than that to " carved work " of

Str. III.

Syn. couplets.

selves, their plan

tary]

8.

and purpose.

the words of the

%,

3,

and modern

They said

Let

in their

Vrss.

mind], to them-

their offspring

become

soli-

Babylonian enemy, determining upon

psalms

54

the transportation of the people into exile, so that their offspring

might be brought up apart from their native land, apart by themsustained than the vb. of

make havock
JPSV.

" offspring " of

The word

selves in a foreign land.

MT.

better

3,

is

RV.

"

(,

followed by PBV.,

let

us

them altogether," or "let us destroy them," AV.,

made to cease\ ( to be preferred to " burnt up "

of

T/iey

of 5^, though sustained by most Vrss., because of the tautology

the festivals of ^El\ so (, intensified by the later
with v/".
the abolition of all the sacred feasts prescribed
insertion of " all "

in the laws of Israel

from the most ancient times.

There

authority in ancient usage for thinking of the synagogues of

cabean times, although

Our

9.

signs

Yahweh, such
parall.

this is

we do

adopted by

most moderns.

not see\ the symbols of the religion of

as the Sabbath Ez. 20^*-^ Ex. 31^^-^^ in appropriate

with festivals of previous

inserted " there

and therefore more probable

line,

than "miracles" or "ensigns."

who

EV^ and

no
Mac-

is

It

is,

however, possible that the

no more a prophet," interpreted

them as miracles, thinking of his own time as characterised by the
absence alike of miracle and prophecy, cf. i Mace. 4^*^ 9^ 14*^
And there is not with us one who knows\ No one understands
what it all means. It is not probable that the author was thinking
glossator

is

of a prophet, or that he was thinking of the length of time the

exile

would

last,

as the erroneous dittog. of "

how

long " requires

he was rather thinking that the whole situation was

inexplicable, in view of the relation of Israel to
Pt. II., Str. I.

Syn. couplets.

as to the length of time,

reproach

contetnn

cf.

10.

79* 89^^,

||

Thy name], by

How
roer.

their

unintelligible,

God.

long], expostulation

shall

the adversary

maltreatment of the

temple which bears the divine name, and in which God dwelt
and the people worshipped who were called by His name, cf. v.^^
jq3.i3 ^^12
_ii^ lyjiy ^rawest Thou back Thy hand?], to which,
measure, O God should be added, which has
by mistake. One would expect the very reverse, that
God would draw it forth to vindicate Himself.
And Thy right
hand in
in connection with in the midst of Thy bosom, suggests
for the sake of the
fallen out

II,

the vb. retainest, which was probably in the original Ps., but which

was changed by the Maccabean editor to a similar vb. imv. " con-

sume them," implying a

vb. " take

it

forth," or " pluck

it

forth,'*

PSALM LXXIV.
The hand of God, and

RV.

155
His

especially

right hand,

that

is

up (10^^), or stretches out (Ex. 15^^), in vindicating

which He
Himself and His people against their enemies, cf. 44* 89^^ Israel
cannot understand why he does not do this now ; why He stands
aside, as it were, with His right hand in the bosom of His garlifts

ment.

12.

glossator inserts, as an additional reason for the

expostulation, the couplet

Worker of
people,

cf.

I S.

From

old'].

9^ 10^^ 44*.

cf.

expressing the characteristic action

commander

as

khig of

has been king of Israel,

victories'\, T^tc.

who

of the king,

And God is my

He

the most ancient times

of armies gives victory to His

44' 68^0

14^' Is. 26^^ Pss. 20^ 2i2-^

EV^

generalised into " salvation " of

not to be

in the midst

of the earth~\.
His victories were not confined to the Holy Land, but were

wrought

in other parts of the earth

interpreting the subsequent

context.

Synth, couplets.

Str. II.

13.

Thou

didst divide by

Red Sea by

the sea], referring to the crossing of the

Exodus, Ex.

14^^

"1-.

Thou

strength

Israel at the

didst break the heads of the dragon

compared

by the waters'], the military chiefs of Egypt

Is. 27^ 51^ Ez. 29^ 32^.

Thy

14.

to a dragon.

doublet of the previous

v.

Thou

didst crush the heads of Leviathan], probably here the crocodile,

another term for Egypt,

for food
the shore

of

(, 3,

to the

became

that Thou mightest give them

27^

Their dead bodies cast up upon

the prey of the jackals,

F, to the Ethiopians has no

The

priety.

cf. Is.

folk of jackals].

reference of
while

wilderness,"

improbable.

EV^

possible,

Aq., ,

^T,

cf.

" to the

has

no

Quinta, give

as a festal

meal to

probable in so late a gloss.

it

and

brooks],

cf.

78^^

it

los"*^ Is.

is

was supposed would

Thou

This

is

more

didst cleave out springs

48"^ referring to the miracle of

bringing water from the rocks Ex. 17^ Nu. 20^

up everflowing

support and

a mythological reference

Israel in the latter days.

15.

reference

people inhabiting the

historical

to the flesh of Leviathan (cf. Jb. 3^), which

be given

The

63".

historical or linguistic pro-

rivers], referring to

Thou

didst dry

the crossing of the Jordan

Jos. 3.
Str.

III.

Synth, couplets, passing from the divine power in

history to the divine

providence.

16.

power over nature, both

Thiite is the day]

it

in creation

belongs to

Thee

and

as

its

PSALMS

156

Thine

owner.

comprehending

also the
all

night\ therefore both day and

The reason

time.

didst prepare, create, iut?iinary, that

by

light

and

night,

17.

104^^23^

Thou

might be interpreted

Gn.

i^

Jb.

38^'*i-

ownership

for this

the moon, as

is,

sun, giving light by day;

Ps.

i^*"^'"^

didst fix all the boundaries of earth'], which

in general of the separation of

land and sea

Pr. 8^, or of the boundaries of the nations Dt. 32^

but more probably, owing to the qualifying

divisions of the seasons

and

Thou
giving

(g,

Gn.

cf.

night,

is

Gn.

line,

for the reason

i^'^ ;

refers

given

is

to the

Summer

harvest Thou didst form] at the creation, making this the

chief boundary in the year.

Pt. III., Str.

ing the plea of

I.
v.^,

Syn. couplets.

The

of to the people of God.

emphasis,
of

doth reproach
not

to

18.

Re7nember

now

to the

this],

renew-

enemy

instead

demonstrative, thrown before for

*'The

Thy name], resuming

enemy"

defined in the subsequent clauses.

is

resumed and described

v.^ is

only calling attention

||

contemn

an

as

v.^^

wild beasts], or "wild beast," as RV.

after

iV.
Give

19.

(g,

probable than " unto the multitude," that

much more

wP

itnpudefit people], so

is,

3,

OT,

of the

enemies or wicked, of PBV., AV., which depends upon another

interpretation of the Hebr. word.

so

(&,

the person that praiseth Thee],

U, favoured by interpretations of other ancient Vrss. ; to

be preferred

name

to

followed by

EV^, " Thy

turtle

dove," a pet

which has no other Biblical authority, and is elsewhere only an image of timidity.
The life of Thifie afflicted].
for Israel

The people

suffering affliction

forget not forever],

peril.

the plea to remember.

Str. II.

Du.

to

be preferred to

tained by ancient and

it

like forgetfulness

J^,

"

modern

interrupts the thought

Look
Vrss.

in-

the reverse of

to the covenant,"

sus-

because

by the suggestion of God's neglect of

the text as between the two readings

they are full], that

though

and most interpreters

when

a plea to consider the attitude of the enemy.

for

mortal

the ancient covenant with Israel, Ex. 24^,

is

in

God's withholding

20. Look to the fat ones], the sleek

by victory and booty, cf. 73*, as suggested by

Synth, couplets.
fat

cf. 10^^"^ 13^^.

seems

terposition so long {y}^)

enemies made

from their enemies were

is,

is

the whole context

The

variation in

only one of pointing.

with the booty, which makes them

fat.

PSALM LXXIV.
The measure

requires that this vb. should go with the previous

EV^

clause and not with the following, as

earthy referring not

the

The

dark places of

to the hiding-places of the persecuted

of the Maccabean period

pursued by

157

Mace,

i^^ 2^^'^-^

which they were

to

enemies and cruelly cut down, and thus

their

justify-

ing the supplementary statement dwellings of violence, but to the

lands of exile where Israel was, as

it

were, in the Sheol of national

death, away from the light of the divine countenance, and exposed
in their

21.

weakness to the cruelty of their enemies.

the crushed

||

afflicted

and poor^

The

Let not

nation had been crushed

by the destruction of Jerusalem and the misery of the Exile. In

their affliction and poverty they resort to their God for deliverance
if

they plead that they

may

away

not turn

On

unrecognised, unanswered, or refused.

them praise Thy name],

temn it v.^^

O plead Thine own

with His own,
forget not

Thee],

22-23.

arise,

immediate interposition,

God/], a still
cf. 9^ lo^l

cause], the cause of His people was identical

and
up continually], of a

as expressed in the voice, aloud in boldness

and indeed

defiance,

for

Remember (cf. v.^^) and its antithesis

43^
are resumed in the climax.
the reproach of

cf.

(v.^^)

cf. v.^^,

enemies who con-

in antithesis with the

Syn. couplets.

Str. III.

more importunate plea

confounded'], as

the contrary, let

as

roar, going

the

tumultuous assembly of angry and vindictive as well as iinpudent

ones

II

Thine adversaries

psalmist, in his

||

those

who

rise

The

up against Thee.

emphatic assertion that they were God's enemies,

moment

has lost sight for the

were also enemies of the

that they

people of God.
1.

expostulation

nrj^;']

(^^).

a-inSN]

so

v.^'^-

1^-

22^

prob.

original.

f ?^^ vb. denom. Qal smoke, elsw. of mountain Ex. 19I8 Pss. 104^2 1446; cf. Ps. 80^ (without fjN).
^n'*;'"''? yi^^'f^ fiock
23I Ez. 34^1, of. Ps. 95"^.
of Thy shepherding ; phr, elsw. Pss. 791^ loo^

a risx t^r] phr. elsw. Dt. 291^.

Je.

["i"';;"^^]

Je.

io2i.

"-f*

2.

pasturage Ho. 13^

elsw.
nDT]

Is.

Qal imv. 2 m. {8^), so

249^ Je. 25^6;

v.i8-22^

by meton.

y?<?<r/&

of Ps.

characteristic

r;''jp] Qal pf. 2 m.

% ^^^ vb. get, acquire, of God (all poetic), (i) by creation
or origination 139I3 Gn. 14I9.22 Dt. 32^ Pr. 8^2; (2) by redemption, here,

as Ps. 78^* Ex. 15I6

Is.

nil.

other mngs. not in

- 51I9,

cf.

Is.

n^DVD] phr. a.X., but

cf.

vb. with n^ Ex. 17II (E)

from

Je.

10I6

63".

nr]

i/'.

q-'^ni \^y<^

relative, as 78^* \o\^'^^.

Nu. 20" (P)

^^^\\
i.

K.

gl.

^r^yy^'\-p^

Ii26.27^^

PSALMS

158
with Sjn Gn. 41** (E)
here, so

U 5

vb. unexpressed.
Tb.%

Nirj (i), cf. Jb. 13II

deceive {S5^^)

f.

a good sense as rsr::

only giving

it

the whole

as

Thy

which

and

This makes better

and follow

better to go farther than Ehr.

it is

1.

T\r::^'\-:y

11.

and so render

The

everlasting dignity.
rel.

rather in a principal clause giving statement of fact.

clause.

y"!^"*^"]

clause, rel. omitted,

rel.

but as that

So

beguile^

Nir'j

with previous

parall.

pn*^ elevation^ dignity,

footsteps exalted to

closely with previous

it

k-nX

(5 in the interp. of riNttD^,

used absolutely, as 8" 145^^, and eniph. with vb. in

'73 is

has

we might render

so

glossator thus adds to each tetrameter a syn. trimeter in

which then connects

^ow

^nu) both from

(for

Ehr. proposes to take

gl.

in rel. clause with y2^;\i as subj.

" which Thy footsteps exalted."

Then

a late

is

dub.

tj'^'S

v.'-^

dissipata est interprets from

1.

x"Ms

interprets from srj as Niph.

f)(t>avlad-q

The

Jb. 322-.

cf.

as Hiph. pf. 3

Ps. 94^.

has rds

^T^J^y all glosses interp. of the obj. of

in stiperbias eorum, as

20^ 3i23;

cf. Is. 331*^

prep., pi. [nNrc], elsw.

"i

=U

airwv

Hiph. imv. cohort, on.

is

sublimitas

n^Niyc^]

VTrepr)(()avias

Sb D^Vpn;:'::

vb.

qo;%

improb. the vb.

is

sf. 2 m.
n.m. (i) appointed time 75^ 102^* 104^^ so here t^s ^opr^s aov
t (2) appointed place of assembly Zp. 3I8 La. 2*. Many codd. MT., so ^T, Ki.,
rd. pi. here as v.^ Sn ^-i^v^rs Sr; 3 omnes solemnitates dei ; (S ras iopras Kvplov

is

4.

^I^V"^-]

Jtra

without

There

^:!.

rirs Dr'p^N

avrdv

arjueia

in (gs.

6", but

not in

ns

ovk eyvwcrav.

though

reason to think of synagogues in

sufficient

is

arjfxela kuI

only Nu. 2^ (P)

mng.

no

is

This

-1::^].

v;"]^

Most think of religious symbols.

But in that case this 1. is not suited

nS.

elsw.

so

OT.

cf.

S^c.

axe, elsw. Ju. 9*8

sequence, so now.

But

vvv 5^,

or stone

But
axe.

K.

(5 rds

v.^.

^ffcvro to.

elsw.

is

to the context.

>":v]

6.

can hardly refer to the

@s.R. T+ r^.
not in (3^.
It

It is

needed

for

measure.

has ws here as in next clause, but

But @N'c.a.R.a.T

in introitu ; these rd. no::.

U sicut in exitu. % ^t^*t?]

^^^' ^'P- ^P'^'cird a.\. ^, but common

T13D3] prep. 3 with t [l^p] n.[m.] thicket, elsw. Je. 4^;

n.[m.] idem Gn. 22^^,

cf. r\yQ

This also

with Hiph. ptc. N12.

:?

interp. before c/j rT]v etaoSov

?^o5ov

noteworthy.

manifesta prob. gives the true mng.

NOicr] prep.

n. r.

inf.

The mng. standards

(6j^).

the word.

is

mg.

PBV., JPSV., and many adopt this

This best explains the repetition of

after 3, Calv.,

Niph. impf. >n>; 3 sg. for 3 pi.

enemies of the previous context.

ab.

i^iKo\//av

nunc.

629 Xc.

oiJt^s

Bvpa.<i

r^^s'rv:.]

et

pi. Is. 9^^ lo^i.

1320.21 jg. ^e^s.

S.

i>*"ij,

n^nine]
Ex. 2811n^n^c, so

so &,

pi. sf.
21- so

U.

Qr.

Ba. rds.

P';ji

f'!'''''^?

14. so

[^TjrJ n.[m.]
T\r\i\ temporal
Pu., as

n.m. engraving

2 Ch.

^^'4l\ o.X.,

Assyrian kalappatu,

a.\. n.[f.] axe,

pi. t
;

Kt.

n;:i]

V.
f.

396.

niDT^n]

6.

2^- 13;

Is. 9.

oxx

metal

so here, as 3.

Aramaic loan word, ^DB.

^DB.

I^^'^!!:]

Qal impf.

3 pi. fuller form | [3^'^] vb. smite with hammer Ju. 520 ; fig. Ps. 141^; so here
with axe.
V.^-^ give two hexameters, a gl. to the tetrameter poem.
7. in'^f']

Pi. pf.

pi. c. 3

2 K. 8^2^

instrument and ace. of obj. against which

word seems

rb ayiaari^pLdv cov.

Qal impf.

pi.

with

sf.

be missing.

to
I'^'Sn

pi.

}'>>{';]

nr

"':'';7-]

phr. 89*'^

cf.

3
La.

cf.

Ju.

i^

20^^

sanctiiarium tuum,
22.

8.

crj]

dub.

oppress 17^^ 123*, so Sb i3ij Ki., AE., Hu.^,

PSALM LXXIV.

but

more correct;

d^ov

7-0O

Zevre

68'^

i.p.

f IN ^'^

(^2); but rd.

Sn n3;iD] 2 Kup^ov,
(@).
Qal pf. 3 m., so 3, 2, 0,

141!'^

v.*.

z^.

on>j3.

Ba. ^n;]

so Hi.,

isy^']

Kar air a^ixx 00 fiev, which Jerome supposed to be

/cat

ad Sun.

for KaTaKavcrwjjLev (ep. 106

posteri eorum,

1422;

Is.

alone (in exile) as 251^

T^n; solitary,

but @>5-R-T

a-vyyevla avrCov,

ij

Gn. 2i23 Jb. i8i9

offspring, as

Quinta,

but

De., Bi.;

159

But

46), so Sexta.

et Fret. c.

err.

It

"i:3ij.

would reappear in
The text of @, S', was not the same as that of f^ and other Vrss. The
v.^.
use of 2d pers, for God in the Ps. favours @ that *? should be in words of
is

improbable that burning, which has been mentioned

enemy.

more

Ehrt, Moll, suggest

prob.,

^/"Ss,

2 pers. for
gl.,

La. 5^^

cf.

<f^

Is.

N03]

in the Ps.

so also no~n;; dittog.

elsw. 822 943, pf. 80^.

10.

But the

sf.

Then

name.

"]j''?2"'

The

first

1.

so

first,

3;

so

pi.,

only 512

\p

II.

but

of

(title) 105^^;

until when, hotv long, v.^;

"'r'^~"^v]

parall.

\r\iv^ is itself

sf.

latter is against the use

This expostulation begins Part

which gives better

1.,

ns with

u.m. prophet, elsw.

the second noun an intensification of the

next

But

ns'^.

^731

prep,

iJnN]

9.

fJ, riN def. ace. with

God

for >nyiD

\r\y:f err.

24^

v.'^,

11.

impf.

c.

:ti;]

q;.''D'>l

attaches

rirrs^

to

lacks a word, prob. the divine

ace. instrument with ns^ Pi. imv. nSj {18^^), cf. 59^*.

is

This was prob. changed by Maccabean editor from an original nSop, which
gives better parall.

BDB.

t[-Ti3]

divide.

3irjn

dragon, as
Je. 5

here

is

'^'n'^]

Is.

27^ 51^,

nin^s] Poel

13.

Red

in the

of Egypt,

Ez. 29^ 32^;

chiefs

Sea.

271-1;

14.

tyi'i-\\

Pi. pf.

(2) sea monster, whale, Ps. 10426;

dragon Jb. 3^.

This v. is a doublet of previous 1. and
"i:3nn] Qal impf. 2 m. pj with sf. 3 m. sg
The impf.

prob. expresses purpose.

yelpers, jackals,

of Babylon

The reference
who were over-

2 m. J [rxi] vb. a.X. ^ crtcsh

n.m. (i) river monster, crocodile, Jb. 40^^, prob. here fig.

I^^l'?]

cf. Is.

C"'^i-^]

But

y2^.

cf.

(g

is

(3) mythological
doubtless a gl.

in the

midst of

prep, of late style for genitive,

';'

XaoFs roTs kWio-^iv,

7*,

than as a
16. ovn^]

that the pious in the future age

festal

Qal

meal

pf. 2

m.

so

would receive the

1416 (P) Ps. 7813, so here j^r, the earth 141'.

n.m. spring, source, elsw.

torrent, brook (18^).
adj. elsw. as

ing, not in

This

Xa(^ t(? k<jx-'^^'

1. is

rn^ vb. Qal cleave, break open, lis

p>N

1/',

104IO

n^^il']

Pi. cleave

1148, but

phr. a.X.,

cf.

84^

and QV?

'vS

Sn]

flesh of

the sea Ex.

7%^^.

(dub.).

Am.

Baba

Levia-

also a late gl.

Is. 4821,

rock Ps.

87^^

pfs.

poptilo Aethioptim.

Aq., Quinta, %, refer oy to the Jews in accordance with the legend of

bathra

m.

split,

(2) crocodile or

dj-^ '^2^^;

cf.

pf.

Poel only here,

and the heads of the monster are the

to Egypt,

in pieces.

r^n n.m. (i) serpent, 91^3

of Egypt, so here as

fig.

241^;

Is.

The change

phr. a.X. worker

hys']

r\'^y'Y^'>

(3) sea monster, as whale Gn. i^i Jb. 7^2 Ps. 148".

3*;

whelmed

Qal and Hithp.

(SS. niD);

12.

Kt., err. for rip;n Qr. (jj-'^).

:ii";ln]

to 3 pers. between 11. of 2 pers. indicates a gl.

of victories for usual 'i'"' r)\i>-j i S. 14*^ Is. 26^^.

% r^yo]

Vm]

52* Dt. 21*.

i.p.

J in^K

ever flowing Ex. 142^ (J) i K. 82; other sen?.Q permanent, endur^
16. J "i^xij] n.m. lu?ninary, usually of both sun and moon,

\p.

here followed by

tt'Ctt'.

although Now. thinks

it

It

seems necessary to think of the moon, as ,

moon and stars ; cf. 90^ of God's face

collective for

PSALMS

l6o
as a luminary.

17.

T^s KTlaeibs

E.

in

gl.

Israel

(J) Zc. 14*.

T^.n]

n.m.

18. rsi] so 3 ; ^^ has

29^
<Tov, but not ^^'^.
nin'] though sustained by @, 3, must be a
Moreover, it makes 1. too long.
S^rar] phr. elsw. Dt. 32* of
3^*^

Je. 362^^ Pr. 20* Jb,

but

8^2

Gn.

phr. elsw,

l-'.ni y;,-;]

Am.

harvest timcy elsw.

'':>2}

14I

v.22

19.

impttdenty shameless.

532 Dt. 32^1

^u)

('j

heathen as

to the

all refer

S prep, with r^n repeated in next

r_'n'|']

It is

1.

impossible to give these words the same mng. in both cases, for Ihierleitt,
De., though tempting, has no support in usage.

have

r-'v!^,

making

stood by MT., for

to point
:in;n]

for

^ as well as

The

n'^^n.

It is elsw.

other nn

for Israel,

Hiph. impf. 2 m.

3 eruditam

This seems most prob.

(//2) teach the law.

20.

prob. that

n^n in the sense of

is cstr.

but there

only for image of timidity.

Jitentes tibi, so ,S, ^T'"i

Seventeen codd. de Rossi

It is

7\>t^.

it

3, translate by wild beast.

(5,

endearing name

|^, thy dove,

it.

stronger form for

it

m>

life,

no

it is

78^'^

as

easier

143^.

Biblical authority

i^ofwXoyovfx^vTjv aoi,

with

{v. Intr. 39)

lege tiia ; 2,
{y. 2j^0) (3

n''-!^':']

is

was so under-

But

U con-

sf.

2 m.

C, ^^n Hiph. impf. 2 m.

has

sf.

aov, but

it is

n-\>

doubtless

This gives no good sense in the context, and to connect it with is'^d
and so get good measure is difficult. Rd. with Du. r'^na for ^^<''^.^ /at persons,
interp.

cf. 73*.

iNSn'ti]

agrees with rv-\2;

cf. lo"^.

v:?'np]

(1) darh, secret place, where the wicked hide

3*.

22.

DV.T':':)]

prob.

is

as

gl.,

it

only be explained as designed for an additional tone before Sa:.

Qal

ptc.

n*?;',

Ps. 75

is

(v.-),

23.

nVy]

relative clause without the usual article agreeing with \\\w.

PSALM
deeds

fHt'O? n-m.
so here;

Is. 29^^;

way Is. 42^*; (3) Sheol Pss. 88'^- ^^ 143*

makes 1. too long with "-jr, which can

(2) dark region, where one loses the

La.

pi. cstr.

and work

LXXV., 6 m?. 3^

a song of thanksgiving to God for

citing an oracle in

all

which God Himself

His wondrous

tells of

an ap-

pointed time of judgment (v.'^), warns the boasting wicked (v.^')

that help cannot come from any quarter

drain to the dregs the cup of judgment
all that

lifted

the wicked will eventually be

up

(v.^"^),

(v^)

hewn

that they must

and declares once for

off,

but the righteous

(v.^^").

^E

God,
on Thy name,
Thy wondrous deeds.

give thanks to Thee,

We give thanks and call

Tell of
4

VVHEN
I

(all)

take an appointed time,

in equity

The

SAY

judge:

and

its

to the boasters

And

Do

earth

inhabitants melt away.

:

'Boast not

'

Lift not up the horn.

wicked
not speak arrogantly against the Rock.'

to the

'

PSALM LXXV.
a

pOR not from the East or from the West,

And

not from the wilderness or from the mountains.

God

Verily,

it

about to judge,

is

pOR a cup with red wine

of

It is full

Yea,
<c

l6l

"yERILY

He

mixed wine, and

extends

it

dregs they will drain out.

its

declare forever.

That the horns of the wicked I will hew off

But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up."
;

Ps. 75

originally a "it, as indeed

was

% then

is

evident from v.^

which

was taken up

It

was assigned rn'^n *?

The Ps., apart from the first Str., is an
(z/. Intr. 24, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34).
The author was evidently familiar
oracle of God, in five trimeter tristichs.
with the song of Hannah i S. 2 (?'. v.^-^). The use of the cup of the wine
into

and 3^,

into fH, 15,

in

latter

it

of God's wrath to be drained by His enemies v.^ is as Je, 25^^ 49I2 La. 4^'^
51^^ Ez. 23^^^^ Hb. 2^6.
The phrs. worthy of note are v.^, lyi^n npN a.X.,

Is.

cf.

102I*;
is

v.ii D-'jip jnj

good old

>Dii<

for

'in

v.^*i;

larged from

phr. a.X., but

'<r:DB late
2"^;

S.

cf. Is.

There are several

syntax.

v.^'^,

usage of the vb;

amplification;

use of d^hSn, might be preexilic.

praise to

Him

for Plis

v.^",

v.^*^^,

The

and interrupting the divine words.

God and

45^ Ps. 107I6.

V.^

->3m

consec. impf.

glosses, chiefly of intensification

doublet of

praise in

v.^*;

sg. for

pi.

Ps. is ancient, and, apart

v.*^,

en-

v.^^,

of Ps,,

from the

written in a calm tone of confidence in

It is

wonders.

It

implies a peaceful condition of

the community, probably in Babylonia prior to Nehemiah.

Str. I.

call

sis
II

Syn. triplet.

JVe give thanks\ repeated for

2.

on Thy name'], so

to the context.

"

Thy name

placement of a single

U,

(!l,

letter,

is

and

<S,

Dr., Kirk.,

near," of J^, 3, rests

is an anomalous phr.

explain, especially in this context, whether

as for help or for presence.

wondrous

deeds'], celebrate

we

In the climax,

them

empha-

well suited

al.,

upon

dis-

difificult

to

Tell

name "
of all Thy

These

are, as the

think of "

in a song.

oracle indicates, deeds of impending judgment.

Str. II.

Synth

triplet.

God Himself speaks the

the Ps. The " appointed
2^;

3.

Wheii

lake

oracle which takes

time "

is

an appointed time].
up the remainder of

the time of judgment,

so RV., JPSV., and most moderns.

receive the congregation," though a possible

suited to the context.

I in

earth

and

its

Hb.

rendering,

is

not

equity Judge], as the context indi-

cates, in distributive justice, giving equitable

wicked and vindication

cf.

PBV., AV., "when

punishment

to the righteous, cf. 9^ 58^ 98^.

to the
4.

7'he

inhabitants melt away], panic-stricken, in terror,

PSALMS

62

wicked,

The

Ex. 15" Pss. 46^ 107^.

cf.

glossator adds

38* ^'^-

S.

reference

is

them as
God.

evidently to

v", in antithesis with the righteous people of

cf.

2^

//

is

I that have

It therefore

adjusted

depends

24^ Jb.

its pillars'], cf.

entirely

upon God whether

the earth shall remain stable and unshaken, or not.

III.

Str.

a syn.

is

triplet.

5.

say

the boasters

to

wicked], a warning to the enemies of His people,

as expressed

112^
ing
Str.
self-

6.

This

"horn"

to

is

lift

the

not],

not up the horn], in

cf. i S. 2^-^

and supremacy;

Pss.

89^^^ 92"

interpreted by a glossator in dittog. by enlarg-

"your horn," and "hft up"

complete without

is

by the external gesture,

self-conscious dignity

||

Boast

it.

The chmax

exaltation appears in the warning

Do

"on

to

The

high."

of this boasting and

?iot

speak arrogantly].

This, ace. to J^, J, EV'., is expressed by the "neck"; but the

rendering, against the Rock], suggested by (, is followed by most

moderns and
of

is

doubtless correct, especially because of the relation

this Ps. to the

Str. IV.

the

is

Song of Hannah

a synth.

triplet.

7.

S. 2^-^, cf.

For

Dt. 32^-37

Hb.

i".

notfro7n the East or from

West], the two antithetical quarters, complemented by noi

from

the wilderfiess, the southern quarter,

or from the mountains,

the northern quarter, thus embracing the four quarters to exclude

many

all.
The interpretation of AV., RV., JPSV., with
ancients and moderns, finding in the form the predicate "

them

lifting

up," is improbable ; as is also that of @, J, U, and most moderns,

" mountainous wilderness."
Both of these leave the northern
quarter unmentioned.

The statement

of Kirk., that

of the Assyrian approach from that quarter,

mistaken view of the date of the

case.

It

is

Ps.,

and

is

is

it is

because

involved in a

unsatisfactory in any

words of the

usually supposed that these are the

psalmist, excluding help for Israel from every quarter but

But

God.

and V. really is in close connection with both, and continues the warning of God to the wicked
enemies that no help can come to them from any quarter their
judgment is about to begin.
8. Verily God is about to judge],
this Str. intervening

between

III.

glossator inserts from

S.

2^"

a statement of distributive judg-

ment the one He putteth down, the other He lifteth

making the Str. overfull, and really interrupting the
:

nection of the previous clause with the following

Str.

up, a line

close con-

PSALM LXXV.

163

9. For a cup with red wine],

Str. V. is a stairlike triplet.
the most probable reading, instead of " that foameth," of MT., a

term used only here of wine and dubious in

hand of Yahweh, without

but

doubt, as

was not necessary to say

it

one used

in this Ps.,

The

this.

was

It

itself.

in the

evident from the context;

is

divine

name

is

not the

and the insertion impairs the measure.

full of mixed wine],

5^^ Pr. 9^-^

//

Herbs and
spices of various kinds were used to make it more stimulating and
intoxicating.
and He extends it]. God hands it out to the
wicked to drink. This is the most probable explanation of an
Aramaism which is rendered in EV'., '' He poureth out." " Of it
is

cf.

Is.

Ps. 102^*^.

is

an explanatory addition of a glossator at the expense of the

enlarged in (^, S, iJ, into " of this ... of that," thinking
;

measure

of two different cups.

preted by the gloss, "

without need

"

common

is

Str.

VI.

Verily

10.

It was,

single

cf.

line

also given

is

given to the wicked to

by an

followed

first

jireq.^
^ ^7 jg ^

Bq.

couplet.

antith.

God

person as

and accordingly a

God

to the

of Jacob,
first

as

wicked I will hew

cf.

was inserted

||

"I

vb. into

will

His eternal purpose

off],

will

antithesis

suggested,

ijn"in]

39) cf.

rejoice."
is

That

6voiJ.d (Tou

^I^D.

5>

= i::c'3

3 m.; so

has

Ba., Kau.,

Hiph.

3
I

y-\\)

pi. in

inf. abs.

so

3.

That

and, in

the righteous shall be lifted up], as

when

3; but

Nip with

dirjyifiaoiJLai,

both cases.

ptc. ^N-;p.

measure, so Che.

bis;

pi.

^''"'I'Zl]

but (S has

We.,

pf.

qr::^

11.

the horns of

by a sudden and violent blow against

But the horns of

by God Himself.

79^^.

make

81 2, which then occasioned in (

them, when hfted up by the wicked themselves, v.^

pf.

The

Str. II., III.

however, interpreted by a glossator as the words of Israel

the change of the

2.

continued and

an everlasting decree, an unchangeable purpose.

is

which God declares

the

God

11^ 60^ Je. 25^^"^ 49^2

declare fo?'ever], the words of

in public worship,

melody

and whose subject

of the wrath of

in OT.,

brought to their climax in the

declaration

dregs they will drain out], inter-

its

the wicked of the earth," both at the expense of

The cup

the measure.

drink

all

Yea,

will drink,"

sq. V only of ritual

phr. a.X. dub.;

2 prep, interp. as

worship

{(f).

'^^o n;?s""-] phr. a.X.;

{v. Intr.

^iriKaXeabfxeea rb
pi. pf.

nsp]

narrabimus, also interp.

Street, Du.,

ti^p^xS.^)]

is

Pi.

inf. abs.

would rd. i pi. Dy., Gr., Oort,

add Sd, which gives better

(S, Sb,

temporal as @,

cf.

102^*

PSALMS

64

tasrs

'D H2.

on'iTin]

CJ^CJ] Niph. ptc.

4.

as 58^,

cf.

98^

W(f//

pi. a.\. J1D

Ex. 151^; in Qal 46', Hithp. 10726.

c.

in uprightness, equity, v. 9^.

2,

away,

of

fig.

panic-siricken,

if^xvox,

cf.

form instead of ^jn v.^-iO;

prob. betrays another hand.
"n.Jsn] Pi. pf. f P'"^ Qal weigh, prove, Pr. 16^
Niph. (i) be weighed I S. 2^; (2) <^^ r/]^/// of conduct Ez. iS^^-^*
2i2 24I2.
33I7.20.
Pi. (j) yjgjg/i jb. 2825;
(2) measure Is. 40I'-'; (3) prob. late, set

right, adjust. Is. 40^^ (?),so here.

pillars, %

its

f.

pillars

9I,

so
6.

V.6;

Pu. be weighed, 2 K. 1212.

column of smoke

Ps. 99'^,

n>-i.iD>]

pi. sf.

without neg. interp. as subordinate

otherwise Sn was originally with the vb.

arrogant ; elsw.

7.

^7""]

11.

%,%;

so

innr be

the second

^><J'?]

original,

but ,

Karh

'^,

mountainous

nowhere else connected with the neck,

which was in the mind of this

94^;

used in

is

S. 22-3,

[m.] West Pss. 103^2 107^

@^-RTj U,

but

j/^

S. 2^ Pss.

and improb.; whereas mx

if

= mxj, so Cap., Oort, Ba., Hu.^, Kau., Du., Dr., BDB. prv] /reward,

Tov 6ov

Baer

of heaven Jb. 26", of Wisas Ex. i3-i- 2-2 Q) j^ j usually of

9*^,

supporting house, or of column or pillar standing apart.

5. \-\p ic">->r]
11, cf. 18^ 8918- 25 92II 112^.
The repetition in next 1. is doublet and gl.

""^319]

poet.

full

n.m. here of earth, so Jb.

ti::>'

dom's house Pr.

^pjx]

Is.

43^ 456 5919

and most moderns,

South, but ^ omits znn.

3, Ginsburg,

7vilderness

of the

_|-.

so

-lair:]

with

onn

It is best, after

Ew.,

n^-jr;

cstr.

with We., Du., to rd. either onm or D''->'ir\

If author in middle Palestine or
Galilee, " the mountains " would be the North ; so also if in Babylonia.
The
predicate

is

found by

RV., JPSV.; but

supply in thought
1.

is

based on

n:3% cf. i2ii-2.

ijiTjr
2'^

usually, as
">::n

and

is

^DB. = which

to

be

rd. t

al.,

'^;;n

8.

9.

<"ir"i;.]

Pi.

"ip?:] n.

mixture

I02i'^ls. 522 1914 Pr^ ^2. 5^so prob. here.

maism,
so &,

nip] so 3, referring

v. dj^^.

U, thinking of two

nn'^r]

pi, sf. 3

Ez. 7*1; but here a

(n)'^"'jN

is

gl.

["*!??']

11,

God

\pi2"':'3"i].

X v"*^.

phr- -^\

only have

God

The

n.m. dregs of wine,

lees,

as

n-\r:TS,
I|

al.

11911^, prob. also

elsw,

10.

-i"'jx]

The

3pr ^nSs]
making

impf.

though not used elsw.

i

sg.

1.

too long.
Is.

(It)

pp

452,

cf.

ij:,

in

here instead of

{20"^) 468- 12

^ut hew off bars of iron

as subj.

gl.

f ^?? vb. Qal

i^^ 58 Ps. 73I0 (?);

"'>a'n"S3]

S^i is gl.,

vb. Ara-

cases an interp.

23^* Is. 51I'.

638

v.s.

["^^J]

f.

of wine

force,

irT^'\

speaks as

but Di3

mix

(S ^k roirov els tovto

ixr;]

well suited to

3 m.

IDo

Hiph. impf. t

wine ; but
It is in all

here otvov iKpd-

pf.

striking, but the latter half of v. is not suited to context

original Ps.

f.

Qal

v^^yf\

a.X.; but vb. t

-iv]]

to the

different cups.

Houb., Lowth., Street, Oort, Ehr.,

is

This

the other.

Qal impf. 3 m. modal

Niph. Lv.
Ez.
ins
loi^
phr.

Hiph,
with the vb.

6.

drain out dregs, elsw. Ju.

isp^ n^, as 73'"*.

(5 here

but

f , referring to the cup.

Je. 48^1 Zp. 1^2 Is. 256-

has

n.m. wine or red wine Dt. 32^*.

subj.

Rd.

God

the one

AV.
we have to

up, so

lift

foams, only here of wine and dub., of waters 46*;

U vini meri, Aq. ava-TTjpov, 3 vino vieraco.

s'7?

en

nin> n"'^]

Tov,

pf

inf.

aposiopese, and

is

though in @, 5F, must be gl.

of accompaniment |"i.
"^in] Qal, rel. clause

gl.

ann, Hiph.

in

The sentence

improb.

Dn was followed by

in IE.

prob.

S.

Hu., Dy.,

Ki.,

this is

and

pi,
is

so

Hare,

of

gl.

v,2

in

76? 8i2-6 (t^).

J?7.-'?]

vb. Pi. impf.

Ps. 107^^

This can

PSALM LXXVI.

PSALM
was a

Ps. 76

LXXVI.,

3 STR. 6\

song, celebrating an ancient victory of

over enemies in Jerusalem

known

165

itself,

in the destruction of the instruments of

glorious in

making the enemies

Yahweh

where He made His greatness

war

(v.^"^)

became

sleep their last sleep (v.^'^), awe-

inspiring in judgment upon enemies and in salvation of His people

(v.*"^*^).

gloss calls upon all to praise

Him

and to bring

their wrath,

Q.OD made

presents

Himself known

In Israel His

in

name became

Him

in festival even in

(v.^^"^^)

Judah;
great:

And His covert was in Salem,

And His lair was (put) in Zion.
He brake tlie flashings of the bow,
Shield and sword and battle.

JLLUSTRIOUS

art

Thou, (O God),

Glorious from the (everlasting) mountains.

The

stout-hearted slept their (last) sleep,

And

the men of war did not find (spoil).

At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Chariot and horse fell into a deep sleep.
^WE^INSPIRING art Thou, (O God)
And who can stand before Thine anger ?
From heaven Thou didst let Thy sentence be heard.
The land feared, and it was quiet,

Ps. 76
IE

and

was

When God

arose to judgment.

To

the afflicted of the land.

save

originally a

MlSi, in

which

It was taken up into '^ and fH, then into

was given the musical direction r^rn2 {v. Intr.
It is composed of three trimeter hexastichs and a

i"*^.

latter

it

24, 29, 31, 32, 23f 34)gloss of

much

all

later date, v.^^-^^^

rating a signal victory of

over Sennacherib.

resembles Pss. 46, 48, of H; in commemoover the enemies of His people, probably

Yahweh

was probably written in Babylonia in the time of the

encouragement of the people by reference to their

It

early Restoration, for the

a^r

ancient history,

name

v.^ as

dependence, but probably a

of the
poetry:
8i2. 5.

compound
>-i-in

n;?

y^^

,,jy

tz^Z''\-\\

v.^
L,3

Aramaism

as 6880

87.

141**,

does not imply

traditional explanation of the last part

In the original Ps. the terms are those of early

36;

v_M as Zp.

iS'^mtt'N v.6,
Is.

Hb.

of Jerusalem, elsw. Gn.

common

3S n>3N

2^.

The

for i'7'7in!rn;

?xg

v.s,

as Is. 46^2.

^p^.,

,,^l,j<

^1^ ^s 75IO

glosses contain evidence of later date

v.^,

as Ru.

2'^,

explan. gl.;

>a'

i^ia-" v.i^,

PSALMS

66
Str.

Three

I.

reflexive, as

syn. couplets.

JPSV.

on a

2-3.

God ?riade Hi?nself known\

historic occasion, probably the defeat

army of Sennacherib, cf. 48^, His name became great\

made famous by victory, cf, 48- yy^**.
in Judah
in
Israel\ still more closely defined by Saiefn, poetic term for Jerusalem, cf. Gen. 14^,
Zion.
These were His covert~\ \ His lair;
of the

||

celebrated,

II

probably in the
Judah,

cf.

sense, conceiving of

literal

Is. 31^,

||

although

temple as a refuge and

this

shelter.

word
4.

God

as the lion of

used in Ps.

is

was put'],

2 7* for

the

so most probably,

as measure requires, attaching the form to the previous context,

and not " there," as adv. emphatic of MT. and Vrss., making this
The difference in Hebr. is only one of interpretaline too long.

tion of the original unpointed text.

ing an enemy, taking from

He brake],

as one overcomweapons and breaking them

flaslmigs of the bow], the arrows

him

his

Ho. 2^.
the
compared with lightning flashes, elsewhere conceived
as the arrows of God, Ps. i8^^
To these are added shield and
swordf and, in a summary statement, battle, by meton. for the
weapons of war used in battle.
Str. II. Syn., antith., and synth. couplets.
5. Illustrious art
in pieces, cf. 46^
in their flight

Thou], lighted up, enveloped with glorious

with

v.^.

frojn

light
||

the everlasting mountains], so

Hb.

(!^,

glorious syn.

syn. Zion

misinterpreted by J^ and
other Vrss. as " mountains of prey," which then is variously explained as " more than the mountains of prey," AV. ; " than the
Dt. 33^^

cf.

v.^,

hills

of the robbers,"

3^ Pss. 87^ iio'^;

PBV.

or,

more properly, "coming down

from mountains of prey," RV., JPSV., as the seat of victory or

This interpretation occasioned the gloss, " are spoiled,"
booty.
beginning of the next

at the

and

is

in itself

6-7.

v.,

an Aramaism of

which makes the

later use

The stout-hearted], the brave

the veterans trained for war,

||

chariot

line too long

than the date of the Ps.

warriors,

and

||

mefi of

war,

horse, personified for

the most effective division of an ancient army, in which the greatest warriors always rode.
field

God vanquished and

of battle, and so they slept their last sleep

sleep], that

spoil,

||

fell into

of death as distinguished from natural sleep.

death of the warriors has as

is,

slew them on the

as Ju. 5^.

This

its

is

antithesis they

all

that the

a deep

The

did not find], that

measure allows; but a

PSALM

I.XXVI.

glossator has otherwise explained

it

167

by inserting "

and "their hands" either

size the warriors,

" to

all

empha-

as the obj. of the vb.

to emphasize the paralysis of their strength, AV., RV., or as a

vb., "

secondary subj. of the

with their hands,"

rebuke\ as expressed not merely

judgment,

God

the

God

Three synth. couplets.

Str. III.

quered, syn.

v.^

PBV.

at Thy

deeds of divine

of Jacob\ the endearing name of

of the father of the nation,

and even

inspiring awe, fear,

cf.

in words, but in

as

Awe-inspirhig art Thoti],

8.

He

enemies

has con-

before Thine anger?'], imply-

This has been

none.

God

81^ ^

terror in the

Who can stand

ing a negative answer

cf.

enlarged

by a

by EV^, by the insertion of a temporal

glossator in J^, followed

particle "

when once," which involved the separation of the prep,

noun and forced the translation " before Thee when once
Thou art angry?" all of which is at the expense of the measure
9-10. From
and lacks the simplicity and force of the original.
from

its

Though Jerusalem,

heaven], emphatic in position.

is

God

the place where

heaven, and from thence

appears in judgment.

the capital city,

manifests His glory, yet His throne

He

terrifies

Thou didst

let

Thy

in

is

His adversaries when

He

sentence be heard], of

condemnation, as manifested in the sound of thunder, terrifying

enemy and overcoming them

the

ment]

to decide

demn and

visit

the afflicted

by the enemy.

the

enemy

v.""^'\

still

11.

is,

it

was

appropriate conclusion here

but a later

more general and practical conclusion,

Let wrath against men
remainder of wrath],

editor, wishing to give

that

after

all

afflicted

Judah and Jerusalem ;

quiet] had peace
the destruction of the enemy.
that

its

To save

God who had been

The landfeared],
afid

Ps. reached

arose to judg-

their enemies, to con-

with the death penalty, and

from the disturbances of war

added

When God

||

of the land], the people of

the fear of awe before their God.

The

between His people and

it

||

remaining against the enemies after the greater part of

had been expended

mind

in gratification at their destruction.

In

it

this

\hem praise Thee keep festival], in the celebraThis is the most natural interpretation of a difficult passage, in which 5^ and Vrss. greatly differ.
EV. follow J^,
which here is not so well grounded as (!5. In the first clause they
state of

let

||

tion of victory.

all

agree essentially in the rendering

" Surely the wrath of

man

PSALMS

68
Thee," that

shall praise

is,

the wrath of the enemies will by their

overthrow be turned into praise of

The

tory.

and explained.

and

translations of J^

and

rect in form,

through His glory in vic-

difficult,

Thou

gird

followed by Dr., Kirk.,

is

even as paraphrase.

as altogether mistaken

" the residue of wrath shalt

RV.

God

more
and is variously rendered
PBV. and AV. may be dismissed as unjustified

last clause is

upon Thee,"

al.

but

it

is

is

cor-

difficult

Is it God's wrath with which He girds Himself in His

to explain.
judgment of enemies? as JPSV. "when Thou girdest a remnant
with wrath"? Then "wrath" is used in two different senses in
Is it the wrath of the enemies, as in
parall., which is improbable.
the parall.? Then it is an awkward and unexampled conception,
Kirk, does not satisfy
that God should gird Himself with that.
" God girds on Himself as an ornament the
with his explanation
last futile efforts of human wrath, turning them to His own honour ;
or girds them on as a sword, making the wrath of His enemies to
:

presents']^ the former, Israel, to

characteristic of

D^

nations

and therefore

explained in 13.

all

of

round about Hi?n^ the neighbouring

to the Terrible One'], the

vindication of His people,

fully

1|

but heterogeneous to this Ps. and to

the latter all thai are

12.

Vow and pay bring

Yahweh your God, a term for God

minister to their final discomfiture."

fills

them with

fear

IVho taketh away\ so

one who, by His

and

terror, as

more

F, 3, which

(S,

is

more suited to the spirit, courage, of princes than the stronger

word of JIf, "cutteth off," or "loppeth short," which is used
nowhere else with " spirit," and seems inappropriate to this word.

a7ve-inspiring\, awe, fear, takes the place of courage,

is

the kings of the

earth\ the monarchs of

all

to

the nations round about

Israel.

^3.
>n"

"H^i]

pf.

so ^, Gr., Che.
elsw.

Gn.

last half

means

It

of the

';^>'i

Niph. ptc.

reflexive, as 48*, aorist referring to a particular event

has been generalised in |Q and Vrss.

f 3^V'] " P"^* l'^^-'
name for jvx in parall. here ; abbrev. from D*?tt'n', the

compound noun being

interpreted in this way.

however, that the Ps. depends on Gn.

that the reverse

"Tp

>"!'':

archaic

14^^;

certain,

Therefore

consec. impf. implies previous pf.

"I

should be

is

the case.

(5 ^v

elpifivr]

= i'"'"'}

improb.

It is

by no

It is quite possible

14^^.

"^s^d]

fully vi-ritten

3 sg. ['b] n.[m.] thicket, covert, lair, as icP, implying simile of lion.
4. '^^"] so
<pV%*r:j sf. 3 sg. X ->'"";? n.f. elsw. 1^, 104-^ of lair of wild beasts.
sf.

1^ and

Vrss., adv.

zt with n

local, as 122^;

but

it

makes

1.

too long,

and a

PSALM LXXVI.

169

needed for measure in previous 1. Rd. therefore nrt' Qal ptc. pass.
nu'l^ 'oun] phr. a.X. t^'f?. ri.m. Jiame of
and attach to previous v.
fire Ct. 8^ Jb. 5'^, fiery bolts of Yahweh bringing pestilence and death Dt. 32^*
!^^n^?] summary
Hb. 3^ Ps. 78*^; here of the piercing shafts of arrows.
statement in climax for nrnSo "''72"'7j; (S^ adds ^/ce? avvKKdaei ra K^para, but
(gB. ab. n. R. T^ and is doubtless a late gl.
It makes the Str. too
it is not in

word
f.

is

D^B'

long.

6.

Niph.

"I'^Nj]

niNO;

no

D^nSx

is

1">.tD

87I iio^

cf. 50^*^

by God

Ecker.

It

iiricpavTis,

>>"tn

|1

pf.

= decome

"11N

Aq.

n'^nj.

n-\ij

rd.

There

is

as v.^ after

majestic (8^) as 93*.

required for measure, and "ins begins the second line of

p,long form of nn (^6) for euphony,

prey 104^1 124^; (2) fig. food provided

phr. a.X.; prep.

*7.'?7^]
f]-}^ i.p.

']'}'9.

has here

11^.

lighted up,

3 lumen,

0wTi(r/i6s,

reason to rd. with Oort, Ba., Dr., Che., Ehr.,

sufficient

(po^epds.

lights

U illu??iinans = "\ixd

0wT/^eis,

the couplet.

should be

a.X. ptc. prob.

enveloped with glorious

n. (i)

aloiviojv

Hb.

ly {(f) as

seems prob. that a copyist substituted

3^,

p|TJ for

he interpreted in the sense oi prey, as Gn. 49^^ Zp.

interpretation occasioned the insertion of the vb.

so Oort, Hi., Ba,,

an original

3^ Is.

33'^^.

n>'

Hithpolel

'i'7!l';np'N]

6.

which
This

pf.,

Ara-

Heb. Ges.^* J SS^ vb. Qal spoil Hb. 2^ Is. lo^ Je.
50^*^ +
Hithp. elsw. Is. 59^^. This Aramaic form is good evidence that the
This is confirmed by O, which inserts a different vb., ^ravb. is a late gl.
These vbs. destroy the measure.
2S ''">;3n]
p(x^7?a-oj', another interp. gl.
maic form

for "C'n

~!:'N

phr. elsw.

Qal

pf.

pi.

mind

46^2^ stotit, valiant

Is.

--I J

(22^^), (3

vb. Qal only, ^e drozusy

sleep of death only here.

Is.

davperoi

ol

ico]

3!^;

of

''y;ji.

Na.

52^ 56^'^ Ps. I2i3-'*

^V^ ^^' ^^^'P (0 ^^ sleep at night

iNxr~xVi]
Pr. 6* Ec. 8^^+; (2) of sleep of death, here as Ps. 90^ Je. 51^^
This 1. is too long. The Sd with S;n i^ps is gl. of amplification, but this phr.
is

certainly original.

reaching the enemy,

Then

8i2.

5_

Di-ij]

Niph.
10^,

Jon. I^-^ Pr.

D1D1

ann*'

is

on*'"?.';

the vb.

is

as Ps. 21^, of the

both

gl.

only Niph.y^z//

stunned by dread Dn.

.

8^^

and ;

then the second

prob. an interp.

pf. 3 sg. t [s"'"']

The double

3p"("i].

is

^, but Ju. 3^^ 20**- ^^ Je. 48^^

It is a.X.

This must be taken as subj. of vb.

the action more closely.

sf.

07^^'] P^*

7.

for warriors.

subj., defining

hand

finding ouv,

'^?"'-\ ''^}'^^;]

a heavy

i^ito

as

75!'^
/^^^

sleep Ju.

of death only here.

10^;

but the sg. vb.

is

then improb.,

ol iTrL^e^rjKdrei roiis tirirovs rd.

and we should rather rd. 'Di "\ iDTi:,
DID >3pn -iDn";:, which is in itself more prob., cf. 'i^p'i} DiD Ex. 15I, Dicn 3;?^
n-i^j] o^nSx must be added for measure as in v.^
Am. 2I5.
8. nns
T J
T -

qsx Txa

ri-'jtpS].

(TT-qa-eTal aoL

may be
jd'?

is

gl.

This phr. with the vb. makes

dirb t-^s

also interp.

Qal (i) be
prob. here

6p7^s

interpreting

9.

(Tov,

Ti.sxr?

n;o^ri]

Qal

pf.

p
3

f.

have rbre

temporal, as
i.p.

0^

too long.

with

service

Is.

14'^

sf.

Txp

-^\i'^

Je. 30^

itself,

with

vb.
,

so

as enjoying

judgment upon enemies. The usual interp.

is not justified by usage
(2) rest, from
so of God as not helping Ps. %^.
Hiph. give rest from

enemy from fear

62^ Je. 47^,

The

coordinate.

quiet and peace after the divine

as stillness of the

dvTL-

j^as

also after dirb.

732'>.

with none to disturb Ju. 3^1 5^1 Is.

the }nN, as in v.^^^, referring to the holy land

qtiiet, still,
;

*^- ^' '^

but (S^-

as with

1.

PSALMS

I/O

evil 94I3.

God and His

will is
obj.

2^ without

r7"'?.Jr'^^] phr. Zp.

10.

D^x rprij

11.

(v. g^^).

people.

Is

it

turned into praise

rage against man.

God's rage praise God

'?d

ii*

Is.

Am.

8'^

Jb. 24*

zin evidently refers to the enemies of

the wrath of these enemies, which against their

is difficult,

So most.

Is

more

It is

But

prcjb.

is

it

better to take

God

then the rage of

it

in

as cstr. of

it

judgment

How

the rage of the people of

can

God

meek of the land of the previous

Raging
God who destroys them. Then rbn pi. MT.
most naturally refers to wrathful deeds of God in accordance with the vb.,
"\jnn of 1^.
But , 3, take it more prop, as sg. t^'^p^. The final n is then
dittog. of n of vb. nan in both cases will have the same mug. Then ioprda-ei
r^ann, as Bo., Ew.; ^s jnn, Oort, Du., We. (^^).
(Toi of is most prob.
God's people celebrate the victory by a festival when the residue of their
against their enemies, that of the

1.

against their enemies, they praise

rage

remains.

still

t ''T'-^su']

what remains of the rage

remainder of a thing

IE.

Str. v.ii-13.

'B'

reverence, as
possibly the

Either
"t'?0']

nin-' is

vb. Qal cut

gl.

off,

18".

interprets

This

in original text.
1.

13.

of grapes Lv. 25^

"^i'?;]

1.

cf.

77*.

This

n^i;'.

is

n-j>::]

same

God

of

as snij

tetrameter as

is

as object of

and

it

was

stands.

v.^'^,
it

truth,

\ ["^vn]

of fortified places frequent, but not

nn

the better reading,

0''^/J:] pi. t 'V^'

vbs. are juss. in ac-

Qal impf. of general

here only in sense of take away, but (S koX

prob. rd.

so here,

ddvi^n nin-] sustained by , J[, is

or the 1.; and if the 1., the entire final

phr. elsw. 68^^ Is.

attaches last word to next

Je. 31'' Ez. 9^

Je. 6^ 39"^;

12.

v.^^,

Is. 8^^. is^ ^f^ Ps. ^2I.

same word

The

after its first outburst.

cordance with the imvs. of

impossible in

remnant of a people

(i)

n.

(2) posterity 2 S. 14" Je. ii^'^ (3)

n.m. prince, not elsw.

icpaLpovfx^vif},

so

>^

au/erenti,

then has the mng. of courage^

\^,

but Pr. 28^^ Jb. 29I0 3i37-f

PSALM LXXVII.
Ps. 77 is composite

(A) a resolution of importunate prayer in

by one remembering and musing upon God (v.^"^), all
night long musing on divine help in former ages (v.^"), expostulat:

distress

ing with God for ceasing to be favourable and casting

people

(v.**"^*'),

the past

(v.^^"^^),

His

and in the greatness of God especially as shown

in the redemption of His people (v.^^^^)

theophany

off

taking encouragement from the wondrous deeds of

in a

storm

(v.^'-^)

leading of Israel by Moses and Aaron

A.
'^l/'ITH

my

V.-"^^,

is

description of a

(v.-^).

will cry,

I do seek (Him),
extended without growing numb

In the day of

My hand

(B) a

STR. 6^

voice unto 'El

mv

and a gloss referring to the

distress

historic

PSALM LXXVII.
My soul

171

doth refuse to be comforted,

remember God and I will moan,

I will muse and my spirit will faint.
T DO lay hold of the night watches with mine eyes,
I am disturbed, and I cannot speak,
I do consider the days of old,
The years of former ages will I remember;
I will

My soliloquising
I will

in the night

muse, and with

my

u "pOR ages will He reject,

And no more again be

with

is

spirit

my

make

favourable

mind,

diligent search.

His kindness forever.

come to an end for all generations?

Is there a cessation of

Has His (faithfulness)

Has 'El forgotten to be gracious,
Or shut up in anger His compassion ?

"

I have begun with this,

HTHEN I said
The years of the right hand of 'Elyon.
I will commemorate the deeds of Yah,
Yea, I will remember Thy wonders of old:
And I will meditate on all Thy work;
And on Thy doings muse."
:

r\ GOD,

Who

"

in sanctity is
is

Thy way.
Yahweh

a great 'El like

who doeth wonders.

Who made known among the peoples Thy strength
Thou didst redeem with Thine arm Thy people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.

The

'El

B.

4 STR.

V.""^,

'pHE waters saw Thee, O

The

waters saw

Thee

3^.

God.
they were in pangs

Yea, the depths trembled.

T^HE clouds
The

poured

forth water.

skies gave their voice

Yea, Thine arrows went abroad.

'FHE sound
The
The

TN

of

Thy thunder was

in the whirlwind,

lightnings illumined the world,

earth trembled and shook.

the sea

Thou

didst tread with

Thy

horses,

And Thy paths in the great waters

And Thy footprints were not known.
;

was a Ps. of ^, taken up into fH and !E, where r^^n^ was changed to
and then into Si^, when it received the musical direction pnni ^>'
It was composed of five trimeter hexastichs,
(z/. Intr. 29, 31, 32, 33, 34).
v.i-16^
To this Ps. was added at a later date a little poem of four trimeter
This must have
tristichs, based on Hb. 3, and also citing (v.^^) from Ps. 97*.
Ps. 77

D'^nSx v.i*,

been

later

than

IB2l,

because

3^ contained Hb.

3,

and

it is

improbable that

PSALMS

72
little Ps.

based upon that ode or prayer was in the same Psalter. The original
names: Sn v.^- 10. 14. 15^ p,i,y y 11. ^nd probably n" v.^^, nin>

Ps. used the divine

v.i*.

""JIN

njsD

v.3-8 are glosses.

^s^;.^

78IO;
v., cf.

resembles other Pss. of

It

v.i"^, cf.

nVd

78^;

V.1-- 15,

^: mjj
mS^Vy

as 7812;

v.'^, cf.

v.i3 as

75*;

78".

Ps. 78, which is confirmed by its attitude toward ancient

* " 12. i3^
same author. Its style is classic cohortatives
prob. v.^K The use of 22"? v." suggests Deuteronomic influence.

This resemblance to
history, suggests the
^

consec.

v.^^,

'J3 v.i"^

fjDvi 2i^p

when Jacob

suggests the usage of other Pss. of

stood for Judah and Joseph for Ephraim.

the period of the Exile,

fort

v.'-^-

was sought as

when

the people were

and the time of

The

in great distress,

still

Ob.i^,

situation suggests

in Is.* from the ancient history of the nation.

and com-

The

little

based on Hb. 3 and Ps. 97, must have been very late, not earlier
than the late Greek period. V.21 is a couplet in the style of
a liturgical
Ps., v.i'^-20, as

addition,

78^2 80^.

cf.

PSALM LXXVII.
Str.

I.

Two

syn. triplets.

2.

IV/f/i

A.

my voice

ttnto

*El\ emph.

aloud in prayer; repeated in the next line either by

dittog. or by an editor to get the antithesis between / will cry and
" He will give ear unto me " ; but the latter is premature and
in position

against the context,

long.

3.

In

the

and the

my

day of

the nation, as usual in the

individual,

I do

i/^,

line

makes the

the nation speaking in

seek Hifn'], that

a response to prayer.

Str. just this

much

too

distress\ not of an individual but of

My ha

is,

fid ~\,

God

its

to find

emphatic

unity as an

Him

and get

in position, is ex-

tended ']y the gesture of invocation and importunity;

the most

probable meaning of an unusual word, as 3, RV. The rendering

of PBV., AV., " my sore ran," is based upon the usage of " hand "
for " stroke " in Jb. 23^, which, however, is quite different from
this passage ; and upon the interpretation of the vb. as meaning
" flow." Many moderns, as Dr., on the basis of La. 3^^, think that

the original was probably " mine eye poured

interpretations are not so simple or natural.

down

" ; but these

" In the night " is

a gloss in antithesis with " the day," making the line too long.

without growing mi7nb\ as the hand would naturally do from longcontinued reaching out after the desired object.
refuse to be comforted'], by giving

seeking comfort in other ways

comfort only

in

God.

4.

up the

My soul doth

petition as useless,

but persists

in the prayer,

and

seeking

will re?neml?er God], a resolution

expressed by the cohortative form, repeated, as characteristic of

PSALM LXXVII.
the Ps., in v.^-^^

I will muse\ that is, upon God

and I will moan\ cf.
distress and wrestling with God fcr
||

of the Ps.

teristic

anguish of the

v.'^*-^^'*.

La. 2^1

143"*

Three

Str. II.

syn. couplets.

watches with jnine eyes'], so

55^^ in the
help.

my

||

cf.

do lay hold of the night

(

also Aq., , inter-

But MT.,

sg.

as 2 pers. with

moderns interpret the vb.

"Thou

5.

and probably

pret this vb. as in subsequent lines as

eyehds."

also charac-

exhausted from the long-continued pleading,

spirit will faint\ ,

142^

173

God

and most

^T,

as subj., " boldest

heldest (open) the guards of mine eyes; " Dr.,

thinking of eyelids kept open so that there was

no

sleep from

/ am disSo JPSV., Kirk., paraphrased by EV.

turbed], by long-continued wakefulness and anxiety, and indeed

anxiety.

to such an extent that

I caniiot speak], either having nothing

to

say in explanation of this situation, or speechless in inability to speak

through amazement at the long-continued withholding of help.

6-7.

do consider], emphatic present, in pondering, reflecting,

/ will muse, also My soliloquising in

my mind], as (^, F, cf. d-^ 143^ kept within the
mind and unexpressed, and with my spirit make diligent search]^

and so

||

/ will

7'ememl?er

||

||

the night (is) with

||

so essentially

, %, J, F,

and probably

searching out the

whole with the utmost attention and thorough investigation.

The

years of former ages], during

which God had dealt far otherwise with His people than at presMT., however, in v.^" has another reading " my song " (to
ent.
object of

all

it

is

the days of old

||

the accompaniment of stringed instruments)

which

is

so 3, EV'., JPSV.,

only possible by attaching the word to the vb. "will

remember."
subsequent

But

lines,

this destroys the measure of the previous and

and gives former night-songs as object of remem-

brance in place of the night of speechless, wakeful anxiety, rather

than the much more sublime " years of former ages."
MT. also
its 3 pers. with 1 consec. makes the action of the vb. a result,
and the "spirit" the subject; and so whether with AV., RV., we

by

"And my spirit made diligent

"Then my spirit fainteth," it becomes

render,

the subsequent context.

one

line too

moreover
of the Str.

it

short

But

this

and the next

disturbs the exquisite

search," or with JPSV.,

necessary to connect with

makes the previous

Str.

just

so

much

harmony of the

lines

Str. just

too

long

and unity

PSALMS

174
Three

Str. III.

syn. couplets.

future, in antithesis with "

8-9.

former ages,"

with " days of old " v.^

||

He

60^ 74^

forever ?

||

For

v.^,

for

|1

ages'],

present and

again], in antithesis

all generations ?

Will

more be favourable], cf.

106^*
85^
cessation
kindness],
His
cf. 42^ 44'^ 85"
His
44*
of
as
usual
with
"kindness";
suggested
by
Nestle,
faithfulness'],
and certainly more appropriate than " His word " of promise,
come to an end] cf. 7^^.
though sustained by J^ and all Vrss.,
reject?],

44^^*

43^

cf.

^'S'^

710

||

j]

II

||

Has

10.

'El forgotten

10^- 74^^'^,

or shut up His

go forth from hand,

/ have

Ps. 9^2.16

34*'"'i-

Ex.

cf.

co7npassion ?], not permitting

Dt. 15^; or mouth,

it

Anger against His people was the

3^.

to

cf. Is. 52^^ Ps. 107''-.

real

long-continued neglect of them.

all this

One synth. and two

Str. IV.
after the

cf.

Hb.

in anger], cf.

reason of

be gracious ?],

to

syn. couplets.

11.

Then I said],

complaint of present distress over against past favours.

so (3, U, which best suits the conand most, " my piercing wound," probably then best explained as " my suffering and I must bear it,"

begtm] that
,

But

text.

is,

to

speak

J^, 2, 0, &, 5r,

Aq., 3, have

Kirk., cf. Je. lo^^

"my

by EV'.,

ness," followed

another reading,

still

infirmity,"

referring

"my

weak-

back

to the

previous complaint as not really justified and only uttered because

of his weakness,

But at the beginning of a new

73^^*^-.

cf.

Str.

these explanations are not so natural as the reading of (3, H.

With

this],

is

the object of the vb., belonging

to

the

measure requires, and not to the second, as

as the

then defined in the second line as

of*Elyon], when

He

stretched forth

"years,"

inf.

ways

various

EVV,

as in v.^

abs. of a vb.
*'
:

that

the

but

all

F, "

this is the

But such a change

is

line
It

This

is

the

ancient Vrss. read instead of

meaning "change," interpreting in

Hand of the Most High has

right

changed," or " doth change," or " hath suffered change,"

in (g,

U.

The years of the right hand

His right hand in the deliv-

erance of His people, resuming the thought of v.^

interpretation of

first

(3,

change of the

right

enigmatical here.

or, as

hand of the Most High."

It is

improbable that the

poet would have spoken of a change without giving some intimation of

of

what he meant by

v.* in

it.

The poet

order to enlarge upon

as Kt., (g, %, 3, &,

E, F, RV.,

it.

really

12-13.

cf. 71^^ Is.

63'

resumes the thought

I will commemorate],
;

not only muse upon

PSALM LXXVII.

make mention of, celebrate. The Qri, fol" remember " is tautological and im-

in recollection, but

it

A v., JPSV,

lowed by PBV.,

probable, because the

II

fnuse on,

cf.

175

nor the former ages as

I will remember meditate on

is not God Himself as v.*,
what God in these former ages

just this,

is

||

The

v."*

||

object here

but

v.^j

Thy wonders of old

had done for His people the deeds of Yah
all Thy work
Thy doings'], in the salvation of Israel and in the
judgment upon their enemies, as usual in the use of these terms,
:

||

||

||

and

as indeed the context

Str.

demands.

V. Three synth. couplets.

is Thy way],
PBV., JPSV., and

In sanctity

14.

in majestic exaltation, in sacred apartness, so

most moderns,

after 5, S, (I

ary," AV., RV.,

to

(,

other Pss., but

many

not appropriate to the context, which speaks of

is

God's working apart from the temple.

H, J, and early Jewish

This would be appropriate to the thought of

authorities.

cf.

to " in the sanctu-

be preferred

though sustained by

||

Who

is

a great 'El?],

Ex. 15", which seems to have been in the mind of the poet.

The ^El who doeth wonde?'s], resuming v.^^.

made known
wondrous deeds of judgment
salvation,
among the peoples'].
God's fame went forth

15.

Thy
and

strength], in the doing of these

among

all

the surrounding nations, because of the deliverance

had wrought

for

His people,

cf.

Ex.

15^''^'^.

Thou

16.

He

didst

redeem with Thine arm], the outstretched arm of the narrative of

the Exodus,

cf.

v."^

Ex.

6^ Ps.

of Jacob and Joseph], probably

sons of Israel in general, and the
cifically for
teristic

it^^^K Thy people

\\

the Northern kingdom, in accordance with a charac-

preference of ^,

cf.

78*"'^

80^ 8i Ob.^^

PSALM LXXVIL

B.

This Ps. describes the advent of Yahweh in a storm,

29, 114,

Hb.

saw Thee

||

The sons

name "Jacob" for the

particular name "Joseph" spe-

using the

Str. I.

3.

is

a stairlike

triplet.

17.

Yea, the depths], doubtless referring to

"great waters"

v.^,

time of crossing, as

but not specifically to the

is

usually supposed,

on the

cf. Pss.

18,

The waters
the "sea"
||

Red Sea

at the

basis of a connec-

and the references to the song Ex. 15 in

v."'% which is opposed by the independence of the Ps. of its
present context and its entire dependence on Hb. 3.
they were
tion

between

this

Ps.

PSALMS

176

pangs ireinbled\ in fear and terror, as elsewhere mountains

and earth at the advent of God Hb. 3^ Pss. 97* 114* ^
Str. II. is also a stairUke triplet.
18. The clouds
skies
poured forth water'], in dovvnpouring rain. The advent was in a
gave their voice]. This was a thunder storm
storm, as Ps. 18.
with lightning, which is, as usual, conceived as the arrows of God.
The lightning flashes in their rapidity of movement went abroad
like arrows, flew hither and hither.
Str. III. A synth. triplet.
19. The sound of Thy thunder],
7vas in the whirhuind].
resuming v.^*,
The storm was accomThe lightnings illumined the world],
panied by a strong wind.
resuming v.^^ in order to the result.
The earth trembled
cf. 97^
and shook], which is a variation of v.^*^".
20. In the sea Thou didst tread
Str. IV. has stairlike parall.
with Thy horses], so most probably, in accordance with Hb. 3^^;
the conception being that God in His cherubic chariot rode in
A later glossator, to avoid this apthe storm upon the sea.
parently mythological conception, reduced it to " Thy way is in
Thy paths
Thy footprints
the sea "
were not known],
could not be traced after the storm had subsided.
A later editor added 21, probably to give the previous Ps. a
in

||

||

||

||

Red Sea by

reference to the crossing of the

interpreting

lowed by the leading of the people on to the Holy Land.

didst lead as a flock],

Ex.

78"

15'^ Pss.

80^,

God

as fol-

it

Thou

being the Shepherd of His people,

by

hand of Moses and Aaron],

the

leaders of the people at the Exodus,

63""^ Mi.

cf. Is.

cf.

the

6*.

LXXVII. A.
2.

<S>|-]

2d

subj. vb., cf. j^;

emph.

not capable of good explanation.

as v.* implies ttidn

Sn pers. elsw. only

is

both glosses.

Niph.

pf.

prob.

on La.

f.

There

Is. 5

3.

\n-\x

Dt.

n'^^';-]

is

1.

i^^

in position.

is

resolution.
\n\p usually

c.

with the repeated

"''^n

is

with Qal cohort,

r'sni] Hiph. pf.

ace. s^.
'n

Sx

Vb.

doubtless txt. err.

|tn,

with

This statement of fact

'Sip is

gl.,

making the

av3] as 50!^ (^).

^hn] (5 rhv debv more prob., but
nnji]
a gl. in antith. with ov, making 1. too long.

no need to change the

on the

nprxNi]

not in @, 3,

"Ml (6j^^), be extended, as 3.

&

ivavrlov avrov

text because of a

nij;

is

not so

supposed dependence

supposed mng-^^otv.
iJ^:?] Pi. pf. 3 f t [??<?]
only 78^^ but Gn. 373* (J) Ex. '22I6 (E) Dt.
"nn 1'^"~7i] phr. 142* 143*, cf. La. 2^2. yb. c. cdj Ps. 107^ Jon. 2^ v.
3*^

basis of a

vb. Pi. re/use, elsw.

4.

1"*

The whole

premature.

Str. too long.

and expresses

\{/

25^.

PSALM LXXVII.

Ps. 61^.

irp nnrB' ornx]

5.

irpoKareXd^ovTO (pvXaKas

so

plir. a.X. eyelids,

@^- ^

oi ix&pol- fJ'Ov;

and most moderns;

6(p6a\ixoL for ix^po^> as "F a/z-

nnDCX

cipaverunt vigilias oculi met, with text

177

tthn, regarding

'^rv

as second

and therefore in translating making it the real subj. of the vb. This is
most prob. So Aq., 0, think of the watches of the night. 3 prohibebam
suspedum oculorum meorum. 2, 5, had other texts, which are difficult to
'ri?>?p] Niph. pf. i sg. f l^V^'] vb. Qal thrust, impel, Ju. 1322.
determine.
7. nnrm], cf.
Niph. be disturbed here, as Gn. 41^ Dn. 2^. Hithp. Dn. 2^.
subj.,

goes with previous

V.*;

1.

to complete

and not with the following, as |^, J.

music of stringed instruments, or theme
this context.

improb. in

Qal

pf.

prob.

sg.

^, ^, S, U, Hare, Lowth.,

as

it,

for

it.

koX ifieX^rrjaa, 'B meditatus

inf. cstr. sf. v^^j;^.

it

form seems to be

'??!^] full

rather than

'^__.

sum

as v.^^,

V'?''^^

more

DinSiyVn] has two beats,

'jin]

is

original, for there

""nn t'sn^] phr. a.X.;

consec, so Aq., but improb. after previous impf.

^ has 3 sg., but @Ba. n.*. Ra I sg
rsHNi.
8.

sg.

(/2) as 63'^ 143^ soliloquise, so Lowth., Street, Ehr., or

T\yr^

apparent reason for

Street,

with nrjj {v. Intr. 34)

3 psalmorufn meorum V7J"'JJ, but

"''7^\'p] sf.

gl.

S, 0,

S,

Prob.

U, all
sg. was

3,

icj] phr.

"^rs

9.

is

no

vb. Pi. impf.

rd. I sg.

original.

a.X.,

not in

, but omission txt. err., because it is needed for measure and is in all other
*.
nr:s only here in this sense, but not improb.
Nestle ( Theol.
Vrss. So ^Stud, aus Wtirtemberg 1882 S. 242) suggests nnx, which is probable because
*=

of

its

constant

-iDn,

in IBjbut not elsw. in

5I6 Ps. 107*2;

as Che., Ehr.

%.

f F?^]

10.

r'^ir<\

Qal

pn

inf. cstr.

Qal shut up, hand Dt.

vb.

15",

common

(^2^,

mouth

Is.

52^^

Niph. Jb. 24^1, Pi. Ct. 2^.

11. \-ii^n] Pi. inf. cstr.
sf. I sg. '?'?n = my piercing wound,, so 2, 0, Quinta, 5, ^, Ew., Hi., De., Ba.,
SS., Dr., Ko.l-3<i; but Aq., 3, imbecillitas mea >rnSn Qal inf. cstr. rhn be sick,

Jb.

cf.

here

fig.

3^^^, so Hu., Pe., Bi., but all

pf.

most prob.

sg. 'rSn is

ancient Vrss. interpret as Qal

prob. that

it

the

is

improb.
n^jc']

v.^.

^N!

13.

12.

34I 89^^.

cf.

divine

Hiph.

3 commutatio, and
name

It is

{y. Intr.

Hiph. impf.

n^rrs] Kt.

all

more

32) as

i sg.,

as

n^ \V'73;r J elsw.
%, should prob. be cohort. ny^TN commemorate.
l^^js] v. v.^^ (f-, sf.
7^^ cf. 28^ for SS^T of wanton deeds of men.

S>,

''!?'?yP

2 m.,

U coepi = n"'^nn.

change,

T''^!]

50^* 73I1 >^%\i 83I9; characteristic of <E.

@, S, 3,

Tjp^dfjLriv,

cstr. nj'i*

inf.

same as nir^

(3 v dWoiua-is,

now

begins rather abruptly, and continues throughout the

T'!?'''?'''?"^"']

has 6 6eh%

has two tones;

ijfiQv

D^^':'N

n'?^'7v;

also 78^^

14.

a''n'?N3 Si"i3

Sn

Ps.

>rf\.

(S

as distinguished from Vx must be used as a proper

for an original mn\

Vnj *? phr. Dt. 7^1 lo^'^ Je. 32^8 Ps.
The article to distinguish the God of Israel from the
15. Vvvn],
95^+.
nwre general use of Sn in previous v., cf. i8^i- ^^- *^ 6820- 21.
ig. p-\n'\ withbut (3 appends it, prob. interpretative. The article
out sf. is striking, so 3

name, prob. as Ba.

must either be written or understood, and as such

sessive.

no'i'-'i

2'pv\ -"p], cf.

Ob.i8,

Judah and i]Dv r\'>2 for Ephraim;

mini no; cf. also Ps. 78^^ 8o2 Si^.

where
cf.

^p'P

Am.

5^

n"'2

really stands for the pos-

stands for the people of

and Ze.

lo^,

where

tior r"3

||

PSALMS

178

LXXVII. B.
17.

of

more suited

3''"^"i

pour forthy ^DB.

for

uSaros, (g>'-ca.

different that

is

it

denom.

The

The
-\3>'

|^

ifScirwv.

lil

is

La.

The

3^'5.

elsw.
Wii//-/

"-ni.

Si'^ Is.

Hb.

arrow

3I'',

only

vb. Hithp. for Pi.

to complete measure.

sf.

2 m. t

Si,

3.

to qini.

a.X. fuller

296 Jb. 26'* 39^^.

of dust or chaff.

agree with

["^'Py']

The

21.

Snn

aquarum

pi.

D'-pnii'

i:;';"'?:

3!*^.

18.

31

D"::

prn

is

104^ f

=97*.

is

The

phr.

q^xn

Hb.

=>'"^

n.[m.] thunder,
but 83I*

Is.

17^^

do] lacks a word

npnn. The Vrss. all

20. :i.pi

qSoE^ Qr.

"i:;J7'n''

so
txt.

elsw. vvn \%g}-avel stone Pr. 20^^

original Hb. 3^5 has ri'piD D"?

must be supplied rd. as Hb. 3^^
pi.

snr.

for original

n.m. whirlwind here

t^'N."]

Po.

ii:-^;]

ttX^^os ^x^^^

(S>

for sg. with

^'^f'f"]

:ipp_ S^p] phr.

X Sj'^j]

D'i7">^

n.[m.] only

sg.

with

form for V^

19.

The

A word

^.

(^9*)

away (?), Po. only here,

no" r/^^/ masses as /i'-'^

sustained by Aq., S, 3, ^T

rniUtitudo sonitus

pi. '?in

implies a variation of text too great to be explained as

m^') '?'p] as in

i'^";'

37;.

also bis instead

for substitution, as Gr.

not in Hb.

is

1.

c^p]

Qal impf. 3

Ps. go^ Jlood

had 15V c::

original

vb.

third

Qal

c";>r

equivalent to thunder iS^* 2^^^-.

3*^

3I0.

as in the original.

I'^'n^]

than dv;, but no sufficient reason

t [2"^t] vb.

pi. snr

might be error

err.

sustained by n^cnn (jj")*

c>:: is

to

2 sg. nxi based on Hb.

pf. sf.

of the original.

D''"5n

pf.

Qal

:iiN^] bis,

path, as Je. 18^^ (Qr-)*

q^'^ou'] Kt. pi.

^'^- ^s

sustained by

sustained only by %, and was an assimilation

iss:]"as 78^- So- (31).

PSALM LXXVIIL,

4 pts. of 5 str. 4^

Ps. 78 is a didactic Psalm, using the ancient history of Israel,

from the crossing of the Red Sea to the erection of the temple, as a

lesson to the people.

(v.^"-)

fathers,

and which

that they

may

I.

proposes to give in the form of a poetic

the history which has been transmitted from the

enigma

is to

be handed

down

to the children (v.^

'^"'),

not be, as their fathers, rebellious and unreliable

The crossing of the sea is mentioned (v.^'"^"'), the theophanic

II. The people
pillar (v."), and the water from the rock (v.^).
rebelled and tempted their God in asking food (v.^""-'^), which was
given them (^v.^-*- ^-'), but accompanied by an outbreak of the
III. The wasting away of the people led
divine anger (v.''^'^^^).
them to remember their God (v.^- ""), who was compassionate and
forgiving (v.^^).
He considered the weakness of their human
nature (v.*^), and led them as a flock in the wilderness (v.''-). He
brought them to the holy land and gave it to them as an inIV. Yet they rebelled against God and tempted
heritance (v.^*^).
(v.*^^).

PSALM LXXVIII.

Him with
(v.^*^),

In anger fle rejected Shilo

their infidelity (v.^^'^).

gave up His ark and His people into captivity

were slain

classes of the people

and Mount Zion

^^

179

7o-7ia.

h^
^

(v.^'^"^^)

and expansive glosses

He then

Egypt

(v.^^-

^^-

(v.''^^-

21-22. 25.

Legalistic

^^) .

2^a. 36-37. 49-50. 5^-59.

62.

my people,

to

my

teaching.

my mouth.
open my mouth in a poem.
I will pour forth of ancient times in my enigma,
"XXTHAT we have heard and know,
What our fathers have told to us,
We will not hide from their children
That they may not forget the works of God.
T^HAT they may not be as their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation.
Armed with a deceitful bow,
They turned back in the day of battle.
Incline your ears to the words of

I will

JN

sight of their fathers

He

did wonders,

In the land of Egypt, the country of Zoan.

He

clave the sea

and made them pass through;

And He made the waters stand up as a heap.

A ND He led them in the cloud by day.
And all night long with the light of fire
And brought forth streams out of the crag,
And let waters run down like rivers.
:

II.

'THEN

they sinned against

Him,

Rebelled against 'Elyon in the thirsty land;

And

tempted God

in their

By asking food according

minds
to their appetite,

'pHEYsaid: "Is God able

To prepare a table in the wilderness:'
Is He also able to give bread.
Or provide flesh for His people ? "
'pHEN He commanded the skies above,
And opened the doors of heaven
And rained down manna upon them.
And grain of heaven for them.
'pHEN He led on the east wind.
And guided by His strength the south wind;
And rained down fiesh as dust.
And fowl as the sand of the sea.
;

v.'**"^''-

es^.

I.

ear,

all

Judah

of His people
an extract from an ancient poem de-

also added.

Q\ GIVE

(v.^^)

selected

and David as the shepherd

^jj editor inserted

scribing the plagues of

(v.'^*^)

1^"-

69. 710-72^^

^)

^gj.e

PSALMS

l8o
"y HEIR food was

yet in their

mouths.

And the anger of God went up

And He slew the fattest of them,
And bowed down the choicest of Israel.
III.

T70R all this they sinned again,

And believed not in His wonders;
And He consumed their days as a breath,
And their years He made to haste away in
TF He slew them, they sought Him,
And again diligently sought 'El
And remembered God their Rock,
And 'El 'Elyon their Redeemer.
gUT He is compassionate (and gracious).
He covers over and destroys not,
And many times turns away His anger,
And stirs not up any of His wrath.
'THEN He remembered that they were flesh,

breath passing

away not

suddenness.

to return.

And He led on His ])eople like sheep.

And guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
AND He brought them to His sacred border,
The mountain that His right hand had gotten;
And drave out nations before them,
And allotted them the inheritance by measure.
IV.

yHEN

(again) they tempted God.

(Again and again) rebelled against 'Elyon;

And drew back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers,

And turned aside like a deceitful bow.
'THEN He rejected the tabernacle of Shilo,
The tent He made to dwell among mankind
And delivered up His strength to captivity,
And His ornament into the hand of the adversary.
TTIRE devoured their young men,
And their maidens were not praised in marriage song.
Their priests

fell

by the sword.

And their widows did not sing dirges.

A ND He refused the tent of Joseph,
And chose not the tribe of Ephraim
But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which He doth love.
He chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds
From following the ewes that give suck He brought him,
To be shepherd over Jacob His people.

AND

PSALM LXXVIII.
was a

Ps. 78

Ps. of

has

It

of four parts, each with

five

12-13

16

V.14.

y54. 55a5.

y^89. 52

y^38

a Sa'D and nn"'n

trimeter tetrastichs.

^mc.

II. ylT. 18

From 11 it was taken up into IE

many glosses. The original Ps. was composed

of the class b^D^r:.

(v. Intr. 26, 29, 32).

l8l

IV.

20cd

v.1-2, v.^- 4- ^^, v.8^-

I.

y.306-31

y;26-27

v.23-24

y.56a. 57^ V.S-'-^l, v.'^^-^^, V.^^' ^8,

m.

written under the influence of

early Persian period.

The poem was

Red

E, D, but not of P, and therefore in the

J,

encloses part of a

It

This fragment depends on the story of

Sea.

ing of any other document of the Hex.

and

It

The

precede the reign of Josiah.

to

shows many features of

>bh';T2

\J

(also in gl.
7i); 2ip
D>

yp3

as

D,

Is. 38

pT

V.31,

33S

V.I8,

(J);
so V.21 (gl.),

V.2* a.X.

v.^3, cf.

Dt. 21I8.

88";

for

ark

Is.

ill

The

S.

nn

iSa,

v.^i as for

Ez. 2617.

cf.

11-'^;

>rh^

y.60^ cf. Je. 714

temple 96^

Is.

mc'

\Py

Snj

63^'^

poem

v.12

Ho.

v.^^

= v.43 (gl.)
v.i7. 40

v. is- 41. 56^

(gi.)

56^

as Ex.

\P-'^\ as Ex. 2110;

cf.

^j;

64IO;

Gn. 7" (J);

a.X.

v.^*

269 416.

60^

Ps.

Lit.

v.^- is. i9. 34. 85

ry-^r^n

Sn hdj
-iN'-y

trnp

older pentameter

]V^

%;

D^cs:'

v.^^ a.X.

original

nrp, as

rr-rji

Ex. 158;

characteristic of 'E

n^i iSin

:3Vw:''>

sk

20 jg. 323.

4^^ (rd. prob.

Ez. 56; p>Sy v.i'-35.56^ frequent in

1422

mxsn

132^;

song

v.s, cf.

= Je.

= Zc.

742 Ex. 15I6

V.64, cf.

nn

-i^iD

nc'p '>Dn v.^

E, and come

of the

dependence upon other

7715
148; nVd nir; v.12
Ex. 14I6.21 (E); nj icd dx^ v.13

V.9

V.I8, cf.

Nu.
nSj7 ^N

^i)

knows noth-

E, and

glosses are later than

Pss. of '^, as well as

n^Di

7712;

v.^-

DV3

172-7

D-iDC

J.

seems therefore to be preexilic

The language

from the Greek or Maccabean period.

Ss

older pentameter poem,

still

giving an account of the plagues of Egypt and the crossing of

40-48. 51. 63^

the

is

based on the history of God's dealings with Israel from

v.^,

the Exodus to the estabhshment of the Davidic dynasty.

This Ps.

'^^^

v.*

^''c,

y.32-38^ y.84-86

for

pn*'

ark

i'?Sin

njp

v.i, cf.

for bridal

has the following:

"jon

Ex. 717.20J o,-^{<, y.44^ as Ex. 7i'-20; 3^; v.*5, as Ex. 8"; p-nfix
v.*^ as Ex.82; -i^;r3 v.*^, as Ex. 22* Nu. 20*- s- H; d>jin n>CNi v.^i, as Gn. 49*
D-iS V.**, cf.

21"

Dt.

of

>n

Ps. 10586;

instances have

P; Sd^

v. 7,

much

as 578-8 II27.

Ne.

16 932

nn

o^D

language

WL.

4914 elsw.

V.37,

HDD v.s^ as Ex. 15I0 Jos. 24^.

later

njcxj
v.20,

131T>1

ijS

v.8, cf.

nn^
]>2r)

D^pn

v.8,

Ne. 98

based on

v.^,

id^"'

482I;

nna

some

glosses in
;

nn;;

v.^,

Jb. iji^ 2 Ch. 12*;

Pr. iii^;

Is.

The

phr. of

n;:t:' v.i'',

term

:h

tioj

K. iiH

-i3>'nn v.2i-69.62^ glsw.

8988

Dt. 326 Pr. (3 t.) ; (a^nSN)3 I^dnd v.22, cf. v.^^, Gn. 156 (E) Ex. 148I Nu. 14II (J)
aniDX DnS v.25, phr. a.X. angels^ food, late idea ; Sntj^'* u-np v.^i, as Is.i- 2;

nnn

v.^i,

Aramaism

a.X.

)mN>jp> v.^8^ as Dt. 32I6;

Pt.

your
of

I.,

Str. I.

ears'],

D^yi i^nSd v.*^ a.X. evil angels, a late idea

p-'D

Two

pnna

syn. couplets.

1-2. O give ear

my teaching

attentively in order to hear

my mouth],

iniD>p%

v.^^ a.X.

incline

||

instruction to be given by the psalmist, as

JPSV., and not "

my Law," EV^,

the divine Law.

as if there

his instruction is to

measure oisipoem in the emblematic

words
RV.,

were a reference to

be given in the balanced

style

||

^w/'g^wd;], setting

forth

PSALMS

82

problems and mysteries

I will

ope7i

my mouth

difficult to solve
||

and understand,

I will pour fort}i\,

sacred song.

cf.

49^

in the melodies of

Str. II. Two synth. couplets.

3. What we have heard and
iVhat our fathers have told us~\. The story has come
know
down by oral tradition from father to son through many generaII

This impHes not that there was no written narrative, for

tions.

the author gives ample evidence of dependence

upon

the earlier

prophetic narratives, but that he recognised that the story, though

recorded, was
records.

transmit

in

it

essentially

We

a.

tradition,

will not hide

and not based on

from

original

We

their children^

our turn to our successors.

That

7i&.

they

will

may

not forget the works of God\ that the story of the divine works
of redemption and judgment may never be forgotten. A glos-

emphasize the importance of

sator, wishing to
tion,

added the clause from a

this oral instruc-

legal point of view

His commands
^b~7a, tell-

might keep ; but also inserted a long expansive gloss

ing

to

a comifig generation

the praises

of Yahweh

and His might

the wondrous deeds that He did'\.

This is an expansion of
" the works of God," explaining them as wonders and worthy of

and

songs of praise.

The remainder

established a testi?nony in Jacob

of the gloss

Law He

is

legalistic

And He

appoi^ited in Israel\

doubtless referring to the legislation of the Pentateuch, using a

term characteristic of P.

known

fnake

know, sons

sons'].

born

that they anight rise up

12^^ if^^

6'^'^.

hope], a very late phr. of

WL.,

gloss to

co?nmanded our fathers

and

tell

them

to

to their

long prosaic sentence enlarging upon the commands,

Dt. 4^

Ex. io2

He

sons ; in order that a cofning generation might

to their

to be

which

that
cf.

they might put in

Ps. 49^'* Pr. 3-^;

cf.

God their

an expansive

v.''*.

Two

synth. couplets.
8. That they may not be as
The instruction here takes the form of warning.
stubborn and rebellious generation], based on Dt. 21^^-^. A

Str. III.

their fathers'].

glossator enlarged by adding

a generatiofi that did not fix

mind, whose spirit was not faithful with ^El.

deceitful
v.*^

bow], the most probable original of a

bow which

proved unreliable

in
;

9.

Armed

its

with a

difficult passage, cf.

time of use would not bend properly, and so

while the

bowman, being

practically

weapon-

PSALM

LXXVIII.

183

turned back in the day of hattle~\. A copyist, by error of transposition, gave the tautological " armed, shooting with the bow "
less,

and then,

comparison was

as the point of the

arose that there must be a reference to

had been rebellion against God

in a

the conjecture

lost,

some event

which there

in

cowardly retreat from

glossator could not think this of Israel as a whole

battle.

and so he

Ephraim was at fault, and makes this insertion in

The whole context shows that Israel as a whole is in the

conjectures that
the text.

mind of the

Ephraim was out

upon the original

poet, and that a specific reference to

of place in the original.

glossator enlarges

10. They kept not

refused to walk in ; the covena^it of God
His Law'].
Their offence from a legalistic point of view was
especially violation of Law.
11. Andforgat the doings of God
the wondrous deeds, of judgment and salvation, that He shewed
||

||

them

as described in the next Str.

Str. IV.

synth.

and a syn. couplet.

fathers], so that they saw distinctly with their

12.

own

In sight of their
eyes,
He did

wonders], the miracles of the plagues, which, however, are not

mentioned here

in detail

but

ancient

name

for Tanis,

cf.

was the

of the Tanitic arm of the Nile.

Ex.
fig.

14^^
II

made

v.'^^^

Zoan] the

especially in the cou?itry of

In

capital, situated

the waters stand

13.

He

land of Egypty

the

of which Zoan,

district

on the east bank

clave the sea], phr. of

up as a heap],

Ex. 15 (song),

as

of the waters on either side of the shallow bottom which formed

the pathway through the sea,

arid

made them pass

through],

gave them a safe transit through the sea to the other side.
V. Syn. couplets.

Str.

angel,

14.

And

led them], personal leader-

accordance with the ancient narratives, by the theophanic

ship, in

in the cloud by day

QY)

as Ex. 1321-22

||

all night long with the light of fire],

the theophanic

pillar,

changing

its

appearance

16. A7id brought forth

run
down streams out of
crag
waters
a poetic conception of the miracle Ex. f~\ A
prefixed a doublet
as

needed

for manifestation.

the

||

glossator

in a

more prosaic general statement

and gave them

the wilderness,
Pt.

sinned

II.,
||

warning,

Str.

I.

15.

And He

clave rocks in

depths to drink of in abundance,

synth. couplets.

17.

Then

The instruction was to be for the sake

therefore we are not surprised that the second

rebelled].
v.^*

Syn. and

let

like rivers],

||

they

of
Pt.

PSALMS

84

begins with a

Him

II

Str. setting forth

in addition to the earher sin v.^

God in

as tempted

asking food according

to

Str. II.

God able ?

land\

the wilder-

Him

18
which impHed

specifically defined

to a test,

specifically,

by
what

still

more

glossator emphasizes the offence at the

19 a. and spake against God.

accordance with the narrative of JE. in Ex. i6.
Synth, and syn. couplets.
19-&-20. They said: Is
:

in

is

more

is

and

expense of the measure by adding

All this

against
again\

their appetite], discontented with

given them.

name

in the thirsty

their minds'], put

lack of confidence and fidehty

God had

This sin

ness of the wanderings.

of God,

the sins of the fathers,

against ^Elyon\ the ancient poetic

repeated for emphasis,

Is

He also able ?],

questioning

power of their God to supply their needs.

in the wilderness],
to prepare a table], laid and furnished
the most unHkely place,
to give bread
for His servants,
provide flesh for His people],
bread and flesh, the ordinary and the festal provision of food. A
glossator emphasizes this sin by repeating the story of the supply
of water to quench their thirst, as making their doubt still more
unjustifiable but at the expense of the simplicity and harmony of
Lo, He smote the rock^ and waters gushed out and streafns
the Str.
the

||

||

overflowed],

ci.

105^^ Is. 48-^

Before describing the miracle

the glossator asserts with emphasis the anger of

God

itself,

against their

21. Therefore Yahweh heard and was wroth ; and fire

was kindled against facob^ and also anger went up against Israel],
The reason is reasserted 22. For they did not
cf. Nu. 11^"^.
God,
and
did not trust in His salvation]. They had no
believe in
in
the
fulfilment
confidence
of the divine promises made to them,
unbelief.

and they had lost their trust

them from peril of starvation
Str. III.

Syn. couplets.

above], His authoritative

And opened the

in

His willingness and

23.

Then

command

doors of Heaven].

a granary in which

is

stored

ability to save

in the wilderness.

He commanded

the skies

them as His servants.

Heaven is here conceived
to

up abundance of

grain.

The

And rained dowfi

them].

as

divine

proprietor opens the doors in order to distribute the grain.

24.

?nanna upon them, and grain of heaven for

as heavenly grain descending

The manna was conceived

from heaven

like rain or hail, cf.

glossator enlarges

upon

this also.

Ex. 16, Nu. 11^^ Dt.

25.

Bread of

8"^-^^.

the mighty], cf.

PSALM LXXVIII.

185

103^; probably of the angels, conceived as having their food in

man did eat], admitted to the table of anthis divine ambrosia.

provision He sent them

to satiety^], more than they needed,

more than they could eat ; which they ate till they were overfull
and unable to eat any more, and indeed with a distaste for it.
26. Then He led on
guided by His
Str. IV. Syn. couplets.

gels.

||

strength], the former as dealing with willing servants, the latter as

compelling reluctant ones,

the east

wind

||

wind]

the south

The

poet conceives that the two winds cooperated, thinking, doubtless,

of a southeast wind.
quails of Ex.

27.

Nu.

16,

And

rained down flesh \fowl], the

such great quantities that they are

11, in

compared with dust the sand of the sea]. According to Tristram

" The period when they were brought to the camp of Israel was in
the spring, when on their northward migration from Africa.
According to their well-known instinct, they would follow up the
coast of the Red Sea until they came to its bifurcation at the
Sinaitic Peninsula, and then would cross at the narrow part
(^Nat. Hist. Bible, p. 231).
A glossator enlarges upon the narrative by 28-30 a. And let it fall in the midst of the camp, round
about their dwellings], cf. Ex. 16^^ Nu. n^^,
and they ate and
were satisfied, and their desire He brought them], God gave them
:

||

their desire to the

ate so

much

full.

and

of the flesh and

could not eat any more

their desire

became

became loathing].

so satiated with

they loathed the sight of

it,

This

it.

They

that they
is

the

most probable explanation of a difficult line, which is rendered in

EV^ after J^, " they were not estranged from their lust," as if
with the line which begins the next Str. ; that is, before they had
been surfeited, which is altogether improbable.
||

Str.

V.

Synth,

and

syn. couplets.

30

their mouths], even while they were

anger of

God went

And He

slew

||

up], ascended as

bowed down

choicest of Israel], cf.

rebellion, the

Their food was yet in

ft.

still

eating.

31.

smoke from the

of them

in death, the fattest

Nu. 11^.

The

entire Pt.

A?id the

nostrils.

is

||

the

given to this

two miracles, and the consequences, showing the

purpose of the author in warning the

men

they should repeat the offence.

Pt. III., Str. I.

Synth, and syn. couplets.

of his generation lest

32.

notwithstanding the previous historic experience,

For

all this],

they sinned

PSALMS

86

again], this Pt. beginning as the previous one v}\

And

believed

not in His wonders'], in His power and abihty to do wonders,

^19.20^

33.

And He

consumed

as a breath],

the days of their hfe,

breathed out and gone forever.

made

to

away

haste

And

||

were a mere breath,

their years, of

He

life,

most probable interpretacorrectly given by JPSV.

This meaning

"In trouble" of PBV., AV., is

The meaning: "in terror," RV.; "sudden

alone suited to the context.

without justification.
terror," Kirk.

but

is

" dismay," Dr.,

sustained by Lv. 26^^

is

Is.

65^^,

not suited to the context.

Str. II.

34. Jf He slew them], punishment

sought Him
again
sought 'El],
deliverance. 35. And remembered God
Rock

Syn. couplets.

for their sin,

petition for
II

as if they

in suddenness], the

tion of a difficult text,

is

cf.

their days], used up, exhausted

in

they

in

their

*El 'Elyon their Redeemer].

was the

diligently

||

altogether probable that

It is

God

remembrance, and that His titles,

Dt. 32* Ps. i8^ and "their Redeemer," as well

original object of the

"their Rock,"

cf.

as "'Elyon," are in apposition with "

God

"
||

" 'El."

It is

then a

mistake to suppose that they are predicates, or that 'El 'Elyon

the

compound

name

divine

The

peculiar to Gn. 14.

is

insertion of

the particle ^D in the text was also a mistaken supposition that the
clause
fidelity

is

an objective one.

of the people

36-37.

glossator

And

mouth, and with their tongue lied

fidelity

and obedience,

and

Him],

cf.

they

57^ and

to

their

enlarges

Synth, and syn. couplets.

to complete the line

the habitual past.

and
God,

He

gracious.
in the

not steadfast with

38.
This

is

But He

is

compas-

103^; add therefore

a general statement

form of the present, and not of

covers over], as 65* 79^: the later con-

ception of cancelling, obHteration of

giveness of Ex. 34^

sin, for

the earlier one of for-

glossator adds the object iniquity, which

was no more needed than the object of the verb and destroys

and so impairs the measure.

anger], so that
stirs

it

will

in-

with their

were not faithful in His covenant],

sionate], citation of Ex. 34^ (J), cf. Ps. 86^^

as to the character of

upon the

Him

Hi^n], false professions of

mind was

cf. v..

Str. III.

now

they beguiled

And many times

not strike the people,

cf.

not,

away His
106^ and

turns
85^

jj

not up any of His wrath], maintains a calm, serene attitude,

PSALM LXXVIII.

187

and does not permit any stimulation or excitement of His wrath.

These two phrases set forth two sides of the divine self-restraint
in His attitude toward His sinning people.
39. Then He 7'emembered
Str. III. Synth, and syn. couplets.

that they were

flesh'],

remembers on His
recognise

them

Him

a return to the historical narration.

God

His people on their

They

part, as

as their

away

not

return].

to

the flesh in death, returns no

of

their Redeemer, He recognises

and perishable; and as a mere

Rock and

in antithesis as flesh, frail

breath passing

The counterpart

life.

Inasmuch

insertion.

is

Their breath, passing out of

to the flesh with its impulse

52, though separated by a long

God remembered

as

pass away in death.

flesh, to

more

of v.^

He

part.

treated

were
and became

that His people

them

as such,

He led on
to them as the shepherd of a feeble, helpless flock.
His people and guided them ; like sheep \ like a fiocky in their
||

journeys in the wilderness.

editor,

late

between

and

v.^^

for
v.^^

a reason

difficult

determine, inserted

to

a pentameter extract from an older poem,

describing the plagues of Egypt in accordance with the narrative

of

J,

which alone

How often

this

author seems to have known.

they rebelled against

Him

in the wilderness, grieved

Him

in the desert

Again and again they tempted 'El, the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember His hand, the day He redeemed them from the adversary;
When He put His miracles in Egypt, His marvels in the country of Zoan.

When He turned their canals into blood, that they could not drink of their streams
And sent forth swarms of flies and devoured them and frogs and destroyed them
And gave their increase to the caterpillar, and their labour to the locust;
And slew their vines with hail, and their sycamores with frost;
And gave over to the pestilence their cattle, and their herds to the flame of fever;
And He smote all their first-born, the first of their strength.
And He led them in confidence, but their enemies the sea covered.

40-43. Syn. and Synth, couplets.

tion of
as

wonder ;

JPSV.

in the

||

40-41.

positive statement

//"^ze/^//^;^],
:

again

exclama-

and

again] ,

a verb with auxiliary force, incorrectly rendered in EV*.

as " they turned again,"

631

away from God.

they rebelled

grieved],

95^ 106^^ Ex. if-' Nu. 14^2 (J)

Dt. 6^^, to which a glossator adds in ^, followed by EV^, " provoked," in (3, V, " spurned."
in the wilderness
in the desert],
cf.

Is.

II

tempted], as

v.^^-^^

the region of the wanderings of Israel, as

||

v.^^ ^l

the

Holy One

PSALMS

88

42.

of Israel'], divine name of Is.^ -, cf. 71" 89^^

remember], cf. v.^,
His hand], the lifting
cf Ex. 3^,

tion,

the

He

day

redeemed them from the adversary],

probably the day of the crossing of the

His miracles
context,

44-48.

sea.
43. When He put
His fnarvels], those enumerated in the subsequent
Egypt in the country of Zoan], cf. v.^^.

||

in

did not
redemp-

T/iey

for their

it

||

of six plagues, those of

series

44.

J.

When He

turned their canals into blood, that they could not drink of their
sireafns], as Ex. 7^^-^.
45. And sent forth swarms of flies and

8^^'*^

devoured them], as Ex.

and frogs and

combined

their increase to the caterpillar,

plague of Ex. 10^ '*J-.

47.

and

And

in the

"j^'"^

destroyed them], as Ex.

fore

by

9^'"i

v.**^

" the flame of fever "

improbable.

it

direct
is

and

"hail"

is

a mission

of angels of

life

cattle plague of J.

final

He

sends

divine anger as directed

in striking antithesis to the

evils],

different

evil angels in the

their life from death, with the antithe-

gave over

51.

not

good; but in the physical

upon men, angels of punish-

to the pestilence].

thinking of the pestilence of P, which

49-50.

a path for], to give

and did not spare

of v.""^,

levels

His anger toward His people, though by a

but their

continue

for "pestilence,"

and distress. The

sense, as executing or bringing evil

ment.

Vrss., there-

this line to

||

ethical sense, as distinguished from

sis

||

against the enemies of His people

author, v.^.

and

And gave

the heat of His anger

His anger].
by the heaping up of other terms overflowing

wrath, and indignation

restraint of

by most

makes

late glossator generalises in

swift course,

intensified

48.

their herds to the flame offever],

forth], graphic imperfect of the past,

This

And gave

and so
noun as " hot thunderbolts," instead of
and omits the cattle plague ; all of which

in the use of

interprets the following

q^^*"*-.

J^, sustained

line with:

slew their vines ivith hail

early txt. err. of a single letter,

the plague of

is

and

to pestilence their cattle,

the cattle plague of Ex.

same

46.

their labour to the locust],

their sycamores with frost], plague of Ex.

over

8^"^

is

This glossator

is

more extended than the

a?id smote], continuation of the aorists

all of their first-born, the first of their strength], the

plague of Ex.

11*^'', cf. Ps.

105^.

To

this a glossator adds,

expense of the measure in the tents of Ham], a phrase a.\.

and late; cf., however, 105^-^ 106"^ for "land of Ham." This
at the

fSALM LXXVIII.

And

extract concludes with 53,

189

led them in confidence^ to which

a glossator adds, without dread.

In antith. with which,

enemies the sea covered.

Str.

IV. continues

brought them
the holy land

to

in synth. couplets.

v.^^-^^

His sacred

mountain does not

so also

Zion, but to the mountainous land, which

Nu.

131"-^ Dt. i\ Jos.

11^

their

And He

54.

border or boundary of

border'], the

EV%

not " the border of His sanctuary " of

referred to the temple

tine,

it

characteristic of Pales-

is

that His

as if

Mount

refer to

right

hand had gotten^,

by conquest from its original inhabitants through the stretching

forth of His right hand as the valiant champion and war-god
of His people.
55. And drave out nations before them\ dispossessed them and expelled them from the land to give place to

His people,

and

Jos. 23*,

Ps. 105",

cf.

allotted them], in

accordance with the narrative

the inheritance by measure], each portion

of the people having measured out to them a part of the

inheritance.

dwell in their

tents.

Pt. IV., Str.

glossator adds

common

the tribes of Israel

Syn. couplets. 56. Then they tempted \ re^^^ ; but there in two syn. lines, here com-

I.

belled against], as

and made

v.^''"^^-

pressed by a prosaic scribe into a prose sentence, which

restored to
first line,

its

original

and again and again

the legalistic phrase

the legal term of P.

and

second Hne.

in the

they did not keep

57.

His

Aiid drew back

44^^; the latter

springs the

by the

wrong way

simile,

Him

Him

to aftger

to jealousy ivith their

nomic charge
that they

like

need

in time of

probably also with corrected text

58. A7id provoked

in the

glossator adds

testimoTiies], using

||

like their fathers,

deceitful

bow], which

phrase used elsw. Ho.

To

v.^.

turned aside], the

former explained ethically as dealt treacherously

cf.

may be

form as a couplet by inserting again

this

7^^,

a glossator adds

with their high places,

and moved

graven images], the constant Deutero-

against Israel in the redaction of the ancient histories,

were unfaithful to Yahweh in worship

at the ancient

high

places instead of at the central altar at Jerusalem, and in their

use of images in His worship.

59

God heard, and was faious

This

last is

is

also a gloss in the

and

same tone.

refused Israel altogether].

not harmonious with the subsequent couplet

some have thought

that the original was

and so
Ephraim instead of Israel.
;

PSALMS

I90

Synth and syn. couplets.

Str. II.

60.

Then He
up at

tabernacle of Shilo\ the sacred tabernacle set

of Bethel, in Ephraim, after the conquest;

the chief religious

centre of the time of the Judges Jos. i8^^ 21-

The
in

tent that

which

He made

God was supposed

self selected, cf. Jos. 2 2^^

to dwell,

61.

and whose

132^

captivity

to

||

into

hand of

the

locality

added

cation of v.^*,

And gave

62.

Str. III.

Synth,

men'], the fire of

couplets.

war

63.

to the

that the reference

is

To this a
4.
sword\ dupH-

as a devouring flame

improbable

It is

And

of the divine anger.

to the fire

||

S. 4^^'^-

Fire devoured their young

accordance with the subsequent context.

in

against His inheritance^

war being conceived

He Him-

adversary^ the
S.

up His people

and became furious

as v.*^

ark, cf.

the

Phihstines, in accordance with the narrative

glossator

the sacred tent

Atid delivered up His strength

His ornament\ terms descriptive of the sacred

Ps.

1-4, Je. 7^^

S.

among ma7ikind\

dwell

to

rejected the
Shilo, north

their

They must remain

who might

maidens were not praised in marriage song\.

unmarried, because of the slaughter of the young men,

have married them.

64.

Their priests fell by the sword], doubt-

less referring to the historic

event of the slaughter of

i S. 4"-^^

Phinehas, the attendants upon the ark,

widows did not sing

dirges'],

Hophni and

And

their

the customary funeral solemnities

could not be observed on account of the invasion of the land by

the

enemy and

glossator

the universal disorder occasioned thereby.

interrupts

the

by a passionate outburst

narrative

accordance with the previous glosses

Then Adonay

65.

v.*^-^-:

mies, that

He had left His people so long subject

He had seemed as one asleep, cf. f 10^

overcome

with wine], as

awaked].

sleep

(^,

%,

JPSV.

in

A
in

to their ene||

like

a hero

a heavy, drunken

and usage than EV"., " that shouteth

awakening from sleep. He fell upon His

better sustained by

||

by reason of wine," as if,

enemies with the passionate excitement of one stimulated to
66. A7id smote His adversaries
frenzy by too much wine.

backward], made them

reproach
Str.

67.

He put

IV.

retreat in

disaster,

to

Syn. and synth. couplets, antith. to

And He

an

everlasting

them], phr. of Ez. 22* Jo. 2^^

refused

||

each other.

chose not], positive and negative sides of

PSALM LXXVIII.
the

same

idea.

the tent

Ephraim, in which

whom Ephraim
of the rejected
Shilo

God

Mount

of Joseph

carried with

rejection of Shilo

it

191

the tribe of

||

The

Ephraim].

the rejection of the tribe of

it

was situated, and the children of Joseph, of

was the leading

tribe.

68.

But

chose'], in

place

of Judah\ and in that tribe, in place of

Zion which He doth love], cf. 47* 87^ The love of
the tribe

Zion is here stated as a present and abiding fact, and not as

the basis of the choice in the past, " He loved," as EV. A glossafor

by inserting a statement

tor interrupts the course of thought

to the erection of the temple.

69.

And built like

the heights

as

His

sanctuary], the sanctuary in Jerusalem being modelled after the

heavenly abode of God,

ever], the temple

earth

was

as

It is difficult to

itself.

which

the earth

as firmly

He founded for-

founded and as immutable as the

understand how a

late glossator

could

speak so extravagantly of a temple which had been ruined more

than once, and at least once had been destroyed by
elled to the

ground

fire

and

lev-

but doubtless he thought that the founda-

and that though it were destroyed, it would be

same place and so abide through all vicissitudes.
Str. V. Syn. couplets.
70. And He chose David His servant],
a usual term for prophets and special ministers of God.
David
were

tions

eternal,

rebuilt again in the

elsw. 18^ 36^ 89^-^^ 132^

bears this

title

him from

the sheepfolds].

herd
suck

S. 16^^

J y

15. 34-37.

40^

144^+ 28

David's early

life

t.

And took

was that of a shep-

Fro?n following the ewes that give

172.

He brought him]. The shepherd

leads his flock in Palestine

but the ewes that suckle their young need his special attention,

and those he follows with his eye and if needful with his steps, to
watch over them and protect them from harm, cf. Is. 40^^
To be
shepherd over Jacob His people]. Israel as the flock of God had

the Davidic dynasty as their shepherd, appointed by

son and representative in government,

reaches

its

proper conclusion

emphasize the
heritance,

72.
king,

And

last clause

Ez. 34-^

God as His
The Ps. here

but a glossator thought

by the addition of the

||

it

Israel

better to

His

in-

and to conclude with a laudation of David's reign

he shepherded the7n
used to lead them], as shepherd
:

according

||

to the integrity

of integrity of purpose.

hands].

cf.

The

of his mind].

His rule was one

and with deeds of understanding of

royal acts of

David

as

wrought with

his

his

hands were

PSALMS

192

with intelligence, discernment, and

This

skill.

an

is

idealisation

of the reign of David in the style of the Chronicler and later

writings, overlooking

and ignoring the

recorded in the primitive prophetic

'0

1-

jnnN

4.

phr- 19^^ 54* 138* Dt. 32^ -f

''}.r^']

>jc] archaic

form prep.

euphony.

]C for

upon

blots

his reign, as

histories.

3.

nsp
DnsD?:]

n'n^n] pi. nyn, as 4g^.

2.

n>i] phr. elsw. v.^ 48^^ 1021^ Dt. 2921.

phr.

irP'':3Ni]

-ijS

44^.

Pi. ptc. pi. is diffi-

We

would expect "ispj. But , 3, attach the ptc. to subsequent words,

which certainly makes better grammar. This ptc. introduces a long prosaic
nin^ is used, which was impossible in E.
gl.
t "f>] n-[m.] strength^ elsw.
nry -(C'n vpn'?dj] = 105^
145 Is. 42^6 of fierceness of battle.
6. D|"i]
consec. Hiph. impf. cip, in the sense of appoint, here only -^
cf. nna 0"'pn
cult.

P Gn.

phr. of

6^^

Otherwise

gl.

also term of P,
as 49I* Pr. 3^
I.

it is

||

D 3S.

(=

nn^g., -,-^^D

nr^

from which

|-3

njcNj]

"'p>-^

10"

Niph,

pf.

phr. dub.

equipped with the bow, rirp

and

it

is

f.

of these vbs. might be an interp. gl.

is

in

cf.

part

"'pB'j

Ch.

ncn vb. raj/

loi^.

of v.

is

12"^

^n]
a

as

gl.

2 Ch. 17^'

elsw., d3 Ex. 1$^-^^.

Hu., Hi., Kau., think of

gl., if

"p'^n

as

gl.,

there be one.

if D"'"^dx "ija is

orig-

a hostile disposition towards the people of the North, not

accordance with "E elsw. and

The

89^

v.^^

see the connection of this v. with context,

It indicates

Dt. 33^ Pss.

cf.

phr. a.X., but

the later phr. and therefore most prob. the

It is difficult to

inal.

122"*;

confidenccy

Je. 52^
12I*, cf. 3V |idj
v.^^ 57s-

this

ntfp

difficult,

'p'^J

8i 119^^
'^p-]

7.

introduces the fourth

-i"n]

cf.

rn-,

though

but

i^

certainly derived, also

with

One

vpxci]

n'ifJi

n-ibrnn^D

Je. 42^, t

""cn

8.

"Si,

gl.

inr^'- n'^i]

Jb. ii^^ 2 Ch.

of

characteristic

'i7C^J]

yyia.

cf.

gl.

is

^aS p^n] phr. elsw.

y_7. 18. 19. 34. 36. 41.

9.

a late word.

'^n ^^'I'-r;]

and then continues

pf.

'"i''>]

prosaic and certainly a

is

as a dimeter

112"'.

io82)

6
v.K

based on an ideal past,

Jb. 8^* 312*;

105*^ 1192 4-;

'Di

consec. carries on the previous

n-\ir.

of Str. II. after

Dt. 2118-20

aorist,

for

would be removed,

which no

we

can be assigned.

historic situation

could rd. n^cn nrp

and suppose
had been transposed by txt. err., and that ancN ja had been inserted
by late glossator. We would then have the same idea as v.^^, and this coup2'^? D^"'] phr. elsw. Zc. 14^, but v. Ps. 55^^.
let would conclude Str. III.
10. nn3 npu'] phr. elsw. 103^^ 132^2 j k^ ijii jsje. i^ 98- Dn. 9*; cf. v^"^.
difficulty

if

""pbrj

that n-'m

11.

vr'^S"'Sy]

so here
ace.

as 77^^

Jn-^c' n.m. (i)yf^/^

v.*3.

and

Nu.

rir3

o;::]

v. is

13.

c;

Is. 1911-18

j,'i":3]

cf. c'-'rj -m

a pentameter

gl.

12.

with flowers 103^^ sown 107'";

as

?>i;"'"'7> ]

phr. as

(2) country 132^,

Zanis, town built seven years after Hebron

v.*^, f y;y n. pr. loc.

1322, elsw.

Egypt.

This

^o* Ez. 30I*,

modern Sdn,

Ex. 14!^ Ne. 9",

irs Ex. 158.

14.

]y'i]

v.

74^^;

J |r;

cf.

N.W. Delta of
onx j:;52^ v.i^.

in

n.m. (i) cloud mass 972;

(2) of the historic, theophanic cloud of the Exodus, here, as 105^^ Ex. 34'';
rs ^^n] phr. a.X. for
p? -ii::j? Ps. 99"^, as Ex. if^'^ + 6 t. (JE) Ne. 912- 1^

r^(n)

-(I!:-:

Ex. 1321-22 1^24

QE) +. 16.

y;^r]

Pi. impf.

for

Qal v." suspi-

PSALM LXXVIII.
absence of

cious, also
V.18 pf.

16.

and

r"*7y.]

n-'X

v.'*^.

T'nN

and

V.^^

63^.

n^T]]

is

01P1

D;'r2

their

to

doubtless a

V.

73^.

E.

21.

^35Jni,
v.59-6iJ

so

cstr. X ^^.1.

24.

is

Is.

ii'f'

(ioor,

cf.

common

made

9^^

gl.

prose

is

style.

This whole
as

nvNiu*]

v.^^,

m,T> impossible in

denom. n-i3^\ Hithp. (i) be furious^

14I6;
(2) be arrogant Pr.
(3) m^V^ /t;

pf.

f.

in OT., but in

^DB.

(cf. p^D).
Hiph. /&ma7if,
kindled. 2Z. >nSi] pi.
^ only here and 1071^, unless '71

f ?^'^

Niph.

a.X. be

Ne. 92^

This

7bN^]

paraphrase;

has been assimilated to

v.

Nu.

a gl,

is

cf. CDtt'

1 1^-

'^'

making

dproj/ ovpa-

cnH

105'**^.

measure and so

v.25 in

a.X., prob. referring to angels as

Greek ambrosia, the food

provision Gn. 422^ 4521 Ex. 12^9 (E) Jos. i" (D)
This v. is a tetrameter couplet
S. 22IO and here.

a late conception, like the

7^

late gl.

is

i6^^- ^^- ^^- ^-

anisv cn^] phr.

25.

t n^V.]
20IO
(?)
26.

(JE) Ju.

and a

dyyiXcjv

of the gods.

earliest of

which is prob. For the idea cf. D"'?:trn n3-;N Gn. 7II.
based on Ex. 16* (J).
f Iv] n.m. manna, the divine

Jos. 512. 12

tetrameter.

10320, so

^- 1^.

mx nan]

,-'?"',

V.2',

expansive

1075-iniTM

Nu.

so 3^*?

"^^y

vov does not imply different text, but

|.ij]

I'f-'^

^.
for

n^:{3]

gl.,

The

>'i"22>.

Qal inf. cstr. with ^

too long and altogether unnecessary.
2^cr |n] phr. a.X.

Dt.
1.

D^n

provision of bread for Israel in the wilderness Ex.

83- 16

loS^^

Qal impf. 3 pi. (69^).

based on Is. 48^1.

This

441^ Ezl 39^ BS. 4321.

error for

"it?!9li]

Niph.

n|-;bj]

63^

20.

gl.

8939, cf. Dt. 326 Pr. 2617;

onflre,

141^

consec. Hithp. impf. f

cf. v.*o-

used by reference to Ex. 17^ (E) or

-lobr:]
is

otm mx

48-1 c^d

is

i3v-7>i HIT' yce' la'^].

Pr. 202 (?).

fury
5^/

17^

as

explan. of ncN.

Is.

t\27\

^^ and

v.^*-

more poetic and

is

inf. cstr. n-i?:;

zp^^ 73II 77II 2^ 8319.

appetite,

gl.,

and

m:^ np?,

a triplet with

is

Hiph.

consec. Pi. impf., cf. v.*^- ^, as Ex.

1
ioxm, as 73I. v. 13. 21. 26 ^^7^ i^s y.^ is in

these is doubtless the last.

Nu. 20I1 (P). [31t] a.X. ^.
1.

agreeing with mcnn.

the latter

for m:pri^,

v.35. 56

^, as

according

DirojS]

19. dn-iSn^

105*1

full^"^

n^-y as adj.

are doublets

v.^''

nnr;':]

17.

icri]

18.

3??':']

@, 3, take

Jiow, of water 147^^ ptc. strea?ns, floods, Ex. 158,

X [->!:]

characteristic of

14^^ (J)-

cf.

ptc.

likely original.

yp,

more prob.

also

is

D'^rnj]

so here

more

consec, which appears again \^pi\ 15, 3, render it as

';pn Qal pf.
They both rd. "nx sg. for

prob. the original text was

onx, which

193

n.f.
I

>t:^]

Hiph. impf.

has

yDJ,

koX iTrijpev.

Indeed

con-

necessary to the sense and has been omitted in f^ by err.

X yo: vb.
Qal pu/t up (tent) pegs and set out on a journey, common in OT., but not

sec.

in

is

Hiph. \ cause

1/'.

as flock, 80^

Ho.
Is.

122

436

fig.

13I6,

+;

to set out,

of vine

elsw.

yp

lead out, Ex. 1522

here of wind.

with

nn

ir'^i.

27.

Dn-'{;'v]

v.20._3>pi S^n] phr. Je. 158 Jb.

Gn. 2217

3 sg. here and in

pi.,
all,

-^

D^'^p]

c.

n.f.

J ?io^p]

(J).

v^.^n":

"''^

makes

6^, 3;n 'n

pi.

416- 23 (y?)

(i) the South Jos. 15I

The use

of the

wind

is

too long and is gl.

nsr] as
Gn. 32I3 (E) 4i49 Is. 1022 Ho. 2I
1.

n.xa.sand, elsw.

between 3

ace. pers., Ps. 78^2 people

East wind, as Gn.

t (2) poet. South -wind, here as Ct. 4!^.

according to Nu.

Je. 3322, cf.

488.

139I8.

28.

referring to Israel

is

vp'rc^::].

strikins;.

The
has

agrees with f. The original Ex. 161^ Nu. ii^i njn?: has no sf. at
and there is no reference to nuD^rc. The sfs. are differences of interp.

but

PSALMS

194

and the two nouns are syn.

as usual,

iabernacU, which

riJ3i'0 to the

of Israel, as 87^ Nu. 24^.

But

There

always

is

no

is

justification for referring

These are the tabernacles

I^si'?.

an expansive

in fact this v. is

gl.

29. onj^n]

emph. in position sf. 3 pi. riNn n.f. (/o'O based on Nu. 1 1*- **, of. Ps.
106" "1.
NJ;] Hiph. impf. 3 m. is out of harmony with context.
It cannot
be pf. as . It does not follow the action of previous vbs.
cf. v.-^ which
;

also a gl.

is

elsw. for

nr] Qal

30.

an evident reference to
err. for n-\r (Sam.) j5DB.

We

should prob. rd. oniNn

makes the

the narrative and

DT'pi d'^;n

-'';]

duces the next

too long.

visitation of

Str.

31.

C^n'^s

faty lusty'y of warriors here, as Is. lo^^;

n.m.

pi. cstr. X "^ina]

as >7'n3,
33.

f^^^ri]

word

this

made

young man,

(Tirovdiji,

away, in

to haste

of late style for

is

nsTM] resumes the

prob. a

87^(?),

impf.

141^-

'^'*-

^'

Pr. 2428 Je. 20' Ez. 14^

denom.

X 2Tr,
is

tetrameter

3r^

tell

+.

-"O

nix]

"'J?^'.*]

as

v..

renders

1.,

prob, Sna

c '"^^-zn]

temporal

in last

God, as

18^.

Qal

to be
is

a liar

116^^.

ini-'c

and

adj.

consec.

2 S. 3^^
Pi. impf.

This

v.

really a later theological

It is possible that there

yet another dogmatic gl.

t 2'"T!]

Sn] as

i^'-Sj?

compound name.
36. ininp"'i]
^ only here deceive, as
has i)'i6.Tft]<ja.v, U dilexerunt.
on^]

and that both

38.

men

"'I'^n?]

before D^nVs, though in , 3,

for

the one for syn. parall., the other for antith. parall.

51^2^

Is. 6523.

34.

tive,

is

The Waws are all coordinate

this poem in the original parts.

an'D3 in the original,

as Ps.,

intro-

n.m. of

X f?:rp

needed

is

with

same measure

making

he simple, in

as 89^, elsw.

lie,

1.

This gives two names of God, and

(J).

conduct of the people.

interp. of the

vb.

can hardly be original, and

it

a simple

22,

denom.

X n.-'D vb.

This
is gl.,

and apod.

fact.

r^'f

cri^j

But @ iK\4KTovi, U electoSy

nrS;3] phr. Is. 5^5 911.16.20^.

style of the original.

jvS^ a>n^s v.5<5(?)

Gn.

not, as
Pi.

cf.

among.

haste, best suited to San.

emphasize the

to

gl.

a prep,

consec. impf., the style of

Nu. 11^.

so prob. Dn. ii^*, as Bevan.

32.

velociter.

force of DN with pf. in both prot.

36.

"''^"^^

dismay, terror, elsw. Lv. 26^6 Je. 158

n.f.

yj^rh.

usual interp. reverses

as v.^^ 148^^^

better suited to parall.

is

There

il^o (JE), prob.

their lust became

nnT"?

The

ns] emph. in position.

has two beats,

2n''j:rc3]

Nu.

wrath precede the loathing.

a variation of 3^'rj' ^o m^^'}

is

i<TTepifjdiij<raw

indiguertint.

n.(f.) loathsome things cf.

n"it

but

to,

U fraudati, 3

This accords exactly with the narrative.

loathing.

a stranger

be

-in

must be interpretation, so

;':r,

is

1.

3 m.

pf.

2S

37,

^d:]

was no vb.

are interpreta-

i]j^i.Tr-r]<Ta.v

though
cf.

v.*,

in

the

|13J

nn

compassionate ; Dt. 4'^ elsw. with

p:n following Pss. 86^^ 103^, as Ex. 34^ (J), earlier order ; preceding Pss. ill*
112'' 1458 2 Ch. 30^ Ne. 91"- 31 Jo. 2^3 Jon. 4^ later order; more likely the
former here.

The

Pasiq prob. indicates this omission.

used for Nr j of Ex. 34

as

Is.

;"'>

no:)']

cf.

65* 79*,

This and the following impf express the present

of character of God.
r>? is gl., making 1. too long.
pf carrying on habitual action. It has auxil. force with inf.,
"3N a-'T"'.]
The
cf. vb. with rnrs io623, p|x |nn 85*.
55' Ex. 36^

and constant
nnnni]

*^-.

state

consec.

space in ]^ before
the 5896

(XTixof.

v. 38,

of ^.

according to Kiddiishin^^'^, indicates the middle of

Maccoth^^

states that this v.

and Dt.

28^8- ^^ 298

were

PSALM
when

recited
39.

"i'-P_^]

Dt.

The

32^'^.

41.

o-ir*]]

Is. 52* 1XNJ

{v.

De. Com. Ps.).

remembrance

in

cnp

Ssnc'

with auxil. force followed by

3itt'

name

107*

that they

are a pentameter extract from an older poem.

Vs.**'"*^

consec. impf.

106I*

elsw. 68^

rD>t^>3]

harmony with the context

vbs. in this v. are so out of

of

Is.

nin a.X. Aramaism.

pi.

inflicted

40.

remembrance.

reflective gl.

Snt^'i tt'np] divine

pf.

one were

forty stripes save

195

consec. carrying on the thought of v.^, God's

antithesis with Israel's

must be a

LXXVIII.

elsw. in

6^;

wapuj^vvav,

\f/,

consec. impf.

"^

71^2 89^^.

Hiph.

iirn]

concitaverunt.

translates

same way, so also i'nj in Ps. lo^- ^^ *j^^- ^^ 107^1.

was in , and that a later copyist substituted
the vb. makes the 1. too
Part of the 1. is original

in the

It is possible therefore that ixxj

the Aramaic vb. for

it.

42.

long and must be a later insertion.

for
cf.

euphony,

nx n.m. coll. j^.

43.

o^nciDi

10527; niN as miracle elsw.

Ps.

the longer form of prep,

is'-'jr]

mnx

65^ 74^

3220,

phr. elsw. Je.

o^t']

D^neia {y. 7/^) 135^;

1|

c. D^if

44. -^bn^i] 1 consec. (jo^^)^ cf. Niph. Ex. 7"- 20.

elsw. Ex. io2 (J) Is. 6619.
sf 3 pi. refers to Egyptians of v.*^.
X "iS"" n.m. stream of the Nile

onns^]

jvnr^'Sa] Qal
45.
impf.
cna]
demands \ unless we
'j^'-'^'^

(an Egyptian loan word), derived from Ex.

impf. 3

without
is

form with archaic neg. in

pi. fuller

consec.

prosaic.

It

Ps. 1058I.
Ps. los'o.

makes

1.

'

2833.

47.

t"''^?]

toil,

16

7I*.

^?Jn]

T^^l:]

so

0,

1/'

K. 8"

2 Ch. 628 Jq. i*

produce ; elsw.

toil,

Qal impf. without

consec.

plague v.*^ Ex.

Ez. 176.7.8

K.

Ho.

iqI.

io27

but improb.

It

9^8

^^' vine, as

X\P.i\

17

t.

Ps. 105^2.

\^ simile of wife

a;^C|7ii']

kv rrj

improb. in

(JE)

t.

105^3.

Ex. lo*
is

pi.

Ch. 27^8 2 Ch.

n.[m.] a.X. prob. frost, as

3f,

(2) result of

locust, as

n-"^- hail,

of storm i8i3-i* 148^.

not in

nnnx] n.m. a kind of

j-^q^]

1288; allegory of Israel 8o9-

Am.

n.m. insect swarm, as Ex. 8^" + ^ * (J)

pi. Ex. 727. 28. 29 gi- 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9(j)
;

3n>^]

t [aptt'] sycamore tree, elsw. D^Dpc*

48.

Pi.

nSc'']

sg. coll., as Ex.'s^ (J)

n.m. (i)

Ho. 12^ Dt.

105^ 10923.

elsw.

(J).

rd. pf.

t S^pn] n.m. kind of locust, elsw.

yij>]

109II 1282

(J) Pss.
this context.

the context

too long.

,v:n,-)x] n.f.

46.

226 Is_ 23*.

is err., for

\.

final clause.

Trdx^r},

has been assimilated to

f., sf.

pi.

i^^ 927 Is. 9

v.*7.

frigore.
j-d.

as Ew.,

Dy., Gr., Du., Valeton, after 2 codd., X ">?.?. n-. (i) pestilence Ex. 5^ 9I5 Nu.
14I2
(J) Ps. 9i3- 6 J (2) cattle plague, murrain, Ex. 9^ (J), as here ; cf. v.^.
45I7 Ex. 22* Nu. 20*- 8- n (E).
t \y^yS\ '^"i* beast, as Gn.
t njpr] n.m.
cattle, as Ex. 9^
''^U'-;] pi.
fiery shafts of Yahweh, sending dis(J).
']')^'-).

ease and death, as Dt. 322* Hb. 36;

Ps.

cf.

phr. of
terms. t'^D^'^?]
sending, mission,

mission
^ dyy^Xcvv
The a

rum, prob.
f
levels path,
ona.

lisN

i^nn]

as 6920 85*.

J,

n-iifi

elsw.

J^-f-

Est. 919-22^

q,jj.^^

correct.

,^^.l,^-j

v. is

50.

late gl.

elsw. Pr. 425 58.21 is. 267.

412* Pr. 1228, late

DC'pi,

has the

word;

cf.

r\y'r)

uncommon mng.

pointed, supposing that

it

2>-:3]

n.f. earlier

their

life,

referred to

764.-49.

oyri n'^3>']

cf.

Ec. 8^ dismission;
TrovrjpQv,

v.^^a

cf.

3 angelorum

ij^tt'a

malo-

3^73 D^d^]

phr. a.X. ; dSa vb.

n.m. path 11985 Jb. 1810 287

form

as 74!^

animals

V jumenta, of the more extensive form of

D^-nS-^'^]

a heaping up of syn.

142*.
143^.

as

n7;n]

syn. with

Possibly

tA

KT-fjVTj

MT.

so

airuv,

the pestilence according to P.

PSALMS

196
V.*9. 60

51.

are

']ii\

separated by

gl.

consec. n^^, carries on v.*^ from which

2^rN

21^'^

Dt.

yyti r>rN-i,

40I6
Jb. 187-12

49^

Ho.

12*

62.
Mi.

:n found

v.

elsw.

83" 120^

Hb.

Ham

the

is

material

a long pentameter

is

two tones and

really

This

jos. 24^ (E).

is

gl.

Only

3".

name

53.

3>n nor]

|*?i3)

n.m. (i) border, boundary, of limit

the poem, and should follow

and here;

(S, ,S, 2r,

elsw. only v.". 8 742 10537 122*-*.

two
one

1.

the

first

seem

vbs.

1.

Hiph.

[-^

nr]

so

65.

article.

SN-^r"- "O^ir]

prob. rela-

if

u^c

rrp]

n'^r->

force of

v.

y?-,

consec.

is

pi. idols, as

a tetrameter

It

for tribe in

These
makes
we have

before

|'^'''^>

in so early a writing

cf.

Ho.

loc, as Ju. 21^3

north of Bethel;
indicates, for
96'''

58.

we suppose

with the noun

common

^, but

7^^.

12 Is. iqIo

elsw. with

imD'p^i]

Dt. 32I*.

59.

':'Nyj'^]

But the

Seilun, Rob. Pal}^-^^^

132'';

60' 63^^ 641^

V. Intr.

consec.

Njp, as Dt. 32i-2i.

that there has

is

in

ai^ 3022

i^ ;

consec.

been

-''^3]

for

D, H, and Chr.

)t. 76.26

^^^

v. is

here

is

a late

_j..

This

striking, for the sub-

gl.

60.

^"^r]

S. i2* 321 Je. 7I* 4-, usually n"<r Shiloh, a place in

t; p-iN

Is.

'?~'n,

faithless, v,

could not be the reason for the rejection of Shilo

sequent context suggests Ephraim.

Pu. Pf.

I^rii]

cf. v.i"-i8-40-4i.

icV:]

Hiph. impf.

imN^;i7:]

required, whether

p5] n.m. only

gl.

Ho.

phr. elsw.

phr. of D, Je.

d;?, as io629;

temple

must

it

high places of worship, only here

X

n.f. 7^^^.

z'n^N-rs]

turn oneself back, prove

pi.

a transposition or that the force of the

v. is

11.

consec.

If we attach c^n^'N rs to the first vId. and insert niy

The second also requires an additional word, prob. lair^ of v.*i.
term of P, c. "iDS' also 99^ n^ne. i67. prob. a gl.
57. ub*]]
con-

Niph. impf. 3

-nnN 44^9.

The

two

(song) 1428 (P)

1>>

>cn,n

without the

gl.

_|_^

intervening

54. cno^]]

as demonstrative

it

is

this

5^2

absque timore, has

too long.

t'^"'"'?]

sec.

10622.
is

elsw. in simile

The

v.^^.

Pss.

Soj] phr. a.X.

of waters of great deep 104^;

56. npM

to be a compression of

OT.

in

as

v. ''2.

cf. J n'^oji

3, regard

have the strong force of "yonder," as it

Hiph. impf. 1 consec. This third 1. is a

common

'^"^

Noah Gn.

of the son of

io6ii Ex. 156-

cf.

NO resumes

but

(S.

longer

1.

10523-

in these late

i-'nn n'^i]

Hiph.

(2) territory \o^^-^^ 147^^

makes the

it

concludes the pentameter poem.

V.

tive, as 742 1048- 28^

as

But en ^ns

gl.

on the thought of

gl.

Gn. 49*

r-'a'Ni,

n.m. elsw. strength

t?^<

10586;

here ^, but

X ">7V] Xi.xti. flock, herd, only

2^2 je^ ^jio^
This V. carries

^j"?

wealth Jb. 20^ Ho. I2^ prob. also

prob.

is

it

105^ ovh

has been

it

suggest rather cyx here, as

of wisdom.

1^*^

4026-29 Yx. 11^;

Is.

For similar uses of '^ns

usage of

all

^, 11

of the plagues,

11.

elsw.

phr. a.X., not in Ps.

3n-'';^nNj]

than the other

phr.

These

n'''fN7]

^js n^;j'sn.

J r.^P'Nn n.f. beginning, elsw.

Ps.

of late terms and conceptions, and are doubtless glosses.

full

Hiph. impf.

|1

62.

35, be

^\.

v-i-jvon (7/*),
^v:.':'^]

My]

is

n. pr.

Ephraim,

used here, as context

attributed to the ark as to the

is

repetition of v.^^

praised in marriage songs

63.

so Aq.

i^Sin]

i/xvi^drt-

non sunt lamentatae, so & ""^"^'^ V^'^t iniprobable.

Qal impf. pi. 3 f. n^^ (6g^^), as 2, ^, must have the specific
sense of weeping or singing dirges.
<3, 3, S, interp. as Niph. passive "irD^n.
aav.
64.

iirivd-qaav,

""rr^.n]

65.

Yp_'}]

Qal impf.

consec. f

[KP.;] vb.

awake, as Gn.

^\^-

'^-

21

(E)

9^*

PSALM LXXIX.
i6i*-20
2816(J) ju.

K.

K.

Hithp. ptc. f

o.\.

Ijnn?:]

Hb.

31^ i82^

sleeping, of. vb. j*^; also

2^\

Ba., Du., Kau., Bu., Ehr., most prob.

Ki.,

Flaminius, Hithp. pn shout.

Jo. 2^^.

3 monoceroton

D^pnp3 with Hi.

t

[':"i>']

subsequent word

Gn.

acts

of

cf. Ps.

is

20^- ^

This

1481.

suck, elsw.

y\y. gi've

elsw. ioi2

\~i

Is.

40II

K.

9*.

Qal

i^^r'"!! '^^IP 1"'D

v.

is

of intensification

gl.

(E)

a"'cn

vs3

gl.

71.

^DB.,

adj.

so also

v.'^^^

i^

Hi.,

after 2,

22*

Ez.

as

an;

ptc. pi.

ws

It is better to rd.

Qal

n^^;;]

Gn. 331^ (J).

n^jnn] phr.

De W.,

phr.

ns-jn]

(3"?i>')

S. 6'^-i^

T^':]

KeKpaLTraXTjKobs

but AV., RV., De.,

66.

chn-i, so

AE., Aug., Ges.,

rip-

in this Ps. suspicious.

"'jivv]

D''cyc2] archaic form prep, with

69.

fjiovoKepivTwv,

overcome with wine

^^

Cr"'"']

word than

earlier

iS^^ of Baal.

U, post crapulam vini 3

oivov (B, crapulatus

197

72.

a.X., v.

ptc.

f.

pi.

'^Nit-oi] with

03V on]

40^;

pi.

phr.

deeas or

of understanding.
"^^X^, Hiph. impf. nnj with sf. 3 pi. must have sense
and previous with noun have force of consec, or else it must be in

pf.

circumstantial clause.

PSALM

LXXIX.,

STR.

6^

Ps. 79 originally was a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the defiling of the temple and slaughter
of the people (v.^"-),with a petition not to remember the iniquities

have compassion and save them

of their ancestors, but speedily to

^^

8a5. 9a?.^
^

concludlug wlth a

But many

vow

glosses were added

of perpetual

by Maccabean

thanksgiving
editors,

(v.^^"*)

making the

Ps. appropriate to the desecration of the temple and the cruelty of

Antiochus

(v.^

9=''

i"*'^

12^.

Many

citations

making

from other scriptures

more appropriate for

were inserted

(v.*"'^-^* "^^"^),

religious use

although from a literary point of view

it

it is

now

a mosaic.

HTHE nations

are come into Thine inheritance.

They have defiled Thy holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants
As food to the birds of heaven,

Thy
"D

pious ones to the wild beasts of the earth.

EMEMBER not the iniquities

Quickly

let

Thine

acts of

of our forefathers.
compassion come to meet

us.

Help us, O God of our salvation,

For the sake of the glory of Thy name.
We will give thanks unto Thee forever;

To
Ps. 79
(v. Intr.

was a

Ps. of

all

generations

tell

Thy

praise.

W^

^, then taken up into fH and S, but not into

That appUes only to the original Ps. Indeed^ the

29, 31, 32).

PSALMS

198

form is a mosaic of citations from many different writings.

had only two trimeter hexastichs, v.^-'^ and v.^"*- **- 1^**. These

Ps. in its present

The

original Ps.

a date soon after the destruction of the temple by Nebuchad-

Strs. indicate

which

nezzar, to

7^"^

Ez., cf. Je.

The

v.^-2 clearly refers.

Ez. 9'.

D^>;"?

c^

v.^ is

use of NDta v.^

dependent on Mi.

19I* Lv. 26*5

(H).

a citation; but

bloodshed

from

is

is

Je. lo'^, (e) v.^"

yhg

as Je. 50^8 5111,

either hexameter or prose.

(d) v.*

n::,-'j v.^'^

142'';

(/)

d^jc'N"\ v.^

as Dt.

glosses are: (a) v.^

is

not

probably refers to Maccabean

It

derived from Ps. 44", (c)

from Ps.

P,

n'?2: v,^ is in its

earlier use for corpse, not the later for carcass of animals.

H,

that of D,

is

i^

v.*<* is

v.^ from
composed

Ps. 89*^ (d) v.6-7

of a prosaic gloss

which attributes the suffering to sins; (g) \^^^ is derived from Ps. 115-;
(A) v.ii"'^ is based on 1022I; (i) vM^ is a citation from Ex. 15^*5; (y) yV>hc. 12
are characteristically Maccabean, cf. 89^^- ^2. (^^) yUab jg a citation from Ps.
These additions

100*.

use of

v.^

r^^r\>

and

made

could not have

Maccabean

to the Ps.

>J"'N

v.^^^

were not made

Q32^ did not use

The

the addition.

editor, adapting the Ps. to his

in Rabbinical use for the

in
it,

"SI, as is evident from the

and therefore that editor

glosses doubtless all

own

times.

The

came from the

Ps. is prescribed

day commemorating the destruction of the temple

(^Sopherim iS^).

Str. I.

synth. tetrastich, concluding with a syn. couplet.

The nations are come into Thine inheritance^ have invaded

Holy Land, which God had taken as His own special land
and given as an inheritance to His people, cf. Ex. 15" Pss. 74^
^g62. 71^
They have defiled Thy holy temple^. Even the entrance
of the uncircumcised and unconsecrated nations into the temple
would have defiled it La. i^'' Jo. 4" Na. 2^ Is. 35* 52^, and have
1.

the

made

it

more

positive desecration

ceremonially unclean
is

but

it is

altogether probable that a

referred to, such as the desecration

of the sacred vessels and furniture of the sacred places, partly by

partly

lands
2'.

to profane use, partly by breaking them up as spoil,

by removing them from the sacred places into distant

them

putting

and

all

of which was done by the Babylonians 2 K. 25^^^^ La.

They have laidJerusalem

K. 25^^^
They have given
2.

servants

||

Thy pious

the

dead

26^^

Thy

i'',

07ies\ slain in battle about the walls or in

the streets of the captured city,

left

unburied became prey

and

to the

34^.

cf. Je.

bodies of

in ruins'], phr. of Mi.

also 2

to

cf.

La. 4^^^*

as food^.Xkxt bodies

the birds of heaven'], the vultures,

wild beasts of the earth], especially jackals, cf. 74^* Je.

This simple but graphic description of the niin wrought by

the Babylonians was enlarged and adapted to later times by later

PSALM LXXIX.

199

Maccabean.
3. They have poured out their
water round about Jerusalem, a7id there was no?ie to
bury them]. This might be regarded as an enlargement of the
editors, especially

blood

like

previous context, but

the

Maccabean

reproach

more suited
i Mac. i^^

is

times,

cf.

to the excessive cruelty of

y^''.

We

4.

our neighbours, a scorn and derision

to

are become a

them that are

to

round about us\ This is a citation from 44^'*.

5. How long,
Yahweh ? wilt Thou be ang7y forever ? Will Thy jealousy burn
This

like fire ?]

6-7.

is

a citation with slight variation from

Sq''^

Pour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not,

and upon

kingdoms that do not call on Thy tiame ; for they

his habitation laid waste].
This is a

the

have devoured Jacob, and

citation, with

Str. II.

20^,

and one syn. couplet.

8. Reour forefathers], according to law
threatening Lv. 26^^'"i- Dt. 28^^'^-, prophecy Je. nio<i-,

member not
Ex.

few and unimportant changes, from Je. lo^^

One

one

antith.,

synth.,

the i7iiquities of

and experience La.

5^

solidarity of inheritance,

23^^

K.

"^-

24H

The

both of favour and

posterity in their

must

guilt,

suffer the

penalty of their fathers' misdeeds as well as inherit the blessings

of their covenant.

Quickly],

in haste

the need

is

pressing,

let

Thine acts of compassion], so most probably, in accordance with

usage, as the pi. vb.

is

used, and not abstr. "compassion " or

"compassions," "tender mercies," AV., RV.

God,

personified as messengers of

cf. 21"*

come

pi.

to

meet us]j

glossator

43^ 85"'^^

for we are brought very

low.
9. Help us, O God of our salvation], carrying on the
petition, basing it upon the well-known character of God, cf. 18^^
appends as reason a

citation

24^ 25^

2f

65^ 85^ Mi.

from

f Hb.

142''

3^ Is.

17^

Ch.

Y(,^.

sake of the glory of Thy

name], phr. 29^ 66^ 96^, in

common and

Such glory was due

ancient.

to

its

For

the

conception

His name, and

could be given by His people only and not by others, and in the
land of the

living,

not of the dead.

The honour of God was

volved in the salvation of His people.

made here by later editors,

and deliver us],
and cover over our sins for Thy fia?ne's

makes the

Ps.

more appropriate

for

in-

Several insertions were

specifying the help,
sake].

use in the

The

editor

synagogue by

inserting this petition for the covering over of the sins of the

people themselves, as a check upon their inclination, apparently

PSALMS

200
justified

by

ancestors,

to attribute all their afflictions to the sins of their

v.**,

Ez.

cf.

8^^

The covering over of sins

'^.

God

conceived as by the grace of

10. Wherefore should the nations say:

This

a citation from 11 5-,

is

among

our

the nations before

^'

42*".

cf.

here

Where

Let

Thy servants that was poured out].

with the Maccabean vindictiveness and cry
is

that

may

it

made known

be

vengeance for the blood of

This resumes the thought of

eyes, the

v.^

only the wish

65^

cf.

their God?''~\

is

it

evidently

is

apart from sacrifices,

vengeance

for

may be taken
they may have

not be deferred, but

and before their very eyes, so that

and also that it may be before all nations, as a
public vengeance.
11. Let the groaning of the pHsoner come
before Thee\ a citation from 102^, as also the
cause to remain
alive those condemned to death], captives in war who yet had inin their days

the joy of

it

||

curred the death penalty by violation of some regulation of their

conquerors

when

Maccabean

especially appropriate to the early

religious

and

natural cruelty

political rebellion

times,

was mingled with acts of un-

and barbarism on the part of the Jews,

in violation

of the rights of war and justly incurring death after capture.

additional clause giving basis for the plea

of Thine arm],

is

according

a citation from Ex. 15'^

12.

The

to the

greatness

And

return

to

our neighbours sevenfold], another exhibition of the Maccabean

vindictiveness to the neighbouring nations,

cf.

w}^

demand

for

vengeance of the most thoroughgoing kind, sevenfold, in the spirit

of the ancient Lamech, cf. Gn. 4^^ -\ rather than of the prophets,

and indeed

into their bosom], well-directed, so that

the very centre, to their very heart.

reproached Thee, Adonay].

This

So we. Thy people, and

13.

citation

from 100^,

is

Will

it

strikes to

wherewith they

a citation from Ps. 89^^".

the flock

of Thy pasture].

This

is

to get the antithesis to the evil neighbours, in

order to gain a proper subject for the

Ps.

the reproach

give thafiks unto Thee

for benefits received,

forever

||

final

tell

couplet of the original

Thy praise], the

to all

vow

usual

generations], doubtless in

public song in the temple.

1.

vb.
in

d-'h'i'n]

is

gl.

not required for sense or measure.

Qal become unclean, by

D, H,

P, Je., Ez., as here.

sacrificing children

D^y'?

ruin, heap of ruins, elsw. n>nn

1068*.

icr] phr. as Mi.

d^>3?

Mi. 3^2

jg^

Pi.

"'><?p] Pi. pf.

i* ^fi ctr.

261^.

X ct3

defile, religiously

2.

'?

n.[m.]

J ^'^?J]

n.f.

PSALM LXXX.

6 t. Je., Jos. 8^9 (JE)

(i) corpse, as Je. f^
282s Is. 525 2619
(2) carcass of animals in Ez.,
;
I.

too long.

older writings.
as 18^2 276

ation

It is

ip^^ 10420.

sr^^'^y

-\'P

series of glosses begins here, chiefly extracts

evidently

^^'"''

^^'^s

and omission of i^Sri

iQp-^.

.5DB., PBV., AV.,

Sg^-*

(g,

r.^oD]

5 =

ih^dn^-

?^

""J*^]

as adj. with ditdh

here dub.,

44^^, only vari-

f\V)<r\

gl.

n-DP,and

for

6-7 =

evidently err. for

is

makes

is

from

Je.

with wider outlook, for

ma*?!:!:,

ij';

4 =

impossible in I5; evidently

"?;;

in^n Ps. 104^1,

aoD, either prep,

f.

variations:

89'^^;

prosaic

8.

nr

cf.

pi.

about, suburbs, as v.*.

gl.

of late style for

''N

\/^

phr. Gn. i24 (P),

phr. v.i^ 106^.

-iDp;^*]

variations:

\ j^C'N-i adj. elsw.

K, Dt. 2i28
makes

r7f<"^'"i:o]

io26;

t.

nra]

89^ or parts round

^, E, and Je.

10

P, Dt. 1421.

{p9^^^ for ^T^^D-

mnosJ'D

H,

3.

inS<Pi?

'^,

K. 1322

gl.

so*;

for uo^u'P

ir-in

201

too long.

1.

with

eitlier adj.

or as subst. ancestors, as Dt. 19I1 Lv.

of

pi.

,
pi.

a-'JU'N-^]
nji;;

as

(H), F,

26-^5

nnj]adv. as69i8 io23i437._-^Np ir^i =

as Ps 45^

Gn.2oii (E)Ex. 82(J).

Hiph. imv.
with
1123]
MT. 3 attaches
subsequent
from previous context
separating
independent of both clauses.
making
@ has
RV.,Dr.,Ba,Now.,Kiik., Ehr.
142^ only

v:]

pi. vb. for i sg.;

phr.,t/. 292.

nric

clause.
"^y

pvcrai ijfias,

/ciypie

193] as Je. i828,

gl.

10.

dh^hSn

D-7_

rpi")]]

cstr. obj.

Based on

II.

Hiph. imv.
Si5r]

na*^]

vengeance for, phr.

remain over ;
d for 3 and

vb.

[">'3';]

regard to measure.

Gn.

415- 24,

also

text.

12.

This

v. is

nnSnn ncDj] phr.

^-i-,,-,

be left over 106II.

therefore a mosaic

D;pr3r] sevenfold, as 12^

Tii3"!n

irx

cr5-(n]

was derived from that passage.

3 sg. with both nouns.

and

phrs.

from those of 10221

^m, a variation not owing to

for

which were prob. in the mind of the

32^8.

5028 51II.

n^-irrn "jd;

^ Niph.

elsw.
'^ii

Je.

'J

Ki.

gl.,

and

is

without

'JD^'] of reproachful neighbouring nations, elsw.

44I*, cf. 3112 go? 8^42^

cf. Is. 656-'^ Je.

JIN

and

vbs. are different

Ex. 151^, only

"tjm

cf.

n^ps rpjN

here

omission of particle

is

but

a.X.,

as 23^ 25II 31*;

yjr,^]

-]:2Z'

only variation

1152;

The

to

it

10221 in the phrs.

Ps.

an original difference of
v.* gl.

':']:

it

ace. Pss. 65* yS^^.

c.

t nriinn n.f. not used elsw.

ri'rir

"ir"^:i^]

in

it

"i^V?]?

^n-'s] v. \2^.

ry^^-]

9.

gl.

writer.

13 a =

-^ ni;^] Hiph. impf.

91^ 78* Is 4321

cf.

C|"j-'n-?N]

of requital,

a condensation of 89^1-^2.

is

loo^'',

pi. nn^

y\/,

used for vengeance

except 2 sg.
;

phr. 6^ 75^

and

sf.

for

Ps. 10222.

PSALM LXXX.,

STR.

6,

rf.

2^.

Ps. 80 is a prayer of Israel for a divine advent for salvation,

especially in the

Rf

^^^ ^o)
(v."* ^

that the Shepherd of Israel would

shine forth before Northern Israel

(v.^"^)

remonstrance against

long-continued anger, while the people in tears were praying and

their neighbours

were mocking

(v.*"')

recalling the earlier,

prosperous history in the allegory of the vine

(v.*""),

more

and then the

subsequent oppression by Egypt and the other world powers

(v.^^'^*),

PSALMS

202
with a

final petition that

concluding with a

vow

of

Yahweh would
worship

visit

appends an imprecation on the enemies

petition

and save this vine,

(v.^^*- ^^ ^^).

(v.^'),

Maccabean editor

and a Messianic

(v.^).

gHEPHERD

of Israel,

give ear.

Leader of Joseph as a flock,

Throned upon the Cherubim, O shine
Before Ephraim and Manasseh,
O stir up Thy might,

And O come

forth.

for salvation to us.

Yahweh {Sabaoth)

And cause

restore us,

Thy face

to

shine that

we may

be saved.

YAHWEH Sabaoth, how long

Dost Thou smoke during the prayer of Thy people
Dost Thou feed them with the bread of tears
And give them to drink (a measure of wormwood)
Make us a strife to our neighbours,
That our enemies should mock at us?

Yahweh Sabaoth

restore us.

And cause

A VINE

Thy face to shine that we may be saved.

out of Egypt thou removest

Thou dravest out the nations, and didst plant her;

Thou didst clear (the way) before her,
So that she took root and filled the land.
The mountains were covered with her shadow,
And with her boughs the cedars of God.
(

Yahweh Sabaoth

restore us.

And cause

CHE

Thy face to shine that tve may be saved.)

sends forth her branches unto the Sea,

And

unto the River her shoots.

Why

then hast Thou broken down her walls,

So that all the passers-by may trample her?
The boar of (the Nile) tears her down;

And

the beasts of the field graze upon her.

Yahweh Sabaoth restore us,
{And cause Thy face to shine that we may
T OOK down from heaven, and see.
And visit the vine (Thou didst get),
The one Thy right hand did plant.

The son Thou

And we

will

Quicken

us,

didst

make

strong for Thyself.

not draw back from Thee.

and on Thy name

Yahtveh Sabaoth restore

And cause

it

be saved.)

Thy face

to

will

we

call.

us.

shine that

we may

be saved.

Ps. 80 was in ^, then in fH, subsequently in 15 and in QISl, in which latter

received the direction nn;; d^jb^'^-Sn (y. Intr. 29.81.32.33.34^. jhe Ps.

PSALM LXXX.
composed

is

Rf.

is

of five trimeter hexastichs, to

v2, as

There

74I 78^2,

cf.

7913

of ;dj v.^ as 78^2. of

as 78**; of
Is.

especially the use of

V.13,

owing
from the Maccabean

The

as Ct. 5I,

nn

(^)

The

\M a.X., cf. hn

v. 2, as 771*5

anger v.^ as 74I;

divine

features, as:

all

difficult

marked by enlarged

as

prob. due to

phrases,

these are errors

Rd. here nn;\

a'"'^^'

v.^'^,

based on Gn. 49^2,

name mN3X mn^ was

but

njc

'''y\n 36'^;

'i- is

There are three

were correct

v.^^,

for

J'^r;'

as 78^^; of in>d -inn v." referring to Egypt,

both passages incorrect.

error for njD"in>.

as 50^; of

allegory of the Vine v.^

in v.i^.

late date if f^

v.^'^-^**,

3,

the Shepherd, Israel the flock

There are several special

the warlike character of the Ps.

would imply a

v.^,

as Je. 1$^^; Sx irns

3I.

Mai.

62^''

Yahweh

theophany

d^jj -jnjn v.^,

v.'^,

This

identical Rfs.

the use of Joseph for North Israel

100^.

VI v.i*, as 50^1.

^iti'

4oi2; p-,Q

40^ 57I*

Is.

added

is

but one gloss,

is

There are many features of

78^7 81^; the use of >*>Din of

v.^ as

which

absent in part at close of Str. 4 and altogether at close of Str.

to copyist's abbreviations.

times.

203

which

(a)

r^)'^*<

(d) njcDiD"' v.i* a.X.,

dubious

D as

rd.

7"^:^,

a vb.

and elegant. The

Ps. refers to the ruin wrought by the destruction of Jerusalem. It was written
The gloss, y.^'-^^, contains a
in Babylonia under the influence of D and Is. 2.
Maccabean imprecation, the Aramaism nniDr, also a Messianic interp. of tt'-'X as
jj-'D'' tr>K, cf. Ps. iiqI, and of p as ons p, cf. 8^.
characteristic of

Str. I.

'31.

The

hexastich, of which

qualifies the subj.,

of
cf.

I.'*

gyjj^ j2

the obj. of the other lines.

North

poet, as often in

and Manasseh,

Israel

term of

48^^, a favourite

flock'].

l.i-^.s.e ^j.g

emphatically

2-3.

Shepherd

endearing epithet of Yahweh from patriarchal times,

Israel'\j

Gn.

style of the Ps. is classic in syntax

74^ 78^^

||

Leader of Joseph as
in the mind of the

seems to be prominent

77^^ 78^^ 81^;

emphasized

in before

Ephraim

and standing for the chief

a glossator has added Benjamin at

the two sons of Joseph,

To

tribes of the North.

this

the expense of the measure, without propriety, because this tribe

belonged with the South; possibly because it was on the north

between Judah and Ephraim, and the glossator thought of help
for Judah as coming from the North.
Enthroned upon the
Cherubim'], another ancient epithet of

Yahweh

S. 4^ 2 S.

6-;

on the cherubic slab

the throne room of the temple, and subse-

originally referring to the divine presence

above the ark, then in

quently to the cherubic chariot in theophany Ez.

here.

The

vbs. are

all

syn.

i*

"i-,

forth in the brilliant light of theophanic presence,

II

Stir up

Thy might\ rouse

in interposition,

to strike

to activity the

down

so doubtless

give ear to the petition

cf.

||

shine

50^ 94^

might of the divine arm

the enemies

and vindicate the

204

PSALMS

people,

of

II

come for salvation for

us, the

people being in need

it.

Rf.

4.

Yahweh Sabaoth restore us, and cause Thy face

may be saved\ The Rf. was originally identical

shine that zue

to

at

the close of each of the five Strs.

But copyists omitted it after

the second line after Str. IV., and thereby
occasioned a copyist's error in the last word of the first line
omitted
Str. III., left off

Sabaoth
last Rf.

in the first Rf.,

Doubdess

and by conflation inserted Yahweh in the

all cases E changed an original "
Yahweh "

in

as usual into "'Elohim."

Yahweh Sabaoth,

The

the warlike

petition in

God

all

these cases

is

of the David ic dynasty,

that

may

interpose in war against the enemies of His people ; let

His face
shine with the light of favour toward them, cf. Nu. 6^ Pss. 4^ 31^'
df 119^^ ; that they may be saved from their enemies and restored
to their former prosperity.
Str. II. 5-7. How long?\ belongs to the first
line as an
emphatic question of remonstrance, enlarged upon in the five

specifications that follow, cf. 6^ 90^^

A late copyist by conflation
of Elohitn and Yahweh has induced Vrss. and interpreters to
attach it to the second line, thereby seeming to limit the question

and making the subsequent sentences statements of

style of the Ps. makes it evident that the question
extends over the entire ^Kx.-Dost Thou smoke'], in anger; the
to that line
fact.

But the

hard breathing of passion resembling smoke going forth from the

Dt. 2c,'^\
during the prayer of Thy people], while
the people persist in prayer for deliverance. This seems preferable

nostrils, cf. 74^

to AV., RV., "against the prayers," or JPSV., "notwithstanding

the prayers," although any of these

of the Heb. prep.

may

be justified by the usage

Z>^j/ Thou feed them

give them to drink],

food and drink making up together the daily nourishment of man
;
but instead of the proper nourishment their God gives them the

bread of

\\

tears, cf. 42^

a measure of wormwood]. This latter is
a conjectural reading after Je. 8^^ 9^* 23"'' for the text of
which,
though sustained by Vrss., does not give a good sense whether we
||

render "out of tears," conceived as a cup and defined as a tierce

measure, as is most in accordance with Heb. grammar; or
" with tears tierce-wise," the tierce being a very large measure for

in

a drinking vessel.

But the conception and construction are

alike

PSALM LXXX.

205

awkward, and give nothing more than a tautology, strange

poet whose style

is

in other respects so ornate.

EV.

for a

paraphrase

and obscure the meaning of the original. According to the view

suggested above the " tierce " is an explanatory gloss defining the
" measure " of the original.
Make us a strife to our neighbours^

an object of contention, as Je. 15^^ ; the lesser neighbouring nations

disputing among themselves for the possession of the spoils taken

from

whether in land or goods.

Israel,

mock at

US'],

at the

That our enemies should

weakness of Israel

in her inability to protect

herself from their incursions.

Two

Str. III.

emphatic

vine],

synth. couplets

in position

and a

syn. couplet.

9-11.

an allegory of Israel based on Gn.

49^^,

est], graphic impf., referring to the

Out 0/ gypt Thou removExodus from Egypt, cf. Ex. 15^^.

Thou

cf.

cf.

Ho.

ro^ Is. 5^-^

d7-avest

2^1

2f-^ Je.

iz^^'"^-

out the nations'],

78^, at the conquest of the

Holy Land under Caleb and Joshua, and subsequently; cf. Ex.
^13-17 pg^ ^^3
and didst plant her], the final result of the preJ

This vb.

vious divine activities.

tree or vine

is

is

constantly used of the estab-

Holy Land, even where the image of a

not thought of.
Thou didst clear the way before

lishment of Israel in the

her], resuming the

first

part of

v.^^,

and explaining the driving out

of the nations in accordance with the allegory as the clearing of

the ground of

all

other plants, the removal of stones and

other things in the

ing a vineyard.

of

v.^'',

soil as

So that she took

continuing the allegory

in the fertile soil

and filled

root],

such

all

the vine-dresser would remove in

mak-

resuming the second part

the vine striking her roots deep

which had been carefully prepared for her.

an advance in the thought; so greatly did

the land],

the vine flourish that

it filled

the entire land of Palestine.

with

its

The

growth the entire vineyard,

mountains were covered with

her shadow], a most stupendous growth, an exaggeration of the

allegory, not

uncommon

so greatly that

more

it

in

Hebrew

poetry.

The

vine has grown

has climbed and covered the mountains, and

still

of God]. The gigantic cedars of Lebanon, the

trees, were covered with her boughs]. The branches

the cedars

loftiest

of

all

of the vine climbed these gigantic trees to the very top and cov-

ered their great hmbs.

ancient times.

Thus had Yahweh prospered

Israel in

PSALMS

206

Two syn. couplets and an intervening synth. couplet.

She sends forth her branches unto the Sea\.
The
Mediterranean Sea on the west is the limit of the extent of Israel,
Str. IV.

12-14.

And unto
and so of the branches of the vine that represent her.
the River her shoots\ the river Euphrates, the extreme limit of
Israel on the east according to the tradition of the conquests of
David 2 S. 8^ I K. 4-\ These extreme limits of conquest bring
Israel into conflict with the great nations.

On

this

account

this

couplet begins the Str. to prepare the way for the subsequent
disasters.

Why

then hast

Thou broken down her walls ?\

re-

suming the remonstrance of Str. II. in connection with the alle-

The

guarded
had
defeated
They
been
on the frontiers
by the armies
So
and driven back, and the land was invaded by the enemy.
These are doubtless
that all the passers-by may trample her'].
gory.

walls probably refer to the limits of the land

of Israel.

the neighbouring nations,

who

usually took advantage of the inva-

by the world powers

sions of Israel

to get spoil for themselves

They trample

inroads upon the imperilled borders.

Israel

under foot

like wild beasts with

The boar of

by

the vine of

no thought of the damage

Nile\ the most probable reading, referring then to Egypt, which by incursion so often laid
waste the land but the usual reading, " of the wood," the forest,
they are doing.

the

gives

bours.

a more general reference, possibly to the Syrian neigh-

it

the beasts of the field\ possibly the Philistine neighbours.

graze upon

doivn\ destroys the branches.

tears her

her\

using the vineyard as their pasture, and the tender branches of

the vine with

Str. V.

second

line,

its

II

15

i&-16.

resuming the plea

the one

\\

the son], that

get], take to Thyself as

reading

Thyself

||

all

advances by

which begins a syn.

a syn. couplet.
visit'],

foliage as their food.

single line

T7iy right

the whole concluding with

Look down from heaven and see

for a divine
is,

stairlike parallelism to the

triplet,

advent of

Str. I.

of the vine, as Gn. 49^-.

Thine own.

hand did plant

resuming the thought of

This
jj

is

Thou

Str. III.

||

and

the vine

Thou

didst

the most probable

didst

make

But J^

is

strong for
doubtful,

and Vrss. disagree whether the form H^D is noun or vb., and none
yield a meaning appropriate to the context, or a text of good
measures ; whether with PBV. we paraphrase by " place of the

PSALM LXXX.

207

vineyard," or with AV. think of " the vineyard "

RV. "the
with
17.

U, we regard

(3,

JPSV. "the stem,"

stock,"

editor

later

it

cut

is

off~\

Thy countenance

Sk^
an imprecation

them perish.

let

or with

as noun, or

a couplet, reasserting

in order to

itself,
it

as vb. in the sense of "prepare."

inserts

wrought by the enemies in another form

she

taking

all

18.

is
:

the

damage

burned with fire ;

At

the rebuke

The same,

of

or possibly

another editor, thinking to give the Ps. a Messianic significance,

repeats

v.-^^

in a

form which makes

Let Thy hand be upon

the

man

applicable to his purpose

it

hand\

of Thy right

either think-

hand of God, or more probably of the Messianic king of iio\

So in the parall. upon the
Son of Man Thou didst 7nake strong for Thyself \ This probably
refers to the Son of man of 8^
19. The original Ps. is here
resumed, the first line depending on v.^^*"^.
And we will not
draw back from Thee\ a vow of fidelity,
and a renewed plea:
Quicken us, and on Thy name will we call,
ing of Israel as placed at the right

Qal ptc, nominal force, as n;n, 3;r\ The conception of God

and of Israel as flock is characteristic of % 74I 78^^, cf. also 79^*
= icx)^. rlD^"'] stands for North Israel, as 77^*' 78^^ 8i^ D^ansn ^k'"'] as
99I Is. 37^^ I S. 4* 2 S. 62+ ; originally the cherubim of the ark, later of the
2.

jnj]

7N5f3

as shepherd

innermost room of the temple,

probably here, as in Ez.

still

i*<i-, cf.

later of the cherubic

Rev. ^'^,

theophanic shining forth, as 50^ 94I.

theophanic throne, so

n^>D^n] Hiph. imv. cohort.

;?i3>,

makes 1. too long, and is in

itself improb., though in all Vrss.; for why should Benjamin be associated
with North Israel, Manasseh, and Ephraim ? Possibly it was inserted because
of an association of r\y~>

tr-'N

of

v.i^

rouse, incite to activity ;

a.X. ^,

3.

TP^pi]

with Benjamin.

n-ini;] Polel

but Qal 7^ Hiph. 352*.

imv. cohort.

nnj:;r>')']

poetic

lengthened form for euphony, in order to prevent two accents in immediate

sequence;

plement

for

{j^)

n>'v.:*>

cf.

Ges.^o.

ac^

for measure, as in other Rfs. v.^-

4^

o^hSn] requires

1^- 20.

In

v.^^, as

n'iN3;(

v.^

it is

as its

com-

then pre-

ceded by nin% which, as in 59^ 84^ must be regarded as conflation ; for in all
these cases the measure is impaired, and one of the divine names must be
regarded as a gloss. D^nVs in all such cases stands for an original r^^r\\ otherwise

it

would be niK3X

theophany, 4' 311^ 67^

impf. cohort.

5.

niSn.

inhi]

119!'^^; cf.

^rD'ij:]

Nu.

coord. Hiph. imv. niN, of divine face,

6^^.

nv^iJi]

subord. purpose, Niph.

belongs with previous context, as the measure

requires after that mn-" is thrown out.

n^^y] Qal pf. y&; denom. ]-\i;v smoke ;
subj. f)N 74I Dt. 29!^; here God Himself.
The pf. does not state a fact, but
is

dependent on tid

prep. 2

is

not

"i>',

as pfs. in all subsequent

11.

of

Str.

-?n- 7].

of hostility, as Gr., Ba., Dr., Che., Kirk., AV., RV.

The

or in spite

PSALMS

208

Hu., Du., so JPSV. notwithstanding,

ofy

Ew., Hi., De., Pe.,

super y

42*.

v,u|-

should prob.

ph

i^"^;*!;")]

rd.

De W.,

during, as

{^^

nycT

6.

consec. Hiph. impf. with archaic

vbs. of drinking.

We

ady but their interp. improb.

'^CQrn)]

78^2.

cf.

PBV., "with thy people that prayeth"; @, 2, have

cf.

dub., especially after n;'ci

is

cf.

usual with

pi., c. 3 as

previous

coll. in

mD3, of a measure of wormwood,

njy'?

sf.

^iri,

phr. a.X., but

en;;']

1.

Je. 8^^ 9^*

cf.

23^^ the measure being defined by a glossator as ^^hz", a third measure, a

cf. Jb. 28-^ for such a use of nnc for liquids,
;
f 5^"*^-' elsw. Is. 40^2.

tierce

^1*

/Lt^rpy,

tripliciter.

up^rn] impf.

7.

habitual condition of the people.

elsw. Pr. 15

dative, according to their desire ; but (S, 3,

impf. 2 sg.

and

theme of the
elsw.

;'Dj;

V',

allegory,

78^-^ also

which

more prob.

based on Gn.
is

iJ*^

9.

cyj

'"^'^.f?]

i'^,

ethical

'>c^]

4922.

is

of removal of Israel from Egypt

of God's leading out the wind.

7<S'-^

(i) strife, contention, lib.

(2) object of contention, here as Je. \^^.

t. ;

in position as

change of tense to express the

n.

1"'''^

|pj]
T'or\']

emph.
Hiph.

(cf.

Ex. 1522)

elsw. ^, 78^^

nvjni]

of tense into aorist.

1 consec. after impf., emph. change
10. r"':s] Pi. pf
turn away, clear away ; in this sense usually with "T^t Is. 40^ 57I* 62^'' Mai.
3I,

is

The omission

so prob. here.

Hiph. cnc

(5-?^)

as

indeed prob. a

gives the

subj.

is

really

as three dimeters.

v.

nnn

The

36'.

11.

8^

147 1580.

s^

late

12.

^^2;:p-;r] Pi.

14.

suspended

{2(f)
reference to

river swine,

pf. for

usual

icr, no:) (j-?^).

It

has been omitted in

t"<7i7] n.m. coll. boughs, elsw. Jb.

14

cf.

Che.

ni-i;,

The

yS^.

off,

^rws

lay her bare,

i^DB., as

NH.

Lv.

ii"^ Is.

original

>"^tr

was doubtless

as

r-r]

65* 66^-

^^

Pr. 1122.

change of the original

text,

Gr.

s?nell.

not so good.

is

so in Niph. of walls of vineyard Pr. 24*1.

y indicates a

Rome.

but as Gr., one does not pluck

txt. err. for \-n"in

impf. t [^P"??] a-^- tear

down;

swine, boar, elsw. Dt. 14^

;

all

||

&, trample her.

after

for ^30")^; tear

consec.

,pxj gigantic cedars of Lebanon,

^DB

Tw^-;

than God, the subj. of

in here.

t nnN vb. elsw. Ct. 5^ pluck, gather,

myrrh, but smell it, and he regards Ct. 5^
suggests

c'";;B'ri_i]

word,
t [''17.?"] n-f- shoot, elsw. Ho. 14^ Ez. 1722 Jb.
13. nnsM] 1 consec. pf., change of tense to get frequentative,

27";

Pu.

ir?-]

come

Rf. should

writing as elsw. (v. Intr. 12.)

jgi6 2910 Is.

^'cn*^

This gives us better measure.

jrij.

rHi\ (17^) ace. remote obj. Ges.2^3{5),

cf. ^^K

txt. err.

to get a subj. for s^^^n other

gl.

But the

previous vbs.

of 171

27^ Jb. 5^ but these without the cognate ace, which

Is.

It

is txt.

"'"Jr)]

err.

nin.

Qr. forest

i;'^]

prob. to get a

">n% referring to

Egypt as the

C3l) referring to other nations.

50'^

first 1. is a relict of the Rf. which belongs here.

@ had in-'U-n here
which 1^ ni 3ic' is copyist's error. The second 1. has been left out.
O'CB'D 03n] Hiph. imv. 03j; phr, elsw. 33^* Is. 63^^ La. i^i- 12 2-0 5I.

15.

The

also, for

16.

!^^33i].

Ticrai air-^v

The enlarged

= Qal

imv.

rd. rather Polel njr.

sf.

indicates here a doubtful reading.

np

]}d

ace.

But 3 radicem, so S,

a.X. root, stock ; but this again

enclosure, garden.

from

As Du.

measure and bad syntax.

is

says,

improb.
."s?

i^j is

It is prob. err.

Ri.,

^T,

take

it

as noun.

Gr., Che., Ehr.,

Kal Kardp-

is

improb.

^DB.

would

improb. in previous

He

De., but this

rd. r\\\ n.f.

line.

suggests "jn'^'v.

njr n.f.

It is

bad

It is easier.

PSALM LXXXI.

209

however, to read njnn in accordance with the preference of "31 for njp. Then
It should be c^n, as in v.^*";
it is improb. that the next 1. began with ns'N.
tt'-'N

being used as Gn. 15IO; syn. with 73, of the vine, Gn.
to v.^^^; in (S din has also been added.

49^2.

after

r\-^i

insertion

made

as vb. sq. hy.

17.

nmD3] Qal
v.i^,

ptc.

"njaN^]

interpreting

based on 8^

Vb.

is

written 2 m.

46^^, interrupts the thought,

cf.

>*r!N,
is

Qal

J"d

This

Is.

44I*.
gloss.

elsw. Is. 33I2 of

doublet of

18.

Messianic sense as referring to the royal Messiah

19.

j d^j

Nipj;

correct

interpretation

89-2

cf.

Aramaism cut off, or away ;

imprecation upon the enemies.

juss.;

in the

it

its

Maccabean

f [i^DD] vb.

f.

10^.

Qal impf.

Pi- pf-, fully

^pf?><]

I3"^v] has

hj! is

more than before -wh.

there any

the difficulty with the previous word, urging

Qal ptc,

!^07v']

thorns.

but not before

^nn v.^^'',

The

been assimilated

nVi] should be
cf.

53* Zp.

two beats, without Makkeph.

i^.

PSALM LXXXI.
Ps. 81 is composite
over,

based on

(A) a

divine

its

call to the celebration of

institution

at

the Pass-

the Exodus

(v.^^)

(B) a paraphrase of the divine words to Israel at the Exodus, as

to deliverance from Egypt (v.^'"*"), the fundamental word as to the

Yahweh

exclusive worship of
^^12-13^^

enemies

(v.**-^"^^),

rebuke for disobedience

and exhortation to obedience with promise

of victory over
Glosses add varied material (v.^-9^ii' i^-i^).

(v.^*"^^).

A.

J^ING

V.^"^*,

out your joy unto

STR. 5^.

God our

strength

Shout to the God of Jacob.

Lift up a melody; sound the timbrel,

The

pleasant lyre with the harp,

Blow the horn on the new moon.

(~\N the full moon, (is) our feast day:
For

it is

a statute to Israel,

A judgment of the God of Jacob,

A (festival) that He made in Joseph,
When
B.

he went

v.^-

forth

from the land of Egypt.

!" 12-15^

4 STR.

4^.

A LIP unknown was

heard (saying)
" I have removed from the burden his shoulder;
His palms from the basket shall go free.
In distress thou didst call, and I delivered thee,

RESPOND
'

Hear,

There

And
P

my

to thee in the secret place of

thunder:

people Israel!

shall not

be with thee a strange god

thou shalt not worship a foreign god,'

PSALMS

210

"RUT my people did not hearken to my voice;

And Israel would none of me.
And so let them go in the stubbornness of their mind:
And they went on in their own counsels,
r^ THAT my people had hearkened unto me
That Israel would walk in my ways!

li

was

Ps. 8i

tion n'njn

in

'';

while their enemies

In a

little

And

against their adversaries

<3[,

then in

{v. Intr.

and

29, 32,

two trimeter pentastichs, and

in 132^, in

would subdue,
would turn my hand."

which

^^

34)-

;^2f

last

it

received the direc-

a composite Ps.

is

v.'-^*

has

a call to the celebration of the feast of Pass-

is

composed not earlier than the late Persian or early Greek period. It
E as is shown by divine names, but probably not in <3l. This Ps. was
prefixed in E to an older Ps. of "31, which in its original form had four trimeter
over,

was

in

words of God

tetrastichs, all the

The

ning.

This

Ps.

shows dependence on

the late exile.

It is

divine words in

command

v.^*^"

l3r.Hcx.243 250)
\.^'^f cf. Is.

(l)

v.^*",

to Israel.

It

seems incomplete

when

introductory Str. was probably omitted

1^^

and

v.-'"'^''

at the

and therefore cannot be

Je.,

begin-

were prefixed.
earlier

the matter of the exclusive worship of their God.

is
-^j

than

a remonstrance with Israel for not hearkening to the

The

a pn of the type of D, v.^^* a nai of the earlier type (v.

L,^ y.lO _ ^'21.
^,j K^ v.io = Dt. $2^'^ Mai. 2^1; ^S .-13N h"?

Dt. 13; v.^^

is

dependent on

a reference to the testing of

God

There are several glosses:

Je. 7^*.

at the waters of Meril)ah, cf. Dt.

(2) v.i^, a reference to the preface of the Ten Words, cf. Dt. 5" 20^;
(3) v.i'\ based on v.i^ from Dt. 3218- ^*; (4) v.is, based on Ps. 18^*, cf. 668;

338;

on", as

31^''.

The

Ps. in its present

nacles, because of the reference in

form was assigned

its

PSALM LXXXI.
Str. I.

is

a syn. pentastich.

to the Feast of

Taber-

second part to the giving of the Law.

2-4

A.

a. /^ing

out your joy

||

shout\

loud, tumultuous expression of joy, as usual at the pilgrim feasts,

cf.

47^ 66^

This was accompanied by the melody of song and

music of instruments

unto

timbrel

lyre

/iar/>

and

hor/iy cf.

God our strength^ cf. Ex. 15^ = Is. 12^ = Ps.

Mi. 5^ Is. 49*.
the God of Jacob'], also v.^ as 75^ 76^ 84^
the new moon].
Each new moon was celebrated as a minor
98*^.

from very early times, and

rifices

118^*

on
feast

in later times the ritual prescribed sac-

appropriate to the occasion Nu. 28"""; the

new moons of

the months of Passover and Tabernacles were especially sacred.

Str. II. has introverted parall.
lines enclosing the syn.

second and

the

first

and fourth are

syn.

third, while the fifth line is

PSALM LXXXI.
synth. to the fourth.

On

4i&.

either Passover or Tabernacles.

and

in favour of the latter,

if

211

the full

the Ps.

This might be

moon].

The Jewish

tradition

is

strongly

taken as a whole in

is

its

on the giving of the Law in v.^" certainly favours that opinion and justifies the use of the Ps. on that
But if v.^~^ was originally a separate Ps., it seems more
occasion.
appropriate to the Passover.
is our feast day], specifically, as
5-6 b. For it is a statute]
one of the three great pilgrim feasts.
an earlier form of the judgment; both in their original usage,
composite form the

stress

||

by courts of

referring to laws given

more general sense

A festival],

and
by God Himself.
resuming in the climax

law, but here in a later

for religious laws given

so probably in the original,

the feast day rather than " testimony " of

Law

a late term for

more natural

instead of the
as usual in

Egypt],

v. 80^.

^,

J^,

which

refers to

God

to

Israel

he went forth

from

introduces

12^"'-\'^^.

This

by PBV., and

as subject,

is

in Joseph]^

||

land of

the

time of the

Israel, designating the

tution of the Passover Ex.

text of (, Y), J, followed

festal climax.

When

Exodus of

at the

MT. which

with two earlier ones, and gives a legal climax

insti-

according to the

is

much more

natural than

whether we think of His going

out against the land, with JPSV., Dr., Kirk., and most moderns,
or ''through the land," AV., or ''over the land,"

RV.

The

text

of 5^ was doubtless due to the interpretation of this line in accord-

ance with the subsequent context, whereas

erly

connect

it

(,

F, J more prop-

with the previous context.

PSALM LXXXI.

B.

Str. I has a syn. couplet enclosed in lines introductory thereto.

c.

lip

unknown was heard].

This

is

the most natural

Taking the

interpretation of this difficult passage.

vbs. as ptcs.

best explains the interpretation of (^, F, 3, PBV., as

and of 5^ followed by AV., RV.,

3d

pers.,

"where I heard
a language that I knew not," or "understood not," made more
specific in its reference to Israel by JPSV., "then I heard the
speech of

Him

that I

heard.

It

ist pers.,

had not known."

pers. sg. for Israel here

improbable.

as

was the

But the use of the

immediately before
lip

use for

God

ist
is

God speaking that Israel

God of their fathers. He had

of their

Though He had been the

its

PSALMS

God

not spoken to Israel in Egypt, and was to them a

the speech of the taskmasters

redeemer.

This

which follow:

7.

then,

is,

of

whom

They had been accustomed to

now they hear the word of a

they had no practical knowledge.

;

introductory to

words of

the

God

have removed from the burden his shoulder

His pa/ms from the basket shall go free"]. Israel in Egypt was in
bondage under hard taskmasters, requiring them especially to make
bricks and carry them in baskets on their shoulders to the great
buildings that were in process of erection; cf. Ex. i^^*^* 3^'^ 5*"^'-*
II

6^^^

In distress thou didst call\ referring to the bitter cries

a.

of Israel for help, finally answered by

which may
Str. II.

all

be

summed up

God

Synth, and syn. couplets.

the secret place of thunder], that

is,

words given above,

in the

in the sentence
Z).

in the

I delivered thee'].

/ respond

to

thee in

theophany

at

Mount

Horeb, when the Ten Words were spoken aloud

in connection

The
5.
Yahweh to the
call of the people.
A glossator adds another response of Yahweh
/ tried thee at the waters of Meribah (cf. Nu. 20^^ (P) Dt. 33^
Ps. 106^), which has no manner of propriety in this context, and,

with a storm of thunder and lightning,

remaining

cf.

Ex. 19-20 Dt.

lines of the Str. give this response of

as usual in such cases, impairs the measure.

Israel],

words of

essential

from their repetition

importance to

in negative

Hear, my people

9.

evident

this Ps., as is

form in v.^ and as a wish in

v.^*.

them by an addition from Ps. 50^, and I will

testify against thee, and a conditional clause. If thou wilt hearken
unto mCy neither of which is suited to the context and both of
glossator enlarges

which are against the measure.

are the
First

first

Word,

And thou shall

10.

There shall not be with thee

These
and second of the Ten Words, or the two parts of the

a strange god

||

not worship a foreign god].

as they are differently counted,

cf.

Ex.

20^

Dt. 5""^^

without the reasons or specifications, and in the use of the terms

of Dt.
their

32^2, cf. Ps. 44-^

own

national

Mai. 2", limiting Israel to the worship of

God

to the

exclusion of

This was the fundamental religious law.

the preface of the

Ten Words

11.

all

/ am Yahweh,

foreign deities.
glossator adds
thy

God, who

brought thee up out of the land of Egypt; and also a conditional

promise
Open 7vide thv ?nouth and I will fill it ; their God will
:

give to the

full

extent of the asking.

PSALM LXXXI.

Two

Str. III.
to

my

voice

syn. couplets.

12.

213

But my people did not hearken

Israel ivould none of me'], referring to the historic

||

disobedience of Israel to the divine Law, and their frequent lapses

into idolatry prior to the Exile,

go

and

II

the stubbornness of their

Je. 3^^
II

mind\

in their

own

counsels],

own

Str. IV.

Hfe

Two

and

live in

13.

And so I let them

their conduct.

life,

jgf^ entirely to

Law

in

themselves,

or the divine help, to plan

accordance with their own

syn. couplets.

or derived from Je. in Dt. 29'^

cf. Je. 7-^ 24^

without the guidance of the divine

a phrase elsewhere peculiar to

9^^ ii 13''^ 1612 18^2 23I7,

f"

out their

i^

cf. Is.

they went], in their course of

14.

desires.

O that my people had heark-

That Israel
ened unto me I], probably referring to the past;
would walk in my ways], referring to the present. If this divine
wish had been fulfilled by His people, then He on His part, in the
apodosis, would have continued to deliver them from all enemies
and distresses, as He had delivered them from the Egyptians.
and against
15. In a little while their enemies I would subdue
their adversaries I would turn my hand], the hand of God, as
often, being lifted up to smite the enemies of His people; cf.
||

||

Am.

i Is. i^^.

later editor, not

sion of the Ps.,

Yahweh come
This

is

content with this simple and strong conclu-

makes

But

16.

May

as 66^ 2 S. 22^

the haters

(=

of

Ps. 18**).

as a prediction, or as the continuation of the divine word.

let their

fortune be forever], that

Israel, as 31^^, antith.

is

Him],

probably to be interpreted as a wish of the congregation,

and not

vb.

several additions

cringing unto

jussive,

and

it

with the previous

most probably has

is,

line.
full

the good time of

The form of

jussive force,

the

and

is

not to be rendered as simple future or to be given the force of

"should" of EV^

17

is

a free citation from Dt.

probably in the historical form with historical reference

gave them
satisfied

32^^-14
:

^^^

And He
rock He

to eat of the fatness of wheat, atid from the

them with honey].
(3, %, S) give 3d pers. in both clauses.

J^, followed

by EV'., uses 3d pers. in the first clause and ist pers.

which is so incongruous that many moderns change

in the second,

the text of the

first

clause to the ist pers. in order to

entire couplet a continuation of the

ingly a promise to Israel.

make

the

words of God, and accord-

PSALMS

214

LXXXI. A.
for

ijTiy]

2.

ijfxQv.

Po7]d<^

wv;
3.

p.m. timbrel, as Ex.

&

moon; not

elsw.

f^ NDDH

Pr.

t/',

DV.

Pss. 149^ 150*.

152*^

Am.

"ij3n

Ho.

8* Is. i^^

D^^*?]

as in apposition with nou;

it

*:>

ypaXfidv, v. Intr.

d^^j T'^r] sweetly

2^*

i(f 78^ 119^*+ 122*; improb. here;

rd., as
V'"N;f3]

so Aq.,

original prob. without prep.,

q,

which

^J^

in both cases

LXXXI.
C

rocN

c.

y:Dir

burden, elsw.
66-" (P)

(E)

2 K.

Nu.

as Dt. 338

Ez. 4828;

>^^///^,

^^.^'inj]

8.

2oi8- 2*

^3C":] phr. a.X., f "^^P

"icr^'

1426.

Is. g'^ io27

2"

S.

["'^'^D]
J

niV]

historical impf.
1

Is.

<3l is

Ps. i8*S).

ony]
II

gl.

11.

i^d

732.

y>jDN]

06^2 ; but

3n->.-i]

Hiph.

nnoj]

o?-

n3n:2

c-i|-i

phr. elsw.

n.[m.]

i^i $* ^

(J)
242-2

<Jaj/J^/ Je.

^c

apodosis (65).

sf.

t-i^ns >d]
Nu. 27I* Dt. 32^1 (P)
9. >Dy ycr] (5 adds
18^2^

cf.

Is.

^n^i]

juss.

not

gl.

iS

final clause,

It

57* Ps. 3521, but in different

nS

1310 i6ia

16.

Niph. be humbled 106".

J>'J3

a sure indication of a

as 3ii their fortune.

i;:ott'N

Ex.

2 Ch. 35I8 Jb.4112, the former alone appro-

consec. impf. with strong

(P) Ps.

n.f.

n.m.

256 Jb. 40I2 2 Ch. 2819; here subdue, as 2 S. 8^

10712
Ps. of

the

cf.

lP''-"i^]

i/^f

interpretation.

18. faaS nnnc:3] phr. elsw. Je. 3^^ 72* 918

Dt. 29I8. _Qn\nixj;ic2] two accents, as 5"; cf. Je. 72*.

as 2^2;

^k, 31

o-ot,

doubtless a

sense.

-i>nc.

Dt. 332 Ez. 4719, also Ex. 17^ (J) Ps. 95^
and thus makes the v. as far as 12 identical with Ps. 50^.

cf.

KoX XaXiJcrw
is

n-'Dt.

Ne. 4", usually t

ii'^

t [^;3D]

change to graphic

^^>!^]

but

B.

K.

cf.

elsw./o/,

lo"';

priate here.

but 6, U, 3, 5, 3d pers. in both vbs. ; prob. all interp.

>n\
7. v?^-'t?n] so
but , 3, have 3d pers. here also,

prob. both interps. of an original

2I1

\-i;?i^]

original ptcs.

/<7a^,

is

interpret

new Str.
term of P for Law

0.-6 ab.

r^J Qi(f

new

/w<7<7/ clsw.

U, which

enlarged form of qor Ges.^^.

of author, as 3, not

"^

lyre,

in the

beginning a

really predicate,

nn> ]
climax demands,

>nSNS]

6.

sounding

B'7.n2]

4.

ry

Jin]

i.

+ t "ipO A^^

I.e.).

interp.; phr. not in (S,

is

it is

Ps. iigi*, Mi. 58 Is. 49^;

2 S. 23^ (Dr. in

cf.

but

122

Is.

melody of Psalm,

Tepirvbv;

\pa\T'iflpiov

Ex. 152

cf.

'"!;-!]

i^hd^] phr.

66^

181223"
quickly,

Hiph. humble,

16.

nin>]

2 S. 22*^

(=

+.
cf.

ci';:r]

in a

prob.

or result, but expression of wish.

, 3, and other Vrss. ; but

leads many, as Houb., Kau., Ba., to rd. "ih^^^vn^, 1 coord, with
17.

v-i^^dnm] so

1st pers.
But 0, F, 3, rd. 3d pers. also in;'>aa'n, which is most prob.
go back upon an inf. abs. poo'n without sf. or indication of pers.

PSALM

LXXXII., 3

STR. 4.

Ps. 82 is didactic and dramatic, representing

assembly

of rulers, calling the

partiality

(v.^"^),

wicked ones

commanding them

Both

God Himself

in

an

to account for their

to do justice to the poor

and

PSALM LXXXII.

215

weak (v.^), and warning them that, although their position is

A gloss enlarges upon the evil
divine, they are but men (v.^').
another makes an urgent appeal to
results of their injustice (v.^)
;

God

to rise

up

to

judgment

(v.^).

QOD doth stand in the assembly of God

In the midst of gods He judgeth

" How long will ye judge iniquitously,

And

and orphan.
and destitute do justice.
Deliver the feeble and poor
From the hand of the wicked rescue them,

To

tt

the persons of the wicked respect?

JUDGE the

SAY

feeble

the afflicted

And

'

Though ye

are gods,

sons of 'Elyon,

all

of you;

(Ye) as mankind shall die,

And
Ps. 82

was in

as one of the princes

% and then taken up

It is similar to Ps. 58.

The

scattered as a poor, weak,

High

and

V.^
V.^

among whom

Israel

was

gods and sons of the Most

They are rebuked by God for their

The Ps. is probably exilic. It had

a gloss of further explanation of the serious

is

an urgent plea for divine interposition.

is

week

assigned to the third day of the

Str.

He

!E (v. Intr. 29, 31, 32).

and threatened with overthrow.

condition of God's people.

is

and

afflicted people, are

three trimeter tetrastichs.

Ps.

into fSl

rulers of the nations,

in their capacity as governors.

injustice,

fall.'

I.

Two

syn. couplets.

hath taken His stand and

1.

is

The

in ancient Jewish liturgy.

God doth

stand

||

He judgeth^.

in the act of giving sentence.

God^, summoned by God Himself for a judicial

session.
In the midst 0/ gods'], the session is composed of gods
sons o/'/yon, all of you v^ they have been acting as judges, and
some of them at least have been guilty of gross injustice. These
in the assembly of

||

judges are not

evil angels,

who

Judaism were regarded as

in later

God

guardians of nations and responsible to

the rulers, so &,
Israel,

C,

cf.

cf.

Is.

Ex. 21^ 22^

24-^'-^
^^^.

They

for the

misdeeds of

are not wicked rulers in

But they are the wicked governors

of the nations holding Israel in subjection,

cf.

Ez.

28^^"^^.

All of

these are called gods, because as rulers and judges they reflect

the divine majesty of

Law and order

long will ye judge iniquitously /]

time carried on their injustice in

in

government.

2.

How

These judges had for a long

the government of the people

PSALMS

2l6

God

of God.

calls

them

to

plies a negative answer, that

iniquity

account with a question which im-

cannot go on any longer.

it

was especially manifest by their showing respect

This
the

to

persons of the wicked\ an injustice expressly forbidden in the

Law and the Prophets Ex. 23^ <^ Lv. 19^^ ^5 j)^. i^^ 16^^^^ Mai. 2^

judge
tutCf

II

3-4.

Syn. tetrastich.

Str. II.

A command

in four imvs.

do justice in favour of the feeblcy orphaji,

poor ; probably not individuals so much

hands of

Israel, helpless in the

cordingly to deliver

who were

||

hand

the

to

as the people of

their foreign governors,

them from

rescue

afflicted, desti-

and ac-

of the wicked^

taking advantage of their weakness and inability to

defend themselves.

5.

glossator states in strong language the

They do not know; they under-

serious results of this injustice:

stand not^f syn. statements to emphasize the ignorance and blindness of the judges, according to the usual interpretation.
injustice of these judges

was not the

due

to the failure to discern that this v.

forth throughout the serious

who were

a gloss.

is

about in darkness\ not moral, of ignorance

Is. 8"^ 50^ Pr.

The whole
and

all

2^^

the foundations

and commercial

Antith. couplets.

were sharing the

not as

it

death

but as

slain

to those

they

walk

but of misfortune, as

of the earth are shaken"].

relations

injustice of these governors, cf. 11^

Str. III.

it

order was disturbed, public confidence destroyed,

civil

social

All

they

It really sets

consequences of the injustice

They could not understand

oppressed.

That interpretation

thoroughly understood what they were doing.

is

But the

result of ignorance

||

were unsettled by the

75\
Ye as mankind shall

6-7.

common

die^^

of mankind in eventual

lot

as one of the princes fall, by being cast down,

by an adversary

for the

death here

is

evidently a penalty

impending upon these unjust judges from God Himself.

This

penalty they could not escape, though exalted in their position as

gods and sons of 'Elyon.

They were not

still

exalted

They were not really divine, but human.

They were
to be among the immortals.

mortals, subject to the death penalty.

wishing to

make

8.

later

editor,

the Ps. suitable for public worship, adds the

petition appropriate at
earth'], a plea that

all

times

God would do

sented as doing in the Ps.

arise,

just

O God !

what

He

O judge

the

has been repre-

but probably also in the more compre-

PSALM LXXXin.

217
g6^^'^-

hensive sense of a final advent, as in 94^ "J-

Thou

an

wilt take possession of all nations as

God from

was the special inheritance of

98^

Since
Israel

inheritance'^.

the most ancient times.

But in the universalism of later times, all nations were conceived

as under the divine government, subject to His judgment, and
having a share also in redemption,
1.

but

d'^n,

angels.

6.

^mDN

Gewj'
3.

""JNJ

phr. a.X. for

apply to Sn
;

19.

Is.

Sx] so J, favoured by measure, which requires one accent for

&

87

Ps.

cf.

but

Din"'i

Si].

D>nSx and by tvSy

1|

nouns.

transposes

"'J3

5.

'^N'n'^g;

v.^ so Aq. la-xvpCjVf

An

expansive

gl.

^rSy' j^]
pronoun emph.; but unnecessary, makes 1. too long.
rulers
but no sound reason against it, that would not equally
;

or to D>n'?N

ij:3

onN

favoured by

is

^j3.

more probable.

PSALM

7.

15N] adv. asseveration,

8.

gl.

cf.

j/^

66^^;

so

of petition.

LXXXIII., 4 STR. 8^

God in the time of Nehemiah,

from the conspiracy made against Israel by the

Ps. 83 is an urgent invocation of

for deliverance

neighbouring nations with the purpose of exterminating him (v.^),

enumerating them to show the extremity of the

peril (v.^^),

then

imprecating upon them the destruction that God had sent upon the
ancient enemies of His people

by the great

(v.^^^^),

forces of nature

and that which

Glosses

(v.^'^^''' ^^).

is

wrought

make

the Ps.

more appropriate for public worship by softening the imprecation,

making its final purpose the conversion of the nations and the

God

recognition of the

Q GOD,
And be

let

For

lo

of Israel as the

there be

not

still,

no quiet

to

God

of all the earth

(v.^''*- ^^).

Thee

*E1

Thine enemies are in uproar.

that hate Thee do lift up the head

And those
Against

And
"

Thy people

Come, and

That

they take crafty counsel.

they conspire together against

Israel

let

Thy

treasured ones

us cut them off from being a nation,

may be remembered no more."

pOR they have consulted with one mind

make an alliance
Edom, and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab, and the Hagrites,

Against Thee they

The
The

tents of

(land)

(The lords of) Ammon, and Amalek,

The

Philistines with the dwellers in

(Samaria) also

is

Tyre;

joined with them,

They have become an arm

to the

sons of Lot.

2l8

PSALMS

pO

them

to

As

as to Sisera,

Jabin at the brook Kishon.

Let them be destroyed (as Midian) at En (Harod).
Let them become dung for the ground,
to

May their nobles become as Oreb and Zeeb,

As Zebah and Zalmunna their princes.
They said " Let us take it to ourselves for a

possession.

Let us enjoy the dwelling-places of God."

God, make them

^ MY
As

like whirling dust,

stubble before the wind.

As fire that burneth up the forest,

As flame that setteth ablaze the mountains;
So mayest Thou pursue them with Thy whirlwind,
And with Thy tempest terrify them.
Fill their

And

let

faces with ignominy,

them be confounded

forever,

and

them

let

perish.

83 was one of the Pss. of ^. It was called a -\>r, for what reason it is
determine. The term was possibly attached to the Ps. before it
was taken up into ^. The Ps. was subsequently in fH and
but not in
Ps.

difficult to

3^

composed of four trimeter octastichs, the first pair in antithesis with the last.
The only glosses are at the
close of the Ps., v.^'*- 1*, in which the divine name mn> is prominent.
In
the original Ps. the following words and phrases are noteworthy ^S >dt Sn
(v.

Intr.

24, 29, 31, 32).

It is

v,2, of. Is. 625-

ivcn> y.\ as Ps. 46"; nn:j r^n^

phr. J, E, D, Is. 618

onK >'?nN v.', cf. Hb. 3^ op niSj v. a.X., elsw. c. *? Gn. 29'^ (J) +; c. S3;
Nu. i82-*+; ii^T v.ii, elsw. Je. 4 t. 2 K. 98^; n^^nj v.12, as Pss. 4710 107*0
1138-8 iiS' 1468; D^D'Dj V.12, as Jos. 1321 Mi. 5* Ez. 328O; niNj v.i3, as La. 2^
Je. 258^;

'^;

SjSj v.", as Is. if^, cf. Ps. 771;

v.,

nnn onSn

v.i^,

as Dt. 32^2.

The

language and phrases are those of the late exile and early Restoration.

There are many

all

a.X.

niD ^^>-^p v.*, T'Jidx v.*, "^nN 3S

graphic and original, without use of late words.

ix;?ij

The

v.', a"'jD

nSd v.",

nations mentioned

The most prominent are the sons of Lot,

Edom, Philistia, and various Arabian peoples. The Arabian peoples are joined, Ishmael to Edom, Hagrites
to Moab, Amalekites to Ammon.
The names are old ones and general
in character.
They do not indicate any specific tribe. This is all the more
v.'-^ are chiefly

Ammon

the neighbours.

To

and Moab.

these were joined

significant that the Midianites are so

prominent

in the

Attached to the Philistines are inhabitants of Tyre.

edly subordinate.
Jo. 4*-*.

There

is

itself

also

undoubt-

similar reference to the Tyrians as slave-dealers

no need

culty with the passage

This was in

imprecations.

later

These are

is

to think of

that

Asshur

them
is

in

any other

called the

relation.

The

is

in

diffi-

arm of the sons of Lot.

The Assyrian army

impossible at any period of history.

was never at the disposal of the allies as a weapon against Judah. " Asshur "
must be an error. While it is possible to suppose that Asshur might stand
as the symbol of a great world

power

or

supreme enemy

at

any

later period.

PSALM LXXXIII.

219

whether we think of Persia, Babylonia, or the Greek Syria, yet none of these
could ever have been the arm of the sons of Lot. Geshur, suggested by Gr.,
was never of sufficient importance to be such an arm. Asshur must therefore
be a mistake for some other power of intermediate importance. Leaving this
for the moment, three chief theories have been proposed to account for the
situation:

(i) the earlier view

is

that of the confederation against Jehosha-

But while the Moabites and Ammonites seem to have

been at the head of this league v.^, and Edom seems to have belonged to
it v.^^' 22, and it is probable that they were accompanied by Arabian alHes,
phat 2 Ch. 20

so De.

is

especially the Tyrians are not mentioned,

and

yet the Philistines

nothing to correspond with the

difficult

yet important Asshur.

and there
Moreover,

impossible, for other reasons, that the Ps. could be so early.

it is

common modern view, going back on Theodore of

Van Til and Bengel, Hi., 01s., Gr., Ba., assigns the

most
rus.

(2)

The

Mopsuestia, DiodoPs. to the

time of

While the neighbouring nations were then hostile, yet there was
no actual league, and Edom, not the sons of Lot, was the principal. It is
true Tyre and Philistia appear, but Asshur finds no suitable explanation
and
in other respects the Ps. betrays no evidence of so late a date.
(3) The view
of Ew., Di., that it belongs to the time of Nehemiah, is best sustained ; for
Sanballat, a Horonite of Moab, and Tobiah, the Ammonite, are the two chief
I

Mac.

5.

To

conspirators.
(Philistines)

Ne.

mentioned;

but

these were joined Geshem, the Arabian, and A.shdodites

2^^ 4^ 6^-^.

it

The Edomites and

Tyrians,

it

is

true, are not

evident from Ob. that they were most hostile at this

is

and from Jo. 4.*^ that the Tyrians were slave-dealers, hostile to Judah
and greedy to seize them as slaves.
The difficult Asshur may best be explained after the ancient Theodoret as referring to the Samaritans. It was
indeed upon the army of Samaria that Sanballat chiefly relied as his arm
against the Jews Ne. 4^. The whole situation suits the time of Nehemiah,
when he was building up the wall of Jerusalem. The reference to the stories
time,

of Ju. 4-5, 7-8, implies a knowledge of the book in essentially

form, combining

and

its

present

same period. At the same

time, the historical sense of the author is the same as that which appears in
% generally, as intermediate between D and P.
Str. I.
like

E,

all this

favours the

syn. couplet, followed

advance.

still~\,

J,

1.

God,

emphasized by a

by three

let the7'e

gloss,

syn. couplets in stair-

be no quiet to Thee

against

the

||

be not

measure, keep not

an importunate plea that God would no longer refrain

from interposition on behalf of His people, but immediately act,

silence;

without a moment's
loy

Thine enemies

of

God Himself

||

rest, in

their behalf, cf. Is. 62^- ^-^

those that hate

as well as of

terly as they hate Israel.

Thee\

His people

are

They
;

they hate

in uproar'].

2.

For

are the enemies

They

Him

as bit-

are gathered

PSALMS

220

in a tumultuous, noisy assembly, giving vent to their

cries.

do

lift

up the head\

for aggressive action.

together^.

4.

Their gathering

anger

in

loud

and readiness

in arrogant hostility

They take crafty counsel \ they conspire

is in secret, and they conspire not for

open, honourable warfare, but for crafty, treacherous movements,

doubtless referring to their intrigues at the court of Persia as well

members of the Jewish community.

against
Thy people^ indicating that God
Thy treasured ones\ a phr. a.\.
watched over them and guarded them as His treasure, cf. 1 7^, and
in time of trouble kept them safe from their enemies 27^ 31*^
The ene5. Come and let us cut them off from being a nation'^.
as with disaffected

||

mies propose nothing

less

than the extermination of Israel as a

may

nation, an extermination so complete that Israel

They

bered no more'].

may

pass into everlasting oblivion,

Str. II.
6.

For

cf. 9^^.

syn. couplet, a syn. tetrastich,

they have consulted with one

and a syn. couplet.

the most probable

mind\

by conflation of two readings

reading, enlarged

remem-

be

desire that the history of God's people

in J^, literally

" together with one mind," paraphrased by EV*. as " together

with one consent."

they

make an alliance\ a

treaty of confed-

eracy in war, cf. Ez. 16^^ 30^ Ho. 12^ Ob.^; to be preferred to
" covenant " of RV., which does not in ordinary usage convey the
correct meaning.

The

enumerated

remaining lines of the

Edom\

in the

nations that took part in this alliance are

Str.

7.

The

tents

of

poetic phrase for the nation (cf. 78" 120^), which was so

hostile to

Judah

Restoration,

cf.

in its decline

and

in the entire period of the

Associated with

137^

Edom

closely were

the

Ishmaelites, a general term for the Bedouin tribes which harassed

Judah from the south.

It

Moab~\.

An

should be remembered that the mur'^-

was an Ishmaelite.

word, at the cost of the measure.

to Judah.

The land of
early copyist omitted " land," or some other such

derer of Gedaliah Je. 40^

Sanballat,

probably a Moabite.
another general

Moab

was also intensely

hostile

one of the chief enemies of Nehemiah, was

name

Associated with
for

Arabian

Moab were

tribes,

the Hagrites^

probably conceived as

attacking Israel from the region of the lower Jordan.

Ammo7i\y the most probable

mistake, an enigmatical " Gebal

lords of

original, for which,

ist's

"

8. The
by copy-

appears in J^, with a vari-

PSALM LXXXIII.
ant

'*

Naibal " in

(3,

which

enemy

a subordinate

not only difficult to explain, but

is

departure from the usage in

this

each

in

ancient

Amalek was

in the

Amakk\ the

Ammon

probably used as another general term

"practically exterminated.

Tobiah the Ammonite was

line.

attached to

Israel, is

is

passage of giving a principal and

one of the chief enemies of Nehemiah.

enemy of

221

ancient

as helping him.
for

It

Bedouin tribes;

is

for

South country, and had long ago been

The

Philistines'], the ancient

enemies

on the coast of the Mediterranean. The Phihstine Ashdod is

mentioned as one of the enemies in the time of Nehemiah Ne. 4^
With them are associated the dwellers in Tyre~\, probably as slavedealers,

camp

followers, cf. Jo. 4*^.

9.

This seems

Samaria].

been the original reading here ; for it best explains the

situation, and is in accord with the history of the times of Nehemiah. The reading "Assyria" of J^ cannot be explained in this
to have

context, especially in such a subordinate position as

the phrase

The army
relied for

an arm

is

involved in

sons of Lot], Sanballat and Tobiah.

to the

of Samaria was just that upon which these conspirators

an attack upon Jerusalem, Ne. 4^

Str. III.

and a syn.
upon the enemies of

syn. hexastich

them], imprecation

distich.

10-12.

Do

to

divine action intensified

let them become dung for the ground],

dead bodies rotting upon the ground and becoming fertilizers
of the soil, cf. 2 K. 9^^ Je. 8^. The author imprecates the same
destruction as that which had come on the ancient enemies of his

in

Let them be destroyed;

their

people.

as

the

to Sisera],

commander

of the

army oi Jabin,

king of Hazor, defeated by divine interposition at the brook Kishon

in the plain of Esdraelon near

Midian at
in

En

Thus

Harod].

Megiddo,

Ju. 4-5,

S. 12^.

As

the text should be reconstructed

accordance with Ju. 7. A late copyist by error transposed

to the first Hne in v.^, in the couplet with Sisera and Jabin,

Midian

and changed En Harod

into the

more

familiar En-dor, with the

result that the destruction of the Midianites

of the princes of Midian

lines,

and the

v.^^.

parallelism.

is

separated from that

It also destroys the

measure of two

Moreover, the assigning of two places

and Jabin is altogether improbable, and the

mention of En-dor has no historical or geographical propriety.
as Oreb and Zeeb], princes of Midian Ju. 7^ Is. 10^.
As

to the defeat of Sisera

PSALMS

222

Zebah and Zalmunna\ kings of Midian

8*"^'.

13. They
by ancient copyist, and

said :\ interpreted as relative clause

Ju.

the relative was inserted against the measure.

so

interpreted

as

commonly omitted

in poetry;

independent sentence.
Let us enjoy\.

session

without

clause

relative

Let us

but

the

which

more emphatic

is

it

may be

It

relative,

is

an

as

take it to ourselves for a posSo probably the prosaic sentence of the

II

text should be reconstructed, with the rare vb. " enjoy " instead

the pastures of God], the entire

being
land
conceived as the pastures of God, where as a shep-

of the sign of the def. ace.

He

herd

made

Two

here

reference

wind],

Afake them

like

whirling dust

Ps. i* 68^ Is. 17^^ Je. \i^\

cf.

emblematic

Afy God] emphasizing by

14.

the
is

tetrastich,

the per-

sf.

as stubble before

||

" wheel " of PBV.,

The

AV., though a possible translation, cannot be justified in

text.

to

is

upon whom the imprecation

syn. couplets, enclosing an

of imprecation.

sonal relation.
the

Str.

in this Str.

Str. IV.
all

The

pastures His people.

confederates of the previous

15.

As fire

||

a destructive agent,

burneth

up

the forest

mountains], the forest-clad mountains.

pursue them

The

terrify them].

||

this

con-

as flame], in syn. parallelism with wind as

setteth ablaze the

||

So mayest Thou

16.

point of comparison

is

not the

and the burning, but the rapidity of the destruction wrought

by a forest fire, and so very properly compared with that wrought
17-18. The similes are now explained
by whirlwind tempest.
fire

||

in the climax

Fill their faces with ignominy

confounded forever, and

defeat, the

ment of

flight

their

editor

in

gives

another

that

turn

v.^"

let

them be

and jackals.
by the insertion of

such connections,

them be ashamed and

more appropriate

And

battle-field to vultures

imprecation

this

two vbs. frequently used

let

||

them perish], with the shame of

of a panic-stricken army, and the abandon-

dead upon the

glossator enlarges

71^^,

let

to

let

the

thought, to

public worship, and with

for

cf.

35^

them be abashed.

make

40^*

A
the

70^
later

Ps.

a universalistic

19. that
seek Thy name, Yahweh
enlarged
in
alone,
Yahweh,
name
Thy
they may know that
the
earth,
all
'Elyon
above
Thou
J^ by the marginal doublet.
spirit v.^^*,

they

may

||

it is

cf. 97.

PSALM LXXXIII.
2.

is

in

tibi, n:^^^ id

similis erit

The second

n.[m.] quiet,

^!?;t

'nJ'""'P^"'??f]

V guts

c dittog. of

first,

%.

v-\r\r\

55I6

Qal

a-.X.

in this form, but for other forms v.

j [3-,] vb."^^ shre7vd, crafty:

1926 (all Qal ace. Ges.S^^.n.^ Bu.).

ally treasured ones.

num

K. 13^

Is. 78 17I;
1.

11^.

Zc.
z'.

too long,

also

ni;;

of
cf.

is

1,

78^^

5.

i"i?pf<]

*?]

as often

phr. a.X.,

cf.

S. 2322 Pr. 156

coord. Hithp. conspire against;

Qal

'n\iiDx]

d^

is

gl.

sg.

6.

ar^a-

Ex. 232^ (E)

edvos, cf. Je.

of amplification,

There seems

usu-

3f

too long; usually

1.

3>(tiv

(jltj

px

ptc. pass,

but Aq., 2,

making

gl.,

ni^np,

"'ii

]\fe^ 57^

Now., Du.; the

01s., Dy., Bi., Ba.,

nn-" aS,

+.

which

is

nm

aS

48^

makes

ix;^;:]

phr.

S^^.

Dt. i^ Ju. ni5 Je. 4824

for

the unusual

latter, as

nna]

nn:)

phr.

d^is ^'^hn] poet. phr. for the nation,

7.

name for Arabian

complementary word for
or no^y Dt. 34^-^ Jos. 13^2^^ or pN
general

as 60!^; needs a

3x"'c]

+.t

to

not euphonic.

J D-'SNyrc';], the IsAmae/ites, a

Gn. 372^ Ju.

name

intensification of glossator.

measure, either >Snx as previous

general

16''.

gl.

td lonr]

4.

Hiph. elsw.

S. 2322,

Ss-^t'i'-Dr]

71^0 jg^ 4^21

be preferred to

I20^

tribes, cf.

coord, cohort, nnj (40^^), as

E, D, Pss. 50^ 89* Je. iii^

J,

46^.

be a conflation of
the one the usual one, the other with ins 2^, which is approved
2^^

two readings
by most moderns,
phr., is to

is

cf.

i^j^'^'^'"']

pregnant,

J7?]

Ges. iii9-8-d.

a.X., but without

:

L:7;nD_Ji]

Ifioiud-^fferal aot,

prob. interp.

"tn

so 3J, interpretation

tuum, vefeniug to temple.

omitted in poetry.
I

T'i5'"'P,

tU

must have read ""D D^^S^<.

original and omitted by haplog.
The v,

jvcn;] poetic fuller form;

3.

but

so ^.

89'^,

or else

too long for trimeter measure.

Is.' 62^-'';

z.'i

as

223

1.,

pi. n. pr. gent., elsw.

c^-??:]

510- i-2o,

Ch.

from Hagar, mother of Ishmael.

8. hzi']
Gebal, Gebalene mountainous region south of Dead Sea.

Arabian

usually n. pr., a.X.

tribes,

But this is improb. with Ainmon. Three names improb. in 1. syn. with 11.
where two are used. One name in each of the other 11. is preceded by a
or after @ NatjSdX = S3 ija or Syj >J3,
noun in cstr. We might rd. here
a conflation of ^12 and 'S>*3, the latter prob. correct.
% p\'^v'\ n. pr. m. Amalek, ancient enemies of Israel, usually in the Negeb Ex. 17^ Ju. 3^^ i S. 14*^
30I8
used here as a general name for Arabian invaders.
t ^ll^'^^] n. pr.
"''::"ia.5;

terr. Philistia, elsw,

of

its

1/',

60IO

inhabitants, the slave-dealers

Tyre, as 45^^ 87*.

9.

"iVw

TX

loSi'' 87*.
;

cf.

prob. restricts i^x to

^3*f >]

Jo. 4^-6.

'^''^

usually

n'i*

n] n. pr. terr. Assyria; not elsw.

^ paraphrases by Sennacherib,

some

n. pr. loc.

xp,

improb.

At no period of history could Assyria have been regarded as so dependent upon the Ammonites
and Moabites. Lag., Gr., rd. "iVwb, as 2 S. 2^ (em. txt.), a small territory on
Hermon but this was too insignificant a place to be regarded as the arm
Ew. thinks of Persia, and Hi., 01s., Du., think of
of the children of Lot.
here.

king of Asshur.

Syria, as nearest Assyria in later times

ever have been so dependent on

Samaria.

This

is

but neither Persia nor Syria could

Moab and Ammon.

Theodoret suggested

most probable, especially if the Ps. belongs to the time

4I ^-,
it was just the Samaritan army under Sanballat, Ne.

of Nehemiah, for
which could with propriety be called " the arm of the children of Lot."
8^^.
pi^i] Niph. pf.
Niph. either reflexive
J mS vb. be Joined, Qal only Ec.

PSALMS

224
or passive

Nu.

c. V>-

m. the

only here

c. a>'

14I+.

i82-* Is.

This

S. 12*.

c.

;2^^-\jp]

tribe, as Is. 9^ Ju. 6-8.

Jabin, Ju. 4-5,

Sn Gn. 2g^ (J) Is. 56' Je. 50^ Zc. 2^;

phr. elsw. Dt. 29-i.
10. J i;!?] n. pr.

elsw.

commander

the

<'JP"'i?]

here a doublet of

is

army of

of the

the Canaanitish king

J jo^,

4. These three names in close proximity make a prose sentence.

them belongs with v.^i*. It is probable that Midian has been brought

of Hazor, Ju.

One

of

tr^'^H]

forward.
17II

28^ a

S.

to inn

always

1 521-21

4''-

Snj Ju.

'p

11.

modtxn Nahr- el- Alukatta.

'EsdxztXoxij

on the north side of

village

the place of Midian's defeat.

pj',

of the defeat of Sisera.

we

If

of plain of

Gr. would change

does not altogether

Midian

attach

18*0, river

Hermon.

little

It

K.

t "'f^TPV] n. pr. loc, elsw. Jos.

to this clause,

nnn p/ as the place of defeat, the whole becomes clear. We

Midian's defeat to precede v.12, and not to be separated from

by a

it

ence to the defeat of Sisera, which occurred at quite another time.

n.m. dung, always of corpses lying on the ground as
16*
1.

253^^.

12.

2y,

3sr, n^T, yj^';'?]

V. 2^.

Sd]

gl.

This

ntJ'N gl.

imv. poet,

'^:2P''r]

of intensification.

V. in antith.

not have two tones.

The

text.

error

is

Sj'^j]

v. yy'^.

132*.

16.

q7;'^D;i]

'D

"ij?3n]

it is

Niph., as

connected.

6^-

* 11

and prob. original

making the
;

35'-^6

40!^ 70' 7124.

561*^

59I*

-f

v.

noNi]

pentameter.

19.

^1;'"!^]

was not

55*.

^nrDj]

makes a prose sentence.

and improb.

prosaic

can-

does not imply a different

pi.

NH.

f niN vb. only

p^nj pi.

enjoy,

in

17.

elsw. Is. 40'^* 41^ Je.

trans, c.

ace:

rd. Pi.

^DB.

phr. a.X., but

k^::]

o^i\3d

phr. a.X. for

cf.

-i?

"jd

'2.

"^v] as 92^ 13212-

These are usual

18. iS"i3^i]

coord.

It is

1*.

ira^ and non^i]

vbs. of imprecation,

final clause, usually sq.

This vb. unusual in imprecations,

2^.

t, as 4*

20''

prob. a variation of qcc.

riN'i"'?^ hy p^^;] phr.

from 97^ where

cf.

4112 ^511

nin"]

is

nnK

>3

n)7V>

also.

PSALM LXXXIV.,
Ps.

v.i*.

nin-] is evidence of gl. for the sentence with

lU'pa^]

so also n^x^i.

additional evidence of gL

appears

cf.

30^ 48; for Pi. v.i*

glosses,

is

driven by wind

Qal only here

V. j8^.

^cc

makes

it

takes the place of c-n'?x, doubtless original.

'^'^n]

I'^Si"^]

"ic/n]

pn]

n'>K3

but

Ju. 7-8.

cf.

IP'^]

2 K. 9'^ Je. 8^ 9^1

'i::?''"?;;

34I6.22. 23 2

has two beats;

nrs

13.

""^- stubble, as

'"^'C]

Midian,

refer-

prob. the latter from

Rd. r>H3 tnj; tn; Niph.

K. 12; here as

ancient.

14.

with v.^

relative clause.

nD3 44I* 69*.

which

6v<riaa-T-^piov is interp.,

Niph. consent, agree, Gn.

cstr. [113] V. 2j^.

gl.

n. pr. m., princes of

all

by

obj. defined

sf.,

Either noun or vb. must be

too long.

offal

place

suit the

and think of
would expect

84

is

3 STR. 6^ rf. i^

a pilgrim song, composed just before the Exile:

places where Yahweh's praise is

the pilgrim band passes through
though
continuous (v.'-"^)
(2)
into blessings as they advance
transformed
it
is
a vale of weeping,

(i)

longing for the

;

sacred

PSALM LXXXIV.
with prayer to the presence of Yahweh

225
(v.*"^^)

prostration at the sacred threshold, in love to

and Shield,

T-JOW

is to

beloved are

My soul

(3) one day of

Yahweh, the Sun
;

be preferred to an age in the tents of the wicked

Thy

tabernacles,

Yahweh Sabaoth

Yahweh

doth long, yea, doth pine for the courts of

Where my mind and my

flesh jubilate 'El, the

Yea, the bird doth find a home for herself.

And the swallow a nest for herself, where she

God

may

of

my

lay her

life.

young.

At Thy altars, they praise Thee ever, my King and my God.

Yahweh Sabaoth, happy are they that dwell in Thy house /
HTHE highways are in the minds of those who pass on in the vale of weeping.
He maketh it a place of springs; yea, the early rain clotheth it with blessings.
They go on from battlement to battlement in order to appear before God,

Yahweh

in Zion,

Yahweh

my

the

God

of Hosts;

God of Jacob
Thine anointed."
Yahweh Sabaoth, happy are they whose stronghold is in Thee.
VEA, one day in Thy courts is better than a thousand.
I choose to be prostrated at the threshold of the house of my God.
Better than an age in the tents of the wicked is to love Yahweh
For a Sun and Shield is Yahweh my God
Kindness and faithfulness, grace and glory. He giveth.
Yahweh withholdeth not any good thing from them that walk in integrity.
Yahweh Sabaoth, happy are they that trust in Thee.
(Saying)

See our

Ps.

"

hear

shield,

prayer

and look on

give ear,

the face of

84 was a pilgrim song, resembling the group of T\'h^'CiT\ '\>v Ps. 120-134 ;
v.^.
It was first in ISt, then taken up into JH and i^,

m^DD dva^dcrets
when it received the
of.

direction nipjn h-; {v. Intr. 28, 31, 33, 34).

It was
not in E, the selection from which closes with Ps. 83, although w^rhn is used
and v.^*' as
V.8 for ni,-T by attraction to previous Sn v.* by error for 'rhu
;

late gloss, for the line is just this

mSn, which
prob.
is

is

word too long

characteristic of this Ps.,

had the same author

cf. v.*-

so also v.12 dvi^n

n,

The same devotion

manifest, though the latter Ps.

is

prob. for

84 resembles 42-43, and

worship in the sacred places
Ps.

to

was the lament of an

song of one who shared in the pilgrim procession

exile,

the former the

and therefore
composed before the destruction of the temple. q-'mjDtrc v.2 = 433, cf. 46^;
('i)na?D v.* =43*; {'yr\ Sn v.3 = 423- 9, cf. 4210 432- 3; Sx nxn> v.s = 42^; v-^^
Moreover, these Pss. have the same pentameter measure
V.12, cf. niN 43^ 44*.
and the same organisation, in three Strs. with Rfs., although the number of
lines is not the same.
There are also resemblances with other Pss. of 3t
3pr ^nSNv. = 468-i2; niN2x(^nSN)nin>v.2-4.6.9. 13 ^468. 12489; -|';:p of Yahweh
v.*

= 445

The

478-

7. 8.

9 483.

pn

prob. of the king

v. 10

||

psalmist's prayer for his king as the anointed of

nation implies the monarchy as

still

in existence

v.^, cf.

rin^a'D

42^,

reminds of

Yahweh and

8919-21.

shield of the

and the temple worship,

to

PSALMS

226

which pilgrim bands ascend, implies either the first or the second temple. The
two together imply the first temple. There is no sufficient reason to doubt
that the Ps. comes from the time of trouble and anxiety (v.' ) just before the
Exile.

Str. I. has

lowed by Rf.
love, lovable,

EV".

is

now

two syn. couplets, enclosed by two syn.

How

2.

lines,

" lovely," RV.'".

ancient meaning of " amiable "

The

This

practically obsolete.

much

as

is

as to say that

Yahweh

the tabernacles^ the sacred precincts of the temple of

Sabaothy the

God

sacred precincts was intolerable.

Absence
My soul doth
3.

the courts

and the outer man,

flesh'],

i6^ the

festal

doth pine and wastes

in anxious desire,/^/*

processions were made.

emphatic

in position, the inner

body sympathizing with the

Because of the change of tense from

in this worship.

and the

cf.

it

and sick

faint

of Yahweh^ to which the

Where my heart and my

from the

iong], emphatic

present, with intense desire, so intense that

consumed, becomes

of the

were beloved with

(cf. 24^)

a love that was too great for expression.

is

God

of the battle array of Israel, the

covenant and of the dynasty of David

away,

fol-

beloved'^, the object of strong affectionate

attitude of longing of previous lines,

it

is

pf. to

soul

impf.

necessary to

interpret this line as a relative clause with a frequentative verb,

jubilate\ accustomed to take part in the sacred shouting, the

roar of the pilgrim bands,

42'^; misread by

MT. and

makes unexampled

syntax,

cf.

42^

Vrss. as

row," EV*.
II

nest],

The

cf. 8^,

of

living

my

life\ as

God," which

and a sentence difficult to explain in

4-6 a. Yea, the bird~\,

accordance with the usage of the verb.

a general term,

God

*El, the

"unto the

which cannot be

the specific term

is

rightly

the swallow

rendered by

*'

spar-

doth find a home

both followed by for herself as the measure requires.

birds have the free and habitual access to the sacred

little

precincts that the singer so greatly desires.

and could almost wish he were a

He

envies their privi-

As Tristram says
" Still the swallow seeks the temple enclosure at Jenisalem, and
the mosque of Omar, as a secure and safe resting-place " {A^at.
Hist. Bible, p. 206)
At Thy altars they praise Thee ever]. The
altars are not to be attached to the previous clause, as EV^, with the
view that the birds had their nests even there, for altars were places
for sacrifices made by fire, and not places to which birds would
lege,

bird.

PSALM LXXXIV.
The meaning

resort.

bourhood," Kirk.

is

hardly to be weakened into "

new

begins a

It

227

line, as

neigh-

its

the measure requires.

Confusion has been made by an ancient copyist, whose eye has

transposed to the next line the two words which originally followed

who

ar6 ever there in continual service.

this

As the birds are ever

This gives a proper parallelism.

here.

the sacred precincts, the singers

phrase; but

cult to

understand in

personal relation

is

his king, as usual in

reconstructed,

is

V, PBV.,

(3,

rightly interpret

3, by mispointing read "still," which

Jif,

this context.

in

sing in the temple Hallels

is diffi-

My King and my God\

The

emphasized by the sf. The God of Israel is

The Rf., as
1^ the temple is His palace.
;

thus

Yahweh Sabaoth, happy are

they that dwell

Thy house'], those like the birds having constant access there,
and like the birds also singing constantly in the sacred Hallels.
6&-7. An
Str. II. has one antith. and two synth. couplets.
early scribe removed the Rf. of this Str. from its close v.^*^* to the
beginning.
The Str. should begin with The highways are in the
minds of those]. These are the highways leading up to Jerusalem,
on which the pilgrim bands go up to the three great pilgrim feasts,
Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. These are in the minds of
in

such pilgrims, in accordance with the longing for the divine Pres-

ence in Jerusalem of the previous

On

of weeping].

through a valley.

unknown,

it

This

true,

is

is

Str.

who pass

on in the vale

to Jerusalem the pilgrim

interpreted by

many

bands pass

as the vale of Baca,

and yet one so called from the balsam

Some

But

Vrss. interpret the unusual form as equivalent to a similar

word

it

meaning "weeping";

*'
:

reflecting the experience of sorrow in

the pilgrims approach the sacred places,

due probably

which threatened them shortly before the Exile.

joyous prospect and their intense longing.

Ho.

2^*,

and the

so (^, with

EV\,

God

as subj.,

give the 3d

pi.,

which

is

on the

This tempers the

subj.

soil,

and thus

fitly

which

it^,

MT.,

a place

J,

of

figure, the refreshing springwater, for the

divine presence and favour, satisfying the thirst after God, as

the early rain],

Achor

He maketh

best suited to context.

making the pilgrims the

which

to the perils

Cf. the vale of

valley of dense darkness Ps. 23^

springs], carrying

trees

dry, cheerless valley," Dr.

which characterised
all

way

their

in the

autumn,

42^"^.

in Palestine, refreshes the

represents the divine favour descending from

PSALMS

228
heaven,

Dt. 32^ 2 S. 23* Ho.

cf.

10^-.

dotheih

with

it

blessings'],

so (^, 2r, RV., as a final interpretation of the figure, antith. to

" weeping " ; to be preferred to " pools," PBV., AV.
8-9. They

go on from battlemetit

to

battlement], as R. Jehuda, AE., Horsley

from one walled town to another, on account of the

peril of the

journey, or, coming to the gates of Jerusalem, they pass from one

battlement to another,

order

appear before

to

48^^,

cf.

God\

on

way

their

This

cf. 42^.

to the temple,
is

in

be preferred to

to

" from strength to strength," EV*. after ancient Vrss., becoming

more and more invigorated

as they

approached Zion.

The measure

requires that the line should close here, the next emphasizing the

goal of the journey, the divine Presence, by heaping up terms

Yahweh

Yahweh

in Zion,

the

O hear my prayer],
now begins O
God
public worship,

God of

Hosts,

cohort, imv., urgent petition in the prayer, which

give ear, terms constantly used in

||

cf. 4^

5^^.

of Jacob], phrase of endearment 20^ 46^^^ 75^*^ 76^ Si^'^ 94^ Is. 2^
= Mi. 4^ 10. See look on], pregn. with consideration and

our shield], the

||

favour.

cf. 2^ 18^^

89'-^

132^

king, as 89^^,

not to be referred here to God, as

is

because of

against the

v.^^,

47^^

cf.

Thine anointed,

||

the king of the Davidic dynasty.

parall.

EV.

The

after

" Shield "

@, J, %, Aq.,

Rf. v.^ should follow,

wrongly removed by ancient copyist to the beginning of

Str.

Yahweh Sabaoth, happy are they whose stronghold is in Thee], cf.

46^ The abstr. " strength " of EV. is not so suited to the

8'

context.
Str.

beginning
(^,

has three syn.

III.

%,

Str., is

PBV.

thousand,

couplets.

" one "

is

EV\

emphatic present, deliberate choice,

(S,

one day], so

needed for measure and

/
by J^, AV., RV.

though omitted

threshold], ace. to

Yea], intensive, as

11.

better than causal " for,"

to

antith.

choose],

with
pf.

be prostrated at the

of the humblest position; more suited to

the context than the paraphrase of this unexampled and difficult

form, "doorkeeper,"

EV.

Better than an

as a usual form, best suited to the context.

wicked], as

(g,

to

be preferred to the

age], interpreting J^

abstr.

in the tents of the

"wickedness" of

line is defective.
We must supply as subj.
Yahweh, which, while given in (, is wrongly
attached and explained. Thus we get a beautiful syn. parall. with

MT.,

J,

EV.

of sentence,

The

to love

PSALM LXXXIV.

229

the prostration at the threshold, and an idea harmonious with v.^

12. For a Siin\ only here of God ; but cf. " light," as used of

God's

theophanic or gracious manifestations in

face, especially in

the temple to worshippers 4^ 27^ 36^ 43^

Yahweh my God\

is

as the

God

defends His people from their enemies,

cf. 3^* 7^^

59^^

(S,

Kindness and faiihfulness\\x\

-|-.

and Shield

44'' 89^'^.

who

of Hosts, the warhke God,

jgs.si.se

^<^ ^^20

although misplaced;

grace and glory, all objects

not in J^, J, but needed for measure
He giveth withholdeth not], these
of the divine benefaction.
||

favours.

||

walk

the}n that

complete

in integrity^, cf. 15^, those in

accord with Yahweh in their course of conduct.

Yahweh,

Rf. emphasizes their trust in

was their stronghold, and the

This third

13.

second that Yahweh

as the

dwelUng

their

first

temple

in the

precincts.
2.

makes

1272 and fiVT'

too long.

1.

^7ri

theme

plying relative clause.

4.

plete without Sx.

gives better measure.

epithalamium,
only.

'"'7'?']

19^1- ^2. 123^ pfg. for

511^ 59^'' 145^;

but prob. dittog.

-s^t'

, 3,

sense of pine, also 69*

.X. c. ace.

persons Dt. 33I2 Is. 51- 1 Je. ii^^ Pss. 60'^

cf. 45I {v. Iiitr. 24).
3. DJi]

adj. pi. beloved, elsw. of

n"!"!''"';.]

108'^

20^

c. 3

Q^^ P^- 3 ^- '"''^^

emphatic present.
63^ 89^^ 92^;

t,'^'^

3 laudabunt deum.

^x] rd.

^"l

r;'3]

"^n

The

Sx as

by

is

Sx
c.

^x, (5

frequentative, imis

better parall. nS

p'^,

phr.

"UJ"!;]

S 95I.

and then measure

42'^-^,

in (S, followed

nv^in^rrpTx].

impf.

^^ spenf, in the

comand

^i^,

In any case the two tones make

1.

too

an interpretative gl. This word begins a new line. By txt. err.

there has been a transp. of mX3X nin> with t^i^^St* m;-, destroying Rf.
5. T>'] so 3 adhuc ; but "i> d% roiis alQivas tCjv aiibvcjv, which better suits

nx

long,

is

context, especially
require.

and

6.

if

transposed to previous

cf. i^.

''"^w's]

injuring measure.

dtx here and

usual in poetry.

mS^T,

c<?.y

form;

full

cf. ^3*7 v.^;

are interp.

'^"^^i?

valle

."1V7D"] a.X. xp,

Oort, Ba., Du.,

dittog. as 28^.

though

and not

^v

defines

^S]

common

in

original

rd. 3S3.

for niD,

may

TV Koi\a8i rod

not needed

which was omitted as

(3 dra/Sacrets,

may

paraphrase.

U ascensi-

'2?^'!'?]

The double

3 is

in corde suo, suggests that both

sfs.

has no sufficient reason and

of interp.;

rel.,

OT.

tempting, but (^

iv TTj KapSiq. aiiTov,

in Pss. elsw.

P*?;*]'

is

but

gl.

the beginning instead of at

It is the Rf. of Str. II. at

the end by copyist's misjudgment.

measure and the Rf.

as the

1.

prob.

v.^'^

7.

"''^?>]

improb.

is

Qal

ptc. as 3, but

Si^^ero,

here possibly represent an original

KXavd/JLiovos,

(S"^'-

<>

* '^- '^

ets ttjv

"i3>'

KoiXada, 'S in

lacrymarum, 3 in valle JleHis, so essentially all Vrss. and Mas. = 'D3

j5DB. thinks of xd3, balsam, cf. a-ixj^ 2 S. 5'^'*, and so desert land.

weeping.

r"^]
]iy'0

fontem, so Aq., S, %, as 74^^

Si''

1041'^;

dwelling place, so Hu., Ba., We., here and

sg.

6i>

ideTo, IB qtcem posuit

more prob.

87'^.

nn;n]

but

tSttov;

117'^*:] 3

pU

so U.
so

early rain, as Aq.j

5f

but

but

PSALMS

230
3

6 vo/jLodcTufv,

Hiph. impf.

or rampart^

Twv

6 ^edj

This

hit.

original

niNUX

QtCiv

with tvxa

rhythm.

D-inSN

^^y^

Then

1.
1.

constitute a

':':n?]

8.

so

1.

11.

present order of |^

cnSs ^n]

42'.

needed

oIk^Iv,

more

(Q

fxLa,

so

S>, rd.

by

dibs,

"'I"'

dwell, as Aram.,

al.

It

dub.,
is

Both

v.^^

and give

;:c"i

ni3r)

>VnN3

PSALM LXXXV.,

\n

The 11. are defective

The omission of the 1. of
anx, which

latter

(v.""^^^*).

The

^3

4 STR. 6\ rf.

2'.

the Restoration

of

(v.^^)

(2) peti-

(3) confidence that

(4) the divine attributes bring salvation

Rf. is an earnest petition that

turn from His vexation and save them

(v.^).

V.^^ is

gloss.

'J'HOU didst favour Thy land. Yahweh;

Thou didst restore the prosperity of Jacob;
Thou didst forgive the iniquity of Thy people;
Thou didst cover all their sins;
Thou didst gather away all Thy rage
Thou didst turn away the heat of Thine anger.
Turn

really

pdn) ion

from present troubles

salvation is near (v.^^)

in

nnn

b'db'

Ps. 85 is a prayer of the congregation

and peace

is

Rd. therefore:

(i) rehearsing the favour experienced in the past (v.^"*)

tion for salvation

where some

6'^

^3.

r\yr\>

^hSn nin> pni

jn^

Gen.

nn generation, age.
cnSw nvT> pni triyi ^i\

suitable parallelism.

3nN

nin>

cf.

3rt eXeoi/ koX dX-fidnav dyarrq,

texts are needed.

brought ncNi ion immediately after

needed to complete

f|D

though sustained here by

12.

ncNT iDn qviSk mn> ant*

in either case.

denom.

"B, 3, abjectus,

better to rd.

@, which had instead

so

nnN after Dv,

icD

ino prostrate, Niph. Je. 46^*. Another

was prob. f,D inron, compressed

prob. concrete vun with @.

so 3, 2, Aq., but not

measure

habitare, i9DB., Du., Ba.,

JT?.] so 3,

K^pios, 6

inf.

(5

original

^117]

Qal

an

should precede inxna for better

prosaic.

pn% but both Aramaisms and

o..\.

is

requires the three forms, and they

rd.

for

but

improb.

into iDiron.
n^n"*

dv"i^n for

niN3X d-'hSn nin"]

9.

The

for measure.

so S,

n^^j'!?]
is

to imply norDi, Hithp. nsD

is

ncoy]

Suvd/icws,

Oort, Ba., Du., rd.

fcrxi^p^s ^c6s.

which is indeed needed for measure.

n!?'''"'97] a.X., Hithp.
stand at threshold as guard, or / service ; (S Trapaptirreiadai,

seem
word

Sexta.

@U

should close with Sn, and

The measure

most prob.

ny-i""

The

"v.

U, Aq.,

so &,

'tn,

should begin the next

is

Dr.; but R. Jehuda in AE., Horsley, Ba., Snp

48^*.

best sustained.

is

nvi"'

\"iSn

cf.

U, Quinta,

JT,

Swaet prob. paraphrase.

^DB., Du.,

de fortitiidiney

from wall

by S, 2,

doctor, are sustained

v. 71^^.

to us,

And remove

God of our

salvation,

Thy vexation towards

us.

God will

an expansive

PSALM LXXXV.

231

^ILT

Thou forever be angry against us,

Draw out Thine anger to all generations ?
Wilt Thou not again quicken us ?
And shall not Thy people be glad in Thee ?
Shew us, Yahweh, Thy kindness;
And Thy salvation give to us.
Turn

God of our

to us,

salvation.

And remove Thy vexation

will God speak ?
Verily He will speak peace,

towards us.

^HAT

Unto His people and unto His favoured ones,

unto those that turn their heart to Him.
Surely His salvation is near to them that fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Turn to us, God of our salvation,

And

And remove Thy

T^INDNESS

and

vexation towards us.

faithfulness are

met

together,

Righteousness and peace kiss each other

Faithfulness sprouteth forth from the earth,

And

kindness doth look

down from heaven

Righteousness goeth before Him,

And

peace doth march

Turn

to us,

And remove Thy

Ps. 85
It

33).

in

His footsteps.

God of our

salvation.

vexation towards us.

was in 3t, then in fH, and subsequently in 131^ {v. Intr. 28, 31,
looks back upon the restoration from exile as long past, v.2-*; it

prays for deliverance from trouble, probably that of the late Persian period,

subsequent to Nehemiah.

The

critical.

ation

later

is

v.^ apy"* r\\yy

Dt. 32i'in Pss.,

and

better.

Ez.

39^^^;

The language and

all Strs.

is

an

aorist

Rf. v.^ has

and

classic:

of Yahweh, as

been omitted, as often

upon

and

favour Thy
Jacob\
The
the chosen people of Yahweh.

syn. couplets.

favour

it,

the term of endearment for

vb.

The

22^ 2913.

v.^ d>'d

but one.

Str. I. has three

land\ bestow

style are simple

v.^ ns-jn no::, cf. Ps. 32^;

v.ii v^j!j, as Pr.

27;

from

was not so

Ps. 85 resembles 44, but the trouble

personification of divine attributes resembles 43', only the situ-

2.

Thou

didst

the land for the people.

refers to a definite event in the past,

probably

the rebuilding of Jerusalem by the returned exiles, and those of

the survivors in the land,

Thou

who united with them.

didst restore the prosperity'], cf. 14^,

" turned the captivity," restored from

by

(3, J,

and other Vrss.

3.

Thou

exile,

syn.

is

specific

although sustained

by taking up
and putting it far away

didst forgive],

the iniquity of the people as a burden,

from them and from Himself

The

and not the

cover],

in

the

ritual

by the

PSALMS

232

cleansing blood of the sin-offering, applied to the divine altars to

But here, as

obliterate the stain of guilt adhering to them.

from the

entirely apart

of Yahweh.

ritual,

Thou

4.

32^,

the sins are cancelled by the favour

up

didst gather away'], taking the anger

as something objective to Himself, withdrawing

it

but penitent people, and removing

sins.

it

with the

from the

sinful

turn away

the heat of Thine anger], give it another direction, so that instead

of spending it upon His people it will have an opposite purpose.

5.

The

Rf.,

to us]^ that

is,

Turn
refnove Thy

omitted by later scribes from other

the divine face in favour, as

v.-**.

Strs.

(S, for J^ "break off," which originated here, as

by mistake of a letter paraphrased by EV^ Vexation with
the people carries on the idea of the previous rage and heat of

vexation], so
89'**,

anger in a milder form, as applied to the present situation, which

the poet conceives as less guilty than that for which the nation

had been

visited in the great Exile.

God who had

God of our

so often saved His people that

as having salvation as His characteristic,

salvation"], the

He could

be regarded

18^^ 24' 25'

cf.

if

65^

79'-

Str. II. has

Draw

6.
all

two syn. couplets, enclosing a synth. couplet.

out Thine anger], prolong

it

so that

it

will

extend to

generations, and so intensify the continuance of the anger for-

ever by His

own

deliberate purpose

and sustained

effort.

The

question implies a negative answer, for such a thing was incredible to the people of
nation.

7-8.

Yahweh,

implying a positive answer

for the " again "

experience of quickening, that

impartation of

view of the past experience of the

in

Wilt Thou not again quicken us

new

life

is,

is

?], the

question

based on previous

the revival of the nation by the

and vigour

to them.

Such a quickening

make His people ^/<j^/ it will be a letting them see His kindness and bestowing upon them salvation.
9. Let me hear], cohort,
Str. III. has three syn. couplets.

will

impf.,

is

the gloss of an impassioned reader, which has crept into

and brought with it great difficulty of interpretation.

improb. that i sg. would only here take the place of i pi.

the text
is

What

will

God

speak

?].

emphatic response, Verily

antithesis

The

He

question

is

It

put in order to the

will speak peace], not peaceably, in

with vexation and anger, but peace from trouble, in

PSALM LXXXV.

233

accordance with the previous prayer and the subsequent confi-

Those

dence, v.".

to

whom He

speaks so favourably are empha-

unto His people^ His favoured

and especially those that turn their heart to Him, so properly
O, F ; but J^ by error of transcription so rearranges the letters
as to make an entirely different sentence, which is not only diffi-

sized in three descriptive phrases

ones,

Hebrew

cult

syntax, but also interrupts the easy flow of thought

characteristic of this Ps.

"let

them not turn again

dence," Dr., Kirk.

It

then variously rendered, either

is

RV., or "unto self-confiThat glory may dwell in our land~\,

to folly," AV.,

10.

may

that the glory of the divine theophanic presence

and dwell

to the land, as in ancient times,

as the

again

come

Shekinah

in the

Holy of Holies of the temple, the palace of the king Yahweh.

^q1i.i2

11-12,

has three syn. couplets.

Str. IV.

and

butes kindness

^^4 ^j8 jj^i 1^8^; righteousness

here, because of the emphasis

14.

The

divine attri-

constantly associated, 25^

are

faithfulness

and peace,

upon "peace,"

v.^,

only associated

which takes the

place of the term "justice," usually coupled with "righteousness."

These four
weh,

cf.

attributes are personified as angel messengers of

Holy Land

the

pair are

first

met

Yah-

separate missions in differ-

Returning from these missions they

ent directions.

the

They have been on

43^ 89^^

together.

all

meet

in

Kindness, which

at an early date, has been replaced by

" righteousness," destroying the parallel, doth look down from

by a copyist's mistake,
heaven,

expecting and waiting to meet faithfulness, which

cf. 36^,

sprouteth forth fro?n the earth, rising toward heaven to

sister,

from earth coming together as

The second
they meet
to

footsteps, in

were midway above the land.

the one, righteousness, goeth before

;

parallel.

embrace, when

Him,

the other, peace, doth

accordance with the

in

His advent

march

in

His

But an early copyist,

to the following instead of to the previous word,

by attaching 7

made an

it

pair kiss each other in affectionate

His land and people

error, followed

PBV, "

by

all

Vrss.,

which

is

variously rendered

AV. " set us

way of his steps," RV. "make his footsteps a way to walk
and the like no one of which gives an appropriate meaning,

and explained

direct his going in the way,"

in the
in,"

meet her

the messenger from heaven and the messenger returning

or a suitable close to this beautiful

and

artistic Ps.

PSALMS

234
13

a gloss, interrupting the thought and making the Str. so

is

much

too long.

The

Yea,

Yahweh

And

our land

Prosperity

r^"^] pf. aorist

pluperf. Ba., Dr.;

prophets, esp. Je.

not emphatic present PBV., proper

uncommon

ace,

n** yS^***

that

makes

1.

too long.

pers.

improb.
'D

pf.

'D ri''3"'rn]

The

Qr., v. 14^.

preg., sup-

s.v.

usual construction

with

is

prob. represents an original 2nr, but

was prob. an interpretative

It

AV,, RV., or

noc

Kt.,

n;-.:*]

Pss. 692^ 78*^ also preexilic

in late writers.

"'Jo Du., but

also n:;n 106-',

the

nu*^
25* +)

ace, as 44* 147^^

c.

plying Thyself, as Dr.

landy fertilized by the divine

owners.

its

IDN inn] phr. of J (Ex. 32^2 Nu.

4.

her increase.

The

increase^

||

presence, will yield to

will yield

divine attributes will also bring a blessing to the soil of the

land.

2.

will give prosperity,

, 3, take

gl.

explain Hiph. of f^.

5. -\cn] Hiph. imv. ["nc]
break, violate, not suited to the context.
(S dTr6a-T\l/ov, so V, suggest non,
vb. as Qal.

It is difficult to

which was doubtless original here and 89^^; so

Yahweh

not elsw.

i/^

Bi.,

in this sense, but Dt. 3219-

Du.

D;r] vexation, of

k. 1530 2122 2 K.

27 j

2326.

h^n Sk^, so U, assimilation to v.*. nns is

airn] has auxil. force followed by subord. impf.
a gl., making 1. too long.
9. n;crN] cohort, impf. i sg., only example in the midst of i pis., is improb.
It is not needed for measure and is a gl. of an impassioned, impatient
nin^ '^?*7J'
copyist.
inserts iv ifxol, in me, an interp. gl. followed by
PBV., possibly influenced by Hb. 2^. nin"> is a gl., as it makes 1. too long.
nSh] so 3, 5r

'"ins

7.

but

The

less

common ^.sn is more prob,,

God but cf. 28^ 3520

of peace with

especially in IS.

z^'-'Z'

Je. g' Est. 10^, not the

same as Di^c^

otr^ ^vi]. This negative requires juss. form ; but it

(J).
priate to the context.
Aq., 2, &, 3, all make it final clause n'?i.

Gn. 37*
n.f.

self-confidence, elsw. Jb. 4^;

as

"^D^ 49^*,

and not

phr. a.X.

"^5"!;]

inappro-

is

^"^D^S]

folly, stultitiam 3, Aq.,

et in eos
2, omitted by S.
<S fai toi)j iTri<TTp^(poi>Ta$ irpbi avrbv KapSiav,
qui conrertiintur ad cor n^ o^*;' ^-iz' '';'', so Street, Ba., Now., Du., is

doubtless correct.
for D3

|^ has in time of Egyptian Aramaic script mistaken D3

and wrongly arranged the

pf., elsw.

Pr. 222 29^3.

7Ap,

The

V. is

doubtless a

14.

T|">"7.'7

or^ij

sed et.

Du., T^T c^r.

letters of the sentence.

Qal encounter, not in ^.

13.

11.

Tpi>.

J irjc:]

r\\r\>

oj].

This additional ideal interrupts the personification of

is

gl.,

as

it

improb., as

makes the
it

Str. just

these two

gives no proper parall.

1^ transposes S by

txt. err.

11.

Niph.

koX

v.^^-^^-

".

too long.

Rd. with Dy., We.,

PSALM LXXXVI.

PSALM LXXXVI.,

235

5 STR.

4^

Ps. 86 is a prayer composed for public worship in the syna-

Yahweh to answer His afflicted servant (v.^"^),

whose prayer continues all day long (v.^^), pleading His goodness
in forgiveness and His incomparable works of deliverance (v.^ ^"),
gogue, entreating

^-

asking for instruction

for deliverance

from Sheol and abundant kindness and faithfulness

Glosses were added of entreaty for an answer

^^13.15-j^

expressing the assurance that

Him

and concluding with thanksgiving

(v.^^"^^),

(v.^)

all

(v.^-^),

nations would eventually worship

stating the peril from terrible enemies (v.") , and final

importunate pleading

(v.^^^^)

INCLINE Thine

ear (unto me), Yahweh,

and poor am L
keep my life for pious am I.
Save Thy servant, who trusteth in Thee.
/r\ THOU my God) be gracious to me, O Lord:
^
For unto Thee I call all the day.

Answer me;

for afiflicted
;

Make glad the soul of Thy servant, O Lord

For unto Thee I lift up my soul.
YEA, Thou, O Lord, art good and ready to pardon,
And abundant in kindness to all that call upon Thee.
There is none like Thee, and there are none like Thy doings;
For Thou art great and a doer of wonders.

'pEACH me Thy way

Let

my

I will

walk

heart rejoice in fearing

in Thy faithfulness.
Thy name.

1 will thank Thee, O Lord, with all my heart

And I will glorify Thy name (my God), forever.
T70R Thy kindness is great upon me,
And Thou hast delivered me from the nether Sheol
For Thou, O Lord, art a God compassionate and gracious,

Slow

86 was a nScr.

Ps.

It

tetrameter tetrastichs, and

chiefly those of

and abundant

to anger,

is

in

kindness and faithfulness.

was not in !5 or
light and graceful

, due probably

It is composed of five
movement. Its phrases are

133^.

in

to familiarity with the Davidic Pss.

plies Ex. 15II in v.^, Dt. 32^2 in v.i^^, Ex. 34^ in v.^^.
Is.2

in

its

use of

D'^ riN-c v.ii.

o.X.

^2';

TnS

v.^- *;

for public
is

and on

It

im-

shows dependence on

in its use of 22^

\M-

^^,

and of

was, however, original, and uses several phrases

V.2 >iH -i^Dn ^d; v.^ rho) 2y^; v.^

was composed
been edited. It
It

for Israel

The author

It

y^y'OD ps;

v.s- 12

q^

^3^. y.is hy

Snj

*iDn.

worship in the synagogue, probably after IB had

probable, therefore, that the Ps. was not in

in the title, as in Ps. 108,

was due

to the

B, but

that

resemblance of this Ps. to Pss.

PSALMS

236
There are several glosses

of Q.
V.'',

v.^,

an intense petition in usual terms

v.^, an assurance of the ulti;

a statement of habit of prayer and answer

mate worship of

my

nations

v.^*,

answer

II

life'],

as

from 54^

1-2.

Syn. couplets.

Str. I.

31* 71^ 102^

keep

all

a petition based on 116I*.

v.^^'-i^,

me\

Incline Thine ear unto

me'\ as usual in prayers; explained

25^ from the

peril of death, cf. w}^.

\\

as

by

Here

save'].

as usual the people pray in the ist pers. sg. in the consciousness

of their unity before God.

Israel conceives himself to

As such he

servant of Yahvveh, as in the exilic Isaiah.

(v. 4^),

poor,

and

trusteth in

cf. 35^

37"

Yahweh,

in original text

God by

acteristic divine

name

more

3-4.

the

sf.

my God],

TJiou

Str.

and

displaced

emphasizes the per-

It

intensified

O Lord\

by

v.*-*-^^-^'

a char-

besides the

familiar

to

the

J call

cf.

servant']^

4^;

the

The people are now engaged in prayer For

lift up my soul], the soul ascending to God in
:

||

prayer with the uplifted hands,

long, continuous pleading.

cf.

25^ and indeed all the day,

Syn. couplets.
Vea], emphatic assertion of the
5.
be preferred with JPSV. to " for " of EV"., giving an

Str. III.
to

pious

afflicted

be gracious me\ a
expression,
Make glad soul of Thy
give

joy of salvation.

fact,

though

of this Ps., used also

specifically,

unto Thee

and put into previous

sonal relation to

glosses v.^.

4^ 31^;

40^.

Synth, couplets.

Str. II.

cf.

be the
is

additional reason for the pleading.

pardon], phr.

a.X.

His people, and so

"good"

||

abundant

sins of the people, cf. v.^^

Thou art good and ready

to

"being good to"

kindness, ready to pardon the

in the sense of

in

Ex. 34^ Ps. 103^

8.

There

is

none

Thee], comparable with Thee, cf. Ex. 15". There can be no

other thought than " among the gods" of other nations ; but it
like

was not necessary to express

it

thereby injured the measure.

this,

and the glossator who added

The second

half of the tetrastich

more closely by there are none like Thy

doings], a phr. original and peculiar to this Ps., but very proper
as an introduction to 10 a. For Thou art great and a doer of
defines the

wonders],

God

first

cf.

in the

half

Ex. 15".

pardon of

The
sin

erance of His people in

is

strong in

its

Ps. asserts at once the kindness of

and His greatness in wonders of delivAll this belongs together and
the past.

simpKcity and historic reference.

PSALM LXXXVI.
Glossators greatly enlarged this

237

breaking into

Str.,

several

its

6. is a plea for a hearing, in the

and interrupting them.
O give ear^ Yahweh, unto my prayer ; and O hearken
usual style

lines

unto the voice of my supplications,

cf. 28^ 130^.

7 is an assertion
In the day of my trouble I call on Thee^
9 is a universalistic referfor Thou answerest me"], cf. if 77^
ence to the eventual conversion of the nations All nations whom

of general experience

Thou hast made will come and worship before Thee, O Lord, and
10 ft. emphatic repetition of v.^*^
glorify Thy name'], cf. 22^^

God, alone art great, or an assertion of the unity

as in (^, Thou,

God

of

as

"

Thou

Two

Str. IV.

art

God

alone," so

syn. couplets.

11-12.

petition for divine instruction

27";
conceived as a way or course of

life.

Thy faithfulness],

will walk in

cf.

EV.
Teach me Thy way],

and guidance

cf.

Law,

in the

Then

the apodosis of imv.

26^

Let my heart

i|

rejoice],

B, F, cf. v." ; to be preferred to

J, Aq.,
E, followed
by EV. " unite my heart," a phr. a.\. and difficult to explain in

so

(g,

this context,

in

fearing Thy name], the reverential fear of wor-

which is associated with songs of praise and rejoicing ; phr.

So I will thank Thee I will glorify
Dt. 28^ Ps. 61^ \02^^^.
Thy name], doubtless in public worship in the temple.
ship,

Str. V.

Synth, couplets.
a.A.,

but

intensity, 145*

Nu.

me], phr.

loS''

cf.

||

103^^.

14^^;

13.

For Thy kindness

It is

conceived not only as great in

and

in extent,

great upon

even to heaven, Ps. 57^-

but here as extending to nether Sheol,

is

cf.

Dt. 32^, the world

below, the abode of the dead, whither Israel as a nation had gone

when exiled from the Holy Land. Divine kindness descended

upon him there in order to bring him up thence, so that he may
now say Thou hast delivered me from it. The original Ps. concluded with 15, an emphatic assertion of the kindness and faith:

fulness of

God

in the citation of the classic passage

glossator inserts 14 from Ps.

had been

in

and

they

cf.

strength

25^^,
||

and

the congregation

and

added 16-17

in different

v.^, to

34^.

that Israel

God, the proud

A
v."^,

my

later editor for

measures

be gracious to me, resuming

give sanation, resuming

Ex.

show

the terrible sought

of
did not set Thee before them.

liturgical reasons

me,

in order to

mortal peril from terrible foes

rose up against me,

life ;

54^^,

Turn unto
Thy

O give

Thy sen^ant

||

to

the

PSALMS

238

Make with me a sign for

son of Thine handmaid^ cf. 116^*.
good\ give some assurance that He was good to His people. It
not necessary to think of a miracle or a theophany, which could

is

mind of

hardly have been in the

the editor of this late passage

but of some practical exhibition of favour

Ne.

5^^

that

13^^

me may

they that hate

in real life, cf. Ezr.

with shame"],

6"

see

cf.

that], the fact seen, and not " because " of EV'.,
Thou,
35^
Yahwehy hast helped me and hast comforted me] cf. Is. 49* ".
,

! n^J^ ^^^'] elsw. of God, abs. 2 K. 19^

sq. S 17 88' ii62, or Vn 318 712 io23; so here,
^]^n>'\

needed
y

706) 109!^

first

1.

first

of

1.

v.''.

rd. rather ptc.

n^Di

6.

(Qr-) Jo- 2^* Jon. 42 Ps. 1038, contr. ncNi non

\'^^Jijnn]

is

1.

too long and

gl.

is

or introduces a final clause.

self 22-* 50^^-

nal prayer.

11.

gl.

phr.

Qal impf.

>39*7]

last

makes

1.

so S,

form as

full

139 ().

ISC'

v.^2

U,

32*5

plain

"''?3']

^"^^i''?

9.

and

mn

Qal

rejoice, as

Ne.

i^^.

12.

needed

is

4.^ |.-ix(n)

gl.

of

cf. -n

from 54^

mp

sf.

^N

The

Ez. 3ii*-

16. 18

only differences are

for d^hSn.

15. ji:m

cim

and

it is

gl.

^"^t'

is

it

K.
;

2* 3

but

each

Vk:b;'>]

is

with adverbial force, so that

the objective that^

1.

rv.-^n.n Pss.

??] phr. elsw.

God Himprob.

1. is

where same
2 K. 20^ Is. 38^.

evcppavd-qru
Pi. Ps.

2i^

15, 20, 24, 25, loi,

13.

nonn

63^^ 1391^
;

S'nc']

14

is

the insertion

phr., as Ex. 34^ (J) Ps. 103^, earlier

*?]

4^^ Jos. 2^2

(J) Jb. ii'^.

variously explained.

qualifies

which

doubtless a

Gen.

a.X., cf.

as

is

Yahweh

a prosaic copyist has com-

for

order; the later Dinm pjn iii* 112* 145^ 2 Ch. 30 +.

ters,

ri'rvrs j'n]

27^^,

on? for cnr, an error

gl.

makes

either coord,

is

Ex. i8 Jb. f.

"^nSN jin]

bined these divine names, but one

Dt. 3222;

E).

as Dt. 4^; phr. Pss. 6i io2i Dt.

with

inf.

supplies Sn;, but

Aq., S, ^, 3, Ba., Du.

Gr., Bi.,

(J,

not suited to the origi-

gl.,

rrN2, phr. 26'

c.

ready

q) ^^

and a

for deeds of

an insertion from

is

14^8

without S; elsw.

cf. v.^^

defective.

is

Nu.

The

iin.'^C'M].

"i^Sn

a.X. adj.

n'^'D

already.

ryz'^;-:^

4.

^J^s d-'hSn^J

8.

enough

a universalistic

in "^

both doubtless original, as in Pss.

'^^'^:^'\

28^8 Is. 59^ Mai.

+.

is

belongs to

v." Ex. 346

3-^

17^ 77^.

God.

""Jin]

a trimeter couplet

Ex. 15";

t^t,^

apod, of imv.

"bl^"^^

cf.

is

cf.

too long

1.

v. is

y^,

v. is

Pi. impf. X in"' unitey as

nn;:]

-in^

The

10.

cf.

This whole

23.

mn'>]

used.

is

"ii::d

and judgment,

in deliverance

what

interp.

gl.,

a.X. intensification of

phr.

This

of five words, prosaic in form

phr.

2"}]

6.

+.

37!*

35^''

too long;

1.

my

||

phr. a.X. f

2''"j]

iDn

9"

a.X. for 'Jijnn 28"^

either

\}/

without

mng. m}^ Lord

as 103'.

n';:b,

in

characteristic of this Ps., also in

"'p^'\

3.

g^^;

measure, as Du.

nns] makes

\-iSn

2.

Dn.

for

phr. 109--^;

"o]

Is. 37^'^

needed

both D, and Dt. 24^^ +.

143^,

complete the measure.

to

:?

74^1.

possibly in original

phr. elsw. 2^^

"iTflj]

pardon;

to

16

B, and

all

complete

to

4. 6. (8). (9). 12.

NtTN

jvdni

doubtless original.

is

(=

4oi

"inI'.!]

\\Q^.

16

17.

has three trimena'^toS n"'N]

apod., or final clause, or

phr.
juss.,

subordinate to the previous vb., and

it

does not disturb the force of

and not the causal for.

""D,

PSALM LXXXVII.

PSALM LXXXVII.,
Ps. 87

is

Yahweh and

hymn

3 STR. 3^

in praise of Zion.

glorious

become her

alike

239

(v.^"^)

(i)

Zion

is

citizens, she their

mother (v.^")

(3)

establisheth her, and all her inhabitants keep festival

Yahweh

T-JIS foundations on the sacred mountains

The

gates of Zion

all

Yahweh

(v.^*"^).

loveth

the tabernacles of Jacob.

O city of God.
Babel This one belongs to them that know
Lo, of Philistia and Tyre This one was born there
And Zion I will name Mother. Every one was born in her.
Glorious things

more than

beloved of

(2) the greater and minor nations

He

is

speaking of thee,

MAKE mention of Rahab and

me

ND He establisheth
He

Yahweh;

counteth in the register of peoples

They
Ps. 87
is

her, 'El, "Elyon,

all

was

then in

originally a T'r,

a song of praise of Zion.

The

This one was born there.

is in Thee.

whose dwelling

sing as well as dance,

3S;

love of

and fH

Yahweh

{v. Intr.

to Zion v.i

24, 28, 31).

It

shows dependence

on Je., Zph. The use of :3n-\ for Egypt v.* is as Is. 30^. The mention of
Babylon v.* implies the Babylonian period; of Philistia and Tyre v.* implies
these as the most prominent neighbours. The city is a glorious place, the
resort of Egyptians and Babylonians alike, and of Tyrians and Philistines.
This implies a peaceful time, such as the early reign of Josiah.
ness to the nations resembles

Is.

There

19.

is

The

friendli-

no internal evidence of

late

date.

Str. I. is a synth. triplet.

Bis foundations'], the sacred

1.

founded by Him as His dwelling place and

capitol.
sacred
7nountains\ probably referring to the
on the
several hills on which Jerusalem, like Rome, Constantinople, and

Yahweh

city of

other great

v.^,

cities,

was situated

increase of citizens
hills

are

made
cf. Je.

all

impHed

especially in view of the great

in the

subsequent context.

These

regarded as sacred because they are parts of the city

sacred by the divine residence in the temple on one of them,

3^^i8

loveth], the

31^^ Zph.

3^-20

pentameter complete, having

text, as

(Br.MP-225.q.242 8q.255.q.)

complement of the previous

its

_2. YaMvek

trimeter,

making the

direct object in the previous con-

RV., and not in the following, although the

tained by 5^ and Vrss. ancient and modern.

latter is sus-

The gates of Zion],

as the public places of concourse, for the city itself;

and so

parall.

" foundations " above, and the second complementary object of

PSALMS

240
These

the verb "love."

compared, as the object of the

are

divine Love, with all the taberimcles of Jacob\

term

for the other cities of the

loved by Yahweh, but not so

much

as

of vb.

v.*"^.

a poetic

obj.,

not the subj.,

referring to the predictions of the prophets, especially

upon which the poet depends, summed up by him-

Je., Zp., Is.^

self

78-'^;

His royal seat Zion.

Glorious things\ emphatic in position, the

3.

cf.

Holy Land, which were indeed

He

is

speaking], the passive with indefinite subj., here,

Heb., to be rendered by active

as often in

in English, referring to

divine words, as in subsequent context, and not to words of men,

repeating to themselves and others these promises.

Str. II.

is

a syn. triplet.

Himself speaks,
of Zion.

4-5

I make mention of\ Yahweh

He has enrolled as citizens
that know me\ in the religious

a.

calling the roll of those

These are

(iz)

them

sense of practical acquaintance in worship, and obedience to the

divine Law,

cf. 9^^

36" 79^ 91"; {b)

those born in

her\ not

in the

sense of physical descent, but of moral and religious adoption by

Yahweh, so

that they are as truly regarded as citizens as those

were actually born of

for

emphasis in

v.^

This

citizens.

and again

who

repeated

Other nations are here enYahweh, cf. Is. 19^-^. These

in v.^

rolled with Israel as the people of

are

latter phr. is twice

Rahab, an emblematic name of Egypt, as

conceived as

Is. 30',

a monster on account of her oft-repeated devouring of Israel

and

Babel, the ancient capital of Babylonia on the Euphrates Ps, 137^ ^

Israel, in the

time of Josiah, was indeed a

state, separating

little

these two great warlike powers, both represented by parties in

Jerusalem, struggling for the mastery.

the chief of the minor nations,

Lo, of Philistia

and Tyre\

on the sea-coast of the Mediter-

ranean, the nearest nations to Israel, and in a like situation with

her in relation to the two great world powers.

at the

of Egypt.

meant

A glossator inserted,

expense of the measure, a reference to Cush, a country south

He

was probably influenced by Zp.

to say, " with Cush," |^, 3, or,

this nation

3^,

of the pairs of nations.

its

(^.

But

and
introduction here destroys the symmetry

would go rather with Egypt than with

Tyre, and in any case

whether he

"people of Cush,"

And Zion I will name

Philistia

Mother], so

(,

giving an appropriate climax to the Str., representing Zion as the

mother of these nations, which are born

in her as her children

PSALM LXXXVII.
carrying on the idea of

and mother of
Vrss.

"

Zion

her pious inhabitants.

all

Of Zion

Je., Zp., Is.^ that

241

be said,"

shall

it

is

the wife of

Yahweh

followed by other

J^,

rather tame, especially for a

is

climax.

triplet.
5 b. And He'], emphatic demonYahweh, defined by a heaping up of divine
names for emphasis in the complement of the line *El, ^Elyon,
Yahweh ; the force of which is lost in J^ and Vrss. by attaching
Yahweh to the next line at the expense of the measure of both
lines, and by the omission of 'El.
establisheth her], the strength-

Str. III.

a synth.

is

strative, referring to

ening and enlarging of the

accordance with

city, as 48^, in

portance as the mother of the nations.

6.

He

its

im-

coufiteth in the

of peoples]^ resuming the thought of v.'*^*. The love

for His city is so great that He takes a particular

register

Yahweh

of

each one of

interest in

census.

making, as

it,

They sing as well as dance],

7.

name

inhabitants, going over each

its

and counting

enrolled in her register

it

were, a

keeping

RV.

Aq., J,

sacred dances and processions, cf. 30^^ 149^ 150*. This

greatly to be preferred to " trumpeters," PBV., or " players on

festival in
is

Heb.

instruments," AV., explaining

vb. as from a different stem,

meaning, "playing on the pipe," or

merry," as

(^,

F.

all

my

must be regarded

as the

birth,

fountains are in Thee," which then

words of the merry-makers, and

preted as referring to the fountains of salvation, cf

in^iD^] a.X. for usual mD^ Mi. i^ Ps. 137';

1.

a^ToO.

3.

sunt ; so

"ii^c]

@ irepl

n^-TN]

4.

Pu. ptc. with indef.

aov,

Hiph., so

in

te ;

prob.

"13

ster 89II Is. 51^ Jb. 9I3 2612,

but

was

ing from measure;

prefix

phr. in either case

is

nr,

prob.

as v.^^-^.

from Zp.

Set(i>',

climax.

so

if

31,

The

II

v'l'S

'^

belonging to

Aug., Cassiod.
original

^vx,

end of

3I'',

36^

pi. OefxiXLoi

iXaXrjdT],

so here.

sg. i.p.

1.,

word

dicta

as

v."^.

mon-

^^-i/S]
is

so 3, Aq., S, but

ri3"D>;]

miss-

cr.

makes 1. too long and

^rx*?!]
5.
major and minor,
as

it

but this not suited to vb.

/at^ttjp

more prob. as suitable

cn being omitted in |^ by haplog., the

DN \Vi without

was ids dn

30^;

Is.

sf.

destroys the symmetry of the two pairs of nations,

so 3, Aq., S,

so 3, but

inter-

Ps.

f nn"^] n.m., mythical sea

emblem Egypt

gl.

Is. 1 2^

originally at the

as belonging to the class of, with Qal ptc. pi.

The

sg.,

subj,, for active;

but (S irTX Qal.

in

enrolment, and

EV'., thinking of another

citizenship of the previous context.

"all

H,

in Thee], after (,

is

accordance with the conception of the new

Heb. word, render

"making

specifically,

less

whose dwelling

'^,

is

PSALMS

242

Point nrs with the mng. name, as

prep, and impf. vb. being interpretative.
Gn. 22'^-* (E). nv-i"> is then subj. with Du., as usual in \p. Ba., Ecker, after
Field, Hexapla, think

but this

improb.

is

This

following.

Rd.

i'-N";:'^N.

Twv
in

and

D^'^'^'b]

Qal

ptc. pi.

ptc. for pf.

does not

inf. cstr.

aur^
ri3

If cs

is

suit the context,

with

nbo;]

'13

Seiw;',

is

original,

num

quid^

cannot be.

but

XaQp

kuI

ipx^yruv ro6-

cnv

takes

nr as

Qal, so 5,

'h^'d rw >-::'i

i'-'si

iv ypa(pi,
@ 8n)yi^(rTai,

%\

so Aq.,

3,

sing; but

y/s^'C'

t^

/it;

to previous vb., the second to the

it'^n

between them.

scribens, so S.

3'>">u'i]

7.

tQ}v yeyevrju^wuv iv

v.**,

this

2^133] Qal

& 3

so 9, Quinta,

Aq., Pi.

due to

is

6.

for

err.

Sctiii/ txt.

/x^ttj/)

(S attaches first

assimilation to v.^;

onf

but

pL, as

and destroys the measure of the entire

eixppaipofi^vuv, 'H laetantitim, ptc. pi. y/^'^rx

it

princes, rulers.

denom. play

does

But

Str.

the pipe.

But Aq., 3, in choris ptc. Polel, yj "^in whirl in the dance Ju. 21"^^-, so Pe., De.,
-ri;-:] my springs, words of singers, Aq., S, 3, Dr., Du. ; but
Ba., Dr., Du.
habitatio rv*^ dwelling, without sf., sf. of |^ being, as often,
KaroiKia,

interpretative

Bo.

\r^-^

Hiph.

\r.":

humbled,

cf. Is.

ptc. are not justified

53*,

improb.

by usage.

S3

Pu. ptc. nj;.

is

Hu.

^Y'p,

before a relative clause,

the copula and relative being emitted.

PSALM LXXXVIIL,
Ps. 88

is

a national lamentation

3 str. 12^

(i) crying for help from the

Sheol into which the nation has been brought by defeat and captivity (v.^)

(2) expostulation for leaving

them

in this state

of

gloom and misery, where they cannot even laud their God

^^

lok-u. 7-ioa^

^^^ ^.jy

expostulation, intensified in the ex-

^jjjj

treme peril into which Yahweh's rejection and wrath have brought

them

(v.^*-^^).

Glosses were added

1LTY God
I

(I

cry for help)

(v.^^"^^).

by day;

cry in the night in Tliy sight:

Let

my

Incline

My

prayer

come

before Thee,

Thine ear unto

soul

is

sated with

my yell.

evils,

And at Sheol my life has arrived;

I am counted with them that go down to the Pit;
I am become a man without (God).
Among the dead am I as the slain,
(Who are cast forth) to lie down in the Grave;

Whom

Thou rememberest no more.

Seeing that from Thy hand they are cut

T CALL upon Thee, Yahweh, every day
I spread forth my palms unto Thee.

To

the dead wilt

Will the shades

Thou do wonders ?

rise

up

to laud

Thee ?

off.

PSALM LXXXVIII.
Thou

me

hast put

243

in the Pit below,

In the dark places, in dense darkness.

Upon me Thy wrath hath laid its hand,

And all Thy breakers Thou hast brought upon me.
Thou
Thou
I

am

hast

removed mine acquaintances from me;

hast

made me an abomination to them.

I cannot come forth

shut up that

Mine eye wasteth away by reason of afifiiction.

UNTO Thee, Yahweh,

And

cry for help;

morning my prayer goes

Why, Yahweh, rejectest Thou me ?
in the

Thy

Hidest

Afflicted

me

face from

and ready

to

meet Thee,

to expire

my

from

youth,

brought low, I am turned backward;

The outbursts of Thy wrath have gone over me,
I

endure,

am

Thy terrors exterminate me

They have encompassed me as it were with waters
They enclosed me about altogether.
Thou hast removed from me mine acquaintances,
Even lover and friend, in the Place of Darkness.
;

88 has a double

Ps.

It by

E,

title

but that this

(i)

This

the usage elsewhere.

title

from

come

It,

into 3^ after

tjnS -nr:ra

was prefixed
was not in It

and therefore it
ment was prefixed by a later
Ps.

n-i|i

n"'*^ is

an evidence that the

is

prefixed to m:T2h against

Ps.

was not derived from

S3^ did
editor knew

not derive the

2^.

to

as that

day long;

all

it.

The

state-

Si^, and therefore it must have

be a conjectural mistake (v. Intr.

editor after

2^ used

it,

or else

28, 33). The Ps. differs from the style of |^ so much that internal evidence favours the opinion that the statement is incorrect. The original title
ascribes the Ps. to

compare

Heman,

>n"irNn in-'NS

the Ezrahite, ^nnrsn p^n*^,

Both are

Ps. 89.

d^S-'D'J'C.

Ps,

may

with which we

88 was taken up into

3^, and the musical direction given nijj;S nSnn S;? {v. Intr. 26, 30, 34).
Heman is mentioned among the cr^Dn of Solomon i K. 5^1 (4^^)> but he is

and Darda

there classed with Calcol

I

Ch.

2*^,

as Sine

''J^,

Ethan alone being

""nirxn.

however, gives Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda as

nil ^11 of the tribe of Judah.

But in

Ch. 6I8

sq. (33 .q.)

j^n.

Heman,

19

five

of the

family of Kohath, Asaph, of the family of Gershom, Ethan, of the family of

Merari, were

Heman was

all

Korahites of the tribe of Levi.

the king's seer.

pendent of the statement of

The

Ps. could not

Ethan

is

K.

name

is

title

to

of this Ps.

Ch. 25^
is

inde-

in accord with the later Chr.

The

of the ancient worthy as a pseudonym, just as

used in 89 and Moses in 90.

There are so many resemblances with

are more numerous

common author. But these

and due largely to a common theme. V.^

De. thought of a

than striking,

and

5^1,

According

have been written either by the sage or the singer.

author probably used the

Jb. that

evident that the

It is

dubious in Ps. and prob. error for

but vb. Je. 31I2.26.

v.ii D^ND^,
Jb.

>'ki'DJ

\P

26^ but

:3Nt vb., cf.

"'y'pn, cf.

n^sn

Jb. 3^^,

but

n. Jb. 41^* a.\.,

also Is. 14^ Pr. 2^8

+;

v.12

jn^N,

PSALMS

244
Jb. 268 2S22 3112^ elsw. Pr., but

elsw. Pr.
1'^^

v.^^

cf.

On
v.'^

2Cr'^,

Jb.

&

but

The evidence

also Ps. 18.

this v. is a gloss

i^N more probable

common

for

the other hand, v.^ -iu tv

nvrnn no

v.i^

n-;V,

La. 3^;

The resemblance

is

v.'- 1^

phr. of Ez.; v.^

(D^)3rnc,

cf.

v.^' ry^, cf. Jb. 6* 7I*,

cf. Is.

f; v.^^
The Ps. is

;ni

Ki.,

De

Str.

This

in situation.

j.-in

cf. Is.

53^;

Ps. 3812.

best explained as a

resembles 22,

it

the view of 5, ^, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Ra.,

is

W., Ba.

has three tetrastichs, the

I.

verted, the third syn. pairs.

tion to

but

insufficient.

is

nuj,

141^;

La.

chiefly with exilic Lit.

is

author or dependence

national lament during the extreme distress of the Exile, and

69, of

36I*,
Jb. 3326

cf.

not necessarily original in Jb., an easy substitute for Dn;;j

2<j^^,

God

is

2-3.

second intro-

syn., the

first

My

God~\, the personal rela-

the strongest plea, intensified by the gloss " Yahweh,"

making the the line too long,

/
cry for help\ so by emendation of a phr. a.X. in accord with v.",
and
I cry, defined by my prayer and intensified in ?ny yell, the
shrill, piercing cry expressive of intense anxiety and pain, cf. 17^
the

name

of the national God,

II

This continues by day and in the night],

without ceasing,

Yahweh

cf.

all

The prayer

2^

is

the time, continually,

made

the sight of

in

so far as the people in their exile can

come

in front

of His heavenly throne, seeking by every means to attract His

attention
their

while they feel that something obstructs the

prayer in

removed, so that
the ear to

its

He will

hear them,

look upon their

cf.

fortunes, calamities, have

17^.

4-5.

evil situation,

Sated with

come upon them

are able to endure.

helpless condition,

in

and incline

evils'].

Mis-

such numbers, and

had more than enough,

to so great an extent, that they have

more than they

out God], in a

way of

This they would have

ascent before God.

/ am become a man with At

with no God
to

help.

Sheol], emphatic in position, the abode of the dead, even of

nations,

toward

cf.
it

9^**,

and

fny life

has arrived], having made the journey

actually arrived there.

thefn that

go down

to

the

abode of the dead, and going

still further down into the Pit, in Sheol, the abode of the wretched
They were already counted, or enumerdead, cf. 28^ 30* 143^

Pit], descending in death to the

ated,

among

such, as

soul," so Du., Dr., as

among

if

they were

v.**.

among

% though

the dead.

sustained by

/], " my
(5, 3, " Free
6.

the dead," PBV., AV., does not suit the context

phr., " cast off

and the

among the dead," RV., cannot be sustained by the

PSALM LXXXVIII.
etym. or usage of the Heb. word.

The

245
exiles in the Sheol of

and national death were in a condition the reverse

as the s/ain'], connected with the previous context as
of free.
The
the measure requires, and not with the subsequent, as EV^
captivity

slain are those slain in the warfare that resulted in the

Jerusalem and the slaughter or captivity of

its

Ez. 37 for the working out of this symbolism.

forth\ so
measure:

(^

cf.

Who

Cf.

are cast

unfortunately omitted in J^, but needed for the

14^^ Je. 14^^.
lie down in the grave~\, as the

Is.

climax of the description,

national death

capture of

inhabitants.

and

Ez. 32^^"^.

cf.

burial, the

On

absence from their God.

In

this

most heartrending
the one side

seems as

it

remembereth no more, has utterly forgotten them,

cf. v.^^

Him, so

the other that His people are cut off from

condition of
reflection

if

is

He

and on
can

that they

no longer reach Him ; and especially from His hand, the putting
forth of which has so often given the nation victory and salvation
in the past.
Str. II. has also three tetrastichs, the first of which, v.^*"", has

been transposed
couplets.

syn.

after the

10

fi.

renewing the plea of

v.^.

second and
call
||

upon

third,

Thee,

spread forth

v."'^*^*,

having two

all

Yahweh, every

my palms'],

day~\,

extend the

open hand upward in order to receive, a gesture of prayer especially in the form of invocation, petition, or intercession, cf. La.
3*^

Pss. 44^^ 63'

119^

141^.

11.

To

the dead],

emphatic in

weak
shadowy reflection of their former life, cf. Is. 14^
2514.19^
Wilt Thou do wonders'], not resurrection, as most interpreters, but divine acts of judgment upon enemies and redemption of His people. Such marvels had been wrought often enough
position,

II

the shades,

the ghosts of the dead, having a

existence, a

in the history of Israel, cf. Ex. 15^^ Is. 25^ Pss. 77^^ 78^^; but to a

nation having national existence in their

own

land.

But how can

such wonders be wrought for a nation already dead and buried ?

This

is

what presses upon the poet's mind.

He

apparently knows

and certainly has never heard of

Is. 26^^.
On the other hand the disembodied shades cannot rise
up to laud Yahweh. The conception here is the same as Is. 38^^
Ps. 6^, that in Sheol the worship of Yahweh ceases, and so also in
not, or has forgotten, Ez. 37,

the Sheol of national exile.

This does not mean that prayer and

PSALMS

246

praise of a personal kind are impossible

the Ps. itself

is

a prayer

but that national worship in the ritual of the temple can no longer

be carried on.

The dead

How

rise

can they

up

could not render that worship in Sheol.

may do

in resurrection so that they

it?

This poet longs for a speedy restoration, because he seems to

imply a negative answer to

and

his question,

nation really dies, a national resurrection

And

is

to suggest that if the

not to be thought

of.

yet this was exactly what later poets learned to be the pur-

7. Thou hast put me\.

Although the calamhad come upon the nation through their enemies, the proud
and all-powerful Babylonians, yet these were but the instruments

pose of their God.

ity

for executing the divine Will.

in the Pit deloiv'], in the

extreme

depths of the cavernous underworld, the Pit in Sheol emphasized

as La.

3" Ez.

Pit of

Rev. 9^ 11^ 17 2o\

26-"^

31^* 32^^, doubtless at the basis of the bottomless

in dense darkfiess'].

The

original

meaning of a Heb. word, rendered here by (, ,S, U, " shadow of

death," owing to a misinterpretation of the form {v. 23''). J^, Jl,
EV'., " in the deeps," is based upon another Heb. word, due to a
copyist's transposition of letters, which can only be understood of
possibly due to an assimilation to v.^.
subterranean waters
Wrath is personified
8. Upon me Thy wrath hath laid its hand\
here, as the divine attributes elsewhere, cf. 85""^^ and as such lays
The usual interpretation of the vb. as
its hand upon the nation.

intransitive " lieth hard

upon," EV'.,

And all Thy

fig.

breakers^

came from Him.

these troubles

not justified by usage.

is

of troubles,

Yahweh's because

cf. 42.

Thou hast brought\2&&y^y

U. J^, 3, Aq., 2, follow another Heb. word, which is difficult to

explain in the context, AV., RV., "afflicted me with all Thy
waves."

9.

Thou hast refnoved mine acquaintances from me"].

friendly nations, as 31 'I
The phr. does not im-

These were the

ply personal relations between individuals.

In

Israel

exile,

was

widely separated from his friendly neighbours as well as from the hostile

ones.

an abomination

in figure or reality, a

to the?fi~\.

This does not imply, either

loathsome disease

but national calamities

so great that even the friendly nations could only look

upon

Israel

with abhorrence, dreading and fearing a share in his misfortunes,

cf. 31^^.

/ am

shut up\

in the

dungeon of

Je. 32^'^, involving also the figure of Sheol,

captivity, as

from which

it

(IT,

cf.

was im-

PSALM LXXXVIII.
come forih^

possible to

to escape,

this terrible situation AIi7ie eye

tion\ that

is,

by continual weeping,

cf.

3^.

10

away

Because of

a.

by reason of

afflic-

6^

a pentameter and

editor inserted

later

amplify this idea,

La.

cf.

wasteth

247

two trimeters to

v.^^~^^.

Thy kindness be recounted in the Giave, Thy faithfulness

Thy wonders be known in the Dark Place;
Or Thy righteous acts in the Land of Forgetfulness ?

Shall

Abaddon ?

in

Shall

The realm
Grave

(i)

elsewhere

dead

of the

WL.

3^,

described

terms

syn.

Abaddon^ a term

this subterranean,

refers to that part of Sheol

it

to utter ruin

cavernous region

unknown

the

(3)

Dark

Place, as

v.'.

and gloom which characterise

referring to the darkness

a poetic term

four

in

(2)

as a syn. of " Pit," usually incorrectly rendered in

which the wicked go

La.

is

entombment;

as the place of

as abstract, " destruction "

EV.
in

(4)

Land

of Forgetfulness,

elsewhere, suggesting probably that the

dead were forgotten by the dwellers upon earth and

also

by God,

as v.^ rather than that they are forgetful of their Hfe in this world,

This editor questions whether the divine attributes kind-

Jb. 14^^.

ness

and faithfulness,
be

shall

made known

as expressed in
in this

wonders and righteous

acts,

realm of the dead, implying a nega-

tive answer.

Str. III. has three

each of two syn. couplets.

tetrastichs,

Unto Thee, Yahweh'], repeating essentially

14.

inserted " as for

me," making the

the context after

after

v.-^^.

but

v.^,

made

my prayer goes

expression than

v.^,

to

line too

long

necessary by

meet

its

v.^.
;

The

present position

Thee'] , a stronger

and richer

with personification of the prayer, which

is

who

is

represented as going forth on a journey to meet Yahweh,

conceived as on His way.

tion

15.

Why

editor

not suitable to

rejectest

This

Thou

7ne

is

followed by strong expostula-

?\

cf.

43^ 44^^

89^^.

The

nation

cannot understand the reason for this continuation of rejection.

Hidest

Thy face],

16. Afflicted

that the nation

13^

as

and ready

22^ 27^ 69^^ so as not

to expire].

had been

for a long

to see.

So severe was the

affliction

time on the brink of death,

and was now virtually already dead, as

Only the poet conceives this situation

in the previous context.

as having a long history

PSALMS

248
back of

it.

from

youth.

its

extended even to the early history of the nation,

The author probably had in mind Dt. 26^ In

It

always had been a small and weak nation, in constant

fact, Israel

from the great world powers.

But by the wondrous deliverhad escaped utter ruin again and

again.
The climax had now been reached in the Exile. This
cannot be explained to suit a reference of the Ps. to an individual
sufferer, and so many unsuccessful emendations have been sugperil

ances wrought by Yahweh,

it

gested, without help from ancient Vrss.

I am

loWy

F,

(^,

turned backward']

although they interpret the

<S,

other two, and translate

I endure

first

I am

brought

accordance with

three vbs. in

as in antithesis with the

J^, followed by EV'., inword as a noun, the object of the first vb.,
" terrors," and the third word as another vb., a.X., which is rendered "distracted," AV., RV., "benumbed," ^DB., but without
sufficient evidence.
17. The outbursts of Thy wrath\ phr. a.X.,
but which in accordance with usage of pi. must mean wrath in

exalted."

it *'

terprets the second

action in several manifestations or acts, probably renewing

figure of the breakers, v.

a phr. a-X.

terrors exterminate

the

me\

but both words, though unusual, sufficiently evident

The

meaning.

in

Thy

cf. v.^^

of extermination.

nation

18.

indeed in

is

terror,

and on the brink

They have encompassed

enclosed

||

me\

These outbursts of wrath are like waters

terrors
in time, all
day long, and in place, altogether; so that from every point of
;

||

view the situation

extremely

is

critical.

19.

corrected text.

identical with v.** in the

The

first

line is

J^ has, by error of

transposition, separated lover from frietid, the two belonging to-

gether, as 38^^,
V.**,

and emphasizing acquaintances.

friendly nations.

In

tive indicating the place

These are

all,

as

the Place of darkness], a local accusa-

of the nation, in exile as

of the other nations, as AV.

and not

v.^,

Ancient Vrss. give various other

explanations, which are, however, unsatisfactory.

nin"]

2.

Rd.

"nyir,

Ba., Elir.
121*, all

Aram.
is

prob.

is

as

gl.,

0^^]

nS^*^.
il

as (5

v.i*<.

6.

d^oi^driTos,

"^pp].

\'K

r^]

but

The

initial

-^' t

1.

too

dittog.

is

0,

for 3::v,

txt. err.

makes

It

v.^.

The

long.

Gr., Bi., Che., Ba.,

"^'f*

gl.

^hSk]

pi.

a.X.

Du.

cf.

228 42^ 91*

n.m. help, BDJ^. after Lag., loan word

invalidus, without strength.

prob.

>r\y\v>

so Hare, Kenn., Gr., Bi., Che.,

makes

it

Ehr. rds.

''s,

which

a simile and weakens the thought.

PSALM LXXXVIII.

6.

from master Ex. 2i2-6 (E)

as slave

adj.yr^fif,

t''^'^'?]

Rd.

so <&, 3, but against context.

tivity Is. 58^;

249

are needed for measure of previous

but then rd.

1. ;

of prep, in any case impairs the measure.

(5^

needed

is

Niph.

nrjj]

idd]

the poetic form

omitted ^x.c. a. a. t^

ippLfxjii^voi,

enables us to arrange

in better parall.

whhn

D"''?'?nD,

implies w^p^pr? Je. 14^^, which, though not in |,

11.

from cap-

Jb. 3^^,

as Dy., Dr.

>-f 33,

for measure,

and

Qal divide^

pf. J i:j.

7. ni-Tinn 11:3] phr.

cut in two, 13613. Niph. be cut offfrom, here as Is. 53^.
,3.^no] cf.
La. 355, cf. Pss. 63!'^ 8613 Ez. 2620 31I4. I6.18 32I8.24 ig. 4423.

La.

so prob. v.i^ for yi'nri,

Ps. 143^;

3**

of deep hole

cf. 693. 16 gulf,

mnSx more
but this

prob.

8,

by &, Y,

yes, followed

is

quently.

The conception

elsw. Je. 3 1 12-

poetic

'>::';']

25

of

out, in sense

for

C ^,

But S,
i.p.

">:;]

''J",

V. g^^.

euphony.

ipi^

^tt*

seems unnecessary.

sf.,

^ir'fiya-

3, rd. sg.

(5,

and subse-

ethical in Pr.

is

here only Pi. of the palms;

10. n^x-j]

""D "'i^iPt^]

cf.

K'-io

^i^

Qal 3

f. ;
vb. f 3NT
, U, TjadhtjaaVf

ijp]

archaic prep, for eu-

Vb. Qal spread

V^^- "^' t^^'^'-

Jb. I223

s'^

Je."

pf.

n. Jb. 41I*.

h^nt

Aram. 2^ Jlow.

as

disperse,

sc'atter,

of Israel as slain suggests the abomination of the

sf.

Income weary, languish

infirmatus.

phony.

pi.

used in legal sense in D, Ez., and

The term

Aq., S, 3, add

"in:3^'i:.

Gr., Ba., Du., rd. n^iN, as Ex. 2ii3 pg. 91IO.

roirin]

9.

niSxD]

Houb., Kenn., Che., Ehr.,

S>,

not suited to

is

better.

is

F,

(S,

74^.

v.^^ for "itJ'n^, v.

Pi. pf. r^y; afflict, cf. 901^.

This vb.

It is easier to rd. r-ini.

dead body.

r"':;-]

prob. interp.

is

But

Pit.

and

Nu.

Ps. 44^1, fp

q)

ii32-32
Ntt'j

2 S. 171%

63^ iip^s 1412^

weak ghosts of the dead in Sheol Is. 14^

2614. 19 Yx. 2^3 9I8 2 1 16 Jb. 26^. Original mng. dub.; @ larpoi = D"'N3"\ improb.
We might supply hhr\ and make it a trimeter couplet.
12. Pentameter gl.
But this and v.i3 seem rather amplifying glosses, destroying the symmetry of the
11.

t"'':'$"!]

ii-i^

the

P^' shades,

Str.

tr"^??<]

ii-f->

the place of ruin in Sheol

2822 3ii2 Pr/ 1^11 2720 (Qr.).

making

too long.

1.

the usual onyj.

16.

^^cx]

13.

"^VJ]

f ^;'f ^

but

(3,

be low, humiliated, of perverse Israel io6*3;

of house Ec. ioi3;

impf. cohort, ps

, 5,

"F,

3, njDN,

Je. 493.

whelm

Ps.

17.

Hoph.

= J1Q

as

Hoph. impf.

:i"'.r"'>'?]

01s.,

7I*.

24^4.

hjidn]

a.X.

Hu., Dy., Gr., We., Du.

sg. -^njo, be

pl- sf. t ['^'''"'ly^]

l8^ terrify y^.

26^
gl.,

&, V, "n?!^ Niph. fl^n vb. Qal

Niph. sink in decay, of timbers

low Jb.

be brought

38^ so

nn and never abstr. Jb.

U. >Jn:] a
P^r- a.\.

n.m. abstr. youth Pr. 29^1 Jb. 33^5 361*, for

Ps. 55^;

cf.

Yl.^.]

turned back

^DB., Qal

cf. 778.

But

in confusion, cf.

n- pl- terrors Jb. 6*

""Jinrp-i]

v/'"^>3

a.X. impossible form.

vb. over-

Hi., Ba. rd.

jnnpx as 119139; but prob. as Ges.^^-2, Pi. 3 pl. sf. ^nnx (/<?4^) exterminate.
missing; rd. \-ix.
19. 3?-n 3nx]
|^ is conflation of ^j and "'nx.

A word is
3812.

@B

omits yn, but

J^ transposes
pfaj,

Ua

translates

'jJi^r.

it is

needed

Ti'^'n;^]

for

measure, and

prob. the dark place, as

miseria; so Luther interprets c as prep.

"iB^n D"';;t'D,

vb.

"riK^n

is

v."^,

i3

restrain, as 191*; so Ba.

given by (g^but

(?/c?.y

^-

'^.

d7r6 raXaiTrw-

meos

abstulisti^

PSALMS

250

PSALM LXXXIX.
(A)

Ps. 89 is composite.

Yahweh and His

fulness of

Ps. of praise sets forth the faith-

deeds of kindness, especially in the

theme

creation and government of the world, as the

of praise for

the people, the holy angels, and the great objects of nature

with a liturgical tetrameter tristich attached

(v.^^-

^"),

A lam-

(JB)

(v.^^^').

entation in four parts gives a paraphrase of the Davidic covenant, (a) in its institution (v.^^^ ^), (b) in its promises (v.^^^),
(c) in the

violation

conditions attached

(v.^^~^),

and the

consequences

their
in

(C)

An

the humiliation of a king, probably Jehoiachin

editor, in

of

and then describes the penalties endured

(v.^^^^).

troublous times, combined the Pss., and appended an

impatient longing for the interposition of

Yahweh

in behalf of

His humiliated people, and for the restoration of the monarchy

A.

v.i-15^

6 STR. 4^

r\F kindness, Yahweh, will I sing forever.

To all generations will I make known Thy faithfulness;
By command kindness is built up forever,
In the heavens where

Thou

establishest

Thy

faithfulness.

AND the heavens celebrate Thy wonderfulness, Yahweh,

Yea,

Thy

For who

Be

faithfulness in the

in the

like to

assembly of holy angels.

sky can be compared to

Yahweh among

Yahweh ?

the sons of gods ?

"PL, awe-inspiring in the circle of holy angels,

And greatly to be revered above all round about!
Yahweh, God of Hosts, who is like Thee ?
Thy kindness. Yah, and Thy faithfulness are round about Thee.

'T'HOU

art ruler

When

over the swelling of the sea

waves heave Thou stillest them.

Thou didst crush Rahab as one deadly wounded
With Thy strong arm Thou didst scatter Thine enemies.
'T'HINE are the heavens, yea, Thine is the earth.
The world in its fulness. Thou didst found them.
North and South, Thou didst create them.
Tabor and Hermon in Thy name ring out joy.
'T'HINE is an arm (that is endued) with might.

Thou

its

strengthenest

Thy hand,

exaltest

Thy

right

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of

Kindness and faithfuhiess come to meet Thy

hand.

Thy

face.

throne;

PSALM LXXXIX.

B,

v.^-^*-*-2^^

'FHOU

4 STR.

FTS.,

4.

our strength,

art the glory of

And by Thy

251

Thou

exaltest our horn.

For Yahweh's is our shield,
And to the Holy One of Israel belongs our king.
'T'HEN Thou didst speak in a vision;
To Thy son Thou gavest a word,
(Saying)
I have laid help on a hero
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
FOUND David My servant,
J

favour

My

With

holy

oil I

anointed him.

My

hand is established with him

Yea, Mine arm doth strengthen him.
T

MADE a covenant with My chosen,

I

sware to David

Forever

And

will

My

servant

establish thy seed.

build thy throne for

all

generations.

II.

'THE enemy
And
But

shall not

wrong

the son of
I

come

treacherously

shall not

upon him,

any more

afflict

him.

beat his adversaries to pieces before him,

will

And them

that hate

him

will

smite before him.

pUT My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him,

And

through

I will set

And

his

My name

shall his

horn be exalted.

hand also on the sea.

right hand (will I put) on
his

the river.

TJE will call Me My Father,

My God, and the Rock of my salvation.
Yea, I will make him My first-born.
:

Most high above the kings

pOREVER will

keep

My

of earth.

kindness for him,

And My covenant shall be firm for him

And I will set his seed forever.
And his throne as the days of heaven.
III.

My Law,
My judgments
If they profane My statutes,
And keep not My commands;
'THEN will I visit their transgressions with
TF

his sons forsake

And

walk not

And

(chastise) their iniquity with stripes

But

And

My

in

kindness

I will

I will

not belie

a rod,

not (remove) from him.

My faithfulness.

252

PSALMS
J

WILL not profane My covenant,

And

which has issued from My hps

I sworn by My holiness
I will not lie unto David.
I^IS seed shall be forever,
that

will

not change.

Once have

And
As

his throne as the

the

And

moon

shall

sun before Me.

be established forever,

it

(forever as) the sky be firm.

IV.

gUT Thou hast cast off and rejected

Thou
Thou
Thou

'pHOU

art

become enraged with Thine anointed.

Thy servant;

hast spurned the covenant of

hast profaned to the

hast broken

Thou

hast

made

down

is

ground

him

become a reproach

his crown.

his fences

his fortresses

All the passers-by spoil

He

all

a ruin.

to his neighbours.

fHOU hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries;

Thou hast gladdened all his enemies.
Thou tumest back his sword.
And hast not made him stand in the battle.
Yea,

'pHOU

away

hast taken

the sceptre of majesty.

And his throne flung down to the ground.

Thou hast shortened the days of his youth
Thou hast wrapped him up in shame.
C.

pjOW long,

Yahweh

V.<^-*2,

wilt

2 STR.

Thou

6*.

hide Thyself forever

Thy hot wrath burn like fire ?

Remember, Adonay, what duration is.
For what nothingness Thou hast created

Shall

all

the sons of

men.

What is man that he should live and not see death ?

Can he deliver his life from the hand of Sheol ?
"^HERE are Thy former deeds of kindness, Adonay ?
Which Thou didst swear to David in Thy faithfulness ?
Remember, Adonay, the reproach of Thy servants.
My bearing in my bosom the shame of the peoples,
With which Thine enemies reproached, Yahweh,
With which they reproached the footsteps of Thine anointed.
This Ps.

is

the closing Ps. of the third

second book embraces

the Pss. of M,

BK.

It

present position by the

It

belongs to the

book of the Psalter, which with the

and E, and with the first book the majority of
was not in any of these, and was probably given its

<a, It,

final editor.

a^s^jc^r,

and the

It

bears in the

is

probably

*?

title

^nnrnn jh^nS

auctoris.

The

S'zjZ'D.

only rn^N

known is the sage of the court of Solomon i K. 5^1 (4"); but it is

impossible to regard him as the author, and there is no reason why tradiiiun

\T>?Nn

PSALM LXXXIX.
should assign this Ps. to him.

It

253

probable, therefore, that the author

is

and there was possibly in his

mind a play upon the word mrx, which means native Israelite Lv. 23^2(H)
selected this ancient worthy as his pseudonym,

Nu. 15I' (P) +> \T\''^ perennial, permanent, imperishable, cf. Nu. 24^1 Je. 49^*,
and would hint at the perpetuity of the native kingdom or people of Israel.
Such a pseudonym would be most suitable if, as we shall show, the author
was one of the captives who accompanied King Jehoiachin in his exile. This
title was not attached to the Ps. when finally edited in its present form, but
belonged to the original trimeter poem, v.1^-22. 4-5. 23-46^ f hjg poem, in four
parts of four tetrastichs in each part, gives a paraphrase of the covenant of

David, citing v.*^*

^^-38

from the version in 2

Vnic-' vr\p y?^, characteristic of the

obedience

v.^^- ^^

two

the divine

writers, so SSn v.^^.

so. 40^

\x.

It uses other

J^,

and suggest

terms characteristic of these

Davidic monarchy to
and knows nothing of a

limits the extension of the

the region extending from the sea to the river,

world monarchy such as we see in 72^

not consistent with a late date.

Zc.

v.^^,

This primitive conception

9^''.

of Ex. 422-23

It applies niD3

of Dt. 26^^ 28^, both originally used of Israel, to the king

imply a date much later than D.

The

q^ and

it

may most

naturally be

referred to a real historical experience, such as that of Jehoiachin 2 K.

it

makes no reference

who accompanied Jehoiachin

exiles

24^''~i*;

to the calamities attached to the destruction of

was written by one of the

All favour the opinion that the Ps.

Jerusalem.

\\h^

This does not

v.28.

fourth part describes the humiliation

of the king in such a realistic and graphic way that

and

name

terms for legal

It uses

which betray the influence of the code of

a companion of the prophet Ez.

is

It uses

S. 7.

Isaiahs.

in his captivity, prior to the final invasion

Holy City. A later editor attached

and kindness of Yahweh to the Davidic
Ps. praising the faithfulness and deeds of

of Palestine and the destruction of the

this Ps., setting forth the faithfulness

monarchy, to another much

kindness of

Yahweh

government of the world.

composed of
Y

16-17^

six

later

in general terms in connection with the creation

This poem, without a

Israelites

813- 13;

2612,

v.^- ^,

in antithesis to

the use of the term ^>v^p for angels

a>SN ^J3 v.^ only here

imply a period of
period.

vvjth

complete in

The

fully

and

v.^-

a liturgical addition

Is.

51^,

elsw. Zc. 14^ Jb. 5^ 15^^

earlier

reference to the mythical sea monster

probably

Gn.

62- *

The

(J),

than the late Persian

Rahab

v.^^,

elsw. Jb. 9I*

used as emblematic name of Egypt Ps. 87*

implies influence of Babylonian mythology.

The

an assembly of pious

29I, but cf.

2I 38^
Jb. i^

developed angelology, not

and

itself,

This Ps. throughout indicates composition for public worship.

assembly or council of holy angels

Dn.

v.2-3- 6-i6^

tetrameter tetrastichs

title, is

Is.

30^

Ps. indicates a period of

peace and quietness in which the public worship of

Yahweh

in the

temple

was enjoyed by Israel, and this not until the troubled times of the Restoration
were over, some time subsequent to Nehemiah, when peace and prosperity
were enjoyed under the Persian rule of Artaxerxes II. (458-404 B.C.). The
later Ps. was prefixed to the earlier one, and that it might not be mere patchwork v.*-5, the Rf. of the first part of the trimeter poem, which sums up so

PSALMS

254
well

its

characteristic features,

was removed so

as to

come immediately

the tetrastich giving the theme of the tetrameter poem.

adapting these Pss. for use in public worship in his

own

after

This editor was

day.

It

probably

is

he who added the two concluding tetrameter hexastichs. These reflect times
of trouble, a long hiding of Yahweh's presence until His people were in
despair and impatiently pled for interposition.
He thinks of the reproach
of the people more than of the shame of the monarchy, and is overwhelmed
with the experience of the vanity of

life

and the

peril of death.

He

probably

wrote at the close of the Greek period, during the troubles brought upon the
nation by Antiochus before the heroic outbreak of the Maccabean wars.

PSALM LXXXIX.
Str. I.

The

A.

Ps. begins with a syn. tetrastich in praise of the

kindness and faithfulness of Yahweh.

2-3.

Of kindness\

This

and other like terms for the divine attributes in the singular are
abstr., "kindness" v.^
faithfulness v?^^ \ but in the plural
" deeds of kindness," " acts of faithfulness." The pi. of the
1|

former
transl.

is

improb.

only here in

Ps.

besides,

it

compels the

"of Yahweh's deeds of kindness," whereas Yahweh

is

will I sing forever\

generations will I make knoivn\

than
the congregation of worshippers
more prob. vocative 2d
To
in public worship,
||

pers., as in syn.

1.

all

to

rather

to the great world.

By command^

attaching word to the third line and removing the

"
with
my mouth " makes the second line too long,
5^
and is tautological and unpoetical. pf begins the third line with
" for I have said," but ( and J " thou hast said." This was a
suffix.

prosaic addition, based on the interpretation that the words of

kindness is built up forYahweh begin here rather than in v."*.

Thou establishes t Thy faithfulness'], not a promise for the
ever
II

future, but

an existing and long-established experience.

heavens'], the seat

In

and centre of the divine kindness and

the

faithful-

ness, cf. Pss. 36^ 57".

4-5. This trimeter tetrastich, separating tetrameter tetrastichs

and interrupting the current of their poetic utterance, was placed

here by an editor who pieced together an original trimeter poem
It was necessary to remove this
with this later tetrameter poem.
piece containing the theme of the trimeter poem to this place,
immediately after the statement of the theme of the tetrameter
poem,

in order to

make

the combination effectual.

The

justifi-

PSALM LXXXIX.

255
and the

cation was in the fact that the kindness

faithfulness of

Yahweh were especially exhibited in the covenant with David.

The passage may be more appropriately interpreted in its original
place after y.^.

two syn. couplets, the second synth. to the

Str. II. has

This

by men.

The

6.

celebrate], sing

"shew

cf.

first.

angels, as the former

up the thought of v.^*, in

built up and established.
and make known.
Thy wonderfulness], cf.
were

faithfulness

Yahweh

as an attribute of

88^^;

Yahweh by

heavens'], taking

which the kindness and

of

Str. sets forth the praise

taking the place of kindness,

This usage and

extraordinary kindness" 4* 17^ 31^^

the context indicate that

the poet has in mind.

it

the wonderfulness of kindness that

is

The

in the assembly of holy angels].

angels are regarded as gathered together in an assembly for the

worship of Yahweh,
35^^ 40^^^^

107^^

cf.

149^

v.^,

For who

divine being in the heavens, can be

above

other beings,

all

compared

Ex. 15^^

cf.

what holy or

in the sky],

Yahweh], implying a negative answer.

to

earth, cf. 22^-^

on

just as the pious

7.

Yahweh,

to

He

among

be like

incomparably

is

the sons

of gods],

not sons of gods in the sense of polytheism, but in the sense that
cf. 8^

angels are of the class of divine beings,

ever, sons of
Str.

III.

heavens.

8.

tive,

God Gn.

previous praise of

syn. with the

is

It

to
II

has two couplets, the

be revered.

in

Greatly]

long and

it

first

is

is

attached by

MT.

to

first

1.,

but

makes

the

sf.

of ?^, Vrss.,

is

1.

1.

too

above

interp. but improb., as

up divine names.

God is now
who is like Thee], renewGod of a host of angels.
v.^
The closing line specifies the challenge by recurring to
Thy
terms which constitute the main theme of the poem

9.

Yahweh, God of Hosts].

The

word

sustained by (3 and 3, EV'.,

found only here in Heb., "strong," " mighty,"

kindness and Thy faithfulness.

in the use of a

ancient warlike

conceived as

the

it

needed to complete the measure of second

round about]

ing

in the

second synth.

assembly of holy angels

||

destroys the force of the vocative in heaping

Yahweh

syn., the

the circle of holy angels], the intimate

"
"

fellowship of the innermost circle,

all

how-

usually,

'-/], taking up the divine name of the previous line; vocaand so awe-inspiring] is in apposition and not predicate,

cf. 10^^

V.6*.

29^

e^"* Jb. i^ 2" 38^.

is

PSALMS

256
or " potent "

itself, and the change of

the poem, " kindness,"
keyword
of
us the

but this

a single letter gives

which

with

is

**

improbable in

is

faithfulness "

Va^^, an abbreviation of
are round about Thee].

v.^"^.

II

Yahweh not uncommon in late

The divine attributes are here

Pss.

personified, as

and are
upon Him

often,

regarded as constantly in His company, attending

and ready to execute His pleasure, cf. 85""".
Str. IV. has

two syn. couplets.

Yahweh

the power of

in

begins a series describing

It

the creation and government of the

world, which were regarded by the poet as expressing His kind-

ness v.^;

His power was always beneficent, and destructive

for

only of the powers of

The

evil.

couplet asserts his beneficial

first

10. Thou art ruler oiier the swelling of

government of the sea.
When
the sea\ the Hfting up of the sea in its pride and power,
its waves heave Thou stillest them\ as an act of kindness putting

power

forth

harm.

to stay

Thou

11.

them and cause them

didst crush

Rahab\

to cease from doing

The

reference to the

Rahab has

sea in the previous couplet favours the opinion that

usual meaning, the mythical sea monster of Semitic mythology,

its

the

*'

Tiamat

probably
Is. 30^,

there

is

Is.

" of the Assyrians

5I^

It is

9" 26^^
Egypt Ps. 87*
think of Egypt here but

and Babylonians

an emblematic name

and accordingly Bii., Dr.,

no reference to nations

al.,

so Jb.

for

The enemies

in the context.

should be referred to other destructive sea monsters, and not to

men.

as one deadly wounded\ pierced through by sword, arrow,

or spear, and so
30^* La. 2^\

wounded unto death;

and so

slain Ps. 88^

destruction of Leviathan

strong

arm Thou

in the sea
Str.

in

cf. Is.

Nu.

-i/s^"^^^

y^)"-^

in

cf.

31^

69^
^^

Je. 51^^ Ez.

(P) etc.

similar terms.

cf.

With

didst scatter\ drive away, disperse

all

26"

God's

Thy

enemies

51^ 62^

V. sets forth the beneficent power of Yahweh in creation,

two couplets, the

first

synth., the

second syn.

12.

Thine are

Thou hast
them in Thy possession and under Thy government. The heavens
are chiefly thought of here as in v.^ ^^
The Ps. for completeThey belong

the heavens].

to

Thee

as their

owner

ness of ownership adds, yea^ Thine

summed up

in

it full, all its

contents.

The world

in

its

is

the earth], cf. 74^^ both

fulness,

The reason

for

cf. 50^^,

ownership

that which
is.

Thou

fills

didst

PSALM LXXXIX.
found them\

in the sense of creation,

257

cf.

24^ 78^^ 102^ 104^, in-

volving the image of the founding of a building.

North and

13.

and southern sections of the world.

Thou didst create them~\, cf. v.*^ for creation of mankind, 104^^ of
Tabor
creatures, 148^ of heavens, Gn. i^ of heavens and earth.

South'], for the northern

and Uermon'], the chief mountain peaks of the Holy Land, Tabor,
commanding the great plain of Esdraelon, and Hermon, the giant
of Lebanon, commanding the greater part of the entire land, representatives therefore of the mountains.
In Thy name ring out

joy'],

returning to the conception of

head of the people.

In

in Str. III. the angels revere, so

now

sings at the

Ps. 29^ 65^^ 96^^"^^ 98''^ Jb.

cf.

38''

L where

Str.

the psalmist

the heavens celebrate,

Str. II.

the mountains join the choir

for similar jubilations of nature.

Str. VI. has two syn. couplets, returning from the deeds of
14. Thine is
power and kindness to the attributes themselves.
an arm], followed by relative clause, with relative omitted as
Thou
usual, the vb. to be supplied, that is endued with might
strengthenest Thy hand
exaltest Thy right hand, cf. v.^^*, thus
emphasizing the exceeding great strength and might of God.
But this might is always in the interest of justice and kindness.
He is King of angels, of the world and mankind, and He rules

||

||

from a divine throne.

15.

and

Righteousness

justice are the

foundation of Thy throne]. On these two syn. attributes as on

This is cited
a base or platform the throne of Yahweh is built.

Kindness and faithfulness come

in Ps.

97^

They

are personified,

as messengers

coming

coming

to

it

cf. 85"'^*.

late editor inserts a liturgical conclusion to the Ps.

It

did not belong to the original Ps., for there

it

to the

the

meet Thy face].

upon Him, here

meet Him, having done His bidding, or

to receive His commission to do

16-17.

to

there as attendant

cf. v.^,

theme of the

is

no reference

more general terms, "name" and "righteousness" take

place.

It

is

a syn. triplet.

Happy

Happy

in the light of

Thy name

Thy

they exult,

all

face they walk,

day long

in

Thy

righteousness.

the people], exclamation, pi. abst. emphatic, cf.

knowers of

their

the people knowers of the sacred shout

Yahweh,
In

in

"kindness" and "faithfulness," but

Ps.,

the sacred shout],

i^.

accustomed to the sacred service

PSALMS

258

of the temple and especially to the Teruah, the sacred shout

which accompanies the musical service

temple,

cf. 33=^

face'].

The

^f'' 66^ 81^

face of

of the temple,

is

95I-2

98^

Yahweh, looking

illuminating;

cf.

at the sacrifices in the

ioo\
forth

4^ 44*.

/ th^ light of Thy

from the throne room

they walk'], in sacred

Thy name they exult], so 9^* 13 21^ in

in Thy righteousness].
Thy salvation, 35^ in Yahweh,
MT.
attaches all day long to the first part of the verse, and adds the
vb. *' are exalted," but this makes a pentameter and the vb.
"exalt" is not suited to the previous context. It probably came
procession,

cf.

42^

/;/

in from the line below.

PSALM LXXXIX.
Part

I.

stich Rf.

has three advancing trimeter tetrastichs, and a tetra-

18-19.

assonance

This tetrastich

is

the

One

in

whom

our king,

our

the glory of

and with
all refer-

strength],

One who makes

the strength

By Thy favour Thou

our horn], the horn of the nation,

cf.

shield,

the king, the strength, the strong

of Israel beautiful and glorious.

The

syn. throughout,

Thou art

hero of his people, glories, or the

king.

is

our strength, our horn, our

ring to the Davidic dynasty.

Yahweh

B.

exaltation of his horn

its
is

honour and

exaltest

dignity, in their

the exaltation of their horn,

v.^ 112 148^* and similar phr. I32^^

For

Yahweh' s

is

our

Yahweh he belongs, according to the covenant to be

mentioned below. The king is the shield of his people as their
heroic chieftain and defender, just as Yahweh is their shield and
M^ Holy One of Israel], the
his shield Pss. 3* 7^^ i83-^i-^.
divine name based on the Trisagion Is. 6^.
20. This tetrastich
has two couplets, the second synth. to the first.
Then Thou

shield], to

didst speak], referring to the time of the giving of the covenant

to

David through the prophet Nathan 2 S. 7 = i Ch. 17,

2 S. 7^'= i Ch. 17^^, to the prophet, when

vision], so
ecstatic

state.

To

authoritative have

pi.,

Thy

son],

" to

the prophet, Samuel, the

Thy

book

prophets depending on them

editions have sg., "

Thy

in

in

the

Codd. of J^ differ; the most

pious ones," referring to Nathan
in

cf.

which

it

Acts 3^^

is

recorded, and the

But many codd. and

pious one," referring to Nathan.

sons" suggests the true reading, which

is

"Thy

(5

"Thy

son," the

title

PSALM LXXXIX.

259

given to the Davidic dynasty in the covenant,

gavest a

word\

so by an easy change of text,

cf.

TTiou

v.^.

cf.

68^

77^

speak

||

and incomplete line of J^, " and

saidst," which requires that all up to thi* point be taken as one
clause, and so as a pentameter, destroying the measure of the
poem and losing a line from the Str. I have laid help on a hero],
in vision, instead of the prosaic

made

the hero a bearer of help for the people.

one chosen from the people],

cf. v.* 2 S.

by Yahweh from a shepherd's

21-22 has two couplets, the

David

My

servant],

With

Samuel.

Bethlehem

i S.

life

first

to

7^,

holy oil

exalted

Ifound

be leader of His people.

synth., the

(cf. 18^) referring to

My

/ have

where David was taken

second syn.

the finding of David by

anointed him], his anointing at

My hand established with him].

18^^. Yea, Mine arm doth strengthen

i6^"^^

Yah-

is

weh's hand was continually with David to sustain him in his ardu-

ous career,

The

cf.

Ps.

comes

him].

by
v.^^ and Pt. III. v.^"^.
4. I made a covenant with
It is composed of two syn. couplets.
My chosen] cf. v.^- ^- ^. The covenant with David is also menI sware to David My servant]. The oath
tioned 132^^ Je. 33^^
Both
is not mentioned in 2 S. 7 any more than the " covenant."
tetrastich v."^

in appropriately here, as indicated

the syn. tetrastichs at the close of Pt. II.

are interpretations by later writers of the divine

is

interpreted as oath also v.^-^

establish thy seed

phrase of

And build thy

||

S. 7^^^*

Ch.

no*

132".

5.

promise.

It

Forever will

throne for all generations], para-

17^1-",

where "seed" and "throne"

are in syn. parall. as here.

Part

II.

has three advancing tetrastichs with a concluding Rf.

23-24. Two
The enemy shall not come treacherously upon him],
but @ "make exactions
so 3, 2, cf
Usage
And son of wrong]
determine with
the
Hebraism
wrong-doers, persons who belong
or
condition of men characterised by wrong. Shall not any more
going back upon the terms of the original covenant.
syn. couplets.

55^^;

of."

certainty.

ficient to

class

him], so (^ and also the original passage from which

cited 2 S.

7^ (cf.

the measure.

him],

insuf.

to

for

afflict

is

the

But

Nu. 14^

it

is

J^ omits the aux. vb. and impairs

will beat his adversaries to pieces before

Ch. 17^).

E) Dt. i^, illustrated by other terms Ps. 18*^.

hate
him will I smite], so J^, but the line is too
them that

cf.

And

(J,

PSALMS

26o

add therefore before him, as usual with this vb, Ju. 20*
It seems tautological in English, but not
Ch. 13*^ 14^^
a Hebrew poet, who delights in assonance and the same or

short
I S.

to

4^ 2

25-26.

similar endings to lines.

second syn.

But

My

The first couplet is synth., the

and My kindness shall be

faithfulness

with him\ in accordance with the promise 2 S. 7" ; cf. also v.^.
" Faithfulness " is added because of the line 2 S. 7^^ " thy house
and thy kingdom shall be made sure forever," " faithfulness " being from the

through

My

will set his

limit of the
tive idea.
of, cf. Is.

same stem

name
hand

Heb.

in

as the vb.

"made

shall his horn be exalted\

also

on

And
Afid I

sure."

cf. \}^^.

sea\ the Mediterranean Sea, the

the

Davidic monarchy, the West according to the primiThe " setting of the hand on " is the taking possession

And his

11".

right

hand will I put on

the river\ that

Euphrates, the eastern limit of the Davidic monarchy.

omits vb., leaving the line too short, and reads " rivers." This
the

is,

J^

might be interpreted of streams, canals, or channels of the

Euphrates,

dominion

The

pi.

137^; but elsewhere in the limits of the Davidic

cf.

always

it is

ending

is

72 80^-,

sg., cf.

and probably

it

was so here.

The

the mistake of a copyist for the original vb.

monarchy were the sea and the river

in the time of David and of Jeroboam II.
but late poets gave
a world-wide dominion to the Davidic monarchy, such as that
27of the great world powers; cf. Ps. 72^ after Zee. 9^^.

actual limits of the Davidic

28.

syn. tetrastich.

He will

call

Me My Father'],
:

to

J^ adds "art Thou," making the line one word too long.
doubtless a prosaic enlargement of the original ; cf. 2 S.
I

Ch.

17^*,

"I

a son to me."
of

official

will

"

become a

Son "

is

father to him,

and he

shall

which
It is
7^*

become

here used, not in the natural sense, but

adoption, as a king reigning in the place of God over

He calls God " Father " and
Israel, cf. Ps. 2^

His kingdom of
also

My God and the Rock of fny

"Rock of my
J will fnake him

salvation "

is

salvation'], cf.

1 8^.

The

elsw. only Dt. 32", cf Ps.

My first-born].

The term

Davidic covenant, though implicitly involved,

God

is

if

exact phr.

95^

Yea,

not used in the

other kings are

but it was used in the more

fundamental covenant with Israel, " Israel is my son, my first-

also to

be considered sons of

born " Ex. 4" (J),

cf.

the paraphrase Dt. 32^ ''^.

Most high above

PSALM LXXXIX.

of earth'], so adapted from the promise to Israel Dt. 26^*

the kings

28^

261

29-30 returns

as Rf. to the exact terms of the covenant:

Forever will I keep My kind And My covenant shall be firm

house
made firm or
forever
throne],

a tetrastich of two syn. couplets.

ness for him'],
for him], cf.

And I

2 S. 7^^ cf. v.^.

2 S. 7^,

the days of heaven],

where

will set his seed

his

" as the sun "

cf.

sure.

is

v.^ cf. 2 S. 7^^"^^.

his

"

v.^^,

moon

and before the moon" Ps. 72^

Part III. has the same structure as the other

the sun

a syn. tetrastich, a paraphrase of 2 S.

iquity " or "acts perversely," omitted

forsake

My Law]

The

'^

7^^*

Ch.

31-32 is
parts.
when he commits in17.

was general and

original

" v.^, " with

If

from any conception of a code of Law

entirely apart

his sons

and

indefinite,
;

but this

paraphrase interprets the perverse action as a violation of the

There are four

code of Law.
Ez.

Dt. 29-* Je. 22^;

9^^

cf. Je.

(3) profane

2>f^',

My

syn. terms

(2)

statutes], aX.,

My Law],
My judgmefits], cf.

(i) forsake

walk not

in

but

cf. v.^,

profane the

and profaning sacred places and things

characteristic of H and Ez.
(4) keep not My commands], a phr.
of Dt. 4^ 5^^ f + Lv. 2 2^^ 26^ (H) and Ex. 20^ = Dt. 5^^ These
phrases shew the influence not only of D, but also of H, and
2^^

covenant Mai.

Ps. 55^^

imply a contemporary of Ez. and one nearer to him than to Je.

33-34. This tetrastich has two syn. couplets in antith., the

second to the

a rod

II

first.

And their

The7i

will

" I will chastise him with a rod of

children of men," which

"

I will chastise

visit their transgressions

is

him with

men and

7".

I will not
the later
original

It

probably an expansion of an original

has been omitted by

remove from him\

Ch.

even in

17^^ has the

2 S., as (^,

7^^,

with the stripes of the

men."

We

a complete

line,

stripes of the children of

should probably supply the vb. chastise to

cf. 2 S.

with

iniquity with stripes], a paraphrase of 2 S.

make

txt. err.

cf. 2 S. 7^^,

But My kindness

which has the Qal, where

Hiph. as here.

Doubtless Hiph. was

the pointing of |^ being an error.

It

improbable that the psalmist would change the easy technical

word " remove " of the original for the new vb. of J^ " break off,"
is

and use

it

in a sense

will not belie

19^^

which cannot be sustained elsewhere.

My faithfulness],

with a person.

35-36.

cf.

And

Ps. 44^^ with covenant, Lv.

This tetrastich

is

syn. throughout.

PSALMS

262

/ will not profane My covenant\

And that which has
divine

antith. to

17^*^

Je.

tents.

Heb.

Dt. 23^^ Nu. 30^^ (P)

/ will
have

sworn],

syn. "covenant,"

My

cf.

34^

for

all,

holiness], cf.

cf. v.*.

by the majestic separateness, aloofness,

/ will not unto

throughout and
^^^ (hrone as
lie

tures.

lips'], cf.

verbal con-

its

Once],
@, 3;
by My
Am.
of Yahweh above
David. Rf.
a

change],

fiot

7^.

profaning the

v.''-,

issued from

statutes,

crea-

all

tetrastich,

is

cf.
4^,

syn.

His seed shall be forever], cf.

y_5a.30a_
the sun before Me], cf. v.^^ built for
^/j
As the moon
all generations; v.^ "as the days of heaven."
syn. v.'"-^'*'.

shall it be established forever,

cf. 72*,

And forever as

the sky be

firm], by easy change of pointing " forever" for "witness," and

of preposition " as " for " in the sky," which introduces a new

Some

conception in the climax not easy to explain.

moon

as a witness in the sky, others of

But the term " firm," " sure,"

to the "

II

to attach

it

to the throne here, to

S.

7^*^

in Jb. i6^^
is

"
the " sky

make

moon," and to find a syn. word for " forever."

Part IV. laments that

in

in the original

attached
house " or dynasty, and in v.^ to the covenant, and it

seems best
"

think of the

God Himself as

God

has acted contrary to His covenant,

His present dealings with the king.

It

has the same structure

as the previous parts, four tetrastichs, the last a sort of Rf.

39-40

is

a syn. tetrastich.

David and

But Thou hast cast

his present representative

off

on the throne.

become enraged with Thine anointed],

cf.

and rejected]
Thou art

78^^-^^^ Dt.

3^^.

These

three terms are strong expressions to indicate Yahweh's attitude

towards the present king.

that this king

They

imply, in accordance with

v.^^"*^,

had forsaken the Law, and consequently was under-

going the chastisement predicted v.^.

Thou

hast

spumed

the

covenant of Thy servant]. This seems inconsistent with the perpetuity of the covenant v.*^, its firmness v.'^, and the promise that

Yahweh would not profane it v.^. But the Ps. certainly had in
mind that the chastisement would be temporary, and that the
covenant kindness and faithfulness would not be removed v.^.
That has been so strongly expressed in the previous context that
it is implied here.
Thou hast profaned to the ground his crown].

The crown,

in the

term used here, implies consecration to the

royal office, or anointing,

cf.

132^^

The

profanation of the crown

PSALM LXXXIX.
of the present king
statutes

v.^^'*.

is

41-42

because of

open

all

is

it

The

a ruin\

the

forth

Thou hast broken down

The boundaries

his fe7ices\, cf. Ps. 80^^.

keep out the enemies,

of Yahweh's

his profanation

has two syn. couplets, setting

devastation of the land of the king.

his fortresses

263

to

all

of the land no longer

Thou hast made

them.

strongholds constructed for the de-

fence of the land had been captured by enemies, and have been

All

reduced to a mass of ruins.

The land
Ps. 80^^ La. 1^ 2^^
neighbours
bours

is

who would

despoil

related 2 K. 24^.

bours'], defenceless,

The

is

cf.

to all the

Just such a spoiling by neigh-

it.

He

the passers-by spoil him'],

open and defenceless

is

plundered by

become a reproach
all

who

to his neigh-

take advantage of his

become the reproach and contempt of

The phr. is used also 44^* 79^*, cf.
80'' all Pss. dependent on this one.
43-44 is a syn. tetrastich
describing the defeat of the king in battle.
Thou hast exalted
the right hand of his adversaries], in battle, giving them the victory over the king of Israel, cf. v.^.
Thou hast gladdened all his
enemies], cf 30^, giving them the joy and gladness of triumph
and its spoils.
Yea, Thou turnest back his sword], so that it
is ineffective, does not pierce or cut down the enemies.
And
hast not made him stand in the battle], that is, he has not stood
45firm, he has fallen back, retired, fled before his enemies.
46 has a syn. couplet and a synth. one.
Thou hast taken away
misfortunes.
all

land

is

the nations round about.

the sceptre of his majesty], so

gives a

flung

good meaning,

down

to the

by an easy change of

syn. with following Hue.

ground],

cf.

which

his throne

Ez. 21^^ for other use of vb.

humiliation to the ground of the throne here

of the crown v.^.

text,

A7id

is

parall.

Such an overthrow of the throne

is

The

with that
in strong

antithesis to the building of the throne " to all generations " of

V.*,

" as the days of heaven "

implies that this overthrow

is

ened the days of his youth].

who

suffered this humiliation

v.^",

" as the sun before

a temporary one.

me

"

v.^^,

and

Thou hast short-

This seems to imply that the king

was a young man.

of the shortening of his youth by death, were

it

We

might think

not for the follow-

ing Hne, which implies that he continued to live in shame.

Thou hast wrapped him up

that the joyous days of his

in shame].

It is

evident, therefore,

youth have given place to an experience

PSALMS

264

of the greatest shame and humiliation.

wrap him up

The

as in a robe.

These envelop him and

descriptions of this part of

the Ps. are so graphic and realistic that they

be referred

experience

to a real historic

and

may most
if so,

naturally

the only one

who began to reign

months before he was taken
captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar 2 K. 24^'^ The Ps. closes
here, and it was probably written by one of the exiles with Jehoiachin before the more terrible calamities which fell upon the nation
who

exactly

fits

the description

Jehoiachin,

is

at eighteen, but reigned only three

in the reign of Zedekiah, his successor.

PSALM LXXXIX.

C.

This Ps. returns to the tetrameter movement, but the

not tetrastichs, but hexastichs.
vious Pss., and

not of the style of either of them.

is

much

Strs.

are

presupposes both of the pre-

It

an

It is

and more impatient attitude.

47-49. This hexastich has a syn. couplet and a syn. tetrastich.
addition, reflecting a

How

Yahweh\

lo7igy

later

cf.

4^

79"^,

will this

sad state of things

continue? the humiliation of the Davidic monarchy, the postpone-

ment of the covenant?

Wilt Thou

Thyself forever ?\ im-

Jiide

plying a long-continued hiding from the people, and justifying the

expostulation lest

burn

?\

like fire

Remember,

"Remember
life,

by the

what

is

it

"as

for

how

me."

short

For what

The author

is

what duration

and worthless

nothifigness'],

it

Job.

He conceives

pose of
is

frailty

used

God

of
of

man, that he should

phr.

in a pessimistic spirit, as

fully

S.

19"

is

live

all the sons

and

He

is

as the author of the

more

inevitable destroyer of

mon

life,

man.

This

has

as explained

Thou hast created

in the creation of

in v.^^

Ji|

duration

here thinking of mankind in general,

human
it

is,

is'],

empty, vain, worthless

and not of the fortunes of the king or the nation.

ing over the

situation.

insertion of a single letter to cor-

no value or importance.

of men].

Shall Thy hot wrath

and the same

omitted by copyist's mistake, so that

v.'^^",

I," or

in the next line.

thing, of

79* for similar phr.

Adofiay~\, so

respond with
of

should endure forever.

it

cf.

even in the pur-

The same term

explained in

moralis-

book of

v."*^.

for creation

What

is

not see death], a.\. phr., death, the

mankind.

2 S. i(f Je.

Can he

48^ Ez.

2>z'

deliver his life],

Am. 2" Ps. 116^

com-

+.

PSALM LXXXIX.

265

Sheol is syn. of Death, and both are

the hand of Sheol~\.
conceived as having power over the hfe of men cf. 49^^^ for the

from

dominion of Sheol, 30*

86^^ for

deHverance from

Thus the

it.

shortness of time and the nearness of death are the basis for

Yahweh would

the plea that

presence and favour.

His wrath and grant His

restrain

50-52 a hexastich having a

Whei-e are Thy former deeds of
synth.

is

couplet and a syn. tetrastich.

Adonay ?\

kindness,

cf.

v.^,

but in an entirely different

There, the poet resolves to sing of them forever

and

plains bitterly of their absence

Which Thou didst swear

is more specific, for the
David,

v."*

-^^''.

to

David

refers to

here, he

them

com-

as ancient.

Thy faithfulness^

i7i

spirit.

This

special

kindness in the covenant of

The combination

of the general " deeds of kind-

ness " and the specific kindness to David here resembles the edi-

combination of

torial

may be

combination

v.^^ with

the

The

v.^"^.

editor

who made

author of these words.

the

Re7?ie7nber,

Thy servants\ cf. v.'*' but that was the

more general, one of the nation of
My bearifig in my bosom
Israel, implying a later point of view.
the shame of the peoples\ by an easy emendation of the text
suggested by Ba., because '^ gives an ungrammatical construction
which is only paraphrased in " the whole of many peoples," and
@ and J had a different text, or conjectured ways out of the
difficulty.
With which Thine enemies reproached, YahweK\. The
line pauses, not giving the object, in order that by stairlike parall.
the next line may begin with a part of the previous line and give
its conclusion, with emphasis.
With which they reproached the
footsteps of Thine anointed~\, the humiliation of the Davidic monarchy, as in the closing part of the trimeter poem.
Adonay,

the reproach of

reproach of the king,

this is

LXXXIX. A.
''7pn]

2.

"pX.

deeds of kindness \.^^ ^4

^']^^-

mDN

suits better v.*

tion to distinguish

By His

25^ 1074315.63'^.

nn^r^},

&f 3,

VD2

if

r'^"'><]

should

n_ has fallen out before x.

'ri^ps] but 0,
3.
The author cites words of God and not his own words. But

be cohortative, as

(God's)

than

v.^;

so Bi.,

words quoted.

command ;

Du.

It is

therefore prob. a later inser-

^D3 then belongs with

cf.

use of

'0

for

1.^

command

and should be

Dt.

i^^ i S. 12I*

n^DC'] emph. in position, followed by rel. clause defined by

K. 132^+These four 11. are tetrameters. 4-5 are a trimeter insertion, belonging
on3.
I

PSALMS

266
poem

originally with trimeter

v.*6

and

17;

cf.

nn3

4.

v.2fi-*o

Jos. 9-7.

11- 15. 16

but 0, U,

Moses

V.87.

pi.

tioned in 2

titles 181 36I,

n?

Y^^']

ND3

dSi;? "ip

tic

rjjr, dSi;; n;? poj n>n>

the impfs. nj3^ and pn.

It

is,

as in

present.

v.^,

5I 151^

Jb.

n'l"'^]

6.

2 S. 621

10

8^6 (

K.

ch^

lyii-i*

couplet

no*

also.

elsw.

OT.

n^n, n^'^ro

y-,r

r^""*

does not connect as conj. with the

77^ 88^^

as

= 2 Ch.

not men-

is

therefore a paraphras-

is

coord, of late style.

David

elsw. v.21 78'*^ 13210 144I'';

connects with the

It

1^,'^?]

tetrastich v.2-8

first

and

65 interprets as future.

Vnp] phr.

a-'tt'np

a.\. congre-

iiD v.8, Vnp {22^^) ^ D^cnp (/6*) for angels elsw.

D"'r-ip

cf.

also (/y^).

""n

The

813-18 Zc. 145, late usage.

Dn.

pendent on

It is

the oath to David

interpreted as an oath Ps.

is

Yahweh

nd:.

previous tetrastich of covenant.

gation of angels,

S. 10'-* iC^-

43' 659- i^.a^.

Is.

2i^

S.

Ch. 16I8

so in 2 S. 3I8 76-8.26^ altogether 31 t.in

v.*o,

the promise.

Saul 2

refer, to

children of Jacob

\-;2^'j]

Cf. phrs. 2 S. 712-15

\n^j3.

summary of

Is. 42I,

as the servant of

David's seed

NDD

II

David

for

Ch. 65 Ps. 78"^

but the covenant

S. 7,

in] David

na;;

always of Yahweh,

so His people Ps. 105*3 106^

used

is

28*- 5 29I 2

Ch.

phr. of J, E, D, c. S Ex. 2382 3412.15

P uses r^>-y2 D^1^.
^vns] so &,

is

72 Je. 32*^;

Yahweh

Ps. io623, Servant of

only here, but vb.

I

E) Dt.

cites the

n. chosen, elect,

">"'r'2

Ps. I05, Israel Is. 45'^;

66)

nna nno

13212.

2425 (J,

go Horsley would put them between

Davidic covenant 2 S. 7 = i Ch.

v.^^^q.

This

\n-iD].

c'^n

7.

V -^^T ^c]

angels, as 29^

''_Jp]

cf.

406.

D>nSN(n)

n;:-^>]

>j3

de-

jb. i^ 2^

38' Gn. 62-* (J).

n2<] is attached by MT.
8. r";>V. H'] phr. a.X. (/oiS).
first 1., but that makes it too long and second 1. too short.
(S attaches

to
it

rightly to the

tive.

second

niN3X >nSN

9.

goes back on 2 pers.

that

makes

first 1.

second part

v.^.

I^Dn a.X. adj. strong,

Is.

10.

18I;

v*^) N"j'3]

el

Kvpie, Kal

inf.

cstr.

(Ges.'^^-oo).

It is

rj

dXiJ^etd cov

(3 rightly attaches

so

is

Nvj*^

Je.

lo^

Nt'j Is.

elationes.

the mythical sea monster

ii* Jb.

11.

pN

24^

Is.

51^.

96II 98",

tains of Palestine
,922. 84 ju. 46.

:iND3

parallel

972

it is

vowel

H")!?]

cf. 74I6.

V.

5j^.

13.

12.

I'^DD

r\>)p

12. 14

HN*?!:!

q^v >^"<o] phr.

Sjp] phr. elsw.

rr;i j^d^] phr. a.X.

north

and

50^-,

with

south, for

cf. 741^.
]iDnm liar] the two great mouncommanding the plain of Esdraelon, elsw. Jos.
46I8 Ho. 5I, and Ticnn North Galilee and Syria.

the countries in these regions;

16.

"perhaps

(7.?-^)

emblematic name for Egypt Ps. 87* Is. 30"^, so here

and prob. refers to the sea monster in Is. 51^, so here and
of the sea has nothing to do with the Exodus, but is parall. with

cf.
O"-

"Tiamat " of Ass.-Bab.

the reference to other great objects in nature in context.

62^

20*;

tn;-)]

}"JP

II

the stilling

Is.

to

||

aaXov, 3

^.

it

forlissime domine.

which

niu* for

ann^]

interpreta-

Jb. 9^' 26^2.

mythology
Ba.

is

Aramaism
but f ;"Dn adj. strong Am.
is theme of Ps., and
T"ji::{< v.2- 8,

mighty, an

only a scribal error," Ges."-

of nS

therefore the fern, form

t=?''^]

takes place of 3 pers. v."^ and

n; rPn] attached to first part of v. by MT. ; but
(.?^^^).

for rr^Dn,

err.

txt.

rd. fj.^yas, 3-j;

too long and second too short.

dvparbs

r^^7\^^

"^''^n

Je.

w^u^pi p-^x]

972.

It is

doubtless original here, for

iDip^ "^^^X Ipn, the four attributes

grouped

it

has the

as elsw. in pairs.

In

not necessary to context and might be removed without being missed;

PSALM LXXXIX.

267

for grouping of attributes personified in a similar way.

f T^d] n.m.
fixed, established place, (i) usually of God's abode on earth Ex. 15^7
813
2 Ch. 62, of temple Ezr. 26s Is. 4^ Dn. 8", elsw. heaven i K. S^^- . 49

cf. 85^1-1*
y/\'\2,
I

K.

63^- 33- 39 ps. 3314 Is. i84;

{2) foundation Pss. 972 104^ so here.
n;?nn ^yn^J those experienced in and accustomed to the musical service
at the sacrifice in the temple ; cf. 'n ^n;}r ^7^, 'n ''^;p'i 150^ and more generally
of the shouting at musical service 33^ 476; also vb. 47^ 66I 8i'2 95^*^ 98*-

2 Ch.

16.

l<X)i.

weh

form impf.

always of the illuminating face of Yah-

from the most holy place of the temple.

frequentative;

iSn,

Pi.

^ 44*,

phr. elsw.

q"'JD""iiN:3]

as looking forth

of frequenting the temple

||

familiarity with

shout

the sacred

fuller

Ii^^'^^]

chiefly poetic

intensive

Pi.

and

late,

cf.

55^^

walking with the throng in procession to the house of God, also 42^.
17.

iDii"'

Dvn So

^pp-ix2i

two makes two

pSiji -i;:tto].

We

trimeters.

This

out either the last word as assimilation to

suggested the reading ijn\

plete

by adding

1.

nin^ to

liturgical in character

we read

If

make

It

archaic

sf.

V.

or orn Sd as an insertion.

v.^^,

with Ba.,

This

a tetrameter.

we

is

shall

Gr.

have to com-

possible.

is

V.^^^'^ are

B.

changes to trimeter which then continues

This

for

seems better to regard them as a seam.

But

for cr; referring to previous context.

IJJJC, ijdSd.

and

1.,

to a tetrameter by throwing

it

ijin^

LXXXIX.
This

18.

too long for one

is

might reduce

We

more prob.

,S,

till v.*^.

so Gr., rd.

ijij;

y^\f\
||

c.

iJ^J'ip,

then have assonance in these four words,

and we should rd. ijnp after rd Kkpo.% rifjLWP,

3 cornu nostrum, so ^, K, many codd., and not MT. u-ijip, which is difficult
all

referring to the Davidic king,

This gives us a quartette of trimeters referring to the king, to

to understand.

be compared with the quartette v.*"^. Transpose r\rn with ijtv rriNDr. The
is prob. a seam to connect this tetrastich with the previous context.
It was
'<:i

not in the original trimeter poem, which begins here.

prob. than

ann

of Qr.

(v. 71^2 78*1).

pD,

"iSr,

19.

These four

constitute the

TN refers to

that of

first

Snt^''' tt^np]

11.,

S.

71"^

Dn.n]

name

of Kt.

is

of the trisagion

more
Is.

6^

referring to king

under the syn. terms ij', ]'\pf

of the poem.
20. pinp n"\3T tn]. The

tetrastich

the time of the covenant 2

Nathan 2

divine

nrn prnn Sdd

S. 7

Ch. 17!^

The

Ch. 17.

qn^onSj

pin vision

pi. text

is

of Baer

and Ginsb. refers not only to Nathan but to Samuel also, and possibly to a
number of prophets. But many codd. and texts give sg. T^T'Dn, which then
must refer to Nathan. The conception of the prophet as a n''Dn is very late.

The
but

text
if

is

dub., for

pointed in

rots vloTs aov,

sg. thy son,

it is

ecy that the king was son of God.

the

first

half of v. as

it

stands

is

r\^:2.

This

is

also a late conception;

in accord with the conception of the proph-

"iDsm]

pentameter.

added,

is

unpoetical,

To make two

cf.

v.^;

trimeters another

word must be conjectured. We may find it in idn |nn, as 68^2 -^dn ^n-" "jnN
and 77^ nnx i::j, and so rd. n?2X |nn :iJ3'^. A copyist gives prosaic ^dndi for
DN pn. The v. then is the second tetrastich of the original trimeter poem.

PSALMS

268

as v.*

pf.,

'n^ic']

a third

Here

tetrastich.

21-22.

itP 21^.

^r\^_;

anointing of David by Samuel

is

S. i6^-

rnnc'ip] historical reference to the

1-.

prosaic insertion.

ntt'N]

making a group of

four.

for this is the fact that v.*-^ are parall. with v.^"-^^, closing a

group of four

tetrastichs

23.

N^^'^-s*?].

i9DB. follows

and

also with

closing another

v."^^-^,

U proficiei, so

w(pe\ri<Tei,

but

5*,

i^awaTrjaei,

cited from 2 S.

7^'^

^n>:>2'?

^j3 id'D^'nSi;

n*?ij;

cf.

KoX vlo% dvofxlas ov irpoadi^a-ei tov Ka/ctD<rat avrdv

has

7^*^

quote from

tov TaweivQffai.

trpoad-qcei,

of

indeed \'~uyS

decipiet.

Ch. 17^

vh nSiy

Myi_>

2 S. or

Ch.

but

nVi

of Ps. has

as

]i^.

same

(Q of

evident that (5 of Ps. did not

It is

must have found

It

is

Jl,

j^i] is

^p io^dv

r\^\}

>nV3S, referring to the people; here applied to the monarch.

S.

group.

creditor against, viake exactions of; but Ba., Du.,

(S, act the

2, so ^^^, come deceitfully upon; the latter more prob.

is

v.*-*,

as a sort of refrain to the three previous tetrastichs,

The ground

This

the proper place to bring in the tetrastich

and

in its text,

n"?

']^D'<

This makes better measure and gives asso-

'tD"'~nS nS"i>'~pi.

It is then more decidedly still a citation

and not from text of Ch, This v. interrupts i pers. of
divine action by a distich making enemies the subj.
It is not closely con-

nance with

and

'>D,

from Heb. text of

prob. original.

is

S.,

nected with previous context.

24.

^n'lnDi]

Qal

pointed as

is

nn3 beat or crush fine,

victim Lv. 22^* (P)

sacrificial

an enemy Dt.
in

cf.

26.

l8*^

where

72^ 80^2,

Nu.

i**

14'**'

(J,

begins the second part of the poem.

It

if so, it

E).

It is

a^S iS"n\iK

'js.

r\^-w>

mx

Euphrates of other passages

We

might think of the

The

nriN 'aN ^jN-^p> Nin].

27.

1.

is

nrs should be elided. Neither is necessary

nrs is the least likely. Cf. 2 S. 7^* = i Ch. 17I*

either Nin or

both are emph.

to the sense

river

n.ij

Davidic kingdom are given.

canals of Euphrates as S33 TT\rM 137^

one word too long

Hiph. beat in pieces,

an early word therefore, but not elsw.

only here of enemies.

streams for

n''">^^]

limits of

must depend on impfs. of v.22.

of potter's vessel Is. 30^*, golden calf Dt. 9^1,

consec.

rrvj'> -,1x1 ^^s] cf.

elsw. Dt. 321^, but

Ex. 422 Israel as son

iS^

cun
fnxn

<^ij

In

as "noi; so Dt. 26^^ 28^:

hy ]vhp

:\7^rh

26^*

S3 hy ]vhy

r\:r:

28^;

S-a

exact phrase

i^jnNi m:!3 'jN-r]x].

28.

compared with other nations

is

The

^Sn, ^r;* y\^.

-"-^ix

Ps. 95^.

"^^^

r-^'^

here, as in Ps. 72, passages originally referring to Israel are applied to the

king.
cf.

29.

2 S. 7^^

Tins

iSiidcn

"'-'Dn

82.

28.

non.

30.

nyS

^.-^dScdi ^r.''a jdnj.

q;'-\r"nN ^nD^'^.

c^cc*

The

ay, n'y >jdS

^rmni

vn

which clause
D^t3Ctt'D3

iSn K^,

^njjS ctscw'c,

not in

mpn

nipno

"-t:^

is

cf.

a.X.,

i>*nr

2 S. 7^^;

but

cf.

cf.

rcr^

>S

nprNj 'rn^i]

\nDi:'i]
i

cf!

2 S. 7^2

Ch. 1712 ^pjja

v.37, n-^^p

v.^?,

This completes the second part of poem.

72^

This tetrastich

^^fy'r^**]*
is

""D^d ind:!i]

phr. a^rc

7^^ -ucD -iid^'nS

'^y

nhv; iy inD3"pn.

rcc

cSij?S] cf.

Q^^y

r\>}D^

Ch.

17.

SVn, niXD ncj' nS;

n-'Dn.

is

paraphrase of 2

There are four

cf.

used frequently elsw.: (i)

n-iin 2iy

S. 7^* "in^'ia

ncN,

syn. clauses here: n-in 3T>,

the

Here niin and nixa

and

31-

gl.

Ps.

119^=^ Je. 912 Pr.

i82"'2-23

d^^-^t

.^cc',

These phrs. are

28* (of law of father

are added.

PSALM LXXXIX.
Pr.4*);

cf.

nn2

263
16*

(H)

nxDn 2 Ch.

c.

vrpnai ^nin:: Je. 442^.

Tipnjai "Ti-nn;: Je. 4410, rnn;jai

nn3

hin

also used in

is

v.**^

= Dt.

(4) niX3 i:3B' Ex. 20^

289 I K. 861 96 148 2
33.

Div;

K.

D-'i'jjJi 03;tt'f3 d^!:'^

S. 7I*,

phrase of 2

not in

We

in Ps.

||

2 S. 71^

The

text of Chr. is

cf.

510

186 Ne.

This

Ch. 17

anN

v^jr;.sj

more

'C'-'";'':]

oath

Heb.

nnS

v.46

''n;;^:^:.

v.*-6

II

||

\"pn!)'in.

S. 7I*

missing

is

noni

34.

Ch. 171^ i^yn -\'DN"nS

nDn"i.

not congruous with the noun.

is

19II.

with 3 pers. Lv.

^q

only 34^

nxid Dt.

(title).

8^.

with

35.

v:5r-N|i!:]

cf. v.4- 296,' pj.

nr^'x]

rnx] once for

36.

thing, or once, one time,

sacredness,

apartness,

ix-Ko.^,

all,

Ba.,

semel.

Am.

42; cf. for the

ex] after oath strong negation, so 95II 1323- 2- ^

n>n> dVi>'S i>nT-|

3,^

Thusv.37-38
1.

my

in

vb.

Hiph. The vb. n-'ijx is prob.

There was no reason to change this

Che.

Nu. 3012 (P);

rrnomi 2

Tinym.

(3 of S. has

(r]'^'\22),

Du. one

727;

pentameter para-

is

aitrjs '^2^2

''';n2

1213.

11960 Ec.

Ps.

stands,

it

';;jjai

"J3

i-iDni,

for "^jn y'nno

44I8

cf.

impf. nr^ change, elsw. in

cf.

as

v.,

^:2

-\'iD''"nS

"ij;:o

correct.

and Tios

N*?]

i->;r_s

elsw. Je. 1716 Dt. 232*

Kau.,

Dn. 9*

i^-^

impci].

Dt. 42 523 79 82-6 135.9 26I8

(H)

Lv. 22^1 26^

1719

txt. err. for n-'DN, 01s., Gr., Bi., Ba.,

technical word,

910,

(3) nipn S'jn phr. a.X.,

cannot do better than supply the original

"T'i3N-x'?]

n^^D2 Ex.

nnin^ Dn.

has been expanded from an original din

^Dvp

nipna Lv.

S'^\

18*,

Ps. 5521,

especially characteristic of

is

Lv.

The defiling of sacred places and

and Ez., cf. Ps. 747 ri::;j' pc'::: ^^n.
of violating the honour of the Davidic kingdom.

210 v.^s, cf.

Mai.

S'^n

things

33X5^ cf.

16. 19. 21

K.

lo^o Je. 26* Pss. 7810 119I,

Ne.

616

(2) D-iBstyDa ^Sn

Ps. 11987.

ii^'^, a-'-tpfl

a^7^3 Ez. 1112 362?

17*,

ii20 189.17 2oi3-

K. 612 Ez. 56.7

(J?) 2 K. io3i 2 Ch.

but

Dn.

2v; Dt. 29^* Je. 22^

Ez. 3724, elsw. vb.

269

V<^ ^"h

30

elsw.

>'3a'j

^'^'^ly

r\^}-\\

r^i*

aSiy-i;;

v.29-8o._38.

pxj pHt^^ tjp dSi;? ^3^ H-^;?] cf. v.3. The first
and 2 S. 7I6 nSiy "t;? ?12J n^n^ ^nd:?. Then
:;n>3 pxj, and this would be the most appro|

refers to throne or seed, as v.^

we would

expect the

dSi;? i;?
|I

The vb. is the same. The subj. may be

may be for "Vy^^, the ^ having been omitted

priate climax for the paraphrase v.^^.

understood as in previous

by copyist, who interpreted

the measure

reads
If

later,

'n m;:),

we regard

when

but this
"v^

n>i

1.

as the familiar phrase

it

parall.

was observed,

not so easy.

is

as correct,

it is

3 before

"i>'i

not observing

aSi",

was pointed as

it

pn*.:'

should be

better to think of the

moon

Du.

"'^.

as in

r,

|1

n-CD.

as witness to the

But many think of God, as in Jb. i6i^.

39. nnr] pf. hist.; people 432 60^ 778 88i^ king only here.
^'^r-P'?] pfHithp. denom. nn^v, v. 78^^.
40. nrr^xp] fuller form Pi. pf. 2 m. t ["'n:]

oath during

its

perpetual existence.

abhor, spurn, elsw. La. 27

ets

Karapav

eScjKas,

(sign of consecration)

dub.,

in this sense

T^xj,

Du.

nyj shake

attenuasti, VL xn'^y^x,
of king, as 132I8 2 S.
; v.

60^^.

S
ii''

J nnnr:]

ri'^Sox.

42.

"n"?.";

Qal plunder, only here

y^/,

''1?>"^3 ino^'J

elsw.

off,

Kariarpexf/as,

t TJ]

2 K. iii2

^^' crown

2 Ch. 23^1.

rtiin of fortress, only here

but ruin of a prince without people Pr.

in their poverty Pr. iqI^.

1 1^- J

Hu.

41. ~ixnr] fortification, fortress

cf.

1428, ruin

of the poor

x^^ n^;'"'?^

;^ns'^ 8oi^.

S. 17^^ Ju. 2^* Je. 30!*^;

iSTiph.

PSALMS

270
Is. I3^ Zc.

La.

cognate

14^;

1^2 2I5
J

and

all

prob. dependent

43.

pc^

their way.

cni

75*^,

does not

3*

It is

mx

n-in

mx

i^vr\ iin]

is

01s. thinks

difficult

the mng. edge or knife here.

justify

their perplexity.

45.

ainbv,

or

>ic

separable preposition

But then there

a word.

Du. would

We

away

with,

c.

v.

8^ 21;

elsw. only Qal Ez. 2 1

nro]

n.f.

1^.

Is. 54*.

132^8^

.J

gl. defin-

good

we supply

Ges.^-

^- ^- *,

y^qU.i.z^]' Ba. suggests

But

parall.

ntap iio^.

"in-p

n"'32'n

still

better

mn

nsD

cause to cease from, do

^qI^ 342^ Is. 30II

Je. 7^,

c.

ace.

m. t "^JD throw, toss,

elsw. Jb.
46. t v?:")^ y] his youth, only found with sf.
n-'pvn] Hiph. n-^; wrap, envelop oneself (7/^^).
fully written Pi. 2

'"i'7">,i?]

shame, elsw. only Mi.

coV 3526

'3

is

':\\y

20. 2. (2)b^
y^

Ex. 12^* Lv. 26 Ez. 2327.

Pss. 8' 119^1^ 46^'^ (wars).

20^1 (Kt.) 33^^

cf.

might take

as a

/car^Xuaas dTrd Kadapia/xov

no other example of such a noun as

is

it

show

Aq., 2, S, AE., Ki., take in:2c as

eius.

01s. i"b B6.886, or ^n-j<: Ges.L-

of his majesty,

1.

rodur,

rd. -\sp after

necessary for measure unless

is

noD sceptre from his hand, which

sceptre

70*,

a defective

is

munditiam

quiescere fecisti

The

noun.

nnrn]

inn'^D

tt]v (SoTfjdeiav,

vocative of God.

it

gladden ene-

Pi.

for stone knife Jos. 5^

44", Gr. ntnN after ST. ">ix is really not needed for measure.
it as nx adversary of v.*', and transpose to mx ann, or regard
ing 3in.

So"

elsw.

pf.

a scribal assimilation to PiDnn; originally

44.

mies, as 30^.

nap] fphr.

-j-n

upon our Ps. This completes two quartettes.

an; elsw. v.20, of the ninj; of pp 75^ 148^*, in
ra^w'?^ nn^i:^] Hiph. pf. n::f rejoice,
iio^ cnnV 75*.

Hiph.

J;^"'D'''^n]

a.X.

gloat over misfortune of Jerusalem or

on

Hiph.

who

those

king; and in Jb. 21^^ of travellers, in Pr. 9^^ of those who go

vj2-^*7 nein n>,-i] cf. 441-* 79* 8o\ all related Pss.

Israel, or the

straight

victory

S Ps. 44".

c. noc^, c.

in all cases of

71*'

109-9 ;

n-j>'

cf.

44i.

usually nc'3 Pss. 40^6 69^0

Ob.!*^ Ez. 7^^;

V.^^-^^ constitute four tetrastichs

of expostulation, the fourth part of the trimeter Ps. which concludes here.

LXXXIX.
nxiS "^ron

47.

nn
and too
Ehr. i^n]
no
49. niD

end of

Ps.

nn-^j']

r^^r^>

iv]

^^oiv

short.

difficult

Ols., Ba.,

17^* 492.

NV^*

populorum,

52.

phr. a.X.

life

48.

Houb.

nSn hd
^jin

"\3T

^jn ->dt].

as

39^ Jb. ii^^, so here

(S oO vw^crxov iv

50.

'nr^^-!::?!.]

3 quia portavi

ry

conjectures iniquitates

'D

4* 79^

v.i,
;

The

1.

is

so Ew., Hi.,

of world Pss.

for what worthlessness, worthless thing (merely to die)

51. D^a'^'Sr] defective text

rD'\n,

cf.

error for ^jin,

duration, of

HN-n^]

{v. 12^).

V>']

here begin tetrameters which continue to the

long?

":

C.

has two accents,

/c6X7r(^ /jlov ttoWwp idvQv

Du. suggests JDn So. Ba.

nup;;] footprints of Messiah,

cf.

cf. v.*.

in sinu meo omnes iniquitates

56' 7720,

the

rel. refers

to

np'?^ is probable.

PSALM

XC.

PSALM XC,

271

6 STR. s\
It bases itself on the fact that

Ps. 90 is a prayer of IsraeL

the everlasting God has been the habitation of Israel in

tions

(v.^*^),

all

may not incur the

from Him with whom a thousand years

prays that the nation

sentence for sin

short duration (v.^).

genera-

primitive
are of so

from his youth are in

consumed by the divine anger

Israel's iniquities

the sunshine of God's face, and he

as the grass by the sun

(v.^

is

^^)

His days rapidly

but a sigh, and are about to fly swiftly

away

(v.^^'^*"'*)

decline, are
;

therefore

he prays for instruction as to the meaning of the divine anger and

for true

The

wisdom, and importunately complains

of delay (v.""^^*).

Ps. concludes with a petition for divine kindness, and gladness

in proportion to the years of affliction (v.^^^^^).

glosses of interpretation
/

(v.^**^^'"^),

and

YAHWEH), Thou art our

Thou

There are several

of intensification (v.^^^^).

dwelling place:

art ours in all generations.

Before the mountains were born,

And

and the world were brought forth,

Thou.
(T^O not) turn man back to dust;
^
And say " Return, ye sons of mankind."
For a thousand years in Thine eyes
Are as a day, yesterday when it passe Ih away.
As a watch in the night Thou dost flood them away.
AS in the morning grass shooteth up,
In the evening is mown down and withereth
So we are consumed in Thine anger.
the earth

From

everlasting to everlasting art

Thou hast
Our youth

pOR

all

set

our iniquities before Thee,

in the sunlight of

Thy

face.

our days do decline

In

Thy

As

a sigh are the days of our years.

And
For

^XTHO

wrath we bring our years to an end.

their
it is

breadth

is

travail

quickly gone, and

and trouble

we

fly

away.

knoweth the strength of Thine anger,

Or can number (the awful deeds) of Thy wrath?

Thine hand so make us to know.
That we may get a mind of wisdom.

O return, Yahweh

How

long?

gE sorry for Thy servants.

Satisfy us in the

That we may

morning with Thy kindness,

and be glad in our days.

jubilate

Make us glad according to the days Thou

The years when we saw adversity.

hast afflicted us.

PSALMS

272

Ps. 90 is properly designated in the title as a nSor, and is ascribed to

" Moses the man of God," cf. Dt. 33I, not with the meaning that it was com-

posed by him, as was usually supposed in former times, but that it was put in
his mouth as a pseudograph, just as its neighbours, 88 (ascribed to Heman),

and 89
32
Its

Ethan)

(to

cf. v.i^

use of p?D

V.8 with

Gn.

(J), v.^ with

dependence on the
to

make

v.^"^

depends upon Dt.

v.^

3^9

The Ps. resembles in many respects Dt.

mr^ and v.^^ p^^, ^ith Dt. 32^; v.i3 with Dt. 3286.

{v. Intr. i, 30).

with Dt. 32^

Gn.

Moreover the

33^'^.

The

2* (P).

historic songs of the

youth of the nation through a long history.

It

due to the anger of God with the nation

The

continued.

prayer

is

the use of

r\-22n is

thought of

God

where He is
between the
late Exile

The measure and

back

Ps. looks

to the

expresses an experience of

which has long

for its sins,

The

for a restoration of divine favour.

is

Str. I.

the earlier one of

Je.,

use of aaS

and the gladness

The

His people resembles Ez. ii^^^o^

The

their sanctuary during the Exile.

affliction

WL.

before the development of

as the dwelling place of

is

in

estimate of proportion

accordance with

The

40-.

Is.

the most probable period of composition.

Two

and a synth.

syn. couplets

was doubtless the divine name of the

by^Adonay"

line.

God was

(cf.

1.

Yahweh'\

to correspond with the gloss v.^^

expression than "refuge" of (S

quent conception

original, subsequently dis-

art our dwelling place\ based on Dt. 33^,

that

familiarity,

accordance with the usage of the Exile and early Restoration, and

V.12 is in

placed

The

poems.

also those of these older

shows

Pentateuch were doubtless intentional

the language appropriate to the pseudograph.

rhythm are
affliction

Ps,

neglect of other Lit. and this

for

37'*^

27^ 31*

home

the everlasting

it

cf.

adds to

Thou

91^, a richer

Ps.

this

more

fre-

52^) the comforting thought

of His people.

This

is

an

unfolding of the idea of the temple as not only the dwelling place
of God, but the place whither His people resort as guests,
j^isq. 3^2-5^

temple,

During the Exile, when they could not

God Himself became

gj.MP.268^^

j'jiQH

longing to Israel in

dff
all

(,nys

cf. Ps.

resort to the

their living temple, cf. Ez. n^^^o ^^^

all generations'], our

{fi

the generations of the past.

this to the previous sentence, J^, followed

measure and the parallelism, and

fails

own God, beBy attaching

by EV'., destroys the

to get the additional thought.

And the earth and the

2. Before the mountains were born
world were brought forth\ both passive, as (^, Aq., 2, ^E, U, followed by PBV., which suits the parallelism better than with J^, J,
||

AV., RV., JPSV., to interpret the second vb. as active.

ception

is

practically the

same

that

God was

The con-

not only the Father

PSALM

XC.

273

of Israel as Dt. 32^, but also of the physical universe, the author

probably giving that interpretation to Gn.

to everlasting

during

2*.

From

everlasting

art Thou'], asserting the divine existence and activity

all this interval,

on

from an everlasting time prior to the crea-

an everlasting time in antithesis thereto.

by EV'., attaches the divine name to this sentence
but @, F, are more correct in interpreting the form as a negative
tion of the world

until

J^, followed

belonging to the next sentence.

Str. II.

the two.

Two

3^^

may

man

not turn

back

dust], as (^

to

pronounced upon the

that the sentence

Gn.

between

syn. couplets enclosing a line mediating

Do

3.

a petition

parents for their sin

first

not be carried out in the case of Israel

||

And

say],

mankind], X.o the dust from which

ye were made. This is the most natural interp., cf. 146*, taking
"man" in its usual collective sense H with "sons of mankind,"
and considering both as emphasizing the humanity of Israel, notwithstanding their privilege of having their home in God. The
usual interpretation, as given in EV^, that the couplet states God's
in covc\u\2iiid, Return, ye sons of

usual dealings with mankind, has grammatical difficulties in the

way, and

is

hard to reconcile with the course of thought of the Ps.

The PBV. " come

again, ye children of

men

"

makes the two hnes

death of one generation, the coming

antithetical, the turning to

up out of the dust of another generation in constant succession.

This, though favoured by Luther and attractive as a conception, is
not suited to the context.
4. For a thousand years in Thine
eyes], as compared with the divine existence from everlasting to

everlasting.

A thousand years of existence of Israel as a nation

man is a long time from generation to generation

in the eyes of

but in the eyes of

a reason

why

God

it

amounts

Israel should not

a day], a single day, cited

thinking

God

to very

little.

Pet.

3^ to

is

The day whose hours

Yesterday when

forever.

As

is

it

is

passing

a watch in the night], one of the three

divisions of the ancient

This

it

are counted as they pass

not so short to man's mind as yesterday as one sees

away

urged as

Are as

warn Christians against

slack concerning His promises.

passe th away].

This

be condemned to death.

Hebrew

night, cf. La. 2^^ Ju. 7^^

S.

11".

not a complement of the previous yesterday, which would

be against the measure.

T

It

begins a syn. line whose vb.

is

PSALMS

274
5

a.

Thus we get a

Thou dost flood them away'].

fine parallelism

between the passing away of the thousand years, as if they were

yesterday, and their being swept away in a flood of rain as if they
were no more than a watch in the night. The usual interpretation,
that

man who

it is

attachment of

swept away in the flood,

is

word

this

is

favoured by the

and

to the next line against the measure,

which

also because of the gloss

in J^ is

they becotne sleep\ they

pass over into the sleep of death.

two syn. couplets with an intermediate

Str. III. has

5 6-6. As in the morning

line.

and
\
end of the day used in the more general figurative sense of the
beginning and end of a time, here of the duration of grass, cf. 30^
46* Jb. 11^^ of the duration of trouble, and Gn. i^ 8i3_j_ q^ ^j^g
grass shooteth up
beginning and end of a divine day's work.
is fnown doivn and withereth], a figure of frailty and transitoriness,
in the evening], the beginning

cf. Is. 40'''^ Ps.

to the

first

103^^^^

clause

glossator inserts an explanatory doublet

the

ifi

morning

it

blossometh

and shooteth

upy

probably in order to avoid the interpretation of the previous vb.

in the sense of " pass away," " fade away " ; but it has not in fact

prevented that interpretation by

sumed

(S,

F, PBV.

7.

So we are con-

By

Thine anger].

ancient copyist's mistake a particle

usually rendered " for " took the place of " so " ; but it is difficult
in

to find a reason in this clause.

II

and in Thy heat

are

we

glossator intensifies this by the

disfnayed,

the measures of the Str.

The

which cannot be brought into

point of the comparison

stated in this line, but suggested.

sumes the grass

is

here

in

explicit

is

iniquities before

The

face of

Thee

God

That which

the heat of the sun.

the

is

next couplet.

Our

not

is

implicit

Thou hast set our

sunlight of Thy face].

8.

youth in the

compared

is

That which so speedily con-

to the sun,

which consumes the

nation because of the iniquities Israel has committed from his

youth, just as the sun consumes the grass of the

of

God

power,

elsewhere compared to the

is

cf.

2f

84^^ Is. 6o^^-^.

The word

sun in

field.
its

The

face

enlightening

translated above

"our

youth," in accordance with good usage, after ST, Quinta, is given

by (5, U, as " our age," and by J^, followed by EV'., as " our
secret sins,"

unpointed

all

text.

interpretations of the

same Heb. consonants

in the

PSALM

Str. IV.

and

9-10.

our years

Israel's life are

our days

all

by EV'., gives a

" pride "

swiftly falling

but this

day

away], in the

||

trouble],

second

the years of

is a.\.

and not so

an e?id
movement,

bring

usual duration of

U, J.

well suited to the con-

decli?ie~\,

of the

quickly gone, and in the climax

to

||

Gn. 47^^.

that of (^,

form supposed to

imply extent, measurement.

swiftest

cf.

wrath, as v.^

is

slightly different

whole duration of the nation's Hfe

and

The days of

iheir breadth'].

its

our years, summed up

||

conceived as extending in breadth over a wide space

text, for the vbs. all

fly

|(

For

This, the most natural interpretation,

of time.

J^, followed

mean

275

syn. tristich with a syn. couplet between

third Hne.

in days of

XC.

as time

is

flies, cf.

compared

All this

is

The

Jb. 2ol

to a sigh

||

travail

because of the divine

glossator inserted a prosaic statement as to the

human

life

In them are seventy years, or

reason of extraordinary might, eighty years.

But

if,

by

interrupts the

it

thought and destroys the measure of the original.

Str. V.

Syn. couplet, synth. couplet, and a Hne synth. thereto.

Who knoweth?

11.

no one,

can number?], implying the negative

anger
the awful deeds
As the previous context shows, Israel did know
by generations of experience somewhat of the strength of the
divine anger against himself as well as other nations, and he could

answer

the strength of Thine

||

of Thy wrath].

enumerate many awful deeds of wrath in the past

he

is

has experienced

God might do

it,

and

that the

full

history.

But

much

stronger than he

number of

awful deeds that

yet conscious that the divine wrath

is

has not yet been estimated.

He

dreads the

full

measure of the divine wrath, which he knows has been held back.
The simple and powerful parallels of this couplet and its measures,
essentially preserved by (, F, have been destroyed by 5^, J, followed by EV'., both by misreading the noun so as to compel the
" and according to the fear that is due unto Thee,"
translation
:

and by attaching the vb. " number " to the next line.
12. Thine
hand so make us to know], so @, F the hand as stretched out in
anger and in doing awful deeds. The petition of Israel is that he
;

may

so know the divine hand in discipline that he may get a mind

wisdom],
and so in the future be able to think and act wisely
of
in accordance with the divine will and guidance.
J^, J, followed
by EV'., read " to number our days so make us know," implying
:

PSALMS

276
that the lesson

of

life.

be learned from the brevity and

to

is

13.

restoration of favour,

How

long?\

Dt. 32'^ Ps. 6^;

cf.

and a syn. couplet.

13 6. Be sorry
Dt. 32^ Ps. 135^^
14. Satisfy us in the

after the

that we

long night of

may Jubilate and be glad

renewed favour of their God in their

the

with the complaint:

synth. triplet

for Thy servants'], as

morning with Thy kindness^
v.*^,

affliction

the importunate petition for

74^" 80^ 82^ 943.

cf.

Str. VI.

Yahweh\

return,

ifi

affliction, cf.

our days],

rejoice in

Him

resort to

as their

by inserting "all" before

" days," without need and against the measure
15. Make us
the years], those mentioned in the
glad according to the days
Thou hast afflicted us we saw adversity].
previous Strophes.
everlasting

home.

glossator intensifies

||

||

Israel desires that his joy in salvation

may

at least

be equal in

extent of duration, and probably also in intensity, with the afflictions

he has so long experienced,

The

Ps. has

40I

cf. Is.

reached a most appropriate conclusion

editor, doubtless for liturgical reasons,

but a later

wished to emphasize the

16. Let Thy work appear unto

and so he added v.^*^^^
is, work of salvation, cf. Dt. 32* Ps. 92*.
and Thy tnajesty upon their children], so J^, but (3 ,V, " lead
their children," by a different pointing of the same Hebrew con17. And let the
sonants, making it more in accord with v.^^.
siveetness of Adonay our God be upofi us] cf. 2 7^ ; the gracioussituation,

Thy

servants], that

ness, kindliness of

God

with majesty.

work of our hands

the

syn. with " kindness," v."", rather than

part, for

emphasis

^J"in]

1.

Dt. 3327 Ps.

Gr.

S, Z,

2.

'^^"'^"'^]

3.

and

the

dub. rd. nin> as v.^^

76'^;

This

work of our hands

fr]

upon

establish

us success and prosperity in our labours.

is

establish

26^ dwelling, as 91^

v.

us], give

repeated, in
it.

cf.

71', nj^jjD

so 3, Dr., Kirk., i9DB.; but (S Karacpvyi) n;T, so Street, 01s.,

i^".
07^3] usually sq. impf.; but older usage abandoned here, Dr.^"
^ consec. impf.
Polel "^in (^^), so 3, Ba., as Dt. 32^^; but , Aq.,

V, PBV.,

Polal, as Pr. 8-4-23 Ps.

5^;

^s] divine name, so &, 3, and most

so Street, Bo., Hi., Moll., Hu.8.

but

&

neg.

"?

attached to the

which indeed is difficult to explain otherwise, so Gr., Bruston.

has both '^n and ^n by dittog. 3c'n is explained by some as equivalent

juss. 2vr\,

consec. impf. with

omitted, Dr.*

^.

ditional clause with ncsni in apod.;

text.

t^;"!]

n.in.

a.X.;

It

V
to

might be explained as prot. of con-

but neither of these

but adj. Ps. J4^^

Is.

57^^;

is

(S

suited to the conTaireLvuaiy,

in

PSALM
humilitatem improb.

277

doubtless a variation of Gn. 3^^

It is

consec. impf. emph. present

XC.

but Aq., 3, Gr.

which

conj.,

is

-io>\

"^p^ni]

to be preferred.

4" lo^^ 1421 19^ 2 S. 5'-^, cf. Is. Tp^^-, prob.

t '^''2'?'!?] ^^"f- yesterday, i S.
"ibv r] impf. of graphic description of the movement
apposition with or.

4.

in process.

denom. zr}}, flood away, Qal a.X., but

quae pro nihilo habentur eorum

onr^nr] pf. onr vb.

5.

(3 rcL i^ovdevLOfxaTa ai)rw', !F

yy'^^,

er?;,

Ez. 23^0 hdit m<f, so Ehr.

^^ieir seed, cf.

orVlt

a? u^l^ more prob.

measure.

QA

n"'Gl]

^n^

6.

"ip:32]

'^^i'^

though sustained by Vrss.

iricnni]

"iJ^'^v]

6 aXijiv

C Quinta,

d'71>\

74^^.

Ps.

cf.

against the

gl.,

measure.
and a

gl.

"irSD

7.

""s]

rd. 15 as Street.

8.

Kt.,

iic']

dS;?,

but Qal of vb. a.X. and

Tv saecu/um nostrum ur'?'';' ; but this late usage of

our youth, cf. 89*^ Is. 54* Jb. 2&^ 332^ most prob.

njn

9.

well suited to context in

15''';

Pr.

cf.

God being

the sense of luminary, the face of

heat

but

T]ix.Civ,

ij-'Ci'?;?

n>Np] phr. a.X. in this sense, but

:^\J9

defectively written pi. pass. ptc.

secrets ; so %, S, cf. r\xh'!r\ Ps. 44^2 Jb. 28^^;

improb.

3F,

Hiph. change garments 102^7

explan. doublet

is

improb. as causal clause

is

defectively written r\T\^ as Qr.

our

explan.

is

of intensification, against the

gl.

is

it

so

n^Jtf']

0, U, /jj away, so Ew.; but

iinpf- X^"^^ as v. 102'^"',

sprout again, De., Hi., Ba., /?DB.

<r>w^ ^/z^7e^,

Gn. 352 (E).

"ijSn:!:

In any case

vn;

Pol.
;

cf.

to the sun with

should go to next

"i^p]

its

scorching

good measure.

for

1.

f njn n.m. (i) sound of God's voice, thunder Jb. 372; (2) here sigh, BDB^
dpdxvrjv ifieX^TOjv, (gs. c a. A. R. T^ dpdxvrj.
Dr., cf. Ez. 2}-^,

murmur.
10.

phr.

U'-n'Tf "?>]

v.i^Dt.
njtt'

32'^

18 1.

ana]

nnoj]

D'^JiD'^'.

Gn.

cf.

emph.

D^m

/,^> breadth

n] Qal

pf. t

quickly,

cf.

mansuetudo,
according
has no
riNn""

sf.

vb.

-?.2^/

cf.

nc'n

.25^,

more

K.

I"ini

sf.

through

but

with f ^^i a.\. pride; but 0, U,

Sry] phr. elsw. 10^ Jb. 48 5^

ii^^ of quails.

;r"'n]

iirijXdev irpai^TTjj ^0' ^yuas,

^n^f^^^i] so

11.

Jf,

Is. iqI.

adv. a.X.

supervenit

with obj.

sf.

d-wh rov (f)6^ov tov dv/mov <rov

fear that is due Thee. But
nor prep, d; both are prob. interp., as indeed the dirb of (3, leaving

the

common

its

yx:^,

pi., cf.

La.

12.

r/iJ?';']

ir^^] so 3

measure.

prob.,

which was then prob.

original,

the

^s.c. a.A. R.T^but (5^impf.

3 pl-

$'7";]

also Is. 57I1 65^.

deeds; and nsiu as usual.

is

mjc> elsw.

pointed, abstr. intensive pi. great might or

Qal /^jj aw^^, elsw. Nu.

J1J

C'ln

to

as the

complete

most prob.

f.

in position, introducing gl. extending

if correctly

extraordinary might {20^).

3,

478-9 (P) 2 S. 19^^ Ec. 6^; pi.

25"^

sf.

5^.

pi. referring to

7?,

but (3 tt]v de^tdv

needed

riDDn :32S]

for

7*

io2.

to

ynm

X3ji]

cf.

13.

1.

V dexteram tuam,

crov,

interp.

measure.

phr. a.X., but

312 Pr. i623 Ec. 86, d^ddh^ij'? Ec.

the awful

belongs with previous

in both cases, being

omits

<

as in

jj] so 3,
subord. Hiph.

^iV ddh Jb.

omn] Niph.

9*,

imv.

odh aS

am

c.

with Sx Ju. 21^; prob. originally Dnjnn, which is used in the same phr.
Ps. 135^*, both based on Dt. 32^^.
14. iJiDi"'?^^] so ; but Sd is unnecessary

V)?;

and makes

1.

too long.

juss.; so all Vrss.,

all Vrss.

except

^^,"^] (<^)j

but

3 have
but

15.

nic"i]

koX tde,

pi.

pi.

f.

elsw. Dt. 32^.

U respice nsni Qal imv.

|^ codd. differ

dd-fjyriaov "innn

65 Kenn., 117

Hiph. imv.

im

16.

^'?.^s]

De

lead

nN-j"-]

Niph.

as 442 Jj^^;

R., sg.; v. Baer.

2,%

25^ 107'^ 119^,

PSALMS

2/8

eorum

dirige filios

^7^.

irnSs

'jin]

of

S;?

Dn.

cf,

9^-

interp.

1^ late phr.

17.

'n">i]

njrs

conj. juss.

.ijn>

emphasis with the variation of sf. in_ to vb. The repetition

in &^' ^- K "^ without sf., which is prob. interp. in |1^.

PSALM

XCI., 4 STR.

Ps. 91 is didactic in character

from

who make

peril of those

resort

(v,^"^-"*^)

angels (v.^"'^^)

from

all

is

not in G^, but

73.

(i) assures Israel of the safety

destroying multitudes on every side

is

hands

in the

of

and finally (3) speaks in the name

who know and

trouble and honour

emphasize the promise

(v.''''*

recompense of the wicked

God that He will

love

them
^^),

in a long life

(v.*"^)

of God,

deliver

(v.^*"^^)

and assert that they will see the

dwells in the secret place of 'Elyon,

Yahweh " My refuge

My fortress my God in whom
:

I trust

He

Surely

will deliver

'T'HOU

"
!

from the snare,

The one ensnared from

With a

the engulfing pestilence

shield His faithfulness will surround him.

shalt not

be afraid of the terror by night,

Of the arrow that flieth by day,

Of the pestilence that goeth in darkness.
Of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Though a thousand fall at thy side,

And

a myriad

Unto thee

it

CINCE 'Elyon

at thy right

hand,

come nigh.
thou hast made thy dwelling.
will not

He will give His angels charge

To keep thee in all thy ways.
Upon

their

palms they

will

over thee

bear thee up,

Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Upon reptile and cobra thou

Thou wilt trample the young

CINCE he

wilt tread

and dragon.

lion

hath set his love on Me,

will deliver

him on high, because he doth know

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him.
With him I will be in trouble.
I will deliver him, and I will honour him.
With length of days will I satisfy him.
And make him gaze on my salvation."
I will set

them

Glosses

In the shadow of Shadday abides,

Saith of

guardian

(v.^)

AS for him who

tt

v.

for

the temple of God their habitual

God will keep them safely

assuring those

D;;j]

(2) then, in a direct address, exhorts not to fear

the pestilence which

asserts that

hb^d] repeated

him.

My

name.

PSALM

XCI.

279

But (& has ahoi (^Srjs ry AavelS. This

Ps. 91 in 1^, 3, is without title.
was the conjecture of a late editor, due to the large number of terms in this
nnD and Sx v.^ for the refuge in the temple, as 17^ 27^ 31^1
Ps. familiar in JB
:

368 61^

niiXD

18^31*; njx

V.2, of.

The author

34 356.6,

also used

"3JN

the guardian angel

v.*, cf. 5^^;

v.i^

and prn

v.^*,

v.^^, cf.

both characteristic of

D, and was especially familiar with Dt. 32, using the terms vn, atop, v.^- ^, cf.
Dt. 3223.24. r^L,x, n^an, V.7, cf. Dt. 3230; Snr, jnc, and r^jn, v.is, cf. Dt. 322*- 83.
V.^"

and

similar to Dt. 32^1,

is

616 6^8

IB),

(^all

The

are

gl.

nty

v.i, cf.

though

in a

uses the familiar image of Pss. 17^ 36^ 572

v.*^

form found eisw. only Ru.

names are:

characteristic divine

Gn. 492^ Nu.

24*- 1^ a poetic rather

similar to that of 90^, only here

of ppD v.^

is

Himself.

The

phr.

d^

and when the chief

evils to

when

now

but the poet

48!'^.

52^ Je.

The

Ps.

use

God

was

evi-

there was constant access to the temple,

more probably

The change

dramatic in character.

It is

The

of the temple, there of

be feared were pestilence and such

Ps. belongs to the late Persian or

voices

Dt. 32^ Ps. 18^*;

than an early usage.

it is

v.^* is elsw. 9^1 Is.

y^'>

dently written in peaceful times,

but both phrs.

2^-;

]vh'; v.^* ^, cf.

to the early

The

like.

Greek period.

of persons does not imply responsive

speaks for himself of the general principles of the

divine government, then addresses the people with personal application of

and finally utters the words of God Himself. The use of

V n-12 vvith reference to Jesus Mt. 4^ = Lk. 4^'^-^'^, and the dominion over the
these principles,

and the serpent

lion

v.^^,

similar in

some

respects to

Is. 1 1^-^,

give the Ps.

a Messianic character.
Str. I.

who

a syn. tetrastich and a syn.

tristich.

1.

As for him

dwells^, emphatic in position, introducing the protasis

apodosis begins in v.^

abides^

The

The

tinual dwelling, the impf. the habitual resort.

temple,

178

31^^ 32^ 36^ 57^ 61^ 63^ (all

2f

the secret place of

Ely on

J^, 3, followed

(3,

place was the

shadow of Shadday\ as
). The divine names are

||

the

the poetic ones based on Gn. 49^ Dt. 32^ Ps.

taking the form as ptc. after

whose

ptc. expresses the con-

U,

<S,

18^*.

2.

Saith'],

syn. with previous ptc.

by EV'., interpret the form

as

sg.,

" I will say,"

which makes an abrupt change, introducing another voice.

of
Yahweh\ of AV., RV., JPSV., seems better than " unto Yahweh "
of PBV., although either
v. 14^

in

46^ 61* 62-9 4II

whom I trust~\

Yahweh

people.
tion, as

He

in

is

a proper translation.

7nyfortress\

cf.

My refuge\

18^ 31^ 71^

||

cf.

my God

emphasizing the general principle that

His temple was the habitual resort and refuge of His

3.

all this

Surely~\, introducing the

apodosis with an assevera-

AV., and not with the causal particle "for," as PBV., RV.

will deliver']^ namely, the one indicated in the protasis;

PSALMS

280

but J^, 3, followed by EV'., interpret obj. as

sf.

2 pers.

"thee,"

another abrupt change of person, due doubtless to assimilation to

the gloss

from

v.''''^

the S7iare\ defined in the

||

as engulfing

pestilence^ ensnaring multitudes in engulfing ruin, cf. v.^^.

is

from

in great peril

He

this pestilence.

is

Israel

one ensnared in

it

and therefore needs deliverance for so we should translate this first word of the line, and not make it dependent upon
the previous word, as EV*., and translate " of the fowler," which
4. With a shield His faithfulness will
destroys the measure.
already,

surround

him'], so ^^,

U, S, which

better suited to the parall.

is

than J^, followed by EV^, interpreting the Heb. word as a noun

shield.
On the one side God will deliver His
a.A. " buckler "
||

people from the pestilence in which they are already

faithful

will shield them from it in the

makes a personal application of this prema-

ensnared, and on the other side

future.

turely in

glossator

using the terms of earlier Pss. of

v.'*"'',

63^ cf. Dt. 32^^ With His pinion

His wings thou wilt take refuge.
:

Str. II.

clusion.

Thou

scribed in several terms

||

17^ 36 57^ 61*

and under

and an emphatic con-

shall not be afraid~\, a direct address based

on the doctrine of the previous

day

will cover thee,

syn. tetrastich, a syn. distich,

5-6.

flieth by

He

The

Str.

pestilence

the terror by night

||

the

is now dearrow that

the destruction that wasteth at noonday].

hours of day and night the pestilence

is at

At

the darkness of the night, swift and sudden as an arrow in

flight,

it is

at

noon.

possible that

demon,
Both vary on this

( thinks of the pestilence as a

had the same

idea.

account from the vb. that was probably original to the

So

its

piercing the very soul in the daylight, and making havoc

and devastation

and

all

work, causing terror in

terrible

was the pestilence that

it

text.

stated as a possibility

is

Though a thousand fall at thy side

And a myriad at thy
hand], and so the people of God were exposed to the
utmost possible degree,
yet Unto thee it will not come nigh],
resuming v.^ "^^^ safe in the protection of their God, the plague
A glossator appends 8, probably in
cannot approach them.
order to show that God distinguishes between the righteous and
and that while He delivers those who have made
the wicked

7.

||

right

Him

their refuge,

He

does not spare the wicked.

The

pestilence

PSALM
will

spend

on them, and the righteous will see them suffer

Only with thine eyes wilt

itself

the recompense of their wickedness.

thou behold

281

XCI.

and see

the recompense of the wicked']

This glossator

seems to have held the older opinion, contested in the book of

Job, that the wicked and the righteous are carefully discriminated
in plagues

and other

An

Str. III.

couplet.

evils.

introductory

line,

a synth. tetrastich, and a syn.

Since 'Ely on thou hast

9.

ing the thought of

v.^"^

made

hast

made

thy dwelling\ resum-

the presence of

temple, the place of habitual resort, a real home.

been done

gloss claims that this very thing has

weh, art
to the

my

in the

marginal

For Thou, Yah-

This subsequently crept into the text prior

refuge~\.

of this

first line

God

Str.,

making another of those abrupt

tions characteristic of the present text of the Ps.

transi-

glossator

before the specific promises of v.""^^ introduces a general one

10.

Evil will not befall

thee,

nor plague approach thy

breaks the force of the antithesis with the previous

This

tent].

Str.

11.

He

His angels charge over thee]. The guardian angels, cf.

34^ 35^'^ Gn. 2^, now take the place of the shield of v.** as more
To keep thee in all thy
active agents of the divine protection.
ways]. Wherever the pious went, they would be kept in safety
12. Upon their palms they will bear thee
by their guardians.
and that with so
up], when there was any danger of falling,
much attention to detail. Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone].
This passage was used by Satan in the temptation of Jesus, Mt. 4^

will give

Lk.

4^*^^^

templated

with a logical interpretation to a situation not con-

The

in the Ps.

meets the pious

promise to a

in his

Ps. has in view a real peril,

normal course of

peril into

13.

Upon

as Dt. 32^"*; but J^,

reptile

by

duces prematurely the

which

Satan applies the

which he urges Jesus to cast himself

This interpretation of the promise

ing God.

hfe.

and

is

rejected by Jesus as tempt-

cobra thou wilt tread], so

(^,

copyist's error of a single letter, introlion.

The

context

suggests

that

this

venomous snakes, which might in an ordinary case

be deadly, in the case of the pious would be harmless.
Thou
wilt trample the young lion and dragofi]
The pious would have

treading on

dominion over them.

cance,

cf. Is. 1

1^^

This gives the promise a Messianic

signifi-

PSALMS

282

Two

Str. rV".

and a

syn. couplets

Me\

he hath set his love on

14-16.

syn. tristich.

God

being really implied in the dwelling in the temple

doth

know

God

as manifested in the sanctuary, cf. 9^^ Is. 52^ Je.

My

Since

a Deuteronomic expression, love to

v.^-^:

he

||

name of
48^^
I will

name']^ personal acquaintance with the

him I will set him on high\ resumed in v.^*,

/ will
deliver him and I will honour him'], and in the climax w}^,
And
make him gaze on my salvation], cf. 50^. The deliverance is to
deliver

|1

be not a simple one, but an exalted, a glorious one, which he will

be permitted not only to experience but to contemplate with joy.
indeed be

It will

answer to prayer

in

He

me and

will call upon

I will answer hirn], and connected with the constant presence of

God with the one who constantly resorts to Him With him I
:

will be in trouble],

23^ 46-

cf.

-^-j

and as the

final result, instead

of his days being cut short by the pestilence, as was the case
with multitudes of others, With length of days, a long

T?]

I'^^'i'7.

-^' cf-

ph'^

27^

"I'^^N 'D

3 domini.

rov GeoO rov ovpavoO,

I^'^'^ri^]

yit> 'D 3121, TDJ3 'D

3 domino.

usually

n.{jn..']

3. q*"'?:] so

&

28^^; but

3,^'- ^.R-T

fowler as Ho. 9^; but

t

X670U

= -^ai.

n;i]

4.

buckler, a.X., as Aq., 2,

round

about.

for usual

waste.
73'.

()

9.

8.

^Wi^]

"^nnaK]

when

nu^]

Ho.

Dt. 32^ Mi.

U daemonio,
'^2]

a.X.,

gl.

Pr.

nr here

the line a

Pi.

'DC' y-i"]

phr. elsw. Ps. 9^1

It is also

needed

jro

gl.

cause

Nu.

14^2

(J) Dt.

v. j8^^.

for measure.

52^ Je.

48^''.

"^p;]

Jr^nb]

go

"^no

iSn^]

6.

Is. 28^.

demon, god, Dt. 32^^

HNnn DT^n

Ps.

n?:^^] gl. from

5"^.

but

13.

10.

t^"^]

dL<nrL5a

v.'*.

njNn] Pu.
Pu. be

nni. poetic,

Snr, so s,

3, as

serpent, prob. cobra Ps. 5^^

love, c .3

meet Ex. 21^^ (E).

to

venomous

prn] vb. Qal be attached in

Is.

a. t.

but more prob. impf. "nir lay

Hithp. 2 K.

1221.

more prob, with

X

c. a.

had disappeared.
U, S>, nnno ptc. vb.

distinction

here as there Karatpvy^v aov, invc.

Dt. 32^*.

14.

k.

t ^'P"]

pinion, as Dt. 32!^.

n-r^i<

5I* 13^
4I0 iqI^ 288 Pr. 26i3;
Jb.
7^',

a. b.

originally marginal note, referring to

vb. not used in Qal.

eXs'ff.

sf.

of arrow only here,

(S^.

s^x' sf. interp.

n.m. destriution, as Dt. 32-* of Sheol, Ho. 13^*

mn> nnx

&

Bey, but

requires independent word, prob. ptc.

(5 acuxXuxtci, so

clause

EJon n^J^a] phr.

allowed to meet,
lion as

^; but

rel.

t.(^

but

originally lord^ subsequently

dai/xovlov,

"'DHD

\ryi\<

f|ij;^]

ik',

as 90^, but

q.3"ij;p]

impf.

5.

denom.

niK^j]

106^"^

'r\^\

^.

pestilence, as Ex. 5^ 9!^

impf. 1DD (j^^), not juss. but late,

6i^

pass. vb. rp^ one snared.

n.f.

Hithp. vh, elsw. Jb. 39^^^; but Qal Ps.

but
kpti^ so U, %y either new ptc.

2. n^N] Qal impf. i sg., so 3 ;

2S^^ +.
mn^] B. n
or -iDN^ 3 sg., so Hu., Pe., Gr., Du., al.

Kup/y,

will

life,

him,

satisfy

15.

Dt. 7" iqI^ 21II

"'JJn]

+.

long form as in D.

PSALM

283

XCII.

PSALM XCIL,

4 STR. 6\

Yahweh

Ps. 92 is a song in praise of

(i) rejoicing in the act

day and night with instrumental music (v.^) ;

(2) wondering at the greatness of the divine works and thoughts,
especially in permitting the wicked to flourish only to their
praising

of

eventual destruction (v.^-^^)

in full

^y

view

10-12-^

palm and
gladness

God

(3) the

who

of the righteous,

wicked will surely perish

will be exalted in their stead

^^^ ^jjg righteous will flourish in the temple, as

cedar, even to old age

(v.^),

(v.^^^^)

man

the ignorance of

the

Glosses emphasize the

(v/),

and the uprightness

of

{v}').

TT

is

good

to give thanks to

Yahweh,

To make melody to Thy name, "Elyon

To declare Thy kindness in the morning,
And Thy faithfulness in the dark night,
With a ten-stringed harp,
With melody on the lyre.

Q HOW
How

great are

very deep

When
And

Thy works
Thy thoughts

the wicked sprout forth as herbage,

all

the workers of iniquity blossom,

may be destroyed forever.

on high everlastingly.
JTOR lo Thine enemies shall perish
All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
But Thou wilt exalt my horn as a yore ox
(Thou hast enriched me) with fresh oil
And mine eye shall look on my lurking foes
Evil doers mine ears shall hear.
'THE righteous will sprout forth as the palm tree.
Wax tall as the cedar in Lebanon.
Transplanted into the house of Yahweh,
They will sprout forth in the courts of our God.
It is in

Since

order that they

Thou

art

Still in

They
Ps.

added

nam

92 was originally a
at a later date.

avh

whether
Israel

{v. Intr.

in the

be

n-'C',

It

of sap

full

was exposed
full

The language

is

freshly green.

a term appropriate to

It is a Ps.

24, 31, 39).

to peril

and

was eventually assigned

its

for

contents.

mmD

was

use in the liturgy:

eminently suited for worship,

was composed in the time when

from enemies, and when the musical service of the

temple or the synagogue.

temple was in

v."^ is

old age they will bear fruit

will

It

operation; therefore probably in the late Greek period.

not late:

]v:>n v.*

related to 49^1 73^2, but

is

as

gl.

g^"^;

v.^

depends possibly on

Is.

55^-^;

PSALMS

284
Str. I.

syn. tetrastich

pleasant, delightful,

and a

2-4.

syn. couplet.

give thanks

to

to

||

make

is

good^

melody'],

terms

It

usual in public worship in the temple, cf. 33^ 105^"^ 106^ jQyi.8.i5.2i.3i
8^-^ 136^
The theme is Yahweh \ Thy name Elyon\ cf 18^
11

135^

Thy kindness

||

Thy faithfulness], the

usually associated in such songs,

pair of divine attributes

in the

morning

in the

||

night] implying public worship in the temple at night,

cf.

dark

134^, as

and indeed not only with vocal music, but

with a ten-stringed harp], as (, cf.
33^ 144^ and with melody on the lyre, cf. 8i^
J^, followed by
EV'., interprets the word meaning *' ten-stringed " as another
instrument than the harp. 3 also interprets " melody " as song

well as in the morning,

with instruments as well,

accompanying the
ment," but

lyre,

all this is

and so PBV.

improbable.

as a separate

5.

''

loud instru-

glossator inserts a reason

which the original reserves for the subsequent Strs.,

For
Thou hast made me glad \ I shall ri?ig out praise] the theme of
which was some deliverance just wrought, probably in the MacThy deed the works of Thy hands], cf. 28^ 77^^
cabean times.
here,

||

90^6.

Str. II.

Two

syn. couplets

and a synth. one.

exclamation of wonder and praise

clamation

ment of

is

continued in the syn.

EV^

fact, as

line,

The works

is

which

is

not a mere state-

Yahweh

of

How great],

6.

very deep], for the ex-

are wonderfully

number, as implied

great, in intensity rather than in

" deep," which

||

How

in the syn.

appropriate to the divine thoughts as unsearch-

able and profound,

cf. 40^,

but especially

Is. 55^'^.

These divine

works and thoughts are with reference to the wicked,

antithesis

v.^^

between

their prosperity

in

the

their ultimate destruction

But a glossator interposed a couplet emphasizing the pro-

fundity of the divine thoughts.

cf.

and

1.

brutish

man

||

a dullard],

49^^ as distinguished from a wise and understanding man,

living in the fear of

God

characteristic of

WL.

knoweth not

||

understandeth this not], that which the psalmist knows in his experience and what the people understand in the use of the song
of praise.

8.

When

the

wicked

doubtless the same as those of

men

in Israel, but foreign

forth as herbage

\\

v.^

workers of iniquity] ^
and therefore not wicked

all the
^-,

enemies and treacherous

foes.

sprout

blossom], in sudden luxuriant success and

PSALM
The

prosperity.

which

90^^,

terms.

//

reason for

weh

in

9. Since

transitoriness, cf.

the apodosis in the strongest

may be

in order that they

is

it is

and

simile implies also frailty

then expressed

is

285

XCII.

destroyed forever'], and the

Thou art on high

tinueSo

This makes

will only

be temporary, and their

The

antithesis

between the

lasting destruction of the

wicked brings the

in the

>^.

The wicked

and

battle-field

wilt exalt

shall perish

my

||

Str. to its climax.

For lo ! Thine enemies],

name in J^, J, EV^, but

10.

repeated for emphasis with the divine

not in the original.

wicked

doom sudden and irrevocable.

everlasting reign of God and the ever-

Three syn. couplets.

Str. III.

dominion con-

certain that the prosperity of the

it

Yah-

everlastingly].

reigns in the height of heaven, everlastingly His

are the divine enemies, as usual

shall be scattered], in defeat on the

in the panic of a disastrous rout.

horn], in victory,

cf. 75^'^ 89^^

11.

148^*

But Thou

as a yore ox],

cf. Nu. 23^^ Dt. 33^'' Ps. 22^

whose furious onset was greatly to be feared by the

the gigantic wild bull of the ancients,

Jb. 39^"^",

hunter.
tival

Thou dost enrich me with fresh

celebrating the victory he

Yahweh

is

that he will be saturated with

pared for the

This

sacrifice.

oil], that

as are cakes

it

at the fes-

by

oil

when

pre-

As Horsley, " a

a parallel simile.

is

is,

anointed so richly with

penetration of the whole substance of the man's person by the

oil," cf.

23^

12.

victor, seeing his

Mine

eye shall look on], with the gaze of the

enemies

away from

panic-stricken

slain
his

on the

pursuit

|j

and rushing

battle-field

Mine

ears shall hear],

doubtless the outcries of terror and anguish of the vanquished.

Str. IV.

Three

13. The
will sprout forth as

righteous], Israel,

syn. couplets.

not the righteous in Israel,

the

palm

and

tree],

an appropriate simile of rapid, vigorous growth and luxuriance of

life,

wax

tall

durability, cf.

as the cedar of Lebanon], a simile of strength and

Ho.

14^'^;

both in antithesis with the luxuriant but

perishable herbage to which the wicked had been

14.

transplanted into the house of

God].

The temple

in

its

conceived as exceedingly

84^

They will sproutforth,

in old age they

||

compared

The
will

v.^.

courts of our

larger sense, as explained

fertile soil.

from other places and planted there

cf. i^

Yahweh

by

trees that are

courts,

is

removed

have a luxuriant growth,

young plants, and,

15. still
will bear fruit], doubtless combining in the figure
as

PSALMS

286

the fulness of

The

and freshly

may

to

Yahweh

declare that

my Rock

upright,

is

This seems to be based on Dt.

iniquity\

God was

ness of

a dogmatic ending, adds

it

properly emphasized

n^fCK"!] has two tones.

8.

3!-

4.

Spj

but here

^,

>^y archaic for

J.

That

whom

in

they

is

inappropriate,

it is

and

abstr. intensive pi.

n'l'?^^]

"^vi'^ y^;^'\

>Sj?.l

but a glos-

16.

no
where the upright-

32*,

for the Ps. praises rather the divine kindness

Ct.

foliage.

most appropriate end here

its

wishing to give

sator,

green], everlastingly animate with

and ever green with the richest of

life

comes

Ps.

They

palm and the longevity of the cedar.

the fruitfulness of the

will be full of sap

faithfulness.

dark

night, as 134^

The

*?>?.

makes 1. tetrameter and interp. "wv^ as a different instrument from

had only Saj nitry or nicy ^11 as 33''^ 144^ a ten-stringed harp.

repetition

But

S^j.

p^jn]

9^'^,

melody, resounding music, (S

prets

it

as apart

makes the

1.

i;75

7.

cates a

10.

dittog. or

D'^CB'nS]

8.

for the

mm

just as in

The

'JN 73^2

C'-'n] cf. n>'3

gl.

needed

IjjdS

long.

from T:p3

tetrameter.

v. is

r^lr\

emph. repetition

previous

line.

doubtless a

9.

^,

This

wrong

context

@, 3, V,

interp.

demands.

''''?'7?]

all

unnecessary and makes

not in 6^, but in

tt^.^J?']

pf.

sg.

SSi

rb yijpds

fxov,

"B senectus mea,

inf. cstr. sf.

sg.

n^3

my

the anointing of his head with

12.

t33ni]

consec.

for nnc*, v. j^,

is

interp.;

t]

iv To7i ix^po^^

P-o^is

consec. of |^
intrans.

iraXaiuxrLs fiov.

Hu., Ba.,

cf.

Du.,

^^ 49^^

The man by

demands simple
^'^V C'?!^?] makes 1. too

1.

13.

is

vb. future as the

enriched as the cakes of the

gl.

too

most prob.

the context

the simplicity of the parall., and

1.

and

"'jn'75

01s.,

wasting in old age,

oil is

Ci^n)]

usually after Ki.

5,
senecta mea,

@^-RT

Hithp. impf. in the

and make the

anointed, but without justification in usage.

"n'<'?3

11.

indi-

prob. for an earlier

is gl.;

have simple

Qal

is

3,

in either case a gl.

in Vrss.,

WL. and

implies

^"'Dd

nri"']
is

though

nin>,

5.

as

cantico et inter-

giving a premature reason.

gl.,

sense of dispersed, as Jb. 4II; separated, Ps. 22^^.

is

fxeXodias.

inf. c. sf., ^N'\\h S.

^r]

(^Srjs,

with the same vb.

Niph.

measure.

"i^i-'N

y-er

nnjr;.

"^y^'^l error

long, destroys

njr^J Qal. impf.,

v.

yj^^.

ij>nSx nnxn] phr. a.X.,

cSmB'] Q3.\ptc.,cf. 1^, transplanted, not p/anted.
but mn> 'n 84^, i>isn 65^ 84^1, vnnxn 96^ loo*, no 'n 116I 1352, all referring
to second temple.
16. ^ou^] full form Qal impf. 21J (62^^) bear fruit.
16 depends on Dt. 32*; introduces a legalistic conclusion, and is a gl.
nnS;?]

14.

Kt. defective for nn'^ig Qr., fuller fem. form because of following monosyl.
rel.

clause.

""S,

PSALM XCIV.

PSALM
Ps. 94

is

an importunate prayer

the God of dire vengeance

of the

wicked

discipline
of the

XCIV., 6

(v.^"^)

287

STR. 43.

of Israel for a

theophany of

expostulating at the long impunity

meekly congratulating himself upon divine

of the Law, while awaiting the doom

(v.*^) ,

and instruction out

wicked

(v.^^^^)

assured that

Yahweh

will not abandon His

people and that righteousness will ere long return (v.^^^^)

The

question whether the throne of the oppressor can be allied to Yah-

weh
is

only to be denied by the assertion that God

is raised (v.^-^),

the refuge of His people, and that

their enemies

(v.^^"^)

He

will surely exterminate

Glosses emphasize the wickedness of the

enemies, and their ignoring of divine interposition (v.^^), rebuke

the dullards for not understanding (v.^), assert that God

is

the

creator and teacher of the nations (v.^^), though man's thoughts

are but breath (v.^^), resume the plea for interposition, lest the

people go

down

to Sheol

(v.^*^^^)

ness and delightful comfort that

r\

GOD

and affirm the sustaining kind-

Yahweh bestows

of dire vengeance,

O God

Yahweh

(v.^^^^)

of dire vengeance, shine forth

up Thyself, O Judge of the earth

Render the proud a recompense.
J-IOW long shall the wicked, Yahweh,
How long shall the wicked exult ?
Pour forth, speak arrogantly.
Speak boastfully, all the workers of trouble?
J-JAPPY is he whom Thou disciplinest. Yah!
And whom Thou teachest out of Thy Law,
To give him rest from days of evil,
Until a pit be dug for the wicked.
abandons not His people.
And forsakes not His inheritance,
Lift

YAHWEH

Until righteousness return to judgment,

And

r^AN

following after

Which

all

the upright of mind.

frameth trouble by statute

Those who make

And

^ AY

it

the throne of engulfing ruin be allied to Thee,

upon the life of the

condemn?
become to me a high tower,
attacks

righteous,

innocent blood

Yahweh

is

And my God, my rock, my refuge.

And He hath recompensed their troubling upon them,
And in their own evil Yahweh will exterminate them.

PSALMS

288

Ps. 94 has no title in f^, but in yJ/aXfibs rep AaveiS rerpdSL aa^pdrov.
It
was assigned to the fourth day of the week in the Alexandrian liturgy. The
same assignment is known in K (v. Intr. 39). The Ps. was supposed to be

Davidic because of resemblances to

had

The

various dates.
Dt. 33^.

of inns

yi

'D'

v.^s as 451^, all

V.12

as judge v.^

The

3t.

use of d^sj

nicpj Sn

a.X.

was probably the

It

is

gls.

of

in the style of 50^

that of 50^ 75^, pn;? i2n

v.^ is as

nnn udd

v.i,

implies a legal attitude of mind.

enemies.

theophany

v.*, cf.

v.i* elsw. 49', personification of pnx v.^^ as 8511-12.14^ ugg

There are besides

nmp

God

original Ps.

intervening vss. are

ti^e

original Ps. in v.^ implores a

conception of

Its

75', all 31

The

JB, especially in v.2^-23.

six trimeter tetrastichs, v.^-^- 12-15. 20-28.

v.^'^,

Israel

peril of the late

140^; "inan^

Scy

is in

-ix"-

v. 20.

vP, cf. 122*.

The use of

grave peril from foreign

mm

Greek period,

The

expresses the situation of the hostile monarchs.

ndd well

show evidence

glosses

v.^' has been influenced by lo*- 1*^!^- 1^; v.^ is based on 49", cf.
and implies WL.; v.^n is universalistic in its conception of the divine in\^^-^^
struction of the nations, and implies a time of peace and hopefulness
implies extreme peril, probably Maccabean, to which the use of r\^2^^^ v.i'^

of later date

92"^,

points, elsw. 1151^ as a syn. of Sheol

type, ^Dy-ir, "i^cinjn,

Str.

Two

I.

v.i^-i^

abounds in rare words of Aramaic

i;'S';'c\

couplets.

syn.

repeated for emphasis, the

first

1.

line

O God of dire vengeance\

having the divine name Yah-

wehf the second the verb shine forth. The divine name 'El is
used with various predicates on account of its brevity. The plural
is

an abstract plural of

intensity,

in EV'., by the use of the

sg.

but might possibly refer, as such

Yahweh
as

is

33-.

2.

often do, to acts of vengeance.

Lift up Thyself \ rise from a recumbent

posture in order to interpose,

Yahweh was

well as of Israel, and

ment and

pis.

importunately called upon to shine forth in theophany

50- Dt.

earthy

which should not be ignored, as

whom vengeance belongeth"

" to

right all

cf. Is. 33^^

Ps. 9^.

the governor and judge of

28^

123* 140^ the

number of terms

Israel,

Str. II.

Two

of a

the

the earth as
into judg-

render a

justice, cf.

mies of

all

was His prerogative to enter

wrongs, cf. Gn. 18^ Pss. 50^ 75^
it

recompense^ retributive
first

O Judge of

Is.

3.

How

the proud\

cf.

to characterise the ene-

more completely described

syn couplets.

35^

in the

subsequent

Strs.

wicked\
first line and

long shall the

repeated for emphasis, as v.^ with Yahweh

in

the

the verb exult in the second, in fine antithesis therefore with v}.

The wicked
wicked

are conceived as exulting in the gratification of their

desires, while

Yahweh remains

passive.

This exultation

PSALM
is

XCIV.

then described as chiefly in speech

words as a
75^

S. 2^.

form

a.A.

speak

as workers of trouble.

and the next

weh, they crush, and Thine inheritance

lo^*'

28^ 143^'

that

is,

arrogantly'] , cf. 31^^

most probable meaning of a

upon " the proud " of w?, who are now in

inserted between this Str.

cf.

Pour forth],

4.

speak

boastfully], the

enlarging

all

chmax described

the

19^ 59^ 78^

torrrent, cf.

289

Several glosses were

v.^^

Thy people, Yah-

5.

a pentameter Hne,

afflict],

The widow and sojourner

6.

and

they slay

orphans murder], another pentameter Hne to indicate the heinous

nature of their crimes in murdering the helpless, those under the

Yahweh according

especial protection of
6^1- 1^ 24!^1

seeth not'^

This

is

19- 20.

"
||

21

719^ cf.

18
I oi4-

pss.

6S6^

to the

7_

^^^ ^^gy

and the God of Jacob perceiveth

not the denial of the ability of

God

14^

10^^

Law, Dt.
^^y

u Yah

not^^], cf. lo^-^^

to see

and

14^

to interpose,

but the assertion of His indifference to the oppression of His

people.

8.

Consider, ye brutish

tion in the imv.

and the

among

the people, the exhorta-

rebuke in the form of a question

||

Ye

dumb, how long ere ye will understand?], a syn. trimeter couplet.

The brutish and the dullards here as in 49^^ 92^ were those among
the Jewish people

who were

Wisdom, and took no part

that planted the ear

||

or

insensible to the principles of

in the teachings of the wise.

He

creating, used only here of ear

104^,

shall He

710 1

hear ?

can have but one answer

||

that

and hears

that formed the eye],

and

eye,

cf.

Ex.

fig.

He

9.

terms for

4^^ Ps. 33^^ 74^^

shall He not see ?].

He

Hebrew

The

95^

question

sees the affliction of His people

and their prayers. This

and the following couplet are tetrameters.
10. He that discipline th the nations
He that teacheth mankind]. Both clauses
by

their enemies,

their cries

||

indicate that

Yahweh

carries

on a

other nations as well as with Israel,

rect?
Jos.

4^

This requires in
Is.

40^^

that

is,

||

Shall

He

discipline of instruction with

cf. v.^l

Shall He

not cor-

not make them know?],

cf.

give the nations a knowledge of His will

and ways, as He has given it to Israel. But the latter clause has
been by error reduced to a single word, "knowledge," as if it

11.

Yah-

they are breath].

This

belonged to the protasis and there were no apodosis.

weh knoweth

the thoughts

of mankind that

and indeed a prose sentence, asserting on the one

hand, over against v.^, that God not only knows the deeds of

is

still

later,

PSALMS

290

mankind but also their inward thoughts, and on the other hand
that He knows how unsubstantial they are.
12. Happy'], exclamaStr. III. A syn. and a synth. couplet.

tion of congratulation as i^

as 34^ 40^

reference

IV/iom

Israel,

to

Thou
Thy Law].

teaches t out of

divine discipline.

purpose they

their

quietness.

engaged

13.

Yah

||

And whom Thou

Law

God

of

To give htm

they have accomplished

away, and Israel

will pass

Until a pit be dug for

be given

will

He

digging the pit into which they

He

will eventually fall

where the wicked are conceived as digging the

is

is,

as

it

were,

although else-

pit

themselves

57'.

Str. IV. Syn.

His people

||

and synth.

And forsakes

couplets.

to others, or

He may do

14.

Yahweh abandons not

not His inheritance].

His inheritance, and as belonging to

them

and

God

engaged in

also

is

rest

While

the wicked].

His people,

in the discipline of

The

rest from days of evil].

When

and

for his teaching

preparing a just retribution for their enemies.

7" 35'

he

Israel congratulates himself that

days of discipline.

evil are

The

but, as the context shows,

disciplinest,

has the special privilege of the

days of

man

not to the individual

is

man who,

glossator inserted the

but here at the expense of the measure.

127^^,

Him He

His people are

will

not relinquish

permit them to be seriously injured,

cf.

Ex.

19*.

time Je. 12^, but not permanently.

15. Until
righteousness return to judgment].
Righteousness is personified
for a

it

here, as in 85""^*.

eventually return,

is,

in

a limit to

is

when God

upon the enemies

that

There

its

its train, cf.

on the throne,
the throne.

just retribution.

God and

And following

all the upright

of

make

rise

up for

ffie

mind

||

more probable

rogative clause of

EV.

against

evil doers

as those of previous Strs.

It is
||

it],

follow in the procession to

that one

expressing a wish,

v.^"^

and

bestow-

after

additions here also; and

importunate appeal to God, a tetrameter tetrastich

one would

It will
v.^

Seeing justice again about to ascend

45^^

Glossators

absence.

shines forth in theophany

be done in vindicating the people of

justice will

ing

conceived as having departed from the

It is

place of judgment.

16.

first

an

that

would stand up for me

/],

in this context than the inter-

a plea for divine interposition, as

against workers of trouble], the same

17.

If

it

had not

been that

Yahweh

PSALM XCIV.
had been a

help to me"], that

is,

291

in the past history of the nation,

dwelt in the land of silence\ cf. 115^". The nation

had ceased to exist and had passed with the dead into Sheol, the

I had almost

abode of dead nations

When I said :

18.

as well as individuals, cf. 9^^

My foot doth

When

slip'].

and

that he

was about to

fall.

when he

19.

When my anxious

felt

his

Then, when he could

not sustain himself, God's kindness held him up],

''^.

hard pressed by the

enemies and deliverance seemed improbable

foot slipping,

14^

Is.

cf. 3^ 18^^ 38^'^.

thoughts were multiplied within me].

In

hope and despair rushed

through his mind in multitudes.
Thy comforts were delighting my
soul].
God gave him oft-repeated comfort and dehght in the
his intense anxiety thoughts alternately of

midst of his
Str.

trials.

V.

and a

Synth,

syn. couplet.

20.

Can

the throne

yawning

gulf,

of

government whose administration was hke a

swallowing up its subjects in irretrievable ruin.

engulfing ruin], a

Which fra7neth
tous and ruinous.

whose very laws are iniquiCan such a government be allied to Thee?],

have the divine sanction and support.
21. The wicked administration is further described as Those who tnake attacks upon the
And innocent blood condemn ?]. Governlife of the righteous
ment and law should protect the righteous and justify the innoThis government had become so corrupt that it did the
cent.
very reverse of what it ought to have done.
The question is
II

trouble by statute ?],

||

raised only to give an emphatic negation.

Str. VI.

Syn. couplets.

22.

Nay !

Yahweh

become

is

to

me],

the answer to the question with an emphatic change of tense to

emphasize the

fact as

emphasis of the

to express the

fails

frequently in 29

my God, my

an estabHshed experience.

p^^-^^

18^

my

^ci^o.ir.is

original.

^^z.i ^^^2.

The EV. " but

"

high tower], as

^jgo ^^

^ 46-i2 ^4^

heaped up as in 18"''; the

original "rock of my refuge " is a.\. and prob. error.
23. And
He hath recompensed their troubling upon them], resuming v.^'^.
II

rock,

refuge], terms

And

in their

them],
1.

'^^'^Tiy

j;>p^i]

n of

cf. 18^1

own

evil], that

described v.^^\

54" 69^

Sn] bis

a.X., pi.

abstr. intensive, or possibly acts

Hiph. imv. prob. in original

Ntt'jn

will exterminate

as Hu.^, Ehr.

But

has

r^-^^-^^yn

pf.,

as So^;

as Dt.

if

final n

of vengeance.

overlooked before

Ps. 502.

2.

d^nj] % nsj

PSALMS

292

proud, 1406 Pr. 1525 i6i9+.

adj. pi. elsw. 123* (J),

BDB.,

act proudly,

XaX^crouo-tf,

gl.

based on

49^1.

9-10.

nSh or yy nSh.
makes too long a 1.

t"6i']

too long.

Qal impf.

15.

pentameter

p^V.] personified, so

/-'.

v.

interp.

gl.,

13.

Niph.

r\-\p^
cf.

p^nx improb.

tetrameter

115^'^.

18.

Kara rh

gl.

consolations, elsw.

Is.

"n">rN

19.

tc\t)Bo%.

disquieting thoughts, t\%^. 13923,

pi.

a^i!)] inf.

cf. D^syt'

especially Ko.i-257.

impf. iu; but Qr. from

on?:
the established
consec.

measure
Q

j^^

Jb. 4^^ 2o2.

8^

nij, cf.

fact.

23.

3rj]

carries

requires.

56'''.

nii']

is

it

is v.22.

22.

makes

cf.

1.

not in @.

following after

i'"^nN^]

form of fem. with

63^.

J^^"'"']

n.f.

with 3 temp. prot. with

f [ipi?*] only pi. n.[m.]

r^Tinjn]

f [oinjn] only

Pilp. impf. t>7*^

6612,

Is.

gl.

in^i]

v.

dub. form,

^8^ ; intro-

but nnn
nu'] Kt. Qal
consec. of apod, to emphasize
riv^n

spr] phr.

pn-S>*.

bis,

of intensification

a.X.,

21.

phr. a.X.; improb.; rd. iDnr;

oniipr]

119^6-47.

Ps.

^"l^n-'n]

pu^ impf. nan be allied with,

on apod.

"iJ>nSN] is gl.

but Qal 7^**+.

lyrrr^]
Hithp.
20.

more euphonic than

pn-'(;";]

cstr.

"'2p;^'] pi. sf.

ii^ Ps. iiq'O, Palp.

ducing an interrog. clause whose apod,

term of

a pen-

trimeter gl.

cn] prot. temp, clause with impf. of

661^ Je. 16' Jb. 15I1 212.

Pilp. delight in, elsw. Is.

and

interp. gl.,

is

>S n-^r:j] fuller

This accumulation of late words indicates a

Ges.^"^',

iji njc'?N].

6.

8.

a.X.,

^7^.

and indeed erroneous;

^, but S, 2,

3,

habitual action, \nvD% in apod.

but

is prosaic and improb.

njjn has been inserted
was doubtless original ; the exclamation of happi-

vb. leave, let alone,

16-17.

Sheol as

riv^'V^ apod.;

gl.

retracted accent because of monosyllable that follows,

stillness, for

gl.

more natural order

A tetrameter gl. r.;n] improb.; the measure requires

A prose sentence, late gl. 12. ">U'n n^jn >nrN]

u*cj
is

as 4515 6820.

aX

11.

"nrN

^r]

it,

5.

consec. result: a trimeter

ness before a relative clause,

14.

koI irpocifKvTov, so 0,

npKn>] Hithp.

4.

ni's

u^D^n

from 34^ 40^.

ncs']]

7.

j,ni>

61^; context requires boast, speak proudly,

Is.

loquentur rs'Q^'^.

(5 xvpo-v Kal 6p<pavbv

tameter

n,p\nn

cf.

but

18^.

^~^yi, cf.

only once, as

against measure.

PSALM XCV.
(A) A summons to worship Yahweh, the
Ps. 95 is composite
king above all gods, in the temple, with psalms (v.^"'^). He is to
:

be worshipped as the creator and owner of all nature

(B)

warning

(v."*^).

to Israel not to harden their hearts against

weh, as their fathers did in the wilderness, when they

tempted Yahweh

(v.^*""^),

and He loathed them and

excluded a whole generation from the Holy Land

connects the two, asserting that

Shepherd of His people

(v.^""*).

Yahweh was

in

(v.^"").

Yah-

sorely-

His anger

seam

yet the God and

PSALM XCV.

A.

r)

COME
O
O

V.

let

STR. b^'

Yahweh
Rock of our salvation

us ring out to

us shout to the

let

293

let us come to meet His face with thanksgiving;

With psalms let us shout to Him.
For Yahweh is a great God,

And

TN

a king above all gods,

His hand are the recesses of the earth,
And the eminences of the mountains belong

The

sea belongs to

And

the dry land His

O
O

come

let

He made

Him, since

to

Him.

it;

hands formed.

us worship and

bow down.

us kneel before Yahweh.

let

B.

V/''"",

STR. 5^.

nrO-DAY,

if ye will hearken to (My) voice,

Harden not your heart as at Meribah,
As in the day of Massah in the wilderness,

When your fathers tempted Me

Me yea, saw My work.

Tried

WAS loathing a generation, and so said:

"

people erring in heart are they,

they do not know My ways."

And
So

swear in Mine anger

"They

shall not enter into

My

Resting place."

Ps. 95 has no title in |^

but in
alvos <^Srjs ry Aaveid, which is evidently
a late editor's opinion.
This Ps. has several terms of temple worship at
religious festivals, v.i-'^ and nn?;? v.^, implying the use of psalmody (see Intr.
;

1). It could not have been composed before there was a regularly organised
temple choir and a collection of Pss. for their use ; not earlier than the late
Persian period, and probably early in the Greek period.
only two hexastichs

To

y.^-^.

it

was added by a seam

The
v.''

original Ps.

from

loo-^,

had

another

originally independent Ps., probably a fragment of a historical Ps., giving a

warning based on the experience of Israel in the vi^ilderness, especially at
Meribah \.'^<=-^\ The phr. 2h nirpn v.8 is that of P, Ex. f Pr. 281* but the
;

use of

:3:3s

instead of

d'?

of

implies a subsequent usage of the time of Chr.

HDO (2v) v.8 as Ex. 177 (JE) Dt. 6^6 922^ of. 338, n2>-):2D v.s elsw. '12 >c Dt. 338
Nu. 2oi3 (P) Pss. 818 I0632+; ^jiDj v.^ as Ps. 7818. 41. 5G io6i4 after Ex. 172-Nu. 1422 (J) Dt. 616. Phr. 33S >;;n v.i'' a.X., but of. nn >';d Is. 292*. o^o^n yv
v.i<^ is a Deuteronomic term, of. Ps.
inrnja v. 11, cf. 1328- 1*
i8'-2 2S,^-^ 6y^ +
Is. 661, based on Nu. lo^^.
This little Ps. seems to depend on a completed
Hexateuch, and to be of the time of the Chronicler.
.

PSALMS

294

PSALM XCV.
Str.

I.

come

to

and a syn

syn. tetrastich

exhortation to worship.

A.
distich.

us ring out

/<?/

meet with thanksgiving

||

||

let

with psalms

1-3.

us shout
let

||

come'],
let

us shout],

us
all

expressions for pubHc worship, especially at festivals in the temple.

The

use of Pss. implies a fully developed service, with temple

and

The

collections of Pss.

object of this worship is YahHis face, in the place where He

let the light of His face shine upon His people.
the Rock of our
salvation], the favourite term for God in His relation to His own
people from ancient times Dt. 32^^ Ps. 62^-^ 89^. But the chief
reason for worship on this occasion is given in the causal clause,
For Yahweh is a great God], an expression of Dt. 7-^ 10" Je.
choirs

wehy meeting Him, their faces

to

32^, cf. Ps. 77^^ as

in the
their

||

And

the context suggests, in His dominion, explained

a King above

own gods

all gods], cf.

God

but the

4-5.

given
the circumstantial
based
on
His
ownership
formed].

mentioned,
of
nature
are
objects
Str. II.

Him],

Three

syn. couplets.

They

bis.

The

47^

nations

of Israel was king over them

In His hand

all

had

all.

belong

to

and the reason is

made it His hands

are entirely at His disposal,

since

clause,

in

He

creation.

is

\\

The

various great

the recesses of the earth], phr.

a.X. for the secret depths of the earth which cannot be searched

by man,

in antithesis with the eminences

cf. Jb. 38^*^ Je. 31'^'^;

of

Thus from the depths to the

The sea and
heights the earth all belongs to Yahweh as owner.
the dry land are also put in antithesis for the same reason.
6. The sovereignty of Yahweh over nature is another phase of His
the mountains], the highest peaks.

reign,

which gives the reason

for the final couplet of praise, ex-

pressed by humble prostration in the service of the temple,

22^ 72^

Ch.

7^

29^.

glossator adds to the divine

alone was original, at the expense of the measure,

in order that the creative activity of

God may

*'

cf.

name, which

our

Maker

"
;

include His wor-

shippers as well as inanimate nature.

later editor

connects this Ps. with another by a seam taken

from 100^ and enlarged

7 ab. For

His pasture and

He

is

our God, and we are

of His hand], implying the

strong personal attachment of Yahweh to His people especially
the people of

the sheep

PSALM XCV.
needed

295

view of the sovereignty over the gods and nature of the

in

previous Ps. and the solemn warning of the next Ps.

PSALM XCV.
Str. I.

couplet.

An

B.

introductory Hne, followed by a syn. and a stairlike

7 c-9.

To-day\ emphatic,

time of solemn warning, which

if ye will hearken to

My voice'],

which throughout

in the personal address.

is

some

referring to

we know not how

most prob.

in the

particular

to determine.

independent

But

Ps.,

f^, followed

by

EV*., has " his voice," which was originally a scribe's assimilation
to the previous seam.

mand,

especially as

The

voice of

embodied

in the

God

is

His voice of com-

Law, requiring hearing

in the

Harden not your heart], the apodostubborn inattention or

of Ex.
(P)
of
as
Specimens of such stubbornness are now

pregnant sense of obedience

sis

phrase

obedience.

7^

refusal

for

given.

when

at Meribah] Nu. 20^3 (P) Dt. 33^ Ez. 47^^ Ps. 8i 106^^
the offence of Israel was intensified, because

it

was shared

in a

Moses and Aaron.

As in the day of
Massah], cf Ex. 17'' (JE) Dt. 6^^ 9^^, when Israel murmured for
lack of water.
These are given in the narrative of the Hexateuch
as two different places and two different events ; but they were
doubtless only variant traditions of the same event {v. Br."''^-^^).
The two are closely connected here ; and it is not clear whether
they are in syn. parallelism, as different terms for the same event,
or as two events.
When your fathers tempted Me tried Me],
by their murmuring unbelief and unreasonable demands.
Yea,
saw My work], probably the work of giving the water from the
measure by

their leaders,

||

||

rock notwithstanding their lack of confidence.

to refer

it

to past acts of deliverance, or to the

This

is

better than

work of judgment

upon them.
Str. II.

made more
but

10-11.

line.

it

then

tetrastich of introverted parallelism

I was

loathifig

definite in (g, J,
is

and a synthetic

a generation], an entire generation,

by prefixing a demonstrative "that"

really not so forcible as the

original.

expresses action which was habitual for a long time.

The

glossator

gives that time from the ancient narrative of the Hexateuch,

14^^^, as forty years

and

impf.

Nu.

so said], as the definite result of the

long-continued and oft-repeated loathing.

So I swear

in

Mine

PSALMS

296
What was

anggr].

said was the couplet describing the character

A people erring in heart are they And they

My ways']. Their heart was disposed to wander from

of that generation

do not know

the divine ways,

||

cf. Is. 29-*

knowledge of them,
sworn was a

and they had no practical, experimental

3?" + What was silently

Pss. 25*^ 27'^

cf.

just retribution

They shall

enter into

tiot

My Resting

place\ the Holy Land as the place of the resting of Yahweh as

well as of His people after their long wandering in the wilderness,

Nu. 10^ Dt.

cf.

^*

i2 Ps. i32

Is.

66^

XCV. A.

pn

n^'^nj urgent exhortation

nD-ipp] used of
meeting in worship elsw. 88^* 891^. The second ynj should be cohort, also.
n^ncT] pi. n-^>r:T psalm, as 119" 2 S. 23I Is. 24I Jb. 35I0 {y. Intr. i).

njinj] cohort, impf.

1-2.

II

||

"^nj makes 1. too long and is gl.

assimilated to 47^.
4. no nrN],
makes the 1. too long and is prosaic gl.
''?.^^';] a>^- range, ^DB.;
but more prob. recesses, depths (cf. ni^n Jb. 38'^).
has Tr^para = 'pnic as
ann nioyin] phr. a.X. f ["iDyir] n.f. eminence,
Is. 8^ but antith. favours ^.
of horns Nu. 23^2 24*, of silver Jb. 22^5 (?); here horns of mountains.

S>"(J "^.^^

The

rel.

rh.

mj/r].

nc'a^

prosaic gl.;

circumstantial clause.
66^

Ps.

(j^^)

rel.,

i'?"n'j'N]

5.

inc'y Nini]

Is.

44^ +

nin?rj]

6.

7 ab.

ri^i: txt. err.

of 100^ with no measure.

This

^r^';'\:2 c;']

is

II

DD33S

8.

^pya

fxov.

Qal impf.

-Jip

phr.

vj'p.n 'tn]

10.

B.

oiy^is]

riyy

final result

gl.

11.

-,^3]

"^5^^]

-iu\s]

of oath, as 89^ 1328-

8-

"

(S

*;

r^

prot. impf.,

9.

''^vs]

yeveq. ^/ce^v77, so

form aaS

prob,; but

particle of result, so

Ges.i*^ with

full

Gn. 13^^

form of 3

pi.

3631.

pN3> dn]

formula

impf.

3 pts., 5 str.

96-100 were originally a song

two

@ pi.
lOipx]

Du., Kirk., Ba., but

61

of praise, celebrating

the advent of Yahweh, the universal King, for judgment.

three parts, each of

and apod,

consec, emph. change of tense to indicate the

33^ 'yr] phr. a.X., but cf. nn 'i'n Is.

PSALMS XCIIL, XCVI.-C,

Pss. 93,

Pr. 281*; the fuller

of historic expl., against measure.

of long-continued loathing.

292*, cf. 58*.

emph

f (P)

a loathing, habitual action, but Niph. Ez. 6^ 20*^

Hithp. Pss. 119^^8 13921.

against the measure.

irpn Ex.

or to later usage of Chr.

sf.

a.X. feet

i*?

has KXa^/aroj/iev,
phr. a.X.; so ni |nx, amplification

)hp^ on] conditional clause with obj.

c.

possibly due to heavy

Tcb

elsw. Ex. 4* (J); for usual

,-13-^33
again as v.MI n>n3j

a seam, connecting two independent Pss.

XCV.

juss.

n.f.

cohort,

the latter of kneeling in worship only here.

p/oremus=

connect D>n"iS, with one accent.

i"]?'?'']

It

had

sections, the first describing the advent,

PSALMS
the second a universal

XCIIL, XCVI.-C.

summons

has put on His royal robes,

is

to celebrate

nature

all

declare His glory

holiness

He

98^"^)

in

to

which

(c) He

(B) He

come

is

in

greatly exalted, awful in

is

loveth justice and hath established righteousness

II.

(A) All nations are summoned to sing a

wondrous deeds
revere Him above all gods, and join
in praise of His

all

(A) Yahweh

commotion, heaven and earth see and

(^g>j'^-^<^-^^

in Jacob (99^'^).

new song

is in

I.

it.

seated on His everlasting throne,

more magnificent than the stormy sea (93^^)

theophany,

297

nature participates (96^^^^"''

of victory (96^-^

in the sacred dance

""^^^
;

(B) to take

part in a musical festival in the temple, in which all nature

(C) to worship their Creator and Shepherd with

shares

(98*"^*)

thank

offerings,

songs, and music in the temple courts

The breaking up

of the Ps.

six

into

many

purposes, involved the addition of

(93^

^33.9cd
ge^-^"'^^^'-^^ 9726.7-12

little

Pss. for

(100).

liturgical

glosses of various kinds

^^^9y
I.

YAHWEH do/k reign in majesty,

(Yahweh) hath put on His apparel,

Yahweh hath girded Himself with

strength,

He

cannot be moved.

hath adjusted the world that

it

Thy throne is established from of old,

From everlasting art Thou (Yahweh).

'THE streams

have

Yahweh,

lifted up,

The streams have lifted up their voice.

The streams lift up their (commemoration),
More than the voices of many waters.
Magnificent more than the breakers of the sea,
Magnificent on high, Yahweh.

O SING

to Yahweh a new song :

Sing to Yahweh all the earth ;
Sing (to Him), bless His name:
Proclaim the glad tidings of His victory from day
Tell among the nations His glory.
Among all peoples, His wondrous deeds,

T70R great is Yahweh

He is to be revered

above

all

gods.

The gods of the peoples are nothings

But Yahweh made the heavens
Majesty and glory are in His presence.
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

/\^HIRL)

before

Him

all

Say among the nations,

the earth;
"

He

doth reign."

to

day

PSALMS

298

Let the heavens and the earth be glad,

Let the sea thunder and the fulness thereof.
Let the field exult and all that therein is,
Let

the trees of the forest jubilate.

all

IL
J-JE doth reign

let

the earth rejoice.

Let the many coasts be glad.

Clouds and darkness are round about Him,

fire

And

goeth before Him,

His adversaries round about.

His lightnings illumine the world.
setteth ablaze

'pHE earth

doth see and writhe.

The mountains
At
At

melt like wax,

the presence of

Yahweh

(the King),

Lord of all the earth

The heavens declare His righteousness.
And all the peoples see His glory.
/^ SING to Yahweh a new song,
{Sing to Yahweh all the earth),
For wondrous deeds He hath done.
His right hand hath gotten Him the victory;
Yahweh hath made known His victory.
the presence of the

In the eyes of the nations His righteousness.

gHOUT to Yahweh

all

the earth,

and jubilate and make melody;

Make melody to Yahweh with the lyre.
With the lyre, with the sound of psalmody,
With trumpets and the sound of the horn,
Break

forth

Shout before the King.

sea roar and the fulness thereof.
The world and what dwells therein
Let the rivers clap their hands,
Together let the mountains jubilate,
Before Yahweh, for He is come.

ET the

(He

is

come)

to

judge the earth.

HL
TJE doth reign
He is seated
Yahweh

And

is

the peoples tremble

on His throne, the earth quakes

great in Zion,

high above

all

the peoples

Let them praise the great and awful name;

Holy

J-fE

is

He and strong,
He doth love justice,

doth reign.

(He hath)

And

established justice in equity,

righteousness in Jacob hath

Exalt ye Yahweh, our God,

And
Holy

worship
is

He

at His footstool.
(and strong).

wrought

PSALMS

XCIII., XCVI.-C.

SING to Yahweh
{^Sing to

Yahweh

299

a new song,
all the earth).

gHOUT to Yahweh all the earth;

Serve

Yahweh

with gladness

Come before Him with jubilation

Know that He is God
He made us and we are His,
His people and the sheep of His pasture.
His gates with a thank ofifering;
(Come) to His courts with a song of praise;
Give thanks to Him bless His name

r^OME to

(Give thanks), for

Yahweh

is

good.

For His kindness endureth forever,

And unto all generations His faithfulness.

one of the group of royal Pss., 96-100, separated from them for
In J^ it has no title ; but in @ eh t7]p riixipav toO irpoaa^pdrov, Sre KarcpKia-TaL i] yij ahos (fdijs t<^ Aaveid. It was in Alexandrian
usage assigned to the sixth day of the week, and thus was placed between 92,
Ps.

93

is

liturgical reasons.

and

for the seventh,

The Talmud

94, for the fourth day.

31") shows that the Palestinian

(A^osck.

usage was the same, even

has Shana

if it

found no

expression in the text of | {v. Intr. 39). The second clause of

may be
interpreted with reference to the peopling of the earth on the fifth day of the
creation, as the

Talmud, or of the peopling of the Holy Land at the Restoraof the Ps. to David as "T'tt' "iidt?: was doubtless because

The assignment

tion.

of resemblances to Pss. of IBas indeed the entire group,

later attachment.

This

In

whose theme

this Ps.,cf. v.i

The

Ps.

is

little

The

iiciD

is,

Is.

The

Ps.,

as in all such cases, a

group, depends on

Is.^,

and

is

in

songs which close the earlier section of trime-

the deliverance of the Servant of

with

512 52^,

and the use of

rs'D

Yahweh

v? with

Is.

{y. Br.^^- 449 8q.)_

448 4521 488-

5-7.

8^

has two trimeter hexastichs, arranged as strophe and antistrophe,

with a liturgical addition

Ps.

cannot be recognized as valid.

'\''Z\

Ps., as others of the

especial accord with the

ters

It

was a

96 has no

\w(Tiav, (^87}

TV

title

v.^.

in f, but in

Aavdeid.

The union

fJLerh t^v alx/J-atwo statements shows that the

Sre 6 oFkos olKodoineiTai

of these

editor did not think of Davidic authorship, but thought of the Ps. rather as

The historical reference to the ereccame from a later hand than the reference
to David.
It is bracketed in the Psalterium Gallicanum, and the order of the
@^'statements varies
The Ps. is used in i Ch.
reverse the order of (3^.
1523-33 jn connection with the removal of the ark by David to Zion, as sung
by the temple choirs. It might therefore have been somewhat older than
Chr., and have been used for a considerable time in the temple liturgy as

belonging to the Davidic type of Pss.

tion of the second temple probably

-*

PSALMS

300
Davidic, and indeed in

its

present form, apart from variations due chiefly to

Attention

scribal mistakes.

called to these in the notes.

is

however,

It is,

probable that this Ps. with the others cited were later insertions in the text
of Chr. The Ps. was originally a section of the great royal Ps. This section
had three hexastichs y,^-^-^i-^Oa. 11-12^ jhg other verses are glosses from various sources and by more than one hand v.""^" especially is an adaptation of
2gi-2. yWb is from 93^*^; v.i<^ is from 9*^, and was inserted later than the
The terms of the ritual service in the
text used by Chr. ; v.^^ was from 98.
temple are used v.^*^; cnn "\^c v.^ = 98^ is based on the usage of Is. 42^^*,
cf. Pss. 33^^ 40* 144^ 149^, and implies a song sung to commemorate a great
event which has just transpired. ir>ntt'"' -\C'3 v.^ is also after Is. 40 412'^ 52'',
cf. Ps. 40!"^; v.-** is based on 482^; v."** on 47^; v.^ seems to imply that the
temple not only was in existence, but that it had not been recently erected,
:

as the title of (3 implies

people,
Ps., cf.

in

is

93^^

v.^^-^^^

accordance with

the participation of nature in the joy of the

Is.^

and

This Ps. lends

98'-^.

also with other sections of the original

its

internal evidence to the time of the

overthrow of Persia, rather than Babylon.

IF

Ps. 97 has no title in |Q, but in (3 ry AavelS 6t tj yrj avrov Kadla-raraif

quando terra ejus restituta est, which doubtless refers to the restoration of

the land by the returned exiles from Babylon.

tency with the

first

we suppose

vious Ps.; unless

This shows the same inconsis-

clause, in referring to David, that appears in the pre-

that by

The

than the Davidic type of Pss.

"David"

the editor meant no

greater part of the present Ps.

is

more

a mosaic

made up

of extracts by glossators from other Pss. The only part that is origitwo hexastichs y}-^* 8-6. The Ps. has the same reference to the royal
advent of Yahweh v.^, and the universal call to worship v.^*** ^^ and the same
nal

is

participation of nature

v.4^>-6,

Ps. uses freely older writings

v.*

771^,

from

from

idolaters, v.i"^!! a
Ps.

and

V.8 506,

48^2^ v.^

47'-

v.^^ Is.
^^^

as the other Pss. of the group.

:

95^, v.12

from 32^1 and

30^, v.'

fragment of another Ps. which

98 in 1^ has

ni::?::.

The

original

Ez. 27'- 1^, v.2 Dt. 4^^ 5^^ v.' Ps. 50*,
66I8. w.
The glosses are : v.2* from 2>g^^, \?
v.i^

is

It is difficult to see

a prosaic gloss against

not without literary merit.

why

to this Ps. rather than to others of the group, all of

it should be prefixed
which have the same

has ypaXfxhs ry Aaue/5.

The ascription to David means no
more than in the case of the other Pss. of the group. The Ps. also depends
on Is. 2 in the original v.^"- *^' ^, and still more in the glosses v.i'^- ^. It is yet
character.

original in the phrases

v.i"

with 96^

have seen.

V.7"

The

v.2- 6a.

It is identified

with 96^^*; v.^"*

Ps. has thus the

is

same

and was part of the same original.

Ps. 99 has no title in |^, but in

with other Pss. of the group

original, v.^'^

is

gl. in

96^^ as

we

characteristics as others of the group,

xpaXfibs t(? Aaveld,

which has the same

The Ps. differs from the others

relation of Yahweh to Israel, and is uniYahweh over the nations. The participa-

significance as in other Pss. of this group.

in that

it

versalistic

emphasizes the historical

only in the exaltation of

tion of nature in the worship

is

also absent.

Therefore the Ps.

is

not so

PSALMS
clearly a part of the
Ps. 100,

which

same

removed

this is

of the original.

Aq.

ei's

justice of

minS

the

first

section of the third part

Ps.

"\ii:t?:,

His administration

v.*,

and

in the

probably a psalm to accompany the

xnmn

]2'^p S>' iinn'y,

t/'aX/A^s ets i^o-

This was, however, a later liturgical assignment,

for the Ps. is part of the previous

The

or as

however, a later particularistic addition;

is,

evxapta-Tiav,

ixokby-qcnv {v. Intr. 39).

a single Ps.

It

agrees with the others, in emphasizing the advent of

It

Ps. 100 has in f^ the title

;

as the others that precede

this Ps. is evidently

Yahweh as king v.^, in the

summons to worship v.^- ^.
thank offering

hymn

original

This reference to Israel's peculiar claim on Yahweh,

follows.

with the related material v.^^,

when

3OI

XCIII., XCVI.-C.

remains in

group and with them originally constituted

its

original condition as

two of the

Strs.

of

the larger Ps.

review of these six

advent

hymn

little

Pss.

shows that they constituted one original

of three parts, each of two sections.

In the

first

sections the

advent of the King to judgment and the effective administration of the justice
of His reign
sections

all

is

vividly described in

peoples and

two trimeter hexastichs.

nature are

all

summoned

In the second

to a festival in the

courts in celebration of the advent, in three trimeter hexastichs.

reconstructed the original

is

an advent hymn of wonderful grandeur.

PSALM
Pt.

I.,

Str. I.

Two

temple

As thus

XCIII.

syn. tristichs.

96^^ 97^ 99^ Is. 52^, cf. Ps.

4f

1.

Yahweh

doth

retgn"], as

146^; not the assertion of His

everlasting royal prerogative, but the joyous celebration of the

fact that

He

has

now shown Himself to be king by a

royal advent,

taking His place on His throne to govern the world Himself, and

no longer through

inefficient or

wicked servants.

tn majesty].

This qualifies the coming to reign as king, and so best prepares

second

for the antithesis of the

must be so attached.
it

to the following verb

without an object.

is

a trimeter,

it

measure and attach

"put on," which they regard

as repeated

This has been occasioned by the mistaken

omission of the divine

name

in the

The

lines are real trimeters, "

line,

and each vb. having

II

If the Ps.

Str.

J^, Vrss., all ignore the

its

second

line of the tristich.

Yahweh " being repeated in each

object.
hath put on His apparel

hath girded Himself with strength\ the apparel suited to His

needed

His sovereign will.

U, PBV., better suited to
the context than the passive of 5^, AV., RV., especially as the
context favours a pf. rather than an impf.
that it cannot be
royal state, the strength

2.

He

to execute

hath adjusted the world], so

(,

PSALMS

302

moved\ cf. lo^ 104*. This refers, not to the moral order of the
world, but to the whole order of the habitable world, in which
inanimate as well as animate

nature

shares, according

conceptions characteristic of this Ps.

proper preparation

for the parall.

habitable world over which

He

He

the

to

Only thus do we get a

Thy throne is established^ the

and the throne from which

reigns

reigns alike have been so firmly established that they cannot

be unsettled.

from

4521 483.6.7.8

Prom

II

of old\ a characteristic phrase of

Yahweh\

Thou,

everlasting art

Is.

44^

same

the

assertion of the everlasting divine activity as in 90-.

an antistrophe, two

Str. II. is

3-4.

The

waters"

||

tristichs

streams'], thrice repeated

with stairlike parallelism.

not rivers or brooks, but,

" many
as the context shows, the streams of the Mediterranean,

"breakers of the sea."

||

have

lifted

up], bis, once

without obj.; then with the obj. their voice, the sound of the
rushing and dashing waters in a storm, H " voices of many waters,"
the roaring of the breakers as they throw themselves upon the

The

shore.

third line changes the tense to the impf.,

lift

up, to

emphasize the action, not as completed, but in movement, and

gives the vb. an obj. which in J^ is a.A.., translated conjecturally
in

YN\

''

their waves,"

RV. "

their roaring," Dr., Kirk., " their

" their crashing."

BDB.

din,"

suggested by

Sb, ^T, is

The most

probable reading, as

commemoration, their voices commemorating

the wonders of Yahweh.

This

is

a graphic description of the

majesty of the sea in a great storm.

It is to

be interpreted as

and not as symbolical of armies of mighty foes, although this

symbol is appropriate and used elsewhere, cf. Is. 1 7^^^^ Pss. 46*

real

89^^.

More than].

The comparison

is

repeated, the

with the object with which the comparison

is

made,

first

time

the voices of

fnany waters, the second time with the predicate, the breakers

of the
ject

is

sea.

magnificent],

statement

magnificent on high Yahweh].

like parallelism is lost

of a

in order to the climax,

where the sub-

expressed with the predicate and an additional antithetical

letter,

by J^ and

change into the

The

force of this stair-

by wrong attachment
form and compel the reading

Vrss., which,

pi.

The

poet's con-

however magnificent the sea may be

in a storm,

"majestic breakers," making

ception

is,

that

Yahweh

is

much more

difficult syntax.

magnificent as

He

reigns

on high, above

PSALMS

XCIIL, XCVI.-C.

303

He

tumult and raging, with the implication that

its

and reduce it to order.

A later editor appended 5, in order
thoughts of the Law and the temple.

will eventually

still it

to introduce corresponding

Thy

testimonies are ex-

The Law, conceived from

ceedingly steadfast^

the priestly point

composed of testimonies, is steadfast, like the throne

To Thy house sanctity is
of Yahweh and the habitable world.
of view, as

The temple

becomings Yahweh, for length of days^.

as the

house

of Yahweh, the place of His presence and of His throne, shares

in

His majesty; only that majesty partakes of the character of a

majestic sanctity, separate and apart from

that

all

is

unconsecrated

and profane.

PSALM XCVI.
Str. III.

of to

Him]

1-3.

a stairlike hexastich.

is

twice with to Yahweh']

against the measure.

In the

a new so7ig\ based on

not
but of a new outburst of song
invokes
jj^. The second
Is.

42^

it;

to sing

is

celebrated had universal significance.

song:

bless

Is. 40^,

nations

His name], cf. 100*,

and indeed not

tell]
II

||

among

His glory

||

hue the

obj.

given,

is

new coma new event

because of

line gives the subject: all

cf.

The summons

the earth].

first

in the sense of a

position,

that

Sing'], thrice repeated,

but the third time in an assimilation

||

universal

The

the event to be

third line defines the

Proclaim the glad

to Israel alone, but

tidings], cf.

among

the

all peoples], a story of world-wide significance.

His wondrous deeds]. This can only be explained

some world-wide transformation, some change

of some great event,

that gave joy to the world,

which was so extraordinary that

only be ascribed to the divine intervention.

It

it

could

was probably the

overthrow of the Persian empire by Alexander the Great.

Str. IV. Synth., antith., and syn. couplets.
4. For great

Yahweh],

deeds

He had won and

who have signally failed
;

glossator assimilated

the nations that worshipped them, cf. 95^

to 48^"* by adding " and highly to be

v.^"*

praised," which suits the previous context rather than

in this Str.

is

He had done, and in the great glory

therefore He is to be revered above all gods],

in the great

5.

The gods of

26^ Ps. 97^ Is. 2^-^^-^

its

parallels

the peoples are nothings], cf. Lv. 19*

io^% they have done nothing

for the

people

PSALMS

304

do nothing, they are

that worship them, they can

40^8 sq. 4^9

Bq.

In contrast with them

115^.

pg^

Him

and which therefore belonged

reside,

alone, cf. 95*^.

6.

all, cf. Is.

Yahweh made

the

which these gods were sup-

heavens'], created the very place in

posed to

in reaHty noth-

have no real existence and are not gods at

ings, they

Majesty and glory

\\

Him and

to

to

Strength andbeauty\

a heaping up of terms to set forth the admirable attributes of Yah-

weh

Him

as king 21^

and creator 104^ the latter

by the ancient pillars, Jachin
the porch of the temple i K. f^'^ ; especially appro-

the former of

in their antithesis possibly suggested

and Boaz

in

priate to the

7-9 a.

^XMi'ixt

presence in His sanctuary^

later editor inserts here

on

to praise, based

cf. Is.

60' 64^.

another universal

summons

a tetrameter pentastich.

29^"^, in

Ascribe to Yahweh, ye families of the peoples,

Ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of His name.
Bring a minchah and come to His courts.

Worship Yahweh

The

in holy ornaments.

only variations are the substitution of families of the peoples

for " sons of gods," angels, of the original

and the

insertion of the

line exhorting to bring a grain offering (cf. 20"*) to the courts of

the temple
it

more

before

65^ 84"

suited to

V.

Str.

(cf.

Him

its

92" 100^)

both of which changes

made

context.

synth. couplet

and a

syn. tetrastich.

summons

all the earth] a universal

sacred pilgrim dance in the temple,

cf.

6.

Whirl

to take part in the

87^ Ju. 21^^"^

S.

i8^

The translations, "stand in awe of Him," PBV., "fear before

Him," AV., " tremble before Him," RV., JPSV., although based
on ancient

Vrss., are not

suited to the context, which implies

worship, while the Heb. word never expresses fear and trembhng
in connection with worship.

10.

sumption of the proclamation of v.^-^.

of the entire group of Pss.,
here from

moved,
9^*:

He

added

93^*^

Yea, the

later glossator

world

He doth

93^ 97^

He

the nations], rereign], the

99^

glossator

established that

it

theme
added

cannot be

subsequent to the text of (S added from

will judge the peoples with equity.

to the ancient

I'eigned

cf.

Say among

Greek and Latin Versions

from the tree," which

is

cited in

many

still
:

later glossator

" the Lord hath

Latin fathers as a

PSALMS

XCIII., XCVI.-C.

305

prophecy of Christ, and which Justin Martyr {Apol, I. 41) charges

the Jews with erasing from their text.
There is no evidence from
Mss. that it was ever in an ancient Hebrew text. This false read-

among

ing also gained currency

Christians through

use in the

its

hymn

of Fortunatus (t 609) Vexilla regis prodeunt, used in the

11-12. The
Latin church and translated by Neale for Enghsh use.
Ps.

now

upon

calls

group of

as usual in this

and the
II

earth

life,

||

and

the field

the sea

Pss.

and

and the

all that therein is\ all

its

all its

animal

life,

animal and vegetable

These are

all

personified and

be glad'], to which J^ and Vrss.

another vb., " rejoice," against the
which gives only one

express their joyous worship.

add

||

vb. to a line,

and

sea,

exult

II

conclusion.

He

for

||

the

at

general vb. has in

the

exilic Isaiah.

the fubiess thereof

all the trees of the fores t~\.

II

The heavens

universal nature to share in the joyous worship,

the

||

more

The

jubilate.

specific thunder, the voice of the

Ps. thus

He

cometh

world in righteousness and

to

Pt. II., Str. I.

doth reign], as 93^

many

to

an appropriate

before

judge the earth.

He

Yahweh ;
will judge

XCVII.

syn couplet and a synth. tetrastich.

96^*^

99^

2^^

Ps. 72^.

Let

cf.

Is. 41^-* 42'*-^^ Je.

Clouds

and darkness are

Hebrews,

2-4

round about Him], cited from Dt.

a.

4^^ 5^^ to

represent that the

advent of the King was in a heavy storm with dark clouds,

lefore

ji^.g gogfji

Him],

the darkness sent forth the

And

||

coasts be glad], the coast lands of the Mediterranean

Ez. 27^-^^ Zp.

jgio-i2_

He

1.

let the earth rejoice], as Is. 49^^

Sea, the limits of the west to the

31^*^

98^,

the peoples in faithfulness.

PSALM

the

comes

But a glossator appends from

Cometh, for

The more

of good measure.

cost

setteth ablaze

bolts strike

fire

of Hghtning, so also i8^-^^-^^

His adversaries round about].

His enemies dead, cf

18^^ 77^^,

illumine the world],

fire

cf.

and consume them.

77^^^

His thunder-

106^^,

where they

His

lightnings

glossator wishes to alleviate this

awful picture, and so he inserts from 89^

are the basis of His throne.

Ps.

where they are com-

pared to arrows piercing His enemies, and

simply set them on

cf.

cited from 50^ to indicate that

righteousness

andjustice

PSALMS

306
Str.

Three

II.

writhe^,

77^^

cf.

syn. couplets.

Hb.

The

3^^

earth

The earth doth

Z).

see

and

here personified, as usual,

is

and is terrified by the terrible storm, and writhes in the pangs of

The mountains melt like wax'], cf. Mi. i* Is. 34^
an earthquake.
probably conceived as volcanoes pouring forth molten fiery lava.
Thus the earth testifies to the divine presence and participates in

its

terrors.

cate.

At

Yahweh\

the presence of

Lord of

the

earth\ as

all the

repeated with the predisovereign owner.

its

suggests that in the previous Hne the syn.

word

This

king, characteristic

of this group of Pss., has been omitted, the line being just one

word too

short.

The

heavens declare His righteousness], not-

withstanding the theophanic storm.

is

to

make known

the righteous

fore all the peoples see

Many

glosses

now

His

The

object of the theophany

and

judgment of Yahweh,

there-

glory.

appear.

a.

Sha?ned be

all they that serve

graven images, boast themselves of nothings], a Maccabean imprecation upon idolaters, whose gods are mere images graven by man,

cf. 96^
7 Z>. Worship Hi7n, all ye
same glossator for he would not in
one breath call them " nothings," and in the next call upon them
This latter
as exalted persons to worship the supreme God.
is in accord with 95^ 96*, and from an earlier editor than the

cf.

115^, and mere nothings,

gods], probably not from the

previous

from 48^^

line,
:

and

is,

indeed, of a different measure.

Zion heard

rejoiced, because

and was glad, and

is

the daughters of

of Thy judgments, Yahweh.

is

a gloss

Judah

a combination

and condensation of 47^- ^^ adapted to the thought of 95^: For

Thou, Yahweh *Elyon, art above all the earth. Thou art exalted
10 a is a gloss of exhortation to the
exceedingly above all gods.
Ye that love
pious in Israel by the same hand as the gloss of v.^^
law,
Deuteronomic
as distinYahweh], in accordance with the
This
hate
evil].
guished from those in Israel who do not,

seems

to

be a general exhortation, not referring

wrought by the wicked

divine Law.

seam of union

to

This line was probably an introduction

for,

the

little

fragment 10 Z?-ll.

Preserver of the lives of His pious,

From

the

hand

of the wicked

He

delivereth them.

Light (shineth) forth for the righteous,

And

the

evil

nations, but to evil as in violation of the

gladness for the upright-minded.

to,

and a

PSALMS

XCIIL, XCVI.-C.

307

This fragment was probably from the Maccabean period.

pious

Yahweh, the

love
is

II

the righteous

the upright-minded^^, are

||

adherents to the divine Law.

faithful

the preserver of their lives

This

delivereth them'].

is

from

||

them;

sown" of

He

the positive

It shineth forth]

gladness.

||

On

side.

Yahweh

wicked

the

C, F, which is more probable than "is

followed by EV.^, which introduces a figure difficult

as (^, J, ^,
J^,

to understand in this connection.

bined with 32"

in

hands of

on the negative

side they enjoy the light of prosperity

for

the

His

those that

like

Be glad, ye

commemoration of His

12.

righteous ^ in

gloss

from 30^ com-

Yahweh, and give thanks

holiness.

PSALM

XCVIII.

Three syn. couplets ; the first a repetition of

of which has been omitted by a copyist.
For wondrous deeds He hath done His right hand hath gotten

Pt. II., Str. III.

96^, the
1.

second

line

||

Him

the victory].

Yahweh

has interposed against the oppressor

of the nations, and in a marvellous way has

won

the victory over

him, probably the Persian empire through Alexander the Great.

glossator adds from

but

Is. 52^^

destroys the measure.

it

a glossator adds in the

||

His sacred arm ;

Hath made known], to which

the syn. term:

2.

hath declared, against the measure,

His victory His righteousness], the vindicatory, practical exhibition

of His righteousness on behalf of the oppressed, as usual in Hebrew
||

of the nations].

literature, in the eyes

All the world has beheld

these wonderful deeds, and shares in the deliverance from the

great oppressor.
in

3.

, however, appears

Israel

is

which

the chief beneficiary of this salvation, in accordance with

the ancient covenant.

Jacob),

glossator adds a pentameter line,

as a trimeter couplet, representing that

He

and His faithfulness

hath remembered His kindness {to

to the

house of Israel], cf

The same glossator also adds from

Is. 5

2^^
:

89^*"^

92^

all the ends of the

earth have seen the salvation of our God], which emphasizes the

statement of the previous verse.

Str. IV.

These
shout

4-6.

syn. hexastich.

earth], the universal call

is

renewed

Shout
||

to

upon this sacred

make melody ; and then enumerates

lines enclose first a series of verbs enlarging

:

Break forth

||

jubilate

||

Yahweh all the

King v.*.

shout before the

PSALMS

308

the several musical instruments used in the festivals of the temple,

the lyre, with the

of the horUf
Str. V.

sea roar

what

cf.

sound of psalmody the trumpets, with

and a

syn. tetrastich

and

as in ()0^^.

||

sound

7. Let the
The world and

stairlike couplet.

the fulness thereof^

dwells therein'], probably the animal and vegetable world,

and not mankind,

cf.

96^".

24^*,

Let the rivers clap their

8.

They are personified, and thus express

accompany the music and shouting with measured

hands'].

55^.

the

47^.

Together

mountains jubilate].

let the

of nature in the rejoicing

of the exilic Isaiah.
come].

The context

is

their joy,

strokes,

This participation

characteristic of this group of Pss.

Yahweh],

Before

9.

requires the

and

cf. Is.

as v.^

and

for Lie

is

referring to the advent cele-

pf.,

brated, and not the ptc, referring to an impending advent, as

EV^

The verb was repeated

in

the original, as

the purpose,

term the theme of praise of the

Str.

first

pentameter Hne to emphasize the character of

doubtless thought of a future advent
righteousness

attested

by

though omitted by J^ and EV*., in order to state

to Judge the earth], which sums up in a general

ancient Vrss.

and the peoples

glossator adds a

this

judgment, and

Lie will judge the world in

in equity.

PSALM XCIX.
Pt. III., Str.

Syn. couplet and syn. tetrastich.

I.

96^*^

doth reign], as 93^

glossator gave

"on

it

more

the cherubim,"

great in Zion]

97^;

1-3.

seated on LLis throfie].

the throne

and yet high above

God

quakes], and yet not in the

company

is

the temple,

all the peoples.

the peoples

fear,

their destruction, but in

room of

terror,

awe

at

||

LLe

But a

by adding

specific reference to Jerusalem

cf. 80-", in

great and victorious king and

II

||

Before this

the earth

tremble

and anguish

that ac-

His august presence, and

therefore harmonious with and resulting in

Let them praise

the

great a?td awful name].

|^, Vrss., followed by EV'., append the
sf. Thy to " name," but it spoils the measure and is against the
context, which speaks of

Yahweh always

Holy is He], that is,

His name, as usual in the OT. and even
majestically holy

v.^.

in the third person.

invoking the hallowing of

in the

NT.

and strong]

This clause belongs with the previous line to complete

its

PSALMS
measure.

309

when

has been trans-

it

txt. err.

Str. II.
line.

only makes difficulty in v/,

It

posed by

XCIIL, XCVI.-C.

syn. triplet, a syn. couplet,

He

4.

and a concluding synth.

The most probable rendering

doth reign].

cordance with the context and usage of the

Ps., justified

in ac-

by the

and other Vrss., followed by

making this an attribute and
the subj. of the verb, and giving conceptions which are difficult to
understand and which have no analogy in usage.
Ife doth love
unpointed

text,

EV^, render by

although |^, J,

(3,

a different pointing,

11''

justice'], cf.

He

37^,

T,T,^

righteousness hath wrought.

with Zion

v.^"^.

footstool],

cf.

It is especially in

132^^ Is. 66^.

Zion, the capital city of the

worshipped by

6-9.

II

Jacob in connection

Exalt ye Yahweh, our God

5.

10^

hath established justice in equity

II

worship at His

All nations are

summoned

He

King Yahweh, where

is

to

to be

all.

later

more

editor adds material of a

particularistic

character.

Moses and Aaron among His

And Samuel among them

They

called unto

priests,

that call

on His name,

Yahweh and He answered them

In the pillar of cloud

He

Thou

speak unto them

They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
Yahweh, our God, Thou didst answer them
used

to

forgiving

And

God

wert

to

them,

a taker of vengeance on evil deeds.

Exalt ye Yahweh, our God,

And

worship at His holy mountain

For holy
6.

is

Yahweh our God.

Moses and Aaron among His

priests].

The

editor

now

looks back to the ancient history for illustration of the divine

government

and

first

he thinks of Moses and Aaron,

whom

regards as priests, in accordance with the conception of his

he

own

time, rather than as prophets or rulers, as in the earlier concep-

With

tions.

among them

true historic instinct

that call on

of Samuel, making him the father of

46^^

It is evident,

Yahweh

is

all

such,

Samuel

this characteristic

cf. i S. 7^ ^ ^2^^^"^-

however, that this calling on the

BS.

name

of

conceived as that of priestly mediation, for the terms

are in syn. lines,

clause

he next mentions,

His name], because of

They

and the three heroes are all combined

Yahweh, and He answered them].

called unto

in the

The

PSALMS

310

author, however, thinks not merely of the ordinary invocation of

God

in

temple worship, or of priestly intercession, with answers in

He

accordance with ordinary providential working.

is

thinking

of extraordinary answers, which alone he can bring into compari-

He

is summoning all mankind to

and so naturally he thinks of the most characteristic
theophany of the period of the Exodus.
7. In the pillar of cloud

son with the wonderful advent.

celebrate

He

used

kept

His

to

speak unto them'],

and

testimonies

Ex.

cf.

1321-22

the ordifiance

He

poetic term for the Law, " ordinance "

the priesdy term,

Ne. (f'^KThey
,

combined with
Yahweh, our God, Thou

(cf. 94^^), is

8-9.

testimonies."

*'

(J)

gave them] the ancient

This doubtless refers to the intercession of

didst a?iswer them].

Moses, Aaron, and Samuel

in behalf of the

times of sin and divine punishment.

people of Israel

in

A forgiving God wast Thou

to them], and on the other side, a taker of vengeance on evil deeds].

This doubtless refers to the discriminating justice of the divine

judgments
punished

in the early history of Israel,

when

for their evil deeds, but Israel as

the ringleaders were

a whole was forgiven

because of the intercession of these heroes of

priestly mediation.

For holy

is

PSALM

Str. IV.

syn. tristich

and

their

the hoHness

H.

of august sanctity, as in Ez.,

Yahweh,

faith

Yahweh our God\

and a

all the earth, as 98*,

||

C.

stairlike tristich.

2.

Serve

1.

Yahweh with

Shout

to

gladness],

the glad services of worship with song and music, and not the
service of obedience

His presence
3. K7ioiv],

but

with a

practical, experimental

that He

own God advanced

;

is

to,

,%,

people

and

Him],

into

knowledge, in the recognition

This

rightful creation.

and Aq., RV., is to be preferred to the

2, followed by AV., " and not we ourselves " ; espeHis
the stairlike advance it is still further defined as

reading of the Qr., J,

Kt., (^,

before

God], the true, the only God, and your

He made us], we are His own creatures,

and we are His], belong to Him as His

cially as in

Come

jubilation], 63^, cf. 17^

not in the sense of coming to a knowledge of the fact

know by

of worship,

and accordingly,

in the temple,

2E,

His pasture]. The conception of Yahweh

is common enough; cf, 23, ^6\ and in this

the sheep of

as shepherd of Israel

PSALMS

be the shepherd of all the earth,

of this entire group of Pss.

He

But here

special phrase also Ez. 34^^ Pss. 74^ 79^^.

Two

3II

XCIII., XCVI.-C.

seems

to

accord with the universalism

in

4-5.

Come to His gates\xt.sMVit^

His courts ; for the measure
requires the repetition of the verb, which has been omitted by an
with a thatik offering'], the most probable meaning
early copyist.
praise,
accompanying it more probable than the more
song
a
of
general " thanksgiving " of EV^
Give thanks to Him, bless His
Str. II.

the call of

syn. tristichs.

and has

v.^'',

as

its

Come

|1

to

II

cf. 96^ 145^- ^.

The first verb is repeated, with the reason,
Yahweh is good], that is, to His people and flock His kindness
His faithfulness, which endureth forever unto all generations].
The liturgical formula i Ch. 16^ 2 Ch. 5^^ f Ezr. 3^^ Pss. 106^ 107^
jjgi.29
1^6^+ is used with an additional line, containing the

name],

||

||

II

of faithfulness, which

attribute

associated with

usually

is

the

divine kindness.
XCIII.

Qal

riSn]

1.
Is.

2423 52^;

of

iTiV.

denom.

% vb.

pf.

cf. 'n^r;(n) Pss.

Qal

irnS] bis.

and following vbs.

intensification,

Don] dub.

pi. sf.

not in @b. n

1.

completion of

for

purity from XDi

[ipn]

Str.

= n^r.

|^, Vrss,, cf.

a prosaic

gl.

nixj]

+, and

Pil.

9610.

^, Aq., iiTLTplxpeis,

||

v/ith

previous

prob. a

is

of

gl.

@ and all ancient

2.

tnd] as

Is.

448

good measure,

Hex.

V fluctus, and

Nnp;:!]; =: ^^pri';,

needed

xnion^ in
:

the praise

commemoration, as 97I2.
of waters, which has prob. occasioned the
Rd.

nn^r their

nnx, which

is

ri^my] legal term of P,

Pss. 33I 147I

Ex. 1510
'D

fjx

context demands, as %, in the climax

nn-ns]

change from an original

gurgites, Syr.

The

not obj.

is

i5DB. crashing, dashing; Dr., Kirk., din.

a.X.,

4.

5.

The

I''-^"'!^]'

dimeter, requires mni for

that the voice utters.

requires nini for subj. in

and

the second, however,

better suited to context.

Yahweh

al.

Ps. 104I;

is

but in (S^-

47 146I0 Ex. 15I8

cf.

qualifies ^Sa

is

of

Hu.3,

59^'^

ly'^^,

although used in the duplicate citation

3.

ti'iaV

51^

good measure.

for

Vrss. have \iT\, as 75*, which

nnx d'?i>'d]
4521 48^- ^'^^

The

niNj]

pf., cf. Is.

should be irn^ cog. ace. to vb.

so 9610 97I 99I,

'^'^d,

98^ 99*.

fnxj as

Is.

cf.

better suited to the context, as Dy.,

25I0 78^6 997 1 192. 22+.
-phis v. is

52"^

Ct.

i^",

but adj. niNj more freq.

so possibly here.

XCVI.
1-2.
tris
D'liS

DV

n-'B']

tris,

abbreviated in

Ch. iS^^ by omission of

also in |^, Vrss., but in \?-^ against the measure.

D^ip]
0)>,

Rd.

Chr. dv'Vn; both enlargements against measure

which has the same

mng. 4.

nsn

"-^^^^^

v.i'^- ^a.
'1'?,

as

of an

mn"-]

icx)*.

original

added from 482 against the

PSALMS

312

Nin

measure.
6.

dittog.

^^]

The

n'^^'^j].

makes

nothings, so 97^ Lv. 19* 26^

6.

t;']

arma(x{)vt].

sin

is gl.

too long.

1.

(H)

of intensification, makes
J

D''^'''?^]

has

nnn

Gl.

a.

from

29^-2^

cy nnocD

except

1.

too long,

idols as worthless things,

V daemonia,

daifxdvia,

nisor, and icpc for

for

former prob. an intentional adaptation, the

7-9

pi.

Is. 2^- 18.20 jqIo _|_^

16-'^

Ch.

latter

for d^'?n

li^'ipc,

an unconscious

and insertion of

"-jj

the

error.
v.^^,

both changes made in the interests of worship in the temple,

vjdS for iTinxn*?, which

although ren-

an unintentional

is

error.

ft.

i^in]

Ch. iS^^ has

dered by Vrss. be in pain or anguish offear or trembling, cf. 55^ Dt. 2^^ Je. 522
Ez. 30^, yet never has this mng. in connection with worship ; but rather

dance the sacred dance, as Ps. 87^ Ju. 2121-23 i s. iS^.

vjd!:] i Ch. i630
10 a in Chr. is transferred to a place after v.^^".
vjdSc, stylistic change.

from 93H 10 c

11
97I
but the vb. makes
assimilated
too long and the other
11 =
have but one vb.
a principal and a subord.
Ch.
variation of writing same word
in Chr.
as

the variant
prosaic
an original
emphasizes a special feature of the description, BZ)B. But the
dub. The
13 a from 98^ although N3 o here given
better without
measure
10

2)

is

gl.

to

Is. 49^'^

is

gl.

from 9^^ not

in Chr.

12.

in

'liJ']

subj.

i3"nc'N"VDi]

fS;*.

for

also

is

gl.

is

it.

and ^njicx^

for Dn'^'>;23.

for

tn]

13~S31.

text

twice,

'^rl'?"']

98'^".

2)

16^2 r\yVy

iVy

V'?.^7

11.

for

all

a.

1.

2^,

is

is

Chr. has only }nNn-nN

taifitt''?

Na

nin^ >jfiSc,

probably representing an earUer couplet

yiNH ODCS N3~>3,

which

is all

measure allows in

that the

98^.

XCVII.

26. Gl.'= 89^50.

iVon

pnN.

II

a.

5,

nin> ""jcSd]

Pentameter

1.;

needs a word to complete the

whole

jSd.9 n.m., as Ex. 20* Is.

2 Ch. 3322.
however, in good sense 34^ 63^2^^

v.

42^'^ -f

g^

q\

gl.

Sdd

"i

fro^

na;;]

cSSnnr]
^gi2^

1.,

prob.

2 K. 17*1

cf.

as 52^, usually,

Variations:

n;7Di:'

and mn> added, mm-' mja a.X. ^.

9 a. Gl.
from 47* by condensation, fnsn Sd S;; Snj iSd n-\ij }vS;7 nin> --d.
9 6. From
^yiod nVyj 1ND, combined with 95^ a\-iSN Sd ?>.
11. j;-t] a.X. in this form.
12. Gl.
, 3, S, ^, F, n-^T, so Hu., Ba., ^DB., cf. 10422 Dt. 332 Is. 6o2 +.
from 32I1 D-'p^ix iS>Ji nino incB' and 30^ itt'ii") idi*? mm.
jvx nnzTii for p^x nn ncc"

XCVIII.
1

= 96I;

given in | and Vrss., but the other 1. of the

needed and should be inserted. It was omitted by ancient copyist.
only the

couplet

is

?"'''["']

first 1. is

makes the 1. a pentameter. It was added from Is. 521^*.

makes 1. too long and is a gl.
3. The first 1. is a pentameter in |^,
but (S, by giving 1\'T'^ after "iiDn, makes it a trimeter couplet. The second
half of V. was added from Is. 52^'^^
4. in^fs] imv. f n:fo vb. break for thy

2.

"'^IC

n'^j]

burst forth with joy, elsw.

Mi. 3^

Is. 14'^

5. nnn? 'y^pi] phr. a.X.

4428 49I3 52^ 54I 55^2.

Pi. ^r^a/^

but noun, melody of psalm, as 8i^

? pieces

6. n'lnxxn]

PSALM
the straight metal trumpets

makes

mn-i]

the second 24^^.

of trees

cf.

and not

pf.

is

a later insertion.

2 K.

ii^^^, r^^

jjpn Ps. 472.

in 96^3, but not in f^,

tO3i:>''

= 9613

or

iF,

The

7.

with

first

Ez. 25^

i^

1.

96^^'',

5512

9.

is

in praise

n3 v]

repeated in Syr.-Hex. @-^ as

requires

The

it.

thinking of a future advent,

gl.,

pj3 Is.

for the Ps.

CDDiJ'^ ;

It is

The measure

@^.

a pent,

is

Pi.

by impf.

ptc. as EV., influenced

of an advent that has taken place already.

with

iNnc>] juss. f ><nD vb. c/ap hands, elsw. with

8.

^^^'^

n^

in rehgious use elsw. only P, Chr. (v. Intr. 34).

too long, and

1.

313

CI.

clause

last

ont'-'ca for

XCIX.
a.X., (5 (ToKevdTjTO}, as

toijn]

1.

93^ tainn

but this would then be in direct

contradiction with that passage and inconsistent with the context.

^DB.,

Jicr, Gr. vur.

in character as

retain all the

Dtt'~nv.

Rd.

cult.

ure

4.
Tj?i

v.^^<J-

conr]

3.

makes

too long and

1.

The

ripu' 'n'l].

words and have a trimeter

and attach

adj. as predicate

bis,

which continues

to the

end of the

be referred to the heroes of previous

Doubtless they

DniS"'S;'.

the

sfs.

1
3.

are prob. in

= 98*. 2.

Nin,

Str.

Ps.

is

and
6.

This

8.

Dn"'J^].

and possibly

we might

1.

emphasizing the

Rd.
diffi-

complete the meas-

too long

n^'j'.

it

awkward and

We.,

tetrameter.

v.

and are

gls.

Rin trnp].

5.

begins a particular-

The

Dn*^,

sf.

here might

but not the

were meant to have a general reference.

sf.

in

But

these cases prosaic interpretations.

njjna] lengthened form for measure, as 63*, for usual

makes the

niH""]

all

all

v.^^

without

to

1.

11.

01s.,

particularistic

1.

improb.

make

rd. pi3

i>:"i,

is

gl.,

the

it

to previous

nnx]

The change to 2d pers. is also improb.

as
word is needed for measure, prob.

improb.

with

although sustained by Vrss.

i-;^]

so Street, Houb., Horsley.

istic gl.

sf. is

1.;

is

too long and

subj., is

is

an unnecessary

gl.

u'J'y

without sufficient reason and makes

nn.

Nin].
1.

The

too long.

@, 5*, 2, which is erroneous. The 'h of Qr., 3, ^, is to be preferred, and makes the Nin surprising.
74I 79^^.
The enlargement of 95'^ is the work
in'';?-\D ]Nx] as Ez. 34^1 Pss.
was inserted

It prob.

of a
n^n]

glossator.

of

4-5.

v.^*^

in antithesis to ijnjN nS Kt.,

1x3] should be repeated for measure in the second

should be repeated

v.^" before

:3^iO

for measure,

id

dSij;S in accordance with the usual phr.

Ezr. 3II Pss. 106I 107I -f

needed before

PSALM
Psalm loi
conduct

is

(v.^''^),

CI., 2 STR.

1.

is

Ch. 16^ 2 Ch. 51^ 7*

4^

a profession of integrity in personal character and

and in companionship

(v.*'"^).

To

this

gloss of worship and prayer for the divine presence

vows

and

to exterminate the wicked

(v.^- ).

was added a
(v.^"^'),

and

PSALMS

314
T

WALK in integrity of mind

I set

in the

midst of my house.

not any base thing before mine eye.

The making of apostasy I hate. It cleaves not unto me.

Evil I know not crookedness departs from me.
TyriNE eye is upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell
The one walking in the way of integrity ministers to me.
The worker of deception dwells not in my house.
The speaker of lies is not established before mine eye.
:

Ps.

with me.

loi in J^ has the title -\i::td nnS; so also in (5. This was probably
and fH {v. Intr. 27, 31). It had two
and the Ps. belonged to

original,

pentameter

tetrastichs, v.2<^-6"^,

glosses have been added,

each line ending in >_;

5.

v.^-^*-

8^

to

The

without the ending.

which several
original was a

profession of integrity, suited to the congregation of Israel before the legal

attitude of

= Gn.

mind had become

2o6-6 (E)

The language

established.

K. 9* Ps. 78^2; V^Sa nan

o^tac, cf.

40^ Ho. 5^; B'pp aaS

a.X.,but

cf. Is. i2i;

n>Dn

is

v.* a.X. error for vp'i as Ps.

as 52*,

ns^j; v.'

cf.

early: 33*? on v.^c

= Ps. 41^;

v.8

32^; onptt' nai

d>::d v.8 a.\. for

iS^^;

v."^,

}^-\n

>jdnj v.^

The

cf. 6312.

Ps.

community of the Restoration before Nehemiah. The glosses are of a different character and later. V.^- ^ express the
determination to exterminate the wicked from the land, and give the only
reason for thinking of the author as a ruler. They are Maccabean in tone,
and the language is late. V.^-^* is a trimeter tetrastich of introduction a vow
to Yahweh of worship and a petition for the divine presence. It was designed
to make the Ps. more appropriate for public worship.
was probably composed

for the

The

Ps. begins with a trimeter tetrastich,

making

it

more ap-

propriate for public worship than the original could have been.

1-2 i&.

(9/"^/^^i"j"d!^y//j-/rV^], cf. Je. 9^, divine attributes; espe-

of God's administration of government, and of

I will sing / will
His requirements of mankind, cf. Ho. 12^
cially characteristic

make melody
in

||

Thee^ Yahweh'], usual phrases of public worship in

In a way of integrity'], ci. v.* ; a course of life which

I will behave
complete and entire accord with the divine will.

the temple.
is

io

myself wisely], cohortative form expressing a

It is possible, with

heed unto

"

but

JPSV. and Kirk.,

this is

vow of such conduct.

to render "consider," "give

not so probable.

When

wilt

Thou come

unto me], a petition for the divine presence as prepared for by

entire conformity to
Str. I.

His

will.

syn. tetrastich.

2c.

I walk].

This and the follow-

ing vbs. are not in the cohort, form as the previous vb.

they do not express a

of the righteous.

vow but
;

state

in integrity of

what

is

mind].

Therefore

the habitual conduct

The

internal mental

PSALM
State

in entire

is

way of

in a

315

CI.

accord with God, and therefore the walk

integrity v.^, cf.

v.^*.

In

the Hfe of the family and of society.

is

3.

be de-

to consider as a possibility for action, or as something to

sired.

do,

such,

midst of my house\ in
/ set not before mine eye'],

the

such
base men, sons of Behal,
any base
Dt. 15^ The making of apostasy J hate], the swerving or
not
conduct. //
such
away from Yahweh
desirable
something
and
temptation,
or
a power of
me],
Evil I know not], by experimental knowledge,
commission. crookedness],
18^, quahfied by
from
as

thing], cf. 41^,

cf.

into

falling

unto

cleaves

evil

as

4.

attractive.

resulting

as

its

a glossator, against the measure, as

*'

of the mind," against the

it no longer as internal, but as external;

and which departs from me], as an unwelcome guest, or banished
A glossator now inserts a
from the presence as an enemy.
5. The slanderer
pentameter couplet of a different character.

context, which regards

in secret of his neighbour],

cf.

Pr. 30^,

still

further described as

of eyes], cf. Ps. 18^^, and proud of mind, cf. Pr. 21*.
These terms do not refer to ordinary men of this class ; but to
one

lofty

men

who had become

of position and power

oppressors of the

people, for otherwise they could hardly be dealt with so severely

will I exterminate I will not

6-7. Mine
Two
upon], considercontemplating with recognition and acceptance,
The faithful of land], those
v.^ and
and summarily.

suffer].

||

syn. couplets.

Str. II.

eye is

in antith. to

ing,

also to

Yahweh,

way
tion

the

v.^'',

in antith. to the apostasy of v.^\

of integrity],
speaker of

and

cf. v.^"*'',
lies.

II

in antith.

faithful to

The one walking in the

with the worker of decep||

The former dwell with me

me], as household servants

the latter dwells not in

my

not established], or settled, as one of

||

minister to

my

house

The

household.

other, searching for them.

Morning by morning], one

will I exterminate],

from

cf.

sator of

also

the city

cutting
1-2.

v.^

off.

nnv^N
II

is

attached by

appends v.^

of Yahweh],

nn^TN

12^ 34^^ 109^^-^*,

wicked of the land

all the

MT.

as v.^"

||

n^arx]

to hidtn,

by

||

all the

to nn-'trN

1.

gl.

trimeters.
But the remaining
These constitute a trimeter tetrastich, a

cohort,

is

is

after the
||

cut off

does

this

workers of trouble.

nin> qS]

the latter favours a pentameter,

trimeters.

The change from

God

cohort, impfs. expressing a vow.

the former two

indie.

where

||

glos-

significant.

is

a hexameter or two
l'?.^.'?^']

It states

Hithp. impf.

a fact instead of a

PSALMS

3l6

transpose to beginning of 1, for assonance in

3. hph^ nan] = 41^;
which should be read here and vj^ for assonance instead of the usual pi.,
2"Jd] a.X. for d^'&z' f :ov^ vb.
and so also prob. v.^* at the beginning of v.
swerve, fall awayy 40^
f 2'iOi' n.[m]. swerver, Ho. s"-^; here prob. abstr. pi.,

vow.
^j/jr,

as Ba., Hu.^, apostasy.

many;
go

prob.

to the

nn

denom. vb.

for slander, Ges.^-

tongue

u>yy

Ec.

7^,

elsw. Hiph. Pr.

in a

but

cf.

Is.

"jpc.

;;nN

6.

We

"'Jl^^p.

^"^^

high of mountain 104I8, lofty oi

Is.

'n 28^^,

^^ 10^

S. 2^.

22*? 2n-i]

10425

adj. elsw. Ps.

^l^"^

82 Pr. 25I3.

^^'

"'^D!'.V*-]

here of men, but 10321 104* of angels.

1.

for

in the tone of v.^;

assonance in

great that he

is

Peel

a*?

phr. elsw.

broad of

Pr. 16^, of

6o^ cf.
119^ of

Is.

sea,

pent, without assonance

6.

V").!:<~\J?n;J

phr. a.X.,

"n-'a.

8.

Two

pent.

II.

without assonance

a gloss.

Ps. 102 is composite

to

should

ipf- X ^'^'^ vb. of ministerial service ;

7. npn nr;*]
52^; transpose to the

PSALM
Yahweh

$-<]

ju'iSd]

both in bad sense, use the

should rd. Hiph. ptc. ""rrSc with

Qr.

alone Ps. 138^

kS

30^'^,

>",

beginning of the

ing

has one word too

1.

suit the context.

command, 119*^ of divine way. These two

more vindictive tone are a Maccabean gl.

and

and

The

32^] phr. o.X.

li'Pi?

n^jj phr. a.X. %

2S 2nn Pr. 21* cdj

divine

4.

beginning of the line in order to assonance in

ptc. of t \^^

Che.

which does not indeed

33"^,

answer

(A)

in a

day

about to perish

CII.

prayer of

afflicted Israel, beseech-

of distress (v.^)

(v.*^)

he

is

the peril

is so

desolate and reproached

by enemies (v.^"^). It is his greatest grief that he has been cast

(B) expresses confidence that the time has
off by his God (v.^^^).
come when the everlasting King will have compassion on Zion and
build her up from her ruins, and that all nations will see His glory
and revere Him (v.^^^^). The story will be told to all generations
of

His interposition for the salvation of His people, that His praise

may

be forever celebrated in Jerusalem, where all nations will

eventually gather to serve

Him

seriousness of the situation

(v.^*"^*),

(v.^^^-^.

creator with the perishable creature

Glosses reassert the

and contrast the everlasting

i^"^.

A, V.^", 4 STR. 6^

YAHWEH, O hear my prayer

let for help come unto Thee my cry.
Hide not Thy face from me.
In the day when I have distress, answer me.

And

Incline Thine ear unto

In the day when

I call,

me
O make

haste (to me)

PSALM

317

CII.

pOR vanish away like smoke my days

my bones.
my heart.

And burned

like fuel are

Smitten

herbage

Yea,

like

forget to eat

is

my

bread.

Because of the sound of my groaning

My bone doth cleave to my flesh.
T

AM like a pelican of the wilderness

I
I

am become as an owl of the wastes;

watch and am become (a falcon),

A bird solitary upon

a house-top.

All the day mine enemies reproach

me

(wound) me, do curse by me.

YEA, ashes do I eat as bread.
And I mix my drink with weeping,
Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath
For Thou hast taken me up, and thrown me away.
My days are like a shadow stretched out,

They

And

that

I like

B.

'THOU, Yahweh,

sittest

the herbage wither.

v.^^23.29^

6^

STR.

enthroned forever; and

Thy commemoration

is

in all

generations.

Thou

Thou

wilt arise.

wilt

have compassion on Zion

for

it

is

time to be

gracious to her.

For Thy servants take pleasure

in her stones,

and are looking graciously upon

her dust.

And

the nations will revere

When Yahweh

Hath turned unto

'THIS

will

kings of earth

Thy

glory,
;

and hath not despised their prayer.

a generation to come, and a people to be created

the destitute

be written

When Yahweh

Thy name, and

hath built up Zion, hath appeared in His glory (in her midst)
for

hath looked forth from His holy height, unto the earth hath

looked,

hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those condemned to die

That they may tell the name of Yahweh in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem.

To

When
The

the peoples are gathered together

children of

Thy

and the kingdoms

and their seed

servants will abide,

to serve
will

Yahweh,

be established

before Thee.

^, "'JvS rhz>r, a prayer of the afflicted; and to

was added, whether at the same time or later we cannot say, " when he
was fainting," cf. 61^, " and before Yahweh pouring out his complaint," of. 142^
In other words, the Ps. expressed humiliation for national disaster
Jb. 713.
The author wrote in the
and prayer for deliverance.
is a pseudonym.
person of afflicted Israel, v, Intr. 30. But this title applies only to v.2-12,
composed of four trimeter hexastichs. The remainder of the Ps. is of an
Ps. 102 has in the title of |^,

this

":>*

entirely different character,

many

familiar terms of IB.

its Pss., if

and of a much later date. The original Ps. uses

The author must have been familiar with many of

not with the collection as a whole;

cf. v.^*

with 39^^,

v.^^

with

18'^,

PSALMS

3l8
\.^ with
with
is

v.^ with 59^^ v.'* with 318 69I8, also 56^", v.< with 31I1 3^20^ y9
But the Ps. is not a mere mosaic. In the remaining Strs. there

27,

55^3.

great originality,

and

several simple but beautiful similes

v.*- ^-

'^-

8- 10. 12^

The Ps. can hardly be earlier than the closing days of the Persian period.
Later, doubtless in the early

appended,

v.^^^s. 29^ of

Maccabean

period, another original Ps.

two hexameter hexastichs.

Zion

was

is

here in ruins

v.^^,

and her people are prisoners and many of them condemned

to death v.^i;

and

yet the psalmist bases his confidence in the divine advent for their redemption

upon the eternal reign of God.

Is.

38^ v.2*-26;

the other,

section of a longer

Two

v.256-28^

glosses were inserted: the one based

poem which has been

PSALM
Str. I.

syn.

and two

on

with real poetic power, was probably a

lost.

CII. A.

synth. couplets

supplication from 39^^ 18^ 27^ 59^^ 31^ 69^

lack of originality in the poet, but

a mosaic of terms of
56^*^;

riot

because of a

because he desired to use the

familiar terms of the Davidic prayer

book

for this

day of humilia-

tion and prayer for national deliverance.

Str. II.

syn. tetrastich, enclosing before

its last

line

an embl.

smoke my days\ a common

simile of transitoriness, cf. 37^ 68^ Is. 51^ Ho. 13^ Ja. 4".
And
bur7ied like fuel are my bones\
In feverish anxiety his bones
couplet.

J^or vanish

4.

away

like

seem to be on fire, cf. 22^* 31^^ La. i^^ Jb. 30^^-^. The unusual
Heb. word is rendered by PBV., RV., " firebrand," so Kirk. by
AV. "hearth," so Dr., "fireplace," JPSV. It is most probably, as
^DB., a burning mass, which may be sufficiently expressed by
"fuel" for the fire.
5. Smitten like herbage is my heart\
As
;

smitten by the heat of the sun and withers

away ; so the heart, as the seat of mental and moral states, has
been so smitten that it has no more freshness and vigour. The
withering is sufficiently suggested by the simile, and the line is
complete in its measure without " and withered," which has been
added by a glossator.
Yea, I forget to eat my bread\ appetite
has departed he can think of nothing else but his trouble, and
6. Because of the
has no other desire than relief from that.
sound of my groaning']. This is usually attached to the next line,
but it really belongs to the previous one
for it gives a good
reason for the absence of appetite ; the mouth is engaged in the
the green herbage

is

constant utterance of groans.

My bone doth

cleave to

my flesh].

PSALM

CII.

319

As above the bones were burning with fever, so here from the lack
of moisture the bone cleaves fast to the flesh, cf. Jb. 19^ Ps. 32*.
7-8. I am like
Str. III. A syn. tetrastich and a syn, couplet.
an owl of the wastes a bird solitary
a pelican of the wilderness
upon a house-top^ These various birds in their solitariness are
similes of his desolate condition in the midst of enemies and
The line before the last is difficult, because
rejected by his God.
it is defective, due probably to the omission of a word.
It probably should be,
/ watch and am become a falcon'] The falcon
is famed for its keen vision, and so is appropriate to the verb.

||

||

He

watching keenly

is

he

for the help

All the day mine enemies reproach

9.

^^12 3^52.52

^^10.18

^j^gy

11

^^^^

wound
EV.

is

do

"mad

name

of Israel in imprecations and oaths,

Str. IV.

assertion

the usual

For

*'

"

the

Is. 65^^ Je.

29^.

132^

10.

improbable.

is

also 42^^ 44^'

probable than

curse by me], use

cf.

and two synth. couplets.

syn.

cf. 55^^,

me], more

those

against me," of

imploring from God.

me\

Yea], intensive

It is difficult to find

a reason in this Str. for the statements of the previous Str.

ashes do

J eat as

appear in

Is.

61^ as a turban, and in La.

27^; but only here as bread.

ing], phr. a.X., but the idea

8o^

is

||

3^ as

And I mix my

clothing,

cf.

expressed in other phrases Pss. 42^

Thus

the lamentation has been because of the distress and the re-

far

proaches of enemies

now

thrown me
12.

My

all

is

carried back to the original

God.

rejection, cf. Je. 7^^

days are

thought of

it

For Thou hast taken me up and

away], deliberate and violent

cause, the wrath of their

v."^.

a shadow stretched out], resuming the

like

The

prolongation of the shadow

is

an evidence

of the approach of sunset, an appropriate simile of the close of

cf.

Ez.

drink with weep-

Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath].

11.

bread], ashes are the symbol of mourning, and

Je. 6* Ps.

of v.^",

cf. Is.

144!

And I

40^ Ps.

90^ Ja.

like the
i^^

the

morning of

life,

when

age sprang up and bloomed, and the noontide, when

by the sun, have passed

the evening has come,

PSALM
Str.

I.

Synth, hexastich.

13.

life,

herbage wither], a resumption

it

when

the herb-

was smitten
it

withereth.

CII. B.

Thou, Yahweh,

forever], as everlasting king; phr, of La.

5^^, cf.

sittest enthroned

Pss. 2^ 9^ 93^

99^

PSALMS

320

and Thy commemoration^ the

The

30* 97^^ III*.

commemorated

fact that

forever,

reigns forever,

the basis of the

is

cf. 6*

celebration of the name,

Yahweh

restoration of Zion expressed in the Ps.

the usual term for divine interposition,

cf.

and

be

to

is

confidence in the

14.

Thou wilt arise\

Thou wilt

9^ 10^.

have compassion on Zion\ emphatic coordination without conZion, the holy city, was in great need of divine help,
junction.

and had been

added,

for

distress

for a long time in this sad condition

it is ti?ne to

so great,

is

be gracious to her'],

is

it

now

it is

therefore

high time

or never with her.

repeats at the expense of the measure

/or

This

her restoration.

the appointed time is

before the

God who

people of

take pleasure in
interest

prom-

not the restoration from the Exile,

40^ Hb. 2^
but from the devastations of Antiochus
Maccabean victories.
15. For Thy servants'], the

cf. Je. 29^ Is.

faithful

is

the

glossator

come~\, the time appointed for the fulfilment of the divine

ises of

it is

in,

||

love

serve

Him

in spite of persecutions,

are looking graciously upon], expressing their

for,

and attachment

Zion has been destroyed by the enemy

mere stones and dust

to her,

and yet these are precious

stones

||

dust].

her buildings are in ruins,

to the servants

of Yahweh, because they are the remains of the holy city of the
divine presence

The

and worship.

16. the nations

nations

and

the kings

0/ earth].

worship of the

God

Thy name

of Israel.

Zion], rebuilt the ruined city,

glory], manifested
line

is

it

in

defective,

||

His advent to interpose for her deliverance.

and therefore we must supply either in her

midst, or " in Jerusalem," as

The

and the result of it will be

Thy glory], take part in the
17. When Yahweh hath built up
cf. 5 1^.
hath appeared in His

especially to their kings

that they will revere

The

\\

restoration of Zion will have universal significance to the

v.^^.

18. Hath turned unto

the desti-

been stripped and left destitute in her ruin.

A glossator inserted from i K. 8^ " prayer " after the preposition
and before the noun, thereby making an improbable tautology with
tute].

city has

the complementary part of the line,

prayer],

cf.

Str. II.

22^

and hath not

despised their

51^^ 69^.

Synth, hexastich.

19.

This will be written], recorded

memorial and especially for commemoration, cf. v^,

for
a generation to cotne a people to be created], the succeeding
for a

||

PSALM
redeemed

generations of

Zion,

321

CII.

48"

cf. 22^^

given after a temporal clause in

The purpose is
may tell the na7ne

78*-^.

that they

v."^,

of Yahweh in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem], cf. 9^^ 96^. But
a glossator could not wait for this, and so he appended to v.^^ at

Whe7t],
Yahweh hath looked forth

the cost of the measure, "shall praise Yah."

v.^''-^^,

and not causal "

fro7n

His

for," as

EV^

20.

explained by the

holy height],

glossator

heaven," without need and against the measure.

the thought of the divine advent of

v.^^-^'',

as in

This

as
v.

" from

resumes

especially in the form

of divine inspection or investigation of what transpires on earth,

21.

To hear the
taken captive by the enemy

unto the earth hath looked], cf 14^ 33^^ Dt. 26^^

groa7iing of the prisoner], the Israelites

and imprisoned.
to loose those conde77inedto die]. Some of the captives had been condemned to death, probably because of supposed
treason against the dominant power of Syria.
destitute Zion of the previous Str. has as

her captives in this

and

gether

23.

the nations to serve

universalism of

29

Str.

v.^*'.

Two

different glossators

abide,

made

Str. in

insertions

God, take

77ie

lines are

Ps. in

which

them.

The

v.^^,

and

an organic whole.
the former v.^^^" from

He

in accord with the plaintive tone of the

calm assurance of the later Maccabean

inserted.

it

It

was probably designed to assimilate

later glossator inserted the octastich v.^"^^, doubtless

a fragment of a choice Ps. which has been

generation of generations are

Of

old

And

Thou

Thy

lost.

years.

didst lay the foundation of the earth

the heavens are the

They

but

work of Thy hands.

Thou

wilt endure
wear out as a garment,
As a vesture wilt Thou change them, and they
But Thou (Yahweh) art the same;
And Thy years have no end.

Yea,

in

more

original Ps. than with the

is

their seed will

in the

pentameter

and

hath brought down

way ; He hath shortened 7ny days. I say : O my
not away in the midst of 77iy days]. These two

the so-called song of Hezekiah

my strength

resumption of the

This resumes the thought of

encloses the other lines of the

Is. 38^,

of this temporal clause

The children of Thy servants will

it

compassion on

the peoples are gathered to-

Yahweh].

The apodosis

be established befo7'e Thee].

with

When

The compassion upon

its parallel,

will perish,

all

of

them

will

will

be changed.

PSALMS

322

The

and

first

other six

of this octastich are syn. and enclose the

last lines

the

appears within the fourth line

whose

follows,

precede

it.

The

two of which are syn.

first

is

antithesis

which

enlarged upon in the triplet that

the two syn. lines which

In generation of generatio?is are Thy years],

last line is antithetical to

25

b.

extending in one generation after another are the years of the

life

of God, and not limited to a single generation, as are the years of

men.

b. Thy years have no e?id\

They come to no comdo the years of man.
26. Of oId~\, cf. Dt. 2^"^^ for
cf. Ps. 90^ for the idea.
in remote antiquity
Thou

28

||

pletion, as

the term

didst lay the foundation

of the earth'], the conception of creation

as an erecting or building,

24- 89^^ 104^ Jb. 38*,

cf.

and especially

The heavens are the work of Thy hands]. The same

Is.
conception being continued ; the heavens being considered as the
48^^

dome

roof or

of the earth,

Pss. ^^ 19^

cf.

Am. 9^

27.

They

Even the heavens and the earth, the most stable of

created things, upon whose stability all they contain of life and

will perish].
all

existence depends, however long their duration, will eventually

perish.
51.

Ail of them will wear out like a gannent], based on Is.

a temporary use as clothing; when they have

||

They have

been worn out another garment will take their place.

As a
Thou change them and they will be changed], new
||

vesture wilt

heavens and a new earth

65^^ 66^.

take their place, according to

will

to stand firm after these creations perish.

The

weh, art the same].

transmitted text, but

Yahweh
from

first

same

the

is

is

name

divine

||

28 a.

He

Thou, Yah-

has been omitted in the

As

necessary to the measure.

in Is.

is

same during

the

the transitions

all

from the creation of the heavens and the earth, while

transforming them into a

48^^^,

unchangeable, ever-enduring being

identical,

to last, so here

Is.

Thou wilt endure], continue

In antithesis with creations

new heaven and

new

earth,

He

is

and so on

forever.
A.

CII.

3.

nnp] assimilated to 69^^ 143'

'jpp

transfer

>jj>;

Is. 33^*;

1.-

for

measure.

but SS., T>x.,hearih, as

Hoph. pf
infin. abs.

to

r\2l,

cf Ho.

coi]

9^^.

makes

1.

4.

^"JP^:^

Lv.

iirXi^yr]v,

too long;

but the two words

"'P'"^]

gl.

6-.

ci.X.,

make

1.

too long

^DB. burning

(pp<>yiov,3 frixa.

percussutn

est,

from Ho. 9^^

mass, as
6.

T\-^r\']

prob. both interp.

6.

tnnjN Sip] phr.

PSALM cm.
nmx

O.X.,

but

7.

T'i^p\

+.

6^

t
a species of owl.
of the wilderness.

as 77*,

n.m

C"'-]

elsw. Lv.

Qal impf.

n;inNi]

8.

The

Is.

Ba. objects that the pelican

Dupip, cygnus.

r")N\

npan] phr. a.X., but

54II Zp. 2I*; so
(S, J.

ntJ'i'? "inx;;

pelican, elsw.

n.f.

'^^'np] Poal ptc, elsw. Ec. 2^, of

9.

ot

kiraivovvrh

read

It is better to

imprecation,

Dnnn

14.

'p*^]

10.

my

a.X.

cc.

prob. the

nini ir;^'.

n^!7

'i?'??"'^?^]-

most prob.
]Din3

rd.

gl.

vacui.

Sn.

long.

^^^^0'?]

Q^^

For pn

v. 4^.

it

18.

nSpn]

nri;:ri

is

N3

is

26.

makes
the

V.26, cf.

1.

We

75^.

cf.

the same

^"^^^V} in

ct

Sd

"!;;;>>

20.

too long.

expl.

u''r;tr::]

79II.

24.

cf.

gl.

Je.

It is a gl.;

1.

Aq., 2, 3,

17^.

n*"

SSnn

(H).

to cnr;?:,

Derived from

150^,

Is.

Nin

n.-iNi]

29.

is

defective;

'^^}.^'\

but

add mn\
ets

iSSn^
1.

3810.
;

Is. 48^2^

n**

making

^rp, by S, S, 3, %, and most critics

adv. /c?rw^r/)/ Dt. 2I2.20 Jqs. nio _|_.

28.

the

is

should supply prob.

Qr.

J d^jcS]

same, based on

dupli-

"-s]

too long for measure.

is

defective.

improb. with

\n] phr. elsw.

by ,

-iy;D

emphasizes a promise

adj. stripped, destitute;

ni i^'?n.

explanatory.

denom.

unusual form,

^^^'f

Ba. thinks' of n;ni; adj. as Gn. 152 (JE) Je. 2280 Lv. 2o20-2i

21.

by, in

This, although phr, a.X.,

too long.

1.

clause

ni3D3 nsnj]

t"^""'v]

Kt., sustained

as

The

Is. 59^^.

17.

115", elsw. always

gl.

n;"S^n^] gl. anticipating v.22, phr. a.X., but

19.

interp.

o] = swear

16. nini dc] so Jf, but

favour to.
The divine name makes 1. too long; rd. "ycv \ innD.
^ has only d^d'^d Sdi, but (gf<-A. r. t agree with |^, %.

with Du.

iy"^3;n

make

rather than the other, as

assimilated to

is

f^

lyiJtrj

emph. coordination, most prob,, although

Poel, elsw. Pr. 1421 direct

"iJ.yn'']

gl.

the two

but this

B.

might be subordinate.

cate of previous clause

Ehr.

drink, for vb. rMpv (j6^).

D3L:n Is. 30^^^ r.^:n Ps. jy^^.

cf.

not suitable

folly;

which may be

sf.,

rd. n>^y fal-

n.m. roof oi house, as

madness of

wounding me.

those

impfs. future,

nipri]

the second vb.

defective

is

| Ji]

exultantes neglects the

"^S^nn

132^.

cf.

U gui laudabant me, % = "'SSn?* so

fie,

CII.

15.

consec, instead of jussive

text gives

does not suit the context.

is

Bar Heb.

\<\^\',

Dt. 14^^ an unclean bird,

has been omitted by error, for the measure

Ges67.

with

con, a bird especially appropriate to the vb.

129^.

has

a water bird, and not a bird

is
ii^'^

r\>r\

4^

Jb. 1920 La.

cf.

no predicate. Ols., Gr., Ba., Du., Kirk., Ehr., rd. n^Tpnxi

but moaning leads away from the real point of comparison, solitariness.

A word

here.

323

both
27.

Nin

rhv aluva

too
\T\:i\

sfs.

rs'Q-^^^

emph.

= DiJcS,

ante faciem eorum.

PSALM cm.,

7 SIR.

43.

Ps. 103 is a summons to Israel to bless Yahweh for all that He

had done for them (v.^"^), His pardon and redemption (v.^**-^),

His deeds of righteousness and justice (v.^^), His long suffering

PSALMS

324
(v.^^),

His kindness in removing sin

(v."-^^^,

His fatherly com-

passion (v.^^"), His everlasting kindness and righteousness to frail

man

(v.^^ ^')

Glosses emphasize these several things (v/*

summons

liturgical gloss

blessing

^*

^^ ^^).

the angels and all creatures to unite in

Yahweh, the universal king (v.^^^.

gLESS

O my soul

Yahweh,

And

all

that

is

Bless

Yahweh,

And

forget not

^HO pardoneth

within me, His holy name.

O my
His
all

soul

benefits.

thine iniquity;

Who healeth all thy diseases

Who redeemeth from the Pit thy life;
Who satisfieth (thee) with good things
A DOER
And

of acts of righteousness

of acts of judgment for

all

is

the oppressed.

He

used

To

the sons of Israel His deeds.

to

(so long as thou livest),

Yahweh,

make known His ways

to

Moses,

"VyHILE He strives not alway.

And restrains not His anger forever;
Not according to our sins doth He do to us.
Not according to our iniquities doth He deal

AS high as heaven

to us.

above the earth.

His kindness is mighty upon (us).
As far as the East is removed from the West,
He doth remove our transgressions from us.
AS a father hath compassion upon sons,
Yahweh hath compassion upon (us)
For He knoweth our frame
is

Remembereth that we are

TITAN, as grass are his days

dust.

As a blossom

of the field, so he blossometh

But the kindness of Yahweh is from everlasting,
And unto everlasting is His righteousness.
Ps. 103 has in the title in'^, so
Pss. of IB.

It is

impossible that

it

but probably because of resemblance to

could ever have been in TB

for

it

cannot be

than the late Greek period. It uses familiarly earlier literature v.^**
57I6, y9b je. 312^ yiia Is,
It uses
5^9^ v,i46 Qn. 3^^ (J), v.i^ Is. 406 Ps. 90&-6.

earlier
Is.

sf. o"-- v.^-^; and several words in late meanings

Sidj v. 2, D'^NiSnn
composed of seven trimeter tetrastichs: y.'i-*a-Sa.^7-9-is.i7^ jt has
a late liturgical addition of two trimeter tetrastichs v.^^-^^. There are also
several glosses v.^'' based on Is. 40^1, v.^ on Ex. 34^, v.^^ on Is. 40' Jb. j^'^y v.^^
on Ex. 20^.

the Aramaic

V.8.

It is

Str. I.

Yahwehj

Three

O my

syn. lines with a synth. conclusion.

soul\ also v.^^; adore

1-2.

in gratitude

and

B/trss

praise.

PSALM cm.

325

all that is within me\

soul stands for the entire personality,
the entire being, " with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and

The

with

I|

thy might," Dt.

all

The

6^.

object of blessing

Yahweh

is

Himself, especially as manifested in His holy name'], majestically

sacred and so to be hallowed, cf 33^^ 105^ 106*^ i45^^.

not] a Deuteronomic warning, Dt.

6^- 8^^,

he should neglect grateful recognition of His

self, lest

literally dealings,

which

in their

Ps. are all benefits.

Synth, tetrastich.

Str. II.

3-5.

The ptcs. express

Yahweh in deahng

All through their past history

all their

iniquity, cf.

redeeming the

life

Ex.

benefits],

enumeration as the theme of the

tinuous characteristic activities of

people.

forget

taken by Israel to him-

He

the con-

with His

has been pardoning

34^, healing all their diseases, cf. Ex. 15^^,

of the nation from the Pit of Sheol into which

they had gone, in exile, and to which they had been so often ex-

posed through their cruel and all-powerful enemies,

The whole

Ps. 9".

summed up

is

in

cf.

Ho. 13"

Who satisfieth thee with good

may

things so long as thou livest], for thus this difficult sentence

Yahweh had not only preserved His people

be translated.

aHve,

but had bestowed upon them good things continuously during the
entire Hfe of the nation.

thy

mouth with good

The

things,"

is

translation of EV'.,

"who

satisfieth

based on the interpretation of some

ancient Jewish scholars ; and, though followed by many, is now

" Thy desire " of (^, F, whether based on

generally abandoned.

a different Heb. word or a different interpretation of the same

word, has its advocates.
2E, " days of thine old age," followed by

JPSV.,

is

The previous line,

and compassion] is a gloss of

nearer to the true interpretation.

who crowneth

thee with kindness

interpretation, cf

8^,

for

Kindness and

the figure of speech.

An

compassion are the characteristic attributes of the Ps.

ditional gloss
itself like

an

is

taken from

eagle].

It is

Is. 40^^

it

thought

is

of.

ways

life

is

an allusion to

youth in old age

but at

and vigour of the eagle

that

acts

II

II

all
is

Two syn. couplets. 6-7. A doer of acts of righteousof Judgment for all the oppressed]. These were His
His deedsy which He used to make known to Moses to the

Str. III.

ness

the fulness of

its

ad-

so that thy youth refieweth

doubtful whether there

the fable of the eagle's renewing

events

||

PSALMS

326

when He

sons of Israel^

delivered His oppressed

Egypt, and subsequently from

Two

Str. IV.

8-9.

syn. couplets.

people from

their enemies.

all

He

strives not

alway

maintains not forever\ not always expressing His anger, as

not forever maintaining

it,

as Je.

3^-.

This double statement of the

divine long-suffering suggests the fundamental revelation of

Moses Ex.

34^,

which was then prefixed by a glossator

to

it

compassion-

and gracious is YahwehjSlow to anger and abundant in mercy.

Not according to our sins our iniquities^ those of the

ate

10.

||

nation in

deal

history, past as well as present,

its

to us']y

taking up the theme stated in

He

or benefits.

Str.

Two

V.

sins.

similes.

11.

As

earth'], cf. Is. 55^^, the greatest

to

us

||

the divine dealings

high as heaven

height conceivable.

reach from the height of heaven,

sin,

doth He do

v.^,

doth not give us our deserts, in letting loose His

anger against us for

of

He

||

Is. 5 7^^

is

His kindness\

upon us\ descending and resting upon

us.

above the

is

flighty'], in

in the

pardon

glossator,

thinking that the statement was too sweeping, substitutes for "upon
us " of the original, the more limited statement, " upon those that
fear

far

Him

"

so also in

as the East

v.^^-

able distance in breadth,

us~\.

The removal

^'*,

against the measure.

removed from

is

the West], the

He doth

the sinner and away from the divine presence

up and bearing it away

God and His people meet

Hebrew

in

As

remove our transgressions from

of sin to the utmost possible distance

pardon and forgiveness, which

12.

utmost conceiv-

is

is

away from

a syn. idea to

properly the taking

it

as a burden from the sacred places where

Str.

son.
is

communion, cf. Is. 38^^ Mi. 7^^

VI. A couplet of simile, and a syn. couplet, giving its reaCompassion
13. As a father hath compassion upon sotis\
in

the paternal form of mercy, implying a sympathetic fellow feel-

ing with the sufferer.

His attitude toward

Yahweh

Israel, cf.

is

here compared to a father in

Ex. 4^-^ Ho.

iH 14. For He

knoweth our frame\ He knoweth it because He framed it, referring to Gn. 2^, the forming of the frame of Adam out of the
Re77ie7?ibereth that we
dust of the ground, as is evident from the
are dust, made of dust and doomed to return to dust, Gn. 3^^.
1|

Str. VII.

couplet.

15.

syn. couplet of

simile, with

Man], emphatic

an antithetical syn.

in position, because

a charac-

PSALM cm.
of humanity

teristic

is

90^^

someth\

This statement

over

it,

Is. 40^-^:

introduces from

then

and from
17.

Jb. 14^.

cf.

7^*^

enlarged upon by a glossa-

is

16.

Whe?i the wind passeth

no more], the scorching, withering south wind

it is

Jb.

||

his days'],

as a blossom of the field, so he blos-

cf.

who

as grass are

to be mentioned,

so brief, so transient,

tor,

327

and

the place thereof

In antithesis, fro7n

everlastiftg

and

knoweth

no more.

it

u7tto everlasting,

and so

through the entire interval are existing and acting the kindness of

Yahweh

||

His

righteousness, wliich latter, here, as usual,

must be

The glossator who

His vindicatory, redemptive righteousness.
limited v."^"^^ by adding, " them that fear Him," did the same
here

and

to this a

based on Ex.
jj^4 + 2it.

13^

still

further limitation in a legalistic direction

and using the late

y^ them that keep His

remember His precepts

to

do them].

the following addition to the Ps.

term of Pss. 19^ in'

legal

20^,

and to them that

The Maccabean editor made
to make it more suitable for
coveftant,

public worship

TN

heaven He hath established His throne;

His kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless ye Yahweh, His angels,
His mighty ones that do His word.
gLESS Yahweh, all ye His host,
His ministers that do His pleasure.
Bless Yahweh, all ye His works,
In all places of His dominion.

And

This liturgical addition has two

formation as the Ps.

itself, all

of the same measure and

Strs.

synth. couplets, but the last three

19-22. heaven], emphatic

up, and made
firm and
His
His kingdojn
over
beneath
permanent, and
Accordingly the summons
the heavens and within the heavens.
His mighty
unite
adoration, His angels
goes
syn. with each other.

He hath

established

in position,

I71

throfie], set

ruleth

therefore,

forth to all to

it

it

all],

in

||

ones that do His word], enlarged by a glossator who inserted,

" in power," and by an additional hne, " hearkening to the voice

of His word," the one at the expense of the measure, the other a
duplicate making the Str. too long,

1|

His

host], the angels, con-

His ministers
His pleasure], the angels, conceived as faithful ministerial
servants, prompt to do the sovereign will.
To these are added
ceived as an organised army,
that do

cf.

148^

Is.

24^^

li

PSALMS

328

Aii His works'], the entire creation here personified, in all places
of His doviinioti\ throughout the entire heavens and earth, every1|

The whole

where.

Ps. concludes with a liturgical addition

pubHc worship, however much

construction Bless Yahweh, O my soul.
suitable for

most

disturbs the poetical

it

1.

tAs

Pn] pn prosaic addition

ryyr^>

translation,

so \}^- 2

dealings {28^).

is

^2

in assonance at the close of each

an intensive

is

of Str.

1.

elsw. Dt. 2921 2 Ch. 2ii9 Je. i^is i64_

aov,

is

interpreting 5 a.

gl.,

F desiderium

as syn.

nn^ and

from

40^1.

Is.

IvniS-iSp] cf. 9^2^

7.

34'.

original.
it,

as

11.

v]

-\33]

days of thine old age, so JPSV.

"'-i; ornament
no other such usage, it is

usual to interpret
is

long as thou

as 10483 1462.

livest,

haplog.

Hithp.

t^'in^^i?]

1.

is

i^-e S"-

and

so (5
al.

7^ 1821,

1:*?::^, cf.

sf.

dittog of

is

Hu., Or., Du., Che.,

tt]v iirtdvixlav

32II
.
t "^'f;] n.m. eagle ox griffon, vulture, as Dt.
^^ OeX-^fxara avrov prob. paraphrase,
8 is gl. from Ex.

late style for

v.i2<.

Z>

the change of form from ptc. indicates that the

(2) hee/> safely, vineyard Ct.

too long;

sf.

diseases,

Qal impf. f [t^j] vb. (i) maintain anger, Lv.

9. nits:]

Je. 36-12;

^:;(0]

dub.

is

may have been omitted by

a.X. (5 avaKat.vL<Tdr)<TTaL
gl.

""Dr

It is

parall. suggests 07;;' so

3 of these passages

3.

for >^n.

i^m']

':\\-^;i

""liStt'iJ.

The more

Aramaic
f a^NiSnn]
4 without the

gl.

Aramaism

5.

^ "'D\pi3D

"'Drix,

-rrdaas

as benefits, the usual

also with vbs.

referring to the cs:; but as there

The

improbable.

The

1.

tniim

bonis orfiatnentiim tiium,

31

r^rj-^r] (S

2.

an interp. of what God renders to His creatures.

is

general mng.

assonance

126^

rendered to God

ai/rov interp. as praise

alvi<Teis

prep.

all

The

Vrss.

1.

It is

is

12.

which

Am. i^i

S::j]

makes

r^^.^y

was doubtless

latter

better in

all

respects without

tempting to substitute naj with

but improb. as unnecessary.

limitation; so v.^^ii^ft. here

19^8 -^^^ ^2

_ iq.

"I''N"};"'?>]

is

gl.

of

and v.^^ for "irS;*.

14. "inx:] J -ix; n.m. thought,
purpose framed in mind, Gn, 6^ {])tfoyni of image made by potter Hb. 2^^,
cf. Is. 29!^; only here of the form of man, based on the use of ix^ Gn. 2}-'^, as
suggested also by the noy of Gn. 31^.
mr] ptc. pass. % recordatus est. @

/ivT^tr^T/Ti

= nor;

16

prob.

J nDJ vb. in

is gl.

prob.

from

Is.

before

from Ex.

mpc]
20.

reminded; but the suggests pf., which is more

40^ and Jb. 7^^
i^T-!] Hiph. impf. with strong sf.
|1

as Dt.

only Hiph. (i) recognise 142^,

(2) be acquainted with,

also

is

^-^pny,

18

34'^.

\i^xQ^'s>]\i.'f^'^ 2.^'.

which
a

is

elsw. icp iii"^

is

gl.

19*

too long.

22

naries 1368-

6.

J '^Stj'sc]

as Gn.

i^^.

21^'^

33^

'''XT''^>']

^Dn and belongs to ^y^

|1

Is.

is gl.

npi.

63^^, cf. 61^;

as above,

and

"J^S]

gl.

D'-j^

of limitation from a legalistic point of view.

19

1-.

19.

nin>]

nb ^73J] phr. a.X. has two beats and

of intensification; rd. mij.

17.

n3"\
n.f.

22 c

Sip:3

is

gl,

makes the

;7;2*>:'^]

is

1.

1.

too long,

too long.

n^

is

gl.

a doublet; makes the Str.

dominion, elsw. of
is

making

God

1142 145 1', of lumi-

doubtless a final liturgical

gl.

PSALM

PSALM

CIV.

CIV.,

329

S\

STR.

Yahweh, who created the light by wrapwho built up stories in the upper
waters, making the clouds His chariot, and His angels into winds
Ps. 104 is a praise of

ping Himself in

(v.^^"^)

it

and lightnings (v.^'*^- ; who set the earth on immutable foundations, and with His thunder frightened the sea to the boundaries
"*)

He had assigned

it

(v.^'^ ^)

who made streams

to flow to give

water to animals, birds, and the vegetation of earth (v.^^^^) ; who

made the vegetation to give food to man and beast (v.^*"^^*), the
trees for the birds
(v.^^)

(v.^^'^-^''''),

and mountains and crags for animals

who made sun and moon

to

mark

the seasons

(v.^^)

and

especially to distinguish night from day, the night for the wild ani-

mals seeking their prey, the day for man's labour (v.^^"^) who
made the water animals in all their variety (v.-^^^), and the land
;

animals, all dependent upon His bounty

'^'*-

(v.-^'^

ence of His Spirit and favour depend the

tures

(v.^^).

perpetually

Upon the pres-

^^).

and death

His glory endures forever, and He

(v.29*-'^).

works

life

His people also praise

Numerous

(v.^'*).

of the Ps. (v.^- ^

^^'''- ^^^- ^^"-

Him with

of the crea-

rejoices in

His

song and music

glosses emphasize various features

^- -^- ^^- ^'-

^^-

Moreover

^).

v.^^^''

is

an ex-

clamation of wonder at the number of the works of Yahweh.

y 3oa6

jg g^^

imprecatiOH in the Maccabean tone,

v.^**-^"

are litur-

gical glosses.
IVI Y God,

Thou

art very great

With majesty and splendor Thou

art clothed

Who put on light as a garment

Who stretched out the heavens as a tent curtain;
Who laid in the waters the beams of His upper chambers;
Who made the clouds His chariot;
Who made His angels winds,
His ministers
"1X7"

fire

and flame.
upon its

HO founded the earth

bases,

That it should not be moved forever and ever.

The deep like a garment was (its covering).
Above the mountains the waters stood.
At Thy rebuke they flee
At the sound of Thy thunder they haste away
That they may not pass the boundary Thou didst set

May

not return to cover the earth.

PSALMS

330
\A/'HO

sent forih springs into the valleys,

they might flow between the mountains,

That
That
That
That

they might give drink to

all

the wild animals of the

the onagers might break their

field,

thirst,

the birds of heaven might settle down,

From among

the branches give forth song

Who

watered the mountains from His upper chambers.

That by His outbursts of water the earth might be satisfied.

"IXTHO caused

grass to spring up for cattle.

And

herbage to the labour of mankind,

In order that they might bring forth bread from the earth,
In order that they might make their face to shine with oil.

The
The
The
The

trees of

Shadday have

stork has her

home

their

fill.

in the cypresses.

high mountains are for the wild goats.

crags are a refuge for marmots.

\A7HO made

the moon for seasons.

The sun to know his time of going down.
The young lions roar for prey.

And

to

When
And

seek their food from

'El.

the sun rises, they gather themselves

in their

dens they

lie

in,

down.

Man

goeth forth to his work,

And

to his

labour until evening.

YO^'DER sea great

and broad
There are gliding things innumerable;
Living things, small together with great;

Leviathan which

The

earth

All of

Thou
Thou

'FHOU

Thou didst form

Thy creatures.

to play with.

of

is full

them on Thee wait.

them they gather it.
openest Thy hand they are satisfied.
givest to

hidest

Thy

face

they are troubled.

Thou withdrawest their spirit they expire.

Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit they are created;
And Thou renewest the face of the ground.
The glory of Yahweh endureth forever.
Yahweh is glad in His works.
My musing is sweet unto Him
:

Ps. 104 has

It is first of

creator.

based.

no

am

glad in Yahweh.

title in |!?,

but in (S ru) Aavel5 as 103, which

the group of Hallels 104-107.

The

And

order of creation
yet

it

knows

is

It is

is

improbable.

a Ps. in praise of

Yahweh

the same as Gn. 1-2^, on which the Ps.

as
is

of the activity of the divine Spirit in creation of

animals, and of death as due to the withdrawal of the Spirit, as Gn. 2*-3.

The author was

thus familiar with both stories of the creation and probably

in their combination in the Pentateuch in

knew

its

present form.

of various other conceptions of the creation, as

Am.

The author

also

9^ v.^; Is. 40'-^ v.^*;

PSALM
Jb. 386-11,

cf.

Pr. 829, v.5-9,

CIV.

331

which he interweaves with that of Gn. i. The

composed earlier than the Greek period.

Ps.

therefore could not have been

Two

Str. I.

and concludes
phrase:

tristich synthetic thereto.

1-2.

The

O my

Yahweh,

"Yahweh,"

still

ure allows neither.

sotd~\,

103^-^-.

cf.

My

Thou

art very great'],

pf.

of state; as the

With
are here
dour Thou art clothed]. Royal
royal apparel,
conceived
93^ 96^ Who put on].

7najesty

as

in the

They might

in

some

cases be explained

the creative and providential divine activities

mind of

He

ptcs.

must be given a uniform and harmonious

explanation throughout.
;

splen-

The

cf.

characteristic of the Ps.

the creation,

and

as elsewhere

attributes

as in present time

God'\j

personal address, intensified in |^ by premore in (^ by using it twice ; but the meas-

context indicates, in power and glory.

minghng

fol-

Ps. begins

(v.^), as several of the Hallels, with the liturgical

Bless

emphatic in position
fixing

both beginning with a single Hne

tetrastichs,

lowed by a syn.

the poet, so that what

continues to do throughout

all

God once

did at

But many

time.

of the ptcs. cannot be thus explained, even with the exceptions

made by MT.

The

of changing original ptcs. into pfs.

Ps.

is

throughout a poetic description of the creation of the world, based

on Gn.

and retaining

I,

its

order of six days* work with a sup-

plementary seventh of rejoicing in a finished creation.

compelled therefore to translate the

They

of the original creation.

serve

We

process of creation, and not as in Gn.

obedient servant of the divine command.

Light, the

first

are

emphasize the divine

to

activity in creation, rather than the result.

in the

We

ptcs. as referring to the past

see

it

graphically

in the result as

light as a

an

garment].

of the divine creations, appears as the garment

which the Creator puts on, or wraps about Him, the expression
of His attributes of majesty and glory. How different from Gn. i^
"

God

the

said,

'

Let light be

heavens as a

creation of light.
tent
Ps.

which
19^

chambers].

'

and

tent- curtain].

As hght

is

light was."

This

is

Who

stretched out

supplementary to the

the divine garment, heaven

is

the

God stretches out as His dwelling-place, cf. Is. 40^^

3. Who laid in the waters the beams of His upper

This, as the subsequent v., evidendy refers to the

second day's work of creation. The waters originally covered the

PSALMS

332

when " God

earth

of the waters, and

And God

let

it

'

Let there be an expanse in the midst

divide the waters from the waters.'

called the expanse.

of a building
are built

said,

up

is

Heaven

"

Gn.

used in the Ps. as in Am.

series of stories

9*^.

beams of one being

an ascending series
and

in

The metaphor

in the waters, the

beams of the other

i*^.

laid

upon the

so the upper

IV/io made the

His chariot\ The clouds, so characteristic of the heavens
and bearing in them the heavenly waters, constituted the divine

waters were

divided from the lower waters.

clouds

chariot in which

He moved

about swiftly from place to place.

This reminds a glossator of the cherubic chariot of Ps. 18", and

so he adds

made His

Who goeth

angels winds,

about on the wings of the wind.

4.

His ministers fire and fiame'].

An

ancient

Who

copyist, by omitting the conjunction, made grave difficulties of

grammar. This rendering is essentially that of (^, F, Heb. i^
PBV., AV., and is most natural in itself. It is also in accord with

the poet's previous thought.

really present in

His tent

As God Himself

is

conceived as

nature, wrapping Himself in light, setting

His chariot

in the heavens, using the clouds as

angels, the ministrant spirits about

form of winds and lightnings.

Him,

are

made

to

up

so His

assume the

Doubtless the author had in mind

a conception similar to that of the cherubic chariot of Ez.

RV., JPSV., follow most moderns

in

their

rendering

i.

"

But

Who

maketh winds His messengers, His ministers a flaming fire "

thinking that the winds and the lightnings were constituted the
ministering servants of Yahweh.

Str. II.

the earth

day's

synth. and three syn. couplets.

upon

its bases'].

work of creation Gn.

This
i^^^.

Str.

5.

Who founded

begins the story of the third

The poet turns from the upper

The earth is conceived

stories of the building to the foundations.

as created
Pr. 8^- ^.

by building upon well-settled foundations, as

That

it

should not be moved forever

earth was firmly established once for

all,

to

in Jb.

and ever].

38*^

The

be immutable forever.

6. The deep like a garment was its covering], so (^, which is

more probable than the vb. of |i|, followed by EV'., " Thou coveredst it," which involves an awkward change of construction.
The primitive Tehojn, ''Deep," Gn. i^, covered the earth, which

was buried

in its

depths even after the separation of the upper

PSALM

CIV.

333

Above
mountain peaks
At Thy

waters from the lower by the expanse of heaven.

mountains

the

waters

stood~\

even the highest

the

were beneath the surface of these primeval waters.

rebuke

||

At

sound of Thy thunder^

the

He

ing in the thunder of the storm, as

The

7.

voice of

rides in

God

speak-

His chariot with

His angelic winds and Hghtnings, frightens the Deep and

fills it

with

terror

and the waters

said,

Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto

away\

This graphic poetic

description takes the place of the calm command, Gn. i^ " God
flee

||

haste

one place, and

let

the dry land appear'; and

it

was so."

glossator inserts a tetrameter couplet to intensify the description,

8.

They went up

Unto

the place that

That

they

thinking of the agitation of the sea in a storm

the

mountains ; they went doivn the

Thou

didst found for them'],

cf, 107^^-*'.

pass the boundary Thou didst

on

as a final clause

boundary fixed

This

set~\.

9.

v. is directly

might not

dependent

waters fled hastily in terror to the

them by Yahweh, beyond which thereafter they

The poet evidently had in mind Jb. 38^" Pr. 8^^

for

dared not pass.

Might not return

and sea was

The

v.^.

valleys,

to

cover the earth].

to be perpetual.

The

separation of earth

Four synth. couplets.

10. Who sent forth springs into
That they might flow between the mountains]. The
day's work of Gn. i is really a double work
first, the sepa-

Str. III.

the valleys,

third

ration of land

and sea

v.^^*^

second, the creation of vegetation

The latter is the theme of this and the subsequent Str.

The author of Gn. i does not think of the streams, so essential to
vegetable life.
The poet supplies that defect, and emphasizes the
refreshing streams.
11. That they might give drink to all the
wild animals of the field]. The animals come in here prior to
y

11-12^

their creation, in order to

emphasize the importance of these

streams, which the poet conceives

of creation.

Jb. 39^"^.

belonging to

this

ass

12.

also final clause,

the

dependent on

settle

v.^*^,

to introduce the birds as de-

pendent on water, as in the previous couplet the animals.

The

on the banks of these

The introduction of " by them " by a glossator was

birds settle

streams.

order

their thirst].

the

specification

by

as

That onagers might break

The
may have been influenced
of the beautiful wild
That birds of heaven might
down],

down,

cf. 55^,

after their flight,

PSALMS

334
and

unnecessary,

measure.

impairs the

it

branches give forth

sojig'\

having settled

From

down

among

the

branches

in the

of the trees by the streams, they utter their satisfaction in notes

of song.

13.

Who

watered the mountains from His upper chamare those framed in the upper waters

The upper chambers

bers'].

where are the storm clouds and the lightnings.

v.^,

refer therefore to the rains

This must

descending upon the mountains.

That by His outbursts of water

the earth

might be

satisfied'].

This

the most probable original in accordance with the context.

is

The

earth

is

satisfied with the rains, as the

The

by them.

waters

come from

outbursts of these waters in storms.

the form for " fruit,"

addition of "

words can
Str. IV.

up for

An

ancient copyist mistook

and then was obliged

Thy works

"

but

it

to explain

by the

it

how

difficult to see

is

these

refer to the rain.

Four

14-15.

syn. couplets.

The poet, after

streams, now takes up

cattle].

fructifying

work

mountains are watered

the upper chambers and from

Who caused grass to spring

giving the previous Str. to the

the vegetation of the third day's

and first of all the grass for the cattle, then

herbage to the
labour of mankind]. The poet here combines with the narrative
of the creation, Gn. i""^-, the thought of Gn. 3^''"^'^, the necessity
of human labour in the ground, in order to win the products
In order that they might bring forth
necessary for subsistence.
bread from the earth]^ dependent upon the previous clause, and
;

defining the herbage as the grain out of which bread

is

To

its

oil

this is
:

added the

cultivation of the olive tree for

In order that they anight make their faces

While the
23^^, it is

oil is

also

used

it is

precious

shine with oil].

for anointing the head, especially at feasts

used to soften and smooth the skin of other parts

of the body as well as the face.

because

to

made.

The

oil

is

mentioned probably

the product of a tree that needs cultivation.

original limited itself to these

The

but a glossator thought that wine

could not be omitted, and so he inserted

and wine

that glad-

man^ of. Ec. 10^^.

It is difficult to see why
any one should have added the variant of v.^^% and bread which
strengtheneth man's hearty which is evidently from the same hand
as v.^^.
16. The trees of Shadday], gigantic trees, cf. 36^ This
deneth the heart of

reading alone explains the variation of (3 "trees of the field,"

PSALM

CIV.

335

A glossator ex"trees of Yahweh," followed by EV^

them very properly as cedars of Lebanon that He planted.
These trees have their fill'] of the nourishing rain, as in the
AV. " full
previous Str. the animals, mountains, and the earth.
17. Where the birds build their
of sap " has nothing to justify it.
and

plains

This

nests'].

a glossator's general statement, introductory to

is

the specific statement, which only was original

home

The

stork has her

Tristram says that where the stork has

neither houses nor ruins for its nest, " it selects any tree tall and
in the cypresses].

strong enough to provide a platform for

its

huge

purpose none are more convenient than the

Bible, p. 248).

The

The high mountains are for

18.

and

for this

the

wild goats].

mounand so providing vegeregions where no other animals can

poet, as the context indicates,

been well watered,

tains as having

nest,

tree " {Nat. Hist.

fir

tation for these wild goats in

thinking of these lofty

is

cf.

v.-^^,

Associated with them in these lofty inaccessible regions are

go.

the Syrian marmots.

animal "

The crags are a refuge for marmots].

where

lives in holes in the rocks,

conceals

its

young, and to which

(Tristram, Nat.

Hist

Four

Str. V.

it

makes

its

retires at the least

it

This

nest and

alarm"

Bible, p. 75).

syn. couplets.

19.

work of Gn.

sun], the fourth day's

Who made
The

i^^^^

the

moon

stars are

||

The

omitted

by our poet.
for seasons], to distinguish the seasons of the
month and the year, as Gn. i^*. Both authors doubtless had in
view the new moons and other religious feasts which are determined by the moons.
to know his time of going down], to dis-

tinguish
this

between day and night by sunset.

simple statement

night,

glossator adds to
If Thou makest darkness, then it is

20.

wherein all the wild beasts of the forest creep forth].

former

is

a prosaic repetition of

tion to vP-.

21.

the young Hons

satisfy their

The young

become

first

And

hunger.

v.^^^,

lions

The

the latter a general introduc-

roar for prey].

active.

The

to seek their

night

After sunset
their time to

is

food from 'El], cf. Jb.

depend upon God

38^^; while eagerly seeking prey, they really

for

it.

When

22.

in their dens

As the night
repose.

lie

is

The

the

sun

down],

rises, they

gather themselves

for repose after the

the lion's time for labour, the day

reverse

is

true of man.

23.

in,

And

hunt of the night.

Man

is

his

time for

goeth forth to

PSALMS

336
his

And to

workj

for

man

The sun

during the

toils

and

gives the signal for lion

ahke.

VI.

Str.

Man

his labour until evening],

day, and reposes at night.

synth. tetrastich, and synth.

and

syn. couplets.

glossator inserts before the creation of the animals an exclama-

tion of

To

wonder

O how

24.

manifold are Thy works, Yahweh

WL.

he adds, from the conception of

this

Thou made them

He

all], cf. Pr. 3^^ 8^'^'.

exclamation apply to

/].

wisdom hast

in

then, to

make

the

the animals, transposes v.-^ from

all

its

original place at the beginning of the description of the creation

of the land animals.

work of

day's

fifth

25.

Yonder sea great and broad].

creation, Gn. i^'^,

gliding things innumerable ;

now

begins.

There

The
are

Living things, small together with

great], the innumerable and various-sized creatures that swarm

in the sea.

26.

Leviathan

is

Leviathan which Thou didst form

This monster, too huge

sport with.

for

introductory

removed

animals, was

earth

is

full of

to

God

Thy

line, referring to

a dear

give their

fied.

food

in

its

glossator adds, without

:

with good.

belongs here

RV.

The

which

after (g,

is

Thee wait], looking to

glossator adds the purpose

Thou openest Thy hand

the object

there ships sail,

proper meaning of the Heb. word,

All of them on

But

season.

appropriately stated in the following couplet

||

it is diffi-

*'Thy riches," EV*., or "possessions,"

for their sustenance.

animal to

the creation of the land

creatures], so JPSV.,

not appropriate here.

them

little

influence

It evidently

to v.^^.

after Aq., 2, 0, 3, while a

Thou mayest

is

moved by what

and so he inserted

alone suits the context.

God

play with].

thought the reference to the sea would be

defective without ships,

27.

man,

late glossator,

cult to determine,

The

to

the great sea monster Gn. i^, probably the whale.

they gather

Thou

28.
it

this

1|

is

That
more

givesi to

they are satis-

need and against the measure,

Four syn. couplets.

29. Thou hidest Thy face] in
withdrawest their spirit]. The spirit of life of man
and animals was imparted by the divine inbreathing Gn. 2^; when
that spirit was withdrawn, man and animals expired Gn. 6^
To this was appended by a glossator a corresponding word, the
30. Thou
primitive curse Gn. 3^^ and unto dust they return.
Str. VII.

displeasure,

||

PSALM
Thy

sendest forth

337
which invokes

Spirit'], the divine Spirit

creature the spirit of

II

CIV.

life.

and Thou renew est

in the

created\ creatures Hve again

they are

of the groiind\ with new Hving

The poet evi-

the face

creatures in place of the old that have expired.

dently appends to the six days' work what he conceives as hap-

pening on a seventh day;

forever].
fact

Yahweh

II

probably thinking of these days as

31.

The glory of Yahweh endureth

This in the original must have been a statement of

extended periods of time.

glad

is

His

iti

made was very

works

He

and

rested from them.

mode
God had

the poet's

is

that everything

i^^-2^,

that after the completion of the

But a

connection, inserted a jussive

this

later editor, losing sight of

substantive

vb.,

making the

long and putting the entire couplet in the form of a wish.

line too

This mistake
to

excellent,

which

works'],

of stating the thought of Gn.

RV.
Yahweh in

perpetuated in

is

enhance the glory of

theophanic manifestation
trembled

He

The same

He who

32.

toucheth the moufitai?is,

glossator, wishing

connection, brings in the

this

looked on the earth

and they smoke],

cf.

and it
Am. 9^

33-34. The congregation unite in the gladness of YahPs. 144^.

weh over His completed work My musing], contemplation of and
meditation upon the works of creation above described.
is sweet
/ am glad
unto Him] is agreeable and acceptable unto Yahweh
:

Yahweh,

in

1|

glossator emphasized this couplet by prefixing

another from 146^:

make melody
reached

to 7ny

/ will sing to Yahweh

God while I have my

appropriate end

its

and let

exterminated from the earth,

1.

mni"nx

dittog.

""^i^]

^tJ'OJ

has

it

curtain Je.
with demon, force ; dub.
n-^\")

n.f.

24. 25

||

2.

nsjj?]

Why

editor

will

Ps. has
is

not

Let sinners be

mrr'] in \? has arisen

(ji^^') ptc.

err. for nSpir n.f.

'^^St']

live ;

Hb. 3^
here and not

Is.

mantle Ex. 22^-26 (E).

542.-8.
Pi. ptc.

v.2 ?

from

here and throughout

r\-^p_pT^]

'"'"^i"'

article

denom.

beam, and so frame, lay beams, elsw. Ne. 2^ 38-6 2 Ch. 34^1 ; figure
_^

pi^

Am.

noy

especially

n.f.

upper chamber in roof

stories, so v.^^ Je. 22i3- 1*,

the successive heights or

9^.

upper

layers of heaven, here

Hence

35.

The

wicked not be any more,

42'>'io20 4929

ri.L

of building, as in
Ju. 323.

the

a liturgical addition.

is

a second time.

the Ps. as characteristic.

t'"'fT]

but a Maccabean

he can add an imprecation

satisfied until

while
being.

pi.

n^'^jj

on the upper waters,

dense clouds.

3ioi]

on account of the
z

nr*?;;]

nn

""djo S;;

as in

Am.

9^.

Amos

uses mSj7D.

some think of the 3n3 of iS^^

which appears in the parall. 1. in

chariot;

PSALMS

338

both passages, and also on account of the reference to casSa in v.*; but
4. ninn i>dn7D ntrp] is
v.^" is a gl. Irum i8'i, and without it 2^2'^ is better.

capable of three explanations (Dr.i^^Obi.)

6, V, Heb. i^ regard-

(,) that of

ing lON^o as primary obj. and r)m-\ as secondary ; (2) regarding ^^n^^ as
ace. of material, " out of winds," Dr., De. ; (3) regarding r'm)-\ as primary

and lox^o

obj.

ton> u's
is

striking.

has

3 m., but this

pf.

^n'Dr]

6.

1.
The neglect of agreement
Rd. with 01s., Bi., Du., Che., ^^^\
5. --p;]
change from ptc. improb.
J"'3.n"*?3] final clause.

interp.

with previous

||

irup cpXiyov.

interp.

is

The

2 m. with

Pi.

TS, Street, Ba.

Ew., Hi., Hu., Now., Pe., Ba.

as secondary, AE,, Ki.,

must be

v.'Ti-'::]

sf.

&

3 sg.

rb irepi^bXaiov avrov, \-Dr; so Aq., 6,

refers to cin-, not to ysH',

cf. Jb. 38^

It is prob.
form impf. 3 pi., usual in this Ps.
8. This 1. is
parenthetical according to most interpreters. The change of form of pi. from

interp.

]^

to

is

sf.

I^Dir] fuller

7.

noteworthy.

a tetrameter

It is

as Bii.

gl.,

in position, but ace. of place after vbs. of v." ;

final clause.

11.

^\.]y:ri

D^rv::]

v.ii.

12.

i-*.

n.m. wild

too long;

1.

re-.:'

clause

final

^3^:^;]

t n?.p]

makes

2[^\*;'>]

9.

not emph.

':'"i35]
S'-'^.

with ptc. improb. in original,

article

spring {74^^).

On.

as in

ir"'n]

14^ H

Je.

nSu-n;,i]

10.

Jb. 38*^-^1 Pr.

cf.

Gn.

interp. gl.

is

"7:3]

v.^.

cf.

so ipr^ Hiph. impf.

as

ass,

ina;'>

16^'^

Ho.

(J)

8^

^'^^i*] Kt. a.X.,

rOiv ireTpCop; so V, &, Nnvj", prob. Aram. D^Ncr.

l'^""*? ''"^:-^] makes
Hiph. ptc. resuming the principal clause.

D^Ov Qr. pi. foliage i>DB.,

1.

too long.

Rd.

n|ir::]

13.

an explan. addition to ncc, but that has no mng. here.

outbreak of waters, as 2 S. 5^'^.
14. n^psr] cf. N'xr-i, N^^nn of
TZ'-;:2 is

C'X->D

Gn. i"-^2._

n-o;]

n.f.

labour of work

labour not in ^.

Strs. for variation

of style.

takes the place of

N-'Xin'^]

15.

nnx.

wine should not be omitted.

make
16.

shining,

NH.

cf.

nin>

Other kinds of
of previous

of different con-

gl.

so important a product
t

cn'ri]

;;aj

gl.

a repetitious

Pi.

impf.

Jpp denom.

Lv. iii bt. 14I8 Je. 8^ Zc.

+;

148 37-* Ez. 318

Is.

18.

59,

c. a.

A.

Xa7u;6is.
ptc.

is

19.

nr-;]

juss.,

followed by

But

21.

carries

'^"];t]\

inf.

1.

is

'n>i,

simple

24.

D'^v'^'d]

tetrameter and

a^wv =
Dt.

and

is

v.^'^,

juss.
gl.

cf.

with pcD.v in

14'^.
-ip;,

prot.

MT.
i^*

pointing

(P)

not

rd. inf.

and apod, condi-

apod.

Dr.206.

small

c^jf^u*]

x^'POTPi^^^'O'S*

but

so also

uynr:] exclamation of wonder,

improb.

C"^n-\3

Qal seems out of place;

1

is

1.

stork, as

n.f.

sacred seasons, as Gn.

on the previous ptc,

temporal or conditional clause as

two accents.

ire-

^it-.

n.m. cypress ox fir, as

J '^'nj]

of vb. as in Str. II.

y^^] pf.

merely time, as Pss. 75^ 102^*.

T'C-f^

pf.

t ^T?!?]

S. 24^ Jb. 39^.

Lv. 11^

more prob.

tional clause.

-yfi^- '^

^7etTai

f^V'] n.[m.] luild mountain goat, as

interp.;

20.

Jb. 39^^.

acc. of place.

animals resembling marmots, Pr.

(gv.

cf.

nesl {84^).

|P

gl.

so S, ^, but ( rov

^x;*]

iJ2[!^]

Hiph.

^^- -^-

C"'''^^]

is

The original was doubtless ^tj', which might be either ^I'lT or

t^'n pn^ "fs] explan. gl.
17. n"^'"">r.'>^] improb.; the whole

5Lov.

is

above.

33S

is

N-'Sin'?.

||

tt'UvV

tj'D"'

final clause, as impfs.

i;*3-"]

'?\-ixn^]

+.

clauses

final

cun 33*^ ncc> ^m]

scribe who thought that

struction from context, by a

as

as Ex. i^*

v.23,

is

the next

22.
23.

n-'*;']
'."'/2?~'

interjected gl.

1.

juss.,
]

has

so also

PSALMS

n.m., a late

t|^j|7]

339

which is premature before the cnrnpletiDn of creation.

word from njp =ge^, beget : " creatures RV.'", alone suited

dV?,

T)I^y2^y r\'o::)n2

cv.-cvi.

'

to the context as to the usage of vb.

but noun not elsw. in this sense, but

of thing acquired by purchase 10521, as Gn. 31I8 342^ 366 Lv. 22I1 Jos. 14^
(all

38i'^- 13

P) Ez.

The

Pr. 4^.

clause transposed the

D^n

25.

yonder

.1;]

the sea," of Pe.,

%

n.m.

i:'p">]

Hu.

TD

improb. in original

n:] for relative.

Jb. 40-^.

27.

The

day of creation

D^r]
;

1.

pn^'S].

1:)

Leviathan.

Che., to

the

ill

i^i

too long

sf.

takes

gl.

|orc'^

it is

an

interp. gl.,

^-^liN]

14^^.

mniTN

28.

v. is

|I

The imprecation
'312]

is

mcTN.

gl.,

making

This

1.

of this

v. is

Ps. 105 reminds the seed of

but, as Ew.,
in

sense, as

oif

nr';']

fifth

of the patriarchs is

(^^12.14.16-21 23-23^)

/pj^g

Arama-

a general

temp, clause.

+._29.

^^^\

31. nUD

3!^.

32.

JO'^san]

during

a late

in apod., as

irk!';;"'!

'n-]

ptc.

my

life,

35.

gl.,

63^.

cf.

iDri^]

Ps.

v.^*^-^''.

"'")''>

impf. acr,

3]
cf.

altogether unsuited to Ps.

as at beginning.

24 str. 4I

Abraham and Jacob

that

Yahweh

God remembers forever His covenant with the fathers

The story

nrjs]

seems out of harmony with

v.

^"'ns]

gl.,

prot.

too long.

amplification of v.^.

a liturgical

a^DS

agl. from Gn.

is

PSALMS CV.-CVL,

their

26.

Pi. impf.,

?n2t:'^]

in>;3

\t\7\'\

prot. of temp, clause with

cohort, impf.

This
itt'flj

this

31^6 Ex. i6't-5-26 (j)

oncy Vni]

consec. result.

a gl.

implies t'\

Nu.

f;psn.

"'J'I'li]]

33.

things.

the context refers to previous water animals of

v.-'^ and a gl.

jDpV vb. Qal gather Gn.

yr]

is

is

gl.

Jb. 4025-41^*, whale.

idiomatically in

improb.

and

needless,

but the subsequent context requires land animals of sixth

Hiph. impf. ^Ds for

rel. clause.

not "yonder

word

does not refer to the sea

::

statement, variant of

^ni juss. is

cf.

|-~''''i'^]

V.25C belongs at the beginning of this Str.

ism, as 119I66 145I5 Is. 38I8 Est. 9I; v. Ps. 6921.

apod.

last

moving

all

day.

\\'6^h^;\

inserted previous

only here of water animals, usually

a late

is

The

vb.

1.

Gn. 9^ (P)

as 148!'^ creeping things of land, but

ships,

who

editor

Che., Ew., De.

n? Ju. 5^, as

^DT] makes

d:-^^

the "p-' of Gn.

coll. for

The

v.^'^.

here as most suitable to this exclamation.

line

sea, cf.

They

creatures of earth are out of place here.

belong after the water animals in

then told

till

the descent into

(v.^^).

Egypt

Sending of Moses and the plagues of Egypt

are then described, closing with the leading forth of the people
^y
its

26-27

29-37^

^^

Introductory gloss

makes the Ps.

emphasis upon public worship in

its

into a Hallel

varied phases

(v.^"^).

by

concluding gloss carries on the history in outline until the entrance

into Palestine (v.^^^).

history

(v."-

1^- is. 22n^^

Sundry glosses

^j^^ ^^

illustrate

times introduce

Ps. 106 begins with the history of

Israel

and expand the

new elements

(v.^^).

where Ps. 105 ends,

PSALMS

340
Red Sea

at the crossing of the

wilderness

(v.^^

^'-

^'^-

^-*^-

^^

(v.^

")

and carries

the miseries of the time of the judges

made

into a Hallel

(v.^-),

to

were also inserted

is

(v.^^- ^^ ^-

by glosses

greater completeness

the nation, even

(y.^^

by an introductory gloss

which a penitential character

sive glosses

"^^-s-.

on through the

4(mi. 44-45^
^

(v.^"^),

given by

^--

^- ^).

j^

(v.^*^ ^^).

Expan-

The Ps. was given

(y.^^-sa 42-43. 46-47^^

CV.

VE seed of Abraham His servant,

Sons of Jacob (His) chosen,
He, Yahweh, is our God
In all the earth are His deeds of judgment.
T-IE doth remember iorever His covenant.
The word He commanded to a thousand generations;

Which He made

with Abraham,

And

appointed to Jacob as a statute.

XXTHEN they were men that could be numbered,

As

it

were few and sojourners

in (the land),

He suffered no one to oppress them.

And reproved kings for their sake.
A

ND

He

on the land:
bread He brake

called a famine

The whole

staff of

He

sent before them a man

For a slave Joseph was sold.

THEY afflicted

his feet with fetters:

Into irons he entered,

Until the time His

The

saying of

word came

Yahweh

to pass.

that tested him.

T-JE sent a king and released him,

A ruler of peoples and set him free.
He made him lord of his household.

And

'PHEX

ruler over all his possessions.

Israel

came

to Egypt,

And Jacob sojourned in the

When He made His people

land of
very

Ham.

fruitful,

Their heart turned to hatred.

IJE

sent Moses His servant,

Aaron whom He had chosen.

He put

miraculous deeds.

And wonders

^^g

and an insertion

referring to the later history of

subsequent to the Exile

till

it

then briefly sums up the story of

^'^-'^^)

in the

land of

Ham,

T-JE changed their waters into blood.

Their land swarmed with frogs.
He commanded and the swarm came,
Gnats in all their borders.

PSALMS

341

CV.-CVI.

TJE gave

them hail for rain,

Flaming fire in their land;
And smote their vines and fig trees,
And brake in pieces the trees of their border.
TJE commanded and the locusts came,
And the young locusts without number;
And ate all the herbage in their land,
And ate all the fruit of their ground.
A ND He smote all the first born in their land,

The

first fruits

And
And

led forth (His people) with silver

there

of all their strength

was none

that

and gold;

stumbled among His

tribes.

CVI.

A ND He
And
And

rebuked the Sea of Reeds, and it dried up;

He led them in the depths as in a wilderness

the waters covered over their adversaries.

Not one

'THEN

of

them was

left

over,

they desired a desire in the wilderness,

And tested 'El in the desert.

And He gave to them their request,
And sent food according to their desire.

'THEN

they were jealous of Moses in the camp,

And

of Aaron, the consecrated to

Yahweh;

opened and swallowed up Dathan,

And covered over the company of Abiram,
Z'pHEN) they made a calf in Horeb,
^
And worshipped a molten image;

The

earth

They

forgat 'El their Saviour,

Who did great deeds in Egypt.

'THEN (Yahweh) had commanded to
Were

it

Stood

in the

To

turn

"THEN

destroy them.

not that Moses, His chosen,

breach before Him,

away His wrath from destroying.

they refused the desirable land.

And did not hearken to the voice of Yahweh.

And He lifted up His hand to them.
To make them fall in the wilderness.

'THEN

they joined themselves to Baal Peer,

And ate the sacrificial meals of the dead;

And provoked (Yahweh) by their doings
And a plague broke out against them.

'THEN

Phinehas stood up and interposed.

And the plague was stayed (from them)

And it was counted to him for righteousness
To generation after generation forever.
"THEN they enraged Him at the waters of Meribah,
And it went ill with Moses for their sake;
;

For they rebelled against His

Spirit,

And he

lips.

spake rashly with his

PSALMS

342

'PHEY

did not destroy the peoples;

And served their idols,

And these became a snare to them,
And they sacrificed their sons to Shedim.
'T'HEN the anger of Yahweh was kindled against His
And He abhorred His inheritance.
And gave them into the hand of the nations
And they that hated them ruled over them.

HTHEN He

looked upon their

When He

heard their

distress,

yell;

And remembered His covenant with them.

And was sorry according to the abundance
105-106 were originally one

Pss.

Ps.

of Israel to the going forth from Egypt.

Red

of the

Sea,

and

begin his

carries the history through the period of the Q^tOQC

poem with the

and by various

The

poem

It is

with the former, or

was divided into two for

form of a Hallel by a long
was given a penitential character by an introducevent.

latter

and the

first

introduction v^"^; the latter

tion v.^-^

of His kindness.

The former carries on the history

The latter begins with the crossing

altogether improbable that a poet would close his

liturgical reasons;

people.

was put

part

Ps.

in the

After the separation an editor, seeing the

glosses.

inappropriateness of letting a Ps. conclude with the going forth from Egypt,

adds v.88^* to carry on the history

until the entrance into Palestine.

Similar

reasons led the editor to append to the second part io6*6-*7, and to insert
y^86. 88. 39. 42. 43^

jjj order to mingle with the afflictions and deliverances of

the time of the " Shophets " reference to the afflictions and deliverances

Under these circumstances

of the later history even to post-exilic times.

we would

106. 11. 13. 15. 22.

IOC>.
off

expect

many
24!).

interpretative,

25b. 28.

2. 306

these glosses, the original Ps.

which are now

original Ps.

liturgical

12. 13. 18. 20. 22. 246. 25a. 27. 346^

glosses,

Throwing

had twenty-four trimeter tetrastichs, half of

which the original was divided. The

in each of the Pss. into

based on 78 of ^.

is

io6^0.

expansive, and

The

ancient history has been derived from

the Hexateuch and Judges in their present form

so that the Ps. cannot be

Its dependence on ^
Greek period. The poem also used Is. 63^' in 106^^
and Is. 63!'^ in 106^^0^ There is a reference in 106^'^ to Dt. 321"^, in io626 to Ez.
7I*.
The Pss. indi2o23, in io623 to Ez. 22*^, and in 1062* to Je. 31^ or Zc.

than the

earlier

brings

it

down

latter part of

into the

cate a varied use of earlier Lit.

119I8; 1053-^

Na.
8^.

I*;

cf. Is. 527;

io62o, cf. Je.

The Chronicler

which

is

the Persian period.

2";
(i

105*0-

105I, of. Is. 12*; 10536,

",cf

Ps. 7820-24.

io6^

is

older than

78"; 105^ cf. Ps.

K. 8*7; io69, cf.

io627, cf. Ez. 2o23; 1066, cf Ezr. 92; 106*8, cf i K.

Ch. 16) combines 105I-15 96, io6i- *7 jn a Hallel,

given as a specimen of Davidic Psalmody.

that the Ps.

cf.

cf.

its

use in Chr.

There can be no doubt

But the use that

is

made

of

it

im-

was much older. Besides, it is used in its present form with

These could not have originated prior to the Chronicler,
all the glosses.
There can be little doubt, therefore, that these specimens were later additions
plies that the Ps.

PSALMS
to the Chronicles,

but

nM'?"?n is

cv.-cvi.

and not used by the Chronicler himself.

given at the end, as also

Ps. 105 has no title,

end of 104. (3 has aWrjXovLd at
the end of 104 or 105
and this is

at the

the beginning of 105 and 106, and not at

These Pss. are evidently Hallels, and so indicated by n^V'rn

For the Doxology 106*8, r^^ i^tr. 40.

doubtless correct.
(v. Intr. 35).

PSALM
The

1.

343

CV.

making

Ps. has an introductory gloss,

tetrameter couplet from

12'^:

Is.

into a Hallel.

it

Give thanks

Yahweh'],

to

Hodu

so 106^ 107^ 118^ 136^ in the special form of the

(v. Intr.

proclaim His name^, as Ex. 33^^ 34^' ^ This meaning

" Call upon His name " of EV'., though
alone suited to context.
35).

a possible meaning of the phr.,

known among

the peoples

His

is

not appropriate here.

the wondrous deeds of deliverance

make

Israel celebrates

doings'], cf. 9^^.

and judgment wrought by

Yahweh by publishing them to the world.

2. Sing to Him
make melody to Him], with vocal and instrumental music.
hum
of all His wondrous deeds'], the indistinct humming sound of one
who makes music for himself alone, cf. Ju. 5^^- ".
3. Glory in His
holy name], make boast of the majestic sacredness of the renown
won by Yahweh, cf. 34^ Is. 41^^
Let the heart be glad]. Such
II

gives joy to the heart,

praise

assonance requires
tuting for the

Yahweh

sf.

the divine

name "Yahweh."

mediate between Yahweh and

||

and His

strength], inter-

His face, can only

memorate], celebrate by bringing to mind

EV
:

.,

the

so

wonders of His doing],

"His wondrous deeds

Seek after

4.

strength of His hfted hands and outstretched arms.

into

two syn. words used of resorting to

the temple, the place of His abode,

of

Him]

them that seek

but a glossator enlarged the line by substi-

seek continually],

||

of

that

He

cf. v^

5.

Com-

enlarged by glossator

hath done,"

copyist,

and not "remember"

used especially of the miracles of the Exodus,

of judgment of His presence].

refer to the

His marvels]^

cf.

v.^^

the acts

by the omission of a

and compelled the renBut the context requires

deeds of judgment and not proclamations. Thus far the introsingle letter, has destroyed the assonance

dering "judgments of His mouth."

ductory Hallel
Str. I.

the original Ps. begins with v.^

Syn. and synth. couplets.

Sons of facob].

The people

are

6.

Abraham
name of their

Ye seed of

summoned

in the

||

PSALMS

344

His sefvant\ doubtless conceiving Abraham

Gn.
His chosen\ doubtless the

original ancestors.

as a prophetic servant,

copyist's

error or

15.

in

||

Jacob as chosen rather than Esau

original referring to

made

misinterpretation

ones," referring to

the sons.

all

" His

pi.

it

He, Yahweh,

7.

is

but a

chosen

our God'l.

Yahweh is in a special sense the God of all the descendants of

Abraham and Jacob, their national God.
In all the earth are
His deeds of judgment\ Yahweh does not limit His wondrous

deeds to the land of

Israel, but in all the earth they

have been

wrought.
Str. II.

nant

II

Two

syn. couplets.

He

The word

He

8.

His

doth retnember

Yahweh was

C07n7nanded\

cove-

covenant

in

from the time of their forefathers, and that

relations with Israel

covenant was essentially a word of promise.

members and never

He

This Yahweh re-

it,
for ever to
a thousand generations'], as Ex. 20^.
9-10. Which He made with
Abraham], as Gn. 15, i 7
A7id appointed to Jacob as a statute],
Gn. 28, 35. The covenant was not only promise, but a law. A

forgets.

faithful to

is

||

||

glossator enlarges by inserting a reference to Isaac

and

everlasting covenant ;

nant

To

11. Saying:

of your inheritance],

Two

Str. III.

thee will

cf.

||

As

I give

the

land of Canaan,

it

12.

were few],

When

they

in antithesis

would be innumerable, and

theirs.

It

was

were sojourners

glossator

nation

in

were men that

with the promise

to

*'

oppr-ess

The

about from

last

clause was

from a kingdom to another people."

In

gloss indicates a conception of the patriarchal history

14.

He

them], thinking of the relation of

Canaanites and of Jacob to Laban,

sake],

And went

wetit to people].

in terms of the later history of the Exile.

to

and they

going about from place to place as nomads.

from people

changed by error

own mind,

of Canaan was not yet

in the possession of the Canaanites,

it,

the lot

also with the reality in

The land

enlarged upon this in 13.

to nation,

any case the

in the land].

still

an

promise of that cove-

the history of the nation reviewed by the psalmist in his

and sojourners

oath

Israel

to

78^.

syn. couplets.

could be numbered
that their seed

also the essential

and His

unto Isaac, and adds the more general statement

Pharaoh Gn.

12^^'^-,

suffered no one

Abraham

to

And reproved kings for

and Abimelech Gn.

20, 26.

To

the
their
this

PSALMS

adds words of Yahweh

also the glossator

Mine

345
Saying, Touch not

15.

anointed'\, conceiving of the patriarchs as anointed kings,

Gn.

of.

cv.-cvi.

and

14,

My prophets

fo

patriarchs as prophets,

harm\

do no

conceiving of the

Both of these conceptions of

Gn. 20^

cf.

the patriarchs were late ones.

Two

Str. IV.

the land~\,

Gn.

bread as the

And He called a famine on

The whole
of bread He brake\
104^^ 17. He sent
Lv.

syn. couplets.

41^^'' 42.

staff

staff

of Hfe,

brethren, Gn. 45^-^ 50^.

Two

to

be the means of saving his

was

Gn. 37.

sold],

were connected in the purpose of

God

for the

fathers.

They

afflicted his feet

with

Into irons he entered], so essentially RV., JPSV.

He

V.

fetters,

man

J^or a slave Joseph

His covenant with the

fulfilment of
Str.

26-^ Ps.

cf.

before them a man'], a single

All these events

16.

syn. couplets.

18.

was thrown into a dungeon and put in irons Gn. 39*. The rendering of PBV., " the iron entered into his soul," is sentimental,
against the

||,

and altogether improbable.

19.

Until the time

word came to pass], the word of divine promise was fulfilled

This doubtless refers
saying of Yahweh that tested him].

||

His
The

to the

prediction contained in the dreams Gn. 37^^".

Str. VI.

Two

syn. couplets.

20.

peoples], Pharaoh, king of Egypt,

set

him free], from

hold

II

21.

prison.

He

sent a king

He made him

ruler over all his possessions]

||

ruler of

and released him

Gn. 41,

Pharaoh exalted him

||

lord of his houseto the

highest dignity in reward for his right interpretation of dreams

and

his wise counsel

Gn.

his princes at his will,

4i^^'i-.

and

glossator

arbitrary

power and wisdom beyond

men; an

exaggeration of Gn.
Syn. and

Str. VII.

added

22. to bind

that he might teach his elders wisdom],

that of the Egyptian wise

41*^"^^ in

synth. couplets.

Maccabean temper.
Then Israel \ Jacob],

the

23.

doubtless here referring to the journey of the patriarch himself Gn.

came Egypt sojourned in land of Ham],

24. When He made His people very fruitful], Ex. i^
and
of Ex.
This
enlarged by a glossator on the
46-47,

to

the

||

cf. v.^^

as

78^^

stronger than their adversaries], certainly an inappro-

priate exaggeration,

unnecessary.

which

i into,

basis

is

made them

is

25.

which

if

true

made

Their heart turned

the divine interposition

to

haired], so

more probable than EV'., " He turned

JPSV.,

their heart."

PSALMS

346

glossator strengthened, as he thought, the statement

deal craftily with His servants referring to the

by adding

of
Ex. i^^; which required him to change the noun " hatred" into
an inf. "to hate," and then give the vb. its object, " His people,"
to

afflictions

at the

all

expense of the measure.

Two

Str. VIII.

Ex. 3-4,

cf.

syn. couplets.

His servant

||

26.

He sent Moses Aaron\

He had chosen^ Moses and

whotn

||

Aaron now take the same relative positions, as prophet and chosen
of Yahweh, as Abraham and Jacob v.^
27. He put miraculous
deeds \ And wonders in the land of Ham']. The ancient Vrss. are
doubtless correct in making God the subject of the vb., and J^,
followed by EV'., is in error in making Moses and Aaron the sub-

ject.

are

The miracles are the plagues of Egypt,

now mentioned, based on the narratives

present form.

glossator inserts

one which had been omitted in

the original, here at the beginning, out of

narrative.

28.

He

sent darkness

a plague peculiar to E, Ex.

lo^^*^-

inappropriate in the context.

gloss

And they

rebellion against
It

who

Yahweh.

was probably a

in distinction

eter.

30.

the

This

is

altogether

is

His word~\. This can hardly

no sense could be regarded as in
used only of the people of

faithful to

Him.
up

and slew

their fish,

making the

Their land swarmed with

four plagues.

blood~\, the first plague,

glossator

frogs']

makes the

This

is

He
78'^

y^'^'i-.

He
A

pentam-

the second

pentameter

line into a

in the

29.

Ex.

line into a

chambers of their king.

31.
came],
the
plague
of
Ex.
S^^'^swarm
Ps.

by adding

darl:].

following line

from that covered by 106, the people did not rebel

plague of Ex. 8^^-.

and

in

It is elsw.

changed their waters into

glossator adds

proper order in the

its

became

cannot be other than a marginal

Synth, tetrastich, heaping

Str. IX.

it

glossator's assertion that at this period,

Yahweh, but were

against

and
The

rebelled not against

refer to the Egyptians,

God.

It

the most of which

of Exodus in their

com??iandedy
;

a variation

Gnats in all their borders.

of which by another narrator Ex. 8^^
connected
with
the fouling of the Nile
These four plagues were all
""^

in the several narratives of Exodus.

It is

appropriate that they

should be combined together.

Str.
^13

sq.

X. Two syn. couplets, enlarging upon the plague of Ex.

78^^-^.-32. He gave them hail Flaming fire], a storm

ps^

\\

PSALMS

And

smote

their vines

pg^ yg46^

and fig

trees

the trees

\\

2^

hail,

of their border']

commanded and the

jj^

command and devoured

ence to the divine

repeated for emphasis,

land

the final plague, Ex.

is

tioned in this Ps.

doubtless was so

37.

||

36.

1^*"!-

||

And He

sf.

smote all

their strength].

Ps. 78^^ the seventh of those

" them."

context was used of Egypt, and

Ate\

the fruit

The

people].

it

This

sf.

men-

original

but a copyist, by the omission of a single

young

in obedi-

35.

land

The fi?'st fruits of all

And led forth His

reduced the object to the

some way

the land.

all the herbage in their

of their ground,
Str. XII. A syn. and a synth. couplet.
the first born in their

came

locusts

Innumerable locusts came up

without number].

locusts

This

rain, in its place.

brake in pieces^ by the violence of the

XI. Also two syn. couplets, enlarging upon the plague Ex.

Str.
jQiiq.

||

347

for rain\ instead of

of thunder and lightning,

33.

cv.-cvi.

letter,

in all the previous

was necessary to distinguish

that Israel was the object of this vb.

with

silver

in.

and

And there was none

among His tribes]. All the people were protected
by Yahweh and made vigorous and strong. Thus far the original
Ps., which was continued in 106^
But when the separation was

gold], jewels and ornaments, as Ex. 12^-^.

that stumbled

^'^.

made,

it

was evident that

v.^''

was no proper ending

for a Ps.,

and

accordingly there was the gradual accretion of the glosses v.^^^.

38

is

a glossator's exultation over the terror of the Egyptians.

Egypt was glad when they went forth

fallen upon them], cf. Ex. 12^ 15^^.

for

39

theophanic

pillar

1321-22 1419-20^

of Ex.

and fire

ably influenced by

Is.

to

4^"*^.

fear of them had

a reference to the

but in terms quite different

from those of the ancient history or even of

cloudfor a screen,

the
is

Ps.

yS^'*

give light by night].

He

spread a

This was prob-

In the history the cloud was a theo-

phanic leader and guide, and not a screen from the rays of the
40-41. Three of the miracles in the wilderness are mensun.

tioned:

The

pi.

They asked, and

of ancient Vrss.

He

is

brought quails], Ex.

i6^^"^- Ps.

to be preferred to the sg. of |^.

78^^

and

with bread of heaven He used to satisfy them], the giving of the

manna, Ex. i6''''^- Ps. 78^'^^^ This v. goes over into the narrative
of

106^*"^^.

I7^^-

Nu.

He

ope7ied the rock,

2oii- Ps.

and waters gushed

out], Ex.

^%^^-^^-^'^,~and they flowed in thirsty lands

PSALMS

348
as a river.

42-44 give a general statement

For He

entrance into the holy land.

holy

word with Abraham His

forth His people

||

of the Exodus and

remefndered~\,3i?>

servant'], as

v.^,

His

and He brought
with joy
of

v.^,

His chosen\ resumption

v.^^,

||

with Jubilation'], hardly consistent with the historic narrative, but

and gave them the lands of the nations], the
an ideal situation.

nations of Palestine, which were dispossessed at the entrance and

in the subsequent history,

and

the toil

of the peoples], the

fruit

took possession of
inheritance, given
them by
45 a
God, which they would transmit

of their labours, especially in the cultivated

herited],

they in-

fields,

as their

to

to their children.

their

conclusion

legalistic

is

in order that they itiight keep

mind

observe].

||

aim and purpose of the

His laivs].
The
divine Pentateuchal Law was the supreme purpose of God, as well
as the highest ideal of His people.
According to the

legalistic

the final

His

entire history of Israel was,

statutes

||

PSALM CVL
Ps. io6, after

prefixing

v.^"*.

its

separation from 105, was

Give thanks

1.

to

made

Yahiveh^for

by
good ; for

into a Hallel

He

is

His kindness endureth forever], the liturgical phr. 107^ 118^ 136^
Yahweh is "good" in the sense
Je. 33^^ Ezr. 3^^ I Mac. 4^*.
of kind, benignant, beneficent, being good to His people.
the
make to be heard], in public praise,
2. Who can utter
mighty acts of Yahweh
His praise], for the doing of them.

||

||

3.

Happy

duct,

they that keep

justice,

ment
more

2iS

the

II

that do], in the practice of right con-

||

righteousness requires;

and not "judg-

" as EV'., whether interpreted in the sense of the

generally.

Another hand appends

v.*"^,

Law

petition of an individual, possibly originally a marginal gloss.

4.
is

Remember me, Yahweh

invoked,

according

habitual goodwill

to

||

visit

people], the

shown by Yahweh toward His people,

||

me], the divine interposition

Thy favour toward Thy

the petitioner longs to share.

or

apparently the

Thy

in

which

salvation], in the general

and troubles, but in

That I may look upon], preg-

sense, not only in deliverance from enemies

the enjoyment of prosperity.

nant
that

with gratification

I may glory]

||

that

5.

I may

in exultant boasting.

be glad with the gladness

That which

is

||

so ardently

PSALMS

349

good things which were enjoyed by

Thy nation
Thifie inheritance'], emphasizing
6-8 is a penipersonal relation of Israel to Yahweh.

longed for

prosperity,

is

Thy chosen
the close

cv.-cvi.

07ie

tential gloss.

done wickedly]

||

||

We

6.

have sinned, we have done

iniquity,

we have

the three vbs., in emphatic coordination without

conjunction, are an explicit and solemn confession of

our fathers], participating with and sharing in

sin,

their guilt.

with
7.

The

mind was in Egypt. There

they did not remember
ihey considered not
Thy wondrous deeds,
the abundance of Thy kindof deliverance from the Egyptians
ness], in caring for them and providing for their needs.
(^, Aq.,
specific guilt of the fathers especially in
||

||

C have

J,
J^,

the

sg., in

accordance with the usage of the phr., but

pi. " deeds of kindness," which was

followed by AV., have

<S,

On

assimilated to the previous pi.

We

belled].

rebelled

by the
error,
2E,

and so doubtless the

at

God

original reading

A general statement prior

And He saved them for His
and reputation,
to

cf.

Ez.

interprets the form

suit the context.

to the beginning of the original Ps.

20^-

name's sake], for His own honour

^^

the last clause explained by,

make known His might]

in the deliverance of

synth. couplets.

sea

his authority

is

evidently

it

and done what he ought not

have been prompt to serve

Its

bottom was

to have done, or rather

Yahweh and His

laid bare

by the

The

Is.

63^^.

wilderness on

its

A mode

a wilderness].

The depths
borders.

of the sea had

10

is

and

it

of the waters in

and He led them

of statement derived

become

an expansive

And saved

between the antithetic couplets.

them
frotn the hand of], repeated

sea should

people.

flight

terror of the divine rebuke, cf. 104'' Ex. 14^^"-^.

in the depths as in

known

neglected something he ought to have done.

dried up].

in

9. And He rebuked the Sea of

conceived as a servant, who had exceeded

Two
The

Str. I.

the putting forth of His might

His people was a making

nations.

Reeds].

from

they

the

and EV*., an intolerable repetition. (

"going up"; but this does not

all

they re-

whom

Sea of Reeds] Ex. 14^^'^^ But J^, by an

instead of the former, gives " at the sea," followed by S, J,
locality,

8.

to

against

was ^Elyon, followed

as a ptc,

order

the positive side,

would expect the name of

as dry as the

gloss, intervening

them

in prosaic style,

||

redeemed
hi7n that

PSALMS

3 so

hated him

the enemy'], the

||

11.

Egyptians.

And

the waters

covered over their adversaries], having returned to their depths

and so completely were these destroyed by drowning

one of them was

12-13.

reference to the song Ex. 15:

word and sang His

Not

This was followed by a censure in

praise.

They hurriedly forgat His works and tarried

Ex.
\f^\
Two
couplets.
Then
desired a

the spirit of

v.^'.

not for His counsel],

cf.

is^"^^- i62''^-

syn.

Str. II.

Nu. 11^ Ps.

cf.

that,

A glossator inserts a
And they believed in His

Ex. 14^.

left over], cf.

they

14.

78^^^^

desire],

had an overpowering desire

for fleshly food.

Him by questioning
And He gave to them

This under the circumstances tested ^El], tried

His

provide for them.

ability to

And sent food]

An

15.

||

the most probable reading in a difficult passage.

ancient copyist, by the mistake of a single

means " wasting, leanness, disease "

which

" satiety " according to

(^,

letter,

used a word

according

to

J^,

both implying the punishment for

the testing God, and making the line antithetical with the previ-

ous one instead of synonymous

which

altogether improbable,

is

especially in view of the parallelism of the vbs.

nouns

their request

Two

Str. III.
cf.

this

Nu.

16,

||

syn. couplets.

of Moses

was partly

tribal

and

also of the

their desire, cf. 78^^

16.

When

they

were jealous],

\ of Aaron], the two leaders of Israel;

and partly personal. Aaron is further de-

scribed as the consecrated to Yahzveh], doubtless referring to the

upon the high

inscription

mitre Ex. 28^^^. 17.

and swallowed up Dathan

priest's

earth opened], in earthquake,

||

ered over the company of Abiram].

The

sideration altogether the Levitical

Korah of the

The
cov-

author leaves out of conlater narrative,

and Hmits his attention to the Reubenite of the earlier narrative

Nu. i6^'^*. A glossator, noting the incompleteness of the statement, supplies the defect by introducing a reference to the
Korahites in 18. And fire consinned their congregation, flame
licked up the wicked], cf. Nu. 16^.
19. The7i they made a
Str. IV. A syn. and a synth. couplet.

calf in Horeb
32^"^.

This

is

||

and worshipped a

molten image], the story of Ex.

enlarged by a prosaic gloss.

their glory], the theophanic glory in

Himself

to

them,

20.

which their

into the likeness of an

and changed
God manifested

ox that eateth herbage],

PSALMS

4i6i7.i8_

using the terminology of Dt.

Who

Saviour^

CV.-CVI.

351

_ 21.

They forgat "El their

He

was

their Saviour

had wrought

in delivering

did great deeds in Egypt'].

He

through the great deeds of salvation

them from the Egyptians. This is expanded by a glossator into

awe-inspiring deeds, in the land of Ham
22. wondrous deeds
by the Sea of Reeds.
Str. V. A synth. tetrastich.
23. Then Yahweh had com||

II

manded

to

destroy them].

This

the apodosis of a conditional

is

which the protasis shows to have been something about

" Yahweh "
to take place, and not as having actually occurred.
clause,

was omitted in text by copyist's

error,

complete the measure.

not that Moses, His chosen],

Were

it

Moses was the chosen of Yahweh

Stood

105^^.
of. for

in the breach before

the phr. Ez. 22^^ BS. 45'^,

To turn away His wrath from

Str. VI.

Two

desirable land],

the phr.

Him

And did

Nu.
?iot

here, as

Him],

and

is

it

Jacob 105^ and Aaron

a warrior's interposition,

event Ex.

for the

24-25.

hearken

Then they refused the

and Je. 3^^ Zc. f^ for
voice of Yahweh], to obey

to the

enlarged this by inserting two lines

word], of promised help in

murmured in their
up His hand to the?n],
32^^ Ez.

20^; and

cf.

and did

The

glossator

not believe His

battle against their enemies,

tents],

from Dt. i^^

26.

and

And He

lifted

the gesture of the divine oath Ex. 6^ Dt.

Nu.

for the event

fall in the wilderness], that

eration except Joshua

32^^"^.

14^^ for the event,

by going up to take possession of the land.

they

necessary to

destroying], cf. Ps. 78^.

synth. couplets.
cf.

but

is, fall

14^^

To

make them

in death until the entire gen-

and Caleb had perished.

glossator, with

great historical impropriety, adds a clause which can only refer to

the great Exile

away among
Str. VII.
to

many

centuries later

the nations,

and to

synth. tetrastich.

27. to

disperse them

28.

Then

make their seed fall

among the lands.

they joined theftiselves

Baal-Peor], attached themselves to the worship of Baal as cele-

brated at Peor; an apostasy from

Yahweh Nu.

25.

And

ate the

meals of the dead], the feasts attached to the offering

of the peace offerings to Baal, whose real existence is denied by

sacrificial

this poet,

who

lives at

a time

when

considered as not real beings, but

selves, cf. 135^^^^

29.

other deities than

lifeless as

their

And provoked Yahweh

Yahweh were
images them-

by their doings]^

PSALMS

352
their apostasy

the Moabites.

Yahweh

Him and

from

And a plague

worship of Baal in fellowship with

brake out against them\ sent by

punishment.

as a

Two

Str. VIII.

synth. couplets.

up and interposed^ Nu.

30.

Then Phinehas stood

This interposition of Phinehas was

25^"^^.

the act of a soldier rather than of a priest, executing vengeance

AV. " execute judgment

upon the ringleader of the apostasy.

substitutes the result for the act expressed

by the

And

and over-

vb.,

it

was
31. And
Yahweh in response to this interposition.
was counted to him for righteousness]. Yahweh estimated it

as

an act of meritorious righteousness, and rewarded him with a

looks the mediatorial significance of his act.

the plague

stayed], by

covenant giving him an everlasting priesthood

mind of

less in the

which was doubt-

To

the psalmist in his phrase

generation

after generation forever.

Str.

the

Him
For

IX.

synth. tetrastich, in which the third

the fourth on the second.

first,

at the waters of Meribah] Nu. 20'^^

they rebelled agaifist

on

tory based

His

hne depends on
Then they enraged

32-33.

This

explained by

is

an interpretation of the

Spirit],

63'^ which identifies the divine Spirit with the

Is.

The

angel of the presence of the Pentateuchal history.

involves

not

Moses and Aaron

make

And

it

his-

clear in

in this transgression,

what exactly

narrative

although

their guilt consisted.

it

does

So here

went ill with Moses for their sake]. The author thinks
that Moses had to suffer not so much on account of what he had
done as for his association with guilty Israel, and yet he tries to
explain by he spake rashly with his lips] the most probable mng.
of a rare word, which gives practically no better explanation of the
it

sin of
Str.

Moses than the

X.

syn. tetrastich.

34.

They were commanded

ples].

but did not do

original passage.

it,

glossator adds

cf.

Ex. 23^2-^

and learned

sefved their idols].

The

their works,

exilic situation rather

stich.

to exterminate

34^-"^-

Dt.

f^

and mingled

i2i-27.29Bq.
;

is

and

^i.^.^

also, 35,

themselves with the

which seems to

reflect a post-

than the time of the judges.

This

the peo-

the Canaanites,

Ju.

which Yahiveh commanded them

the antithetical positive offence

nations,

They did not destroy

36.

And

the second Hne of the original tetra-

Israelites participated in the idolatry of the Canaanites,

PSALMS

and

became a snare

they

sacrificed their sons to

to

cv.-cvi.

them],

353

Ex. 23^.

cf.

37.

The Shedim were

Shedim],

And

they

the ancient

gods of Canaan, called " Shedim," originally meaning " lords," and

no more objectionable as a divine title than "BaaUm " or " Adonay " ;
but it became so associated with the worship of Baal at a very early
date that it won a bad repute, and so in the mind of later Israel
Human sacrifice was
it amounted to about the same as demons.

common

in ancient times

among

all

the inhabitants of Palestine,

and probably among the Hebrews also before it was prohibited by

law.
But for a long time it prevailed notwithstanding the proeven down to the Exile.

hibition,

to sacrifice daughters.

was doubtless an

It

insertion,

due

to the gloss v.^.

long distant in time from the period

made,

was not common, however,

This word makes the line too long, and

when such

late glossator,

with horror at the thought and not knowing

filled

about them, adds

38-39.

And shed innocent

were

sacrifices

much

blood, the blood of

and their datighters, which they sacrificed to the idols of

Canaan ; and the land was polluted with their blood. And they
became unclean by their works, and went a-whoring by their
doings'].
This glossator is evidently more disturbed by ceretheir sons

monial desecration of the land and people than by moral or

religious considerations.

40. Then the anger of

and a synth. couplet.
A^id He abhorred], both DeuYahweh was
teronomic expressions. The object of the divine wrath was His
Str.

XI.

syn.

kindled against

||

people

II

His

horrence

As a consequence of

inheritance.

41.

And gave

this

anger and ab-

them into the hand of the nations], per-

mitted them to be defeated in battle by the several nations, which

subdued them

in the times of the judges.

them ruled over them].

Many times

And

they that hated

they became a subject people

in bondage to their oppressors.

A glossator enlarged upon this
by adding 42. and their enemies oppressed them, and they were
subdued under their hand. This glossator also called attention to
:

the fact that this was due to oft-repeated rebeUions.

times

He

used

to deliver

sank low in their iniquity.

Str. XII.

syn.

upon their distress

j|

43.

Many

them, but they rebelled in their counsel and

and a synth. couplet.

When He heard their

44.
yell]

Then

When

He

looked

His people

PSALMS

354

He did not neglect them; but looked upon

His eyes and heard their cries for help with His
reme?nbered His covenant'], that made with the

Him,

cried unto

their distress with

45.

ears.

And

And was

patriarchal ancestors 105^^^.

sorry],

cf. 90^^.

accord-

abundance of His kindness], so Kt. more suited to the

context and the usage of the phr. than the pi. of EV. after Qr.,
whether we think of " kindnesses," or the more usual " deeds of
ing

the

to

The

kindness."

Ps. here reaches

own

point of view of his

Exile

He

Aiid

46.

conclusion with the times

its

But the glossator was not

of the judges.

from

K. 8^.

gloss

is

appended

gave

before all

for

thetn

who

end

at the

From

satisfied.

the

times he appended a reference to the

co??ipassion], a phr. derived

carried them captive.

liturgical

a prayer of Israel in the Maccabean

among the nations.

47. Save us,
God; and gather us from the nations, that we may
thanks to Thy holy namey that we may laud Thy praise.

period, for deliverance from

Yahzveh, our
give

cv.

From

1.

12*.

Is.

KpaTaid}dr)Tj so

original

rt:'p3?:.

3.

F=

B,

103^

cf.

5.

prob.
r\t";

vn.

If

ro

is

retained,

we must

let

This couplet begins the original poem.

acteristic of P,
is

Gn.

based on Ex.

915. 16

20.

X nvi30' n.f. oa^/i, as

re

9.

11

is

an expansive

135II. _cpp|;'n_3 ^pn] cf. Dt. 32^

temporal clause.
gl.

78 Je. ii^

Am. y^-'^^ for usual pnx\

c"?)-; nn2 phr. of P, Gn. 9I6 +

i560 2726,

13

n3]

for

an

t.;

Ch. 16^5 +.
gl.

P^'^": "

]nN not elsw.

16I8.

original 'nsa

iii^ char-

t^^s^l doubtless

to bring in this patriarch also.

Ch. 16^^

has been
Abraham.

n:i>' to

_n^T

3 sg.

sf.

16^2. rd.prob.

12,

yp,

Dr^^na]

change due

pr- ! elsvv.

repetition

is

also Is. 246 558 618 Je.

J>'J3

Ch.

we have had

v-\>n3]

6.

zhv; r^na Ssir-'S]

10.

gl.
I

32*'^

but only
inf.

106^

]';iD

cstr.

to use of

and a

50^ Ez.

sf.

3 pi.,

yya in the

nr'^opr] strange before nnx ay

15 an expansive
only here
Gn.
from very
point of view, regarding them
Dn^
phr.
Abraham
conceived
a
however, Gn.
i4i8._i8.
so
Ez.
Vi.i3j._Vn3]
Kt.
Qr.

Che.,
Hiph. impf. consec. f [inj]
S,
is

an expansive

gl.

of patriarchs,

Lv. 2626
^rn33,

Sn.

is

doubtless txt. err. for iSn eye.

14.

iCh.

"as-j'::] cf.

but (5

prob. for an

in>i3 nor] phr. 106*^

8.

"^nyor] a

pnt'-'S

Je 33"^
gl.

Ex. 224 65 Ez. 166O

Gn. 26^ Dt.

thus far

but n>na refers to Jacob as

11.;

^;

Jf,

vpin'^dj] rd. ^t'V inf. cstr. with

close with vpflc.

1.

so

^t>']

nin> "ri^aa]

tiansposed, for

irs

preceded by pinSd: as Gn.3i28,cf.Ps. loi^.

assimilated to the previous

4.

so Houb., Street.

vjd]

-i>cn

assonance in ^_ and r_.

ou*2]

v^-ji-i

1U',

is

gl.

as kings,

late

as

is

4^6 5I6

01s., Bi.,

20'.

n>2j,

20.

only Hiph. loosen, set free, as 146^

||

"in->\n'>]

Is.

16.

cf.

ntsc]

^^j->

vSj-^]

al.

It is

"n-'B'c] i.p.

|1

^3.-3,

vb.

58^ Jb. 6^ 2 S. 22^^ (?).

21.

^rjf?]

PSALMS

cv.-cvi.

355

himself.

context indicates the usual sense of possessions, not creatures as 1042*,

Tov TraidevaaL, -\V''^, so <S, Street, Du., Ehr.; expansive gl.;
22. "^bs^]

pentameter
24.

1,

ful Gn. 28^ 48* Lv.

text.

subj.

25.

D2>

SsjnnS.

^.-,,^^

knave Mai.

be a

to

knavishly, as Gn. 37^^,

c.

and Aaron; but

5J,

^,

(&,

Nu.

Pi. beguile

i^*;

pn, here with

27.

J.

28.

al.,

nai]

r:^\-is

^iS'nM

Hithp. deal

25!^,

referring to

Moses

or more prob.,

as 78*^

pi.,

^'2t''\

Aq., 2, 3, Hu., De., Ba.,

en] is expansive gl.

God subj.
God which were miraculous signs.

with
of

an intensive gl. not suited to conand not trans, with God as

is

-""^p?;?.!}]

vb, intrans. with CiS subj.,

It

Qal

t ["73:] vb.

makes 1. too long.

It has been assimilated to the gl.
was originally noun nsr;;' n.f. hatred 25^^ \o(f'-^ 139^^.

Nrc''?

iD;;_

V3p

consec.

269.

'i^Di]

v. @, Aq., ^, ^;^DJ:) like

nnc Qal be fruitful 128^, Hiph. make fruit-

in his pleasure ;

itroji]

Hiph. impf.

-in>j]

cf. '|\nN'7f5J

nSc'].

"iii'n

nan

145, acts

This

is

out of

place in the order of plagues, and doubtless was a later misplaced insertion.

in3i ns

nD

^N.

have

if

A. T.

c. a.

nSi].

(^,

with Hi., Ba., Du., Ehr.,

ijD

Nu. 2o2* 2714 (P).

n-\D

measure, making

making

Egyptians.

It is

same

106.

Ps.

all

other Vrss. have

It

DPn'nx

30.

riJ?^}] is

31.

rd. urhr:.

The

Rd.

sf.

J 3\3r]

prob. gnats, as

have

in v.29-36

sfs.

D,v

for D_,

referred

all

(i) covering, screen, elsw. 2 S. 171^ (of well).

Ex.

26^ +.

Pi. impf. t

'?':'D

Aram.

of the Tabernacle in

Here

which makes no difference in

phr. a.X.,

]y; tr'nc]

"iD;:^

to
left

they go over into the period

later addition;

39.

it.

not suited to the context, even

was doubtless a marginal gl.; cf.

an expansive gl. against the
Dr!!"'5^5 ^T.^?] is also an expansive gl.,

rd. na'.r.

dn>x^m].

38-45 are a

by

it is

improb. that a changed reference to Israel would be

to context only with

the measure.

covered

we

29.

For DHidSd

Q)._37.

812. 13- 14

Ex.

In any case

pentameter.

1.

pentameter.

1.

have no negative, but

S>,

6tl for Kal.

Is.

cf. 78I*.

+"1?^ n.[m.]

22^ (of eye);

(2) the veil

a novel conception of the

is

]y;.

CVI.
2.
pi.

SS-q>;\

as (g

n.9tr.

4.

elsw.

so %, 5,

\n,0T]

E,

Gn. 21? (E) Jb. 82333.-3.

\\

'n?^; but

r\vf\

Aq., 2, 8, Quinta,

(&,

u ; better suited to context, though prob. an assimilation.

qDy psn] phr. a.X,
makes 1. too long.
constr. of object.
V.*"^ a trimeter
5. qn^nn] should be sg. in assonance with T'i and ^r'^nj.
pentastich with assonance in :]_
a gl. by another hand than v.i"^- ^"^
6 is gl.
Sexta, Ba., Che., pi.

mn">] gl.;

from

K.

8^".

ijim^N >'

late explanatory gl. against

however, an insertion due to

is,

measure.

accordance with usage of phr.

sustained by

5',

3,

ST.

1.

is

original Ps. begins here.

based on

Ex.

1428.

13.

Ss

1DJ>1]

Vv]

d>

10

is

|niD

The

is

1.

Ex.

d^] elsw.

1428.

:i7Dn in

and improb., though

ascendentes, D-iSV.
Venema, Ba.,

14.

= 7818- Scf. Ex. 172-

Dn:^:::]]

7.

tautological

t/'

v. 9- 22 13613-15.

is

gl.

improb.; <&,Aq.,3,

dependent on Na.
expansive and repetitious

one nnx] based on

A pentameter

15I.

Ex. 1431
Ps. 7330.

Is. 631^.

^''7Dn 3i]

(& ava^alvovre's,

Dr.,Kau.,Du.,Che., tr'7;as78i^.

The

v.".

Nu.

i*.

gl.

9.

'\V}'f].

c?''^'*''^]'

This

D^r

idd''i]

11.

12. A tetrameter gl., cf. v.2*&

msn iinp^i] z/.Nu. ii3i (E), cf.
1422 (JJ) Dt.

616.-15.

Qh^^n-^^] sf.

PSALMS

356
X

asking, request, with |rj elsw.

n'j'Nc' n.f.

^DB.,

n. wastitig disease, ace.

so

r'Krja-fwvTjv,

saturitatem,

S. i^^- 27 Est. 5-

lO^^ leanness. Mi.

elsw. Is.

72 912,

61"^

Houb., Street, Che., Dy., Du.,

n;':id,

j ^>p-j

scantiness.

al., N->r

Nu. ii''^'^. But it is not suited to context. We should have,

sn^, yw-a food^
as Gn. 452* 2 Ch. 1 1^-^,
ds'dj3] = D'^'djS 78^^.
16. nin> v\^^p'\ one consecrated to Yahweh, a conception of P.
17. yvK nncn] = Nu. i6''2.
f?'^"']
n. pr. m. Dathan, son of Ehab, Reubenite Nu. i6i- 12. 24. 25. 27 268 Dt. iVe.

||

a-^ON

is,

18

only in same passages.

3nn] n. pr. loc, term of E,

an expansive

is

i K.
PN n^CM] gl. from Je. 2", only sf. c_ for '\ which
however, given here by &^- ^- ^ T^ of. Rom. i"^.
% n"'J3r] n.f.

gl.

19.

51^.-20.

89 198 2 Ch.
latter

m. his brother;

pr.

n.

generalizing

elsw. Mai. 322

D-J025

construction 144I2 Jos. 2228 (-p^^ pattern Ex. 25^ mo'^^f elsw. Dt. 4I6. 17.
10528- ^\ cf. 78".
Is. 44I3 Ez. 83- 10 108.
22. Expansive gl.
en r-^N2]

= Dt.

ncNM]

23. D-T'DcnS

here for good measure.

DDPN -iTcnV

925

p53

nin> -irx id

ir:?] as Ez. 22*^

24. nncn ^ns] phr. elsw.

interp. 25. Qn>Snx3
dimeter

Je. 31^ Zc. 7!*.

7888.

Is.

292*,

26.

cn^

Niph. (I) same, elsw. Dt.

>i; Nb'^i]

gl.

"UJ^"!]

Dt. 43 Ho. 91^

J -idj::]

xi.i.

2^^-

Ps. 50I9.

^ Hiph.

o^no

>n3r]

plague,

phr. a.X.

Nu.

y.*^

Qal restrain not used ^p

(P) 2 S. 2425. A word

is

Hiph. t n^P vb. Qal not

in

1487

33.

Gn, 43^ 44^2

2421.

36.

(J).

29.

nin>

115* =13516.

37.

38-39.

as Ez. 22* Lv. 198I

is

gl.

resumed.

Ec.

1-'^^]]

gl.

from

form

30.

Niph. impf.

"<Vi,'.ni]

t "'X^

but Hiph. provoke

-icxp^^]
22

Zc.

Pr. 12I8 babbler, Pi. elsw. Lv. 5*.

to zvrath as

nc'::.

% 3i;' vb.

n-^vr-'i]

g"^- ^-

34. anS nin>

idn hz'n]

Qal^<7 surety for

19I22

Hithp. have fellowship with, elsw. Ezr. 92 Pr. 2oi'

rsi]

pi. idols v.38

expansive

D"'-'r] n. pi. lords,

gl.

cf.

Ps. 35^*.

gl.

old

vb.

nnn

be brought lo7u Jb. 242*.

45.

Daughters were

of divinity as Dt. 321^.

be polluted Is. 24^ Je. 31-

become unclean religiously,

578. 40-41.

= Ju.

13^ vb. Qal a.X. be low, humiliated,

v. ^8.

name

Qal

t^<?p^1]

i;?J??i]

4!^ 8* 132 148 Is. 46^ Ps.

from

2^ 416 Is.

ijtj]

Expansive

Ho.

gl.

3^^.

^DB.

"^^Dn]

43.

Original Ps.

Generalizing

Niph. sink in decay

Kt. more in accord with

viDn Qr. deeds of kindness not suited to context.

46. c^n-iS |ni]
I K. 8^.
nanrnS]
47. Gl. of final petition with Exile in view.

a.X.,

nDK>l.

Hoph.

10^8^

usage.

42.

nr5{i]

Nu. 253- &

has been omitted by txt. err.

32.

njnni] [i^n]

(H).
as Ho.

Expansive

28.

from

n- pr. dei., elsw.

Dt.

of land, Mi. 4II of Zion,

22.

gl.

D.n^P''J3

not usually so sacrificed.

7318.-27.

of

gl.

tmirmur

missing for measure; insert cn^Sy::.

dox; always

cn\3xy] %

n*^] is

but Niph. be restrained, stayed, here as Nu. 171* 25^

gl.

is

Jb. 178

37I*

'^V^]

for

is gl.

)nDn3''trn] as Ps.

ircNn

inappropriate here.

"^^/'fl

S. 6*.

NW5>_i] Pi.

is

should be inserted

f p-, vb. Qal

i27.

cf.

tNa3 vb. Qal na^n

word missing
measure. Insert either Nin or
35 tetrameter
Hithp.
814.

(2) backbite Pr. i628 i88 2620.

i2";

nin^

nanS

Dt.

Ez. 2o23._a.n^N S^sn^]

Ez. 2o23, introducing reference to Exile;

Niph. elsw. Nu.

BS. 452^.

I8

Aramaism.

48.

Benediction of the book.

ncNil

Ch. 16**

PSALM

PSALM CVIL,
Ps. 107 is a

His people from

summons
straits.

lost in the wilderness

to praise

CVII.

357

4 STR. i2^

Yahweh

(v."^^),

His redemption of

for

Four are mentioned

(i) perils of
(y.^^-

(2) of prisoners

1--

caravans

1^'^),

(3) of

^'- -^'- ^''- ^^- ^-).

An
(4) the perils of the sea (yr^introductory gloss makes the Ps. into a Hallel (v.^). Other glosses

sickness

(v.^^-^^),

interpret the redemption as from exile

imprisonment in exile
^y

236. 24. 26a.

27^^

(v.^^),

(v.""^),

give a reason for the

enlarge upon the perils of the sea

upou the gladness

of a

calm

(v.^),

ances of various kinds mingled with discipline

CTRAYING
The way

heap up deliver-

(v.^"^^).

in the wilderness, in the desert,

an inhabited
Hungry, yea thirsty,
to

city they

found not.

Their soul fainted within them.

TAen they cried unto Yahweh in their strait,

That out of their distresses He might deliver them
Then He made them tread in a straight way,
To go unto an inhabited city.
Let them give thanks to Yahweh for His kindness.
And His wondrous deeds to the sons of mankind.
For He doth satisfy the longing soul.
And the hungry soul He doth fill with good things.
TOWELLING in darkness and dense darkness,

Prisoners in affliction and iron.

Their heart was humbled with travail

They stumbled and there was no helper.
Then they cried unto Yahweh in their strait.
That out of their distresses He might save them :
And He leads them forth from darkness and dense darkness,
And their bands He bursts asunder.
Let them give thanks to Yahweh for His kindness,
And His wondrous deeds to the sons of mankind.
For He brake in pieces the doors of bronze,

And

the bars of iron

He hewed

\^EAK because of the way

And

asunder.

of their transgression,

because of their iniquities they were suffering

was abhorring

affliction,

All food their appetite

And

they had drawn nigh the gates of death.

Then they cried unto Yahweh in their strait.

That out of their distresses He might save them :
He sendeth His word and healeth them,
And delivereth (their life from the Pit).
Let them give thanks to Yahweh for His kindness.
And His wondrous deeds to the sons of mankind.

PSALMS

358

Let them sacrifice sacrifices of thank offering,

And

tell

His works

of

r^OING down

The stormy wind

And

in jubilation.

to the sea in ships,

arose,

up the w aves of the (deep)

Their soul was melting because of trouble.
Then they cried unto Yahweh in their strait.
That out of their distresses He might bring them.
lifted

He setteth the storm into a whisper,

And the waves (of the deep) are still.
Let them give thanks

And His wondrous

to

Yahweh for His

deeds

to the

kindness^

sons of mankind.

Let them exult in the assembly of the people,

Ps. 107 has

though in |^
composed in

no

it is

its

And

in the session of the elders praise

title

in

but in

dXXT/Xouid,

Him.

which

is

doubtless correct,

attached to previous Ps. and so omitted here.

form of four parts of three

original

The

tetrastichs each,

Ps. is

and so

resembles in length and measure 105, 106.

These three Pss. are thus closely

and may have been from the same poet. This Ps. is, however, more
ornate, as it has a double Rf. It depends on Is.^ v.^*^, cf. Is. 42", y}^ = Is. 452.
In other respects the Ps. is original. There are several glosses v.^, the mn
united,

phrase of introduction, as 106^,

cf.

105^;

These show dependence on

of Yahweh.
Is.

cf.

Ho.

a series of additions without

number of exhibitions of
Is.^ and Job: v.^^, cf.

strophical organisation, to increase the

cf.

v.''^^^,

41I8;

v.4-'

Jb. I221;

V.*'6

The

v.*^*, cf. Is. 63'^.

14!'^;

to the Exile

but in fact

which have nothing

to

it

I224&;

Jb.

Ps.

is

y.*'^

the kindness
Is.

50^; v.^,
^4Sa^

2219 ^16.

Jb.

interpreted by glosses as referring

mentions four kinds of deliverance from

do with

Exile.

The

Ps. is not earlier

straits

than the Greek

period.

Ps. 107 begins with

of which

is

an introductory

tetrastich, the first distich

the ordinary formula of the Plallel

1.

Give //tanks

to

Yahweh, for He is good ; for His kindness endureih forever'], cf.

2. Let the redeemed of Yahweh\ a phr. of Is. 35^ 51^^
io6\
62^^.
whotn He hath redeemed
say it\ that is, the thanks.

The

from

the

hand of

Israel

was

living in perils of various kinds.

lands gathered them

north
Ps.,

and from

the adversary^].

from

the sea].

the east

This

is

nations

and from

3.

the

among which
and from the
west, from the

against the entire tenor of the

which has

straits

of a

people of

to do not with deliverance from enemies, but from

more general character, which might come upon the

God

not merely during the Exile, but at any time in

their experience of

life.

This

is

a prosaic gloss.

PSALM
There are four equal

Strs.

CVII.

359

of exactly the same structure

( i )

(2) a synth. tetrastich

synth. tetrastich describing the distress;

Yahweh and the redemption that follows

and (3) a synth. couplet of thanksgiving, with a syn. couplet of
describing the cry to

praise or

reason.

its

Pf. here,

Str. I.

In the other instances

4. Straying].

participial forms are used,

nominal or

though sustained by J^ and

The

y}^-^'^-'^.

Vrss.,

is

use of the

improbable.

in

The way
more strictly as in the desert.
they found not].
They were lost in the path-

the wilderness], defined

an inhabited city
they had strayed from the right way, and could not
5. Hungry, yea, thirsty].
Having consumed their
find it again.
food and water, they had nothing to eat or drink, and were
Their soul fainted
already suffering from hunger and thirst.
within them]. They had become faint, and were ready to perThen they cried unto Yahweh in their strait, That out
6.
ish.
to

less desert

He might deliver them]. This is the first Rf.,

of
which appears regularly in the same place in each of the four
their distresses

parts of the Ps., the only variation being in the vb.,

v.-^^-^^

is

save and in

v.^^

bring out.

In the extreme

which

in

distress in

which they are perishing, they cry aloud to Yahweh their God for
salvation.
7. Then He 7?iade them tread in a straight way, To

go unto an inhabited

and led them

of their destination.

His
This

kindness,
is

Yahweh showed them the right way,

it until they came to the city
Let them give thanks to Yahweh for

city].

straight forward in

8.

and His wondrous

deeds

to the

sons of mankind].

the second Rf., which appears in each Part in the

same

summons to all who

have had such a deliverance to render thanks to Yahweh for it.
It is the kindness of Yahweh which induces Him to make such
deliverances.
They are indeed wondrous works not miracles in

place, v.^^^^-^^, in identical terms.

It is

the technical historical sense, but

Yahweh in answer to prayer.

and the hungry soul He

soul,

9.

yet special interpositions of

For He

doth satisfy the longing

doth fill ivith good things].

The

first

clause doubtless refers to the satisfaction of the thirst, the latter

to the hunger of
Str. II.

v.^.

Dwelling in darkness], emphasized by and dense

10.

darkness], not

*'

shadow of death" of

EV.

The darkness

is

here that of the dungeon, which was usually a pit or vault, deep

PSALMS

36o

down and away from the light

and iron\ They were indeed
but in fetters there

and

probably with stripes

of day.

rebelled against the

in affliction

addition suffering cruel affliction,

in

such cases.

also, as usual in

gives this a reference to the Exile

by adding

words of *El and

They were punished by

temned'].

Prisoners

prisoners, not only in dungeons,

glossator

because they

11.

the counsel of 'Elyon con-

and imprisonment

exile

for

disobedience to the Law.

But the context shows that the imprisonment and suffering were not due to any such cause, but were
of a more general character.

The

with travail\

They

ation to them.

work.

and

there

stumbled], from weakness due to over-

was no

and

And

their

fetters,

cf.

dense darkness]^

bands

He

v.^^''.

They

Yahweh, and through

They were

helper].

an entirely helpless condition.

darkness

Their heart was humbled

12.

forced labour of prisoners was a great humili-

He

14.

gloomy dungeon of

\.\\q

bursts asunder].

and

The

in

from

v.^".

prisoners wear iron

regain their liberty through the help of

Him

alone.

16.

For He brake

the doors of bronze], the strong gates of the

He hewed

bars of iron

friendless,

leads them forth

in pieces

And the

dungeon.

asunder], the iron bars that strengthen

the gates of the prison.

17.

Weak], so many moderns conjecture,

were
"the
foolish,"
followed
by EV^,
suffering affliction], %\, Aq., J,
does not suit the context any more than the reading of (, F.
Str. III.

The

strait

of this part

gression

II

because of the

time of Jesus, Jo.

their appetite

was

9-,

Book of Job and

that disease was

abhorring].

that they could not eat.

And

They were about

who are here, as Is.

to die

dead,

38^^,

which has

gates just

its

sendeth

due

still

to sin.

prevalent in the

18.

All food

and enter

into the city of the

conceived as dwelling

as any earthly city;

His word and healeth them].

cf.

The

in a city,

Mt. i6^^

healing of the

accomplished by the sending of the divine word, which

doubtless conceived as a commandment bidding the disease to

sick
is

sick-

their trans-

They were so reduced in strength

they had drawn nigh the gates of

death].

He

way of

because of their iniquities], in accordance with the older

theory combated in the

20.

This

evidently mortal sickness.

is

ness the poet ascribes to guilt

||

is

depart.

It

is

here personified as a messenger, just as in other

PSALM

361

CVII.

passages divine attributes are personified and sent on missions

of kindness or of judgment.

And

from

delivereth their life

the

the original reading, which an early copyist, by the omission

of a single letter, reduced to the unusual form " their Pits." The

Pit\

hne of the

first

corresponds with

v.

v.^^,

the second with

v.-^^

22. Lei them sacrifice sacrifices of thank offering], offer the thank

on such occasions.

offerings with their festal meals usual

And

of His works in jubilation], the religious shouts that were

usual on festal occasions, of the nature of public applause of
tell

the celebration of the divine works of deliverance.

Str. IV.

23.

down

Goijig

to the

sea in

ships'],

mariners,

by the gloss doing busifiess in the great waters, conand His wontinued in 24. They see the works of Yahweh
25. The stormy wind arose], so (^, F.
drous deeds in the gulf
This is explained by glossator as the great work of Yahweh by the
intensified

insertion of "

He commanded "
And
arise."

and the interpretation of vb. as

up the waves of the deep].
The original form required by the measure, reduced by a copyist
to "his waves," going back upon "the gulf" of v.^*, which was

Hiph. "cause to

appropriate enough,
gloss.

if

lifted

that were original, but impossible

glossator enlarges

touch which indicates real experience

heaven

they go

down

to the depths],

descending with the waves.

This

trouble].

which they

real peril,

and

is

and

it

and

the sea,

rolling,

makes

become

useless

and they can only await

He

They go up

to

seamen ascending and

melti?ig because

setteth the stortn into

27.

They reel

irregular

to

of

andfro,

movement of

the

impossible for them to keep

The

swallowed up].

all their skill is

technical skill has

29.

26-27.

of exceptional violence, and they are in

realise in terror.

The

their feet.

the

Their soul was

stagger like a drunkard].

sea, in pitching

the only line of these verses which was original

is

The storm

in the Ps.

if it is

upon the storm, and with a graphic

sailors'

they are at the mercy of

in dreadful anxiety the result.

a whisper].

The

roar of the

storm dies away, until nothing but a gentle, whispering wind

remains.
deep are

This corresponds with

still].

v.^^".

They have subsided

ment, in correspondence with

v.^^*.

they are glad, because they are

calm

And

the

waves of the
move-

into a gende, quiet

glossator adds

and He

30.

And

leadeth them unto

PSALMS

362
of their

the city

32.

desire.

the people'], give public praise.

Let them exult in

Him], the gathering together of the

has here

no

the assembly of

in the session of the elders praise

elders in council.

The

Ps.

appropriate conclusion, although there seems to be

its

why

special reason

the examples of the divine deliverance

Later editors made the Ps. more

by adding a considerable number of other
examples of divine redemption of the people, but without the
should be limited to these four.
suitable for a Hallel

strophical organisation
tetrastich of three syn.

and not

action,
II

and Refrain of the original Ps.

33-34. A
lines and one synth.
He turneth\ habitual
:

vivid action in the past.

streams

a fruitful land], three syn. terms referring to an

well- watered valley.

water,

||

This tetrastich

water springs

a wilderness
a thirsty land, without
Such a transformation was due to the

into

salt 7vaste].

withholding of rain, not

lands.

||

oasis, or fertile,

||

uncommon

is

and neighbouring

in Palestine

not in harmony with the Ps., which set

Because
not
accord with the
of
of them that
35conception of the
but of the
of
He turneth
36
with the previous
a pool of water
wilderness
a
water
and He
by bestowing an unusual provision of
forth straits of people,

and not condition of the

the evil

dive II thereifi],

original Ps.,

is

in

in

is

glossator

antithesis

the

into

||

springs],

into

rain.

maketh the hungry dwell

cit)'].

v.^^

tetrastich.

thirsty laiid

||

land.

fying their

and

an inhabited
numbers assemble in this fertile oasis, satishunger, and dwell therein in such numbers as to con-

Men

therein,

establisheth

in great

stitute a city.

37-38.

And they so2v fields, and plant vineyards,

He blesseth thcfn, and they multiply

which yieldfruits of increase.

greatly;

and He

suffereth not their cattle to decrease].

To

the

added those of the nomad life.

Another glossator seems to have added 39, 41, into which a
still later one inserted 40, and to which he appended 42.
blessings of

But when

39.
tor

an agricultural

is

life

are

they are minished

and brought

prosperity of the previous context.

sity,

low].

This glossa-

evidently thinking of a time of adversity, the reverse of the

and

through

oppression, adver-

sorrow], such as that the people had to endure in the

needy on high
oppressors.

The apodosis is in 41. He setteth the

from affliction], gives them a safe refuge from their
and maketh families like a fiock\ gives His people,

Antiochean persecution.

PSALM
who have

CVII.

363

sought and found refuge in Him, wonderful

glossator inserts from Jb. 12^^

He poureth

and

The same
and are glad,

pathless waste.

upright see

it

from Ho.

and from

14^*^

Mac-

Is.

63'

and

stray in a

to

glossator also adds from Jb. 22^^

Jb. 5^^

the

and all perversity

appended the concluding

also probably

Whoso

them

causeth

and from

He

doth stop her mouth.

lines

and

12^^^:

from Jb.

later

conte?npt upon princes'\^

doubtless referring to the defeat of the Syrian armies by the

cabees;

so

fertility,

that their families increase as rapidly as a flock of sheep.

wise, let hifn observe these things,

is

understand

let the?n

kind deeds of

the

Yahweh.
1

the ordinary formula of the Hallel,

is

make

Indeed,

the Ps. into a Hallel.

reference to the Diaspora.

V. Ps.

ig^^.

"ix-Tc]

2.

Qal ptc. pass, as

''ilix?]

adversary

-IX

JraxJ 483 8913. d;p]

incorrect;

^-P-

Zion as dwelling place

1321^.

DDm^i] Hiph.
(i) usually

tp|->i:'

Is.

c.

"y

Hithp. Na.

298.

12.

5.

1.,

, %.

as

order to

gl. in

35^ 51I0 62^- 63* (?).

but

gl.,

Hithp. with

fi'Jjjnp]

rush upon
2^.

Is.

t^-},^

ivm:>

distress if

-ii*

as 103I2,

miDD]

as

688+.

n^]

y?-^^, cf.

as Jon. 2^,

t:'3J

Pss.

cf.

(2) here longing, as

giving
a
f^^. \\

Jo. 2^ Pr. 28^^;

68'^

^Tps] as

10.

La.

gl.

is

and makes Str. too long.

14. p"!]; Dnvinmr] as ^.

interrupts the thought

in anxiety, distress, as 272 Is. 59^'^.

'i't'C'2]

Is.

3i;;j:di

3.

6.

the reason of the suffering

25I"
Jb. 152* Zp. i^s.
f ^i";ii'?] n.f. v.i^- 19- 28^ as
yr^, so 25^-9 _nTj'> *]"n as Je. 31^.
9. n.^^-j-] Qal ptc.

77* 142* 1434 with nn.

7.

is

West, cf 8012 8926.-4. pn^c^^D]

for

belongs to next

it

It

part of the

if

original to the Ps., as in Rfs., so Ba., Che.

^^7]

106^.

cf.

are also glosses to give the Ps. a

v.^-^

n.m. bronze, here of gates, Ju. i62i Je. 39'^ + of fetters, also
Sn3 "n'^ia] bars of iron % nna n.m, elsw. ^
ore Dt. 8^ armour i S. 17^ etc.
X Pc'n:]

16.

147I'.

&(f>povs,

17.

20.

2"''?''in]

adj. foolish,

3 stultos, improb. here,

Rd. with
pline

01s., Gr., Dr.,

cf. Pi. afflict

always ethically bad

@^*- ^-

Kau., Du.,

^ dvTeXdjSeTo
D-'S^n.

"i:;':^''.]

as divine discipline 888 (^q\%

cr)\n>nr] pi.

sf. r.''r\'d,

elsw. La.

42*^

19II
Je. 422 Is.

avrCbv,

H suscepit

eos,

+ Aq.
5 ">1>\
,

Hithp. aifflided in disci-

i^ts ^t, 82- 3 La. 323 Is. 64II.

Rd., however, with

for rnt:* pit.

23.

The inverted j here and v. 24- 25. 26. 27. 40 are of the
nature of parentheses. They indicate that in the opinion of the early Massoretes the verses were misplaced.
They are indeed for the most part glosses.
Don D'>D3 hdsSd ''ii'v] begins the gl., though the j was for practical reasons
Du. Dn>n

nn'J'k

placed at the beginning of the

gl.

npVM Hiph.
Du., Che.

word
cf.

v.

24

is

gl.

throughout.

to indicate that the storm originated by divine

is

consec; but ,

25.

needed;

Na. i^

This

X '^T>d]

v.29

rd. Dinp.
v.,

rightly

have

"i;:r

1488 Je. 231^ 3022

26.

J'Tn.-^]

except this word with

+,

25.

i::x>i]

is

command, and accordingly

Qal, "F
cf. "^VD

jir, cf. 75*,

stetit,

so Ba., Kau.,

Ps. 55^.

Dsnn^]

Hithp. melt in terror,

n;;-ia a'ijj, is

a gl.; so

v.27-29.

PSALMS

364

29.

29^.

whisper,

reel as

festival

t [J^n?]

here only of waves, 28^ of Yahweh.

ig'

v. 42-^.

30.

i^i-i^,

This

v. is

gl.

of conflict Pr. 26^0.

city, loan word ^DB.

V.^^-*^ are later addition to Ps.
n.[m.] //5z>j/y^r(7^, as Dt. 8^^ Is. 35"^.
d:p "nxo] v.^Is.4118,

n.m.

tl"''<^J

V. Pss.

dancing

drunken, as Is. 19^* Je. 23*+.

i^hm] Qal impf. T\Z'n be
K. 19^2 Jb. 4^^

2iS

from

adj.

"<^::K']

tP'^'^ Qa-1 fest, be quiet, of waves, as Jon.

iiintT'"']

Is.

rxS.

t''i??l]

silent, still;

33.

as

stagger^

i3;ir]

nn

u^i^] fully written, from

27.

y^''.

34.

barrenness, elsw.

41^^

Je. 17^ Jb. 39^.

t "'p^?] n.f. saltness,

nix v"*^] as 6j2 Ho.

n.[m.] pool of water, as Is.
Ps. 114^.
26 Je. 50I2 +.
37. X nxon] n.f. produce, as Dt. 22^ Nu. iS^* Is. 3023
38. 3"'];?:"'] Hiph. impf. J t^y:: Qal <^<r or become small v.^^, as Is. 21^"^ Pr. 13II.
X o.3n]

35.

Hiph.
low.

w^7>^<?

small here, as

*??>]

Je. 10-*.

n.[m.] restraint, as

rcp]

and 5^^

Jb. 2219

+.

39.

Is.

"^p^^^^)^

Qal impf.

53^ Pr. 30^^.

42

nntt*
is

42^

^.f

brought

compound

of

77^0.

cf.

PSALM

CVIII.

Ps. 108 is a mosaic of 57"^ and

Co'^"",

with slight modifications

discussed in notes upon these Pss.

PSALM
A.

Ps. 109 is composite.

no longer remain silent

(^16.

2!).

curses

3a.

55^^

The congregation prays that God may

them

for their enemies are slandering

pursuing them to death

(v.^^"-^^)

affliction

CIX.

they pray

(v.^^'^),

Yahweh

(v.^^-^'^),

with nothing but

for deliverance

from extreme

complain that they are ready to perish

(v.^^^),

and plead His kindness and the credit He will receive from the
enemies (v.^^).
he

may

B. An imprecation is upon a wicked ruler that

by a higher power more wicked than himself
:

be condemned

(v.*^^),

that he

may lose

(v."*),

may be

exiled

that his posterity

memory

may perish

be blotted out

the two Pss.

his position and leave his family destitute

from home and oppressed by creditors

in a single generation

(v.^*"^^).

(v.23ft-5a.

19-20. 25.

(v.^-"^^),

28-29^^

q^^ gj^g ^ Uturglcal conclusion

^ yl5.26.3a..l&-18.21-27^ 5
GOD of my praise, keep not silent

^^^^

^3^

For they speak with me with a lying tongue,

with words of hatred they compass me about,

And

With hatred

for

my

and his

Glosses harmonize to some extent

/^30-31\

C\

(v.^^"),

love.

PSALM ax.

365

I-IE remembered not

to do kindness;
pursued the afflicted and poor,
The one smitten in heart to kill him
And he took no pleasure in blessing.
he loved cursing, and it came to him;
And he clothed himself with it as his raiment;

And

A ND

And
And

it

came

like

water into his inwards,

like oil into his

bones.

work Thou
Q YAHWEH,
According
goodness

with

to the

me;

of

Thy

kindness deliver

me;

am afflicted and poor,

And my heart writhes within me.
For

AS a shadow, when

it is

stretched out,

depart.

am

shaken out (when the light grows stronger).

My knees totter from fasting.
And my flesh without oil is (as one hasting away).
J-JELP me, Yahweh my God
Save me according to (the goodness of) Thy kindness;
I

And

they will

know

that this is

Thou, Yahweh, hast done

B.

V.^^^,

Thy hand

it.

STR. 4^.

A PPOINT a wicked

one over him,

an adversary stand at his right hand.
When he is judged, let him come forth condemned;
And let the decision of his case be his guilt.
T ET his days be few,
His office let another take

And

let

Let his children become fatherless.

his wife become a widow.

And
T

ET

his children

wander about and beg;

Let them be banished from their desolate homes.

Let a creditor strike him for what he hath;

let strangers take his labour as spoil.

And

ET him

have none that extendeth kindness,

there be no favour to his orphans.
Let his posterity be for cutting off.
In a generation let his name be blotted out.
T ET the iniquity of his fathers be remembered,
And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
T

And

let

Let them be in the sight of Yahweh continually,

That He may cut off (his) memory from the earth.

Ps. 109

was

in IB, then in fH,

and was

also in 193^ before

it

received

its

present position (v. Intr. 27, 31, 33). The original Ps. of IB had six
trimeter tetrastichs, and is a strong and beautiful prayer, pleading with Yah-

weh

for help against unjust enemies,

tory Ps. of five trimeter tetrastichs,

^^

impreca-

after the first

Strophe

v.i^- 2^- ^"- ^*- ^^i^- 21-2*- 26-27^

v.^-is,

was inserted

PSALMS

366
This

of the original Ps,

temper from the original

smooth and

is

The

Ps.

editor

artificial,

who

and of an

entirely different

united them introduced

v.''^"-

36-6a^

and also additional imprecations, v.^^^o. 28-29^

the composite Ps., and a description of a later situation, y."^.

in order to assimilate them,

more suited to
The Ps. has an appropriate

inserted Ps. the use of

Ps.

many

the original Ps. there are

x^'^'

The

Uturgical conclusion, v.^^^^^.

Maccabean, but the original

is

inserted Ps.

Davidic of the early Persian period.

conceptions,

fine poetic

v.^'''-

^s. 23. 24^

only Ec.

D^a>'D v.^ pi. elsw.

v.^^ is late;

is

In

j^ the

There

5^.

real poetry in this piece.

is little

PSALM

Str. I.

a concluding

line.

1.

for help.

35^

39^^

2-5.

O God of my praise']^

His people,

ject of the praise of

sile7it\ cf.

CIX. A.

syn. couplet, enclosed between an introductory and

phr. a.X., the ob-

Dt. 10^^ Je.

cf.

17^*,

keep not

^y, implying the positive answer to the prayer

For

they speak with nie\ in familiar conversation,

and not in hostility as PBV., AV., JPSV., pretending to friendship,

and so with a lying tongue. At the same time in their association
with all others they show their hostility with words of hatred they
compass me about, With hatred for 7ny /ove'], cf. 35^^ 38"^ Israel
had responded to the pretended friendship with real love, which
only called forth hatred in return. The editor who combined the
two Pss. endeavoured to adapt this one to the other by prefixing
the mouth of the wicked one\ the same as the one of v.^*''v.^"
is open against me\
emphasized by: even the mouth of deceit
The text of (5, U, J, followed by PBV., is to be preferred to
:

that of J^, followed

following vbs.

by RV., "they opened," assimilated to the

is a prose sentence, and can be made

This line

by serious changes. The same editor introduced

g|.jj| further show the connection of these slanderers with the wicked ruler of v.''"'i-, and in part to emphasize the

into poetry only

3&-5a

-y^

p^j.j.

^Q

gratuitous character of the hostility

For my

love they are

they lay

upon me

a7id fight

mine adversaries while

evil

for good^.

This

is

me without

I a?n

prosaic,

cause.

in prayer,

and

and cannot be

made into poetry without entire reconstruction of the sentences.

The congregation were so friendly to their secret foes that they
were in fact supplicating Yahweh on their account, while the foes
were endeavouring to

rally a host of

this point the editor introduces the

considered

later.

enemies against them.

imprecatory Ps. which

will

At
be

PSALM

do kindness

||

And

367

16-17

Introverted parallelism.

Str. II.
to

CIX.

5.

He remembered not

he took no pleasure in blessing\.

In the

which they were placed, he should have rethe love of Israel and the good which Israel did him,

friendly relation in

sponded

to

with kindness

But

and

on

to Israel's prayer

with blessing.

his behalf

enmity was so great that he forgot benefits received, and

his

took no pleasure at

all

The

in Israel's happiness.

editor connects

of the original Ps. with the last Str. of the inserted impre-

this Str.

cation by prefixing against the measure Because that ; and he also

transposed

v.^''"^"*^*,

and

and because of the

added the sen-

antithesis

remained afar off fro7n him, making the line just

The enclosed couplet states emphatithese two words too long.
pursued ~\, with deliberate,
cally conduct justifying these words
tence,

it

persistent effort, with the purpose to kiW], and, indeed, not only

a friendly people as above, but one afflicted

indicating national affliction

||

and poor'],

usual terms

smitten in heart], suffering in their

inmost souls from the crushing blows they had received.

A synth.

Str. III.

Str.
to

17

tetrastich.

And he loved cursing],

and

in ignoring of the love

toward him of

in,

v.^^

an-

of the previous

and

it

came

him], as a welcome guest, not in retribution as in the inserted

imprecation, and further

himself tvith

And

it

it

came

it

took possession of him

18. he clothed

as his raiment], his habitual and favourite clothing.

like

water

into his inwards], with the refreshment

of water to his thirst for doing

his bones], healing

and soothing

The fact that

induces many to think
malice.

to

a.

the blessing he should have taken pleasure

tith.

harm

to Israel.

And

like oil into

his frame, agitated with hatred

this Str. is

and

placed between two imprecations

of imprecations here also

change the text so as to make the vbs.

all

but

it is

jussives

difficult

especially

in view of the fact that the jussive forms of the vbs. of the impreca-

The imprecation which follows, v.^^^,

and not a part of the imprecatory Ps. v.^^^.
19. Let it be to him as the garment he putteth on \ and for
the girdle with which he is always girded].
This is the transfor-

tory Strs. are so well defined.

seems

to

be

editorial,

mation of the statement of

fact of v.^^ into a couplet of

same simile.
20. Let this be
adversaries from Yahweh, and of those who speak
tion with

This

is

the

an imprecation of exact retribution,

the

impreca-

wage of my

evil against

cf. Is. 40^*^

me].

61^ 62^^

PSALMS

368

Two

Str. IV.

me
weh

II

21.

syn. couplets.

The

deliver 77ie\

Yahweh^work Thou with

deliverance implied

a work which Yah-

is

alone can work in dealing with His people and on their behalf,
glossator emphasizes the divine name by adding " Adonay " and

a plea

**

Thy name's

for

sake," and a

to the inserted imprecation, "

seam

But Thou "

to

make

antithetical

it

each and

all

of which

additions impair the measure and the simple poetic conception,

goodness of Thy kindness'], so (3, which is greatly

to be preferred to J^, followed by EV, " for Thy kindness is

According

to the

good," conceived as an additional plea, assimilated to the previous

gloss.

22.

For I am

afflicted

and poor], resuming

v.^**.

tny heart writhes within me], in throes of anguish, as

@, F, ^,

be preferred to J^, Aq., J, "is wounded," followed by

23. As a shadow
Str. V. Two syn. couplets.

stretched out],

when

cf.

And

to

EV.
when

it is

the day declines toward sunset,

102^^, as

grows stronger], the advancing light of dawn. By

this easy emendation the line harmonizes with the previous one,
and we avoid the abrupt introduction of the '* locust," which does
not seem appropriate in this connection. The locust is indeed
shaken up and down by a strong wind, and so might be an appropriate simile of helplessness. But there is no suggestion of a storm
in the context, and the vb. properly means / am shaken out,
that

the light

is

of

life,

day declines
he

is

/ depart from

||

his life departs,

shaken out of

fasting].

He

life

as

The conception is, that as the

dawn of another day
24. My knees totter from
spasm.

life.

and

by a

that at the

has fasted so long and so strictly in his humiliation

God and in the anxiety of long-continued pleading that he

no longer has strength to walk, and my flesh without oil is
He has abstained from oil so long that
as one hasting away].
his flesh has become hard, coarse, and shrunken, and resemA glossator adds
bles that of a man hasting away out of life.
before

||

25.

And I am

they shake their

second on
Str. VI.

of the plea
this is

become a reproach

head\

the

to

them

when

based on

first line

they see me,

31^^, cf. 79* 89"^,

the

22'.

Two
v.^-

^.

Thy hand

erance of v.^^

syn. couplets.

27.
\

Afid

26.

Help me

||

Save me], renewal

they, the adversaries, will

Thou hast done

it],

know

that

namely, the work of deliv-

PSALM
The

glossator

appends

Thou

curse J but mayest

matters

little

CIX.

to the

369

original

28-29. Let thein

Ps.

taking up the term of

bkss~\,

v.^'

it

whether they bless as they ought, or curse as they

ought not, so long as the people have the blessing of their God.
These vbs. are jussives, as EV'., because they come from the same
hand as v.^^^.
Let them that rise up against me be shamed~\, so
(^, F, PBV., to be preferred to J^, followed by AV., which gives
a rendering impossible to either text, and RV. which has protasis
and apodosis of a temporal clause, possible but awkward.
but
let Thy servant be glad\ in antithesis with their shame,
Let
mine adversaries be clothed with confusion, and let them put on
their shame as a robe'], using the same simile as v.-^^ in slightly

varying terms.

PSALM

Syn. couplets.

Str. I.

Yahweh

is

6.

invoked to put on

retribution to

make

CIX. B.

Appoint a wicked one over him],

trial

the wicked ruler, and in exact

judge as wicked as himself,

his

The

adversary stand at his right hand].

order to

make

wicked judge.
for Satan, the

a charge against

him and press

While the word

it

And let an

home

before the

is

the same as that

trial

in the court of

for adversary

context does not suggest a

||

adversary stands in

heaven, as Zc. 3^ where a wicked judge would be impossible, but

on earth, where supreme judges are not unfrequently supreme in

wickedness.

When

7.

he

is judged, let

him come forth

||

And let

of his case be]. The syn. term suggested by Is. 28^

instead of the " prayer " of |^ and ancient Vrss., followed by EV^ ;
the decision

suit the context, whether we think of a prayer to

God, the only usage of the word, or a prayer to the wicked judge,
which has no support in Hebrew usage.
condemned], as wicked,

which does not

II

guilt,

of

sin.

Even a

cision in this case

righteous judge would

make such a

de-

but that a wicked judge should so decide

wicked man, who is in the

on bribery and wickedness rather than on

greatly aggravates the situation to the

habit of depending

righteousness.
Str. II.

Syn. couplets.

His
a wicked

but of position, as
text

shows that

|1

8.

Let

his days be

office let

another take].

ruler

in mind.

is

9.

few], not of hfe,

The whole con-

Let

his children

PSALMS

370
become fatherless^

And

become a widow"], by

his wife

punishment

and
The

beg
last

wicked administration of

for the

Syn. couplets.

Str. III.

Let

10.

speedy

his

condemned

death, the impHcation being that he has been

to capital

his office.

his children

wander about

Let them be banished from their desolate homes].

Hne is after (!^, U, which is more suited to the context

f|

than J^, followed by EV^, " seek (their bread) out of their desolate places " ; for the former represents that they have been driven
forth

from their desolate homes by creditors

the subsequent context, and gives the reason

less

The

wanderers and altogether destitute.

sents

them

as seeking a

home and

in

accordance with

why they
latter

food in desolate parts

places in which to beg for food.

home-

are

simply represtrange

Several moderns seek a better

sense from J^ by rendering " far from their ruined home," which
11. Let
is quite possible, and certainly an improvement on EV.

a creditor

The

strangers].

||

creditors, especially as foreigners,

not subject to the restrictions of

his

condemnation

Hebrew

law, take advantage of

and appear upon the scene whether

matters little, for they will be sustained

to death

with just claims or not,

it

by the wicked judge, to whom they will give a share in their spoil
and their victim is helpless in their hands.
strike him for what
take his labour as spoil].
he hath
They seize upon his possessions, and take to themselves all that he has laid up by his labour,
by his wicked and unscrupulous dealings with others.

||

Str. IV.

Syn. couplets.

kindness].

12.

Let

hitn

have none that extendeth

man

Ordinarily in such a case a

who sympathize with him and

he has been a man of rank and

has some friends or

neighbours

are kind to

cially if

position, his

him espesudden fall

;

from so great a height of wealth and power excites the pity even

But

of strangers.

this

be withheld from him

in his reprobation
after

man was
and

And

still

so wicked that even this

let there

be no

he had suffered capital punishment

his posterity be

for cutting off]

would

further his children would share

favour

to his

for his crimes.

orphans],

13.

Let

His orphaned children are not

only to be reprobates, banished from

home

but their

doom

is

also

a speedy death, as the context indicates, because of destitution

from exposure and hunger.

blotted out].

||

In a generation

let his

na?ne be

His posterity are not to extend beyond the genera-

PSALM
tion then living

CIX.

name

with their death the

371
of their father would

no longer be on the earth. (3, V, have " one " before generation,
J^, Aq., :, 3, "another" or "next," both of which are probably
interpretations ; although they may have been variant readings, for
in Heb. the words differ only by a single letter, which is easily
There can be

mistaken.

name," the name of the

name

little

doubt that the text of

guilty father,

" of
J^, that of the children

is

who had

a name.

V.

to

and a synth. couplet.

(3,

3, " his

be preferred to " their

made themselves

not yet

14. T/ie iniquity of his

of his mother]. It is here assumed that the
wicked ruler had wicked parents, both on the male and on the
Str.

fathers

syn.

the sin

The

female side.

atoned

for, is

memory, and

be blotted out], from

retribution.

of these

guilt

parents, not

imprecated upon him.

15.

Let them, these

continually], so that

He

will

Let
sins,

be in the sight

never lose sight of them or overlook

them, with the purpose That

He may

wicked man and

their

by an easy

memory,"

not

||

amount of
of Yahweh

so estimated in the

earth], exterminate him, the

and not "

adequately

yet

remembered

(it) be

cut off his

memory from

his

name,

that of his ancestors, as |^

as

the

v.^^*,

and Vrss.

copyist's mistake.

made

Hturgical addition was ultimately

to the Ps. to

make

it

more suitable for pubHc worship.

30-31. / will give thanks to
Yahweh, exceedingly with my mouth. In the midst of the multitude will

I praise Him.

For He

standeth at the right

hand of

the

poor. To save from the adversaries of his life].

Public praise in
the congregation of Israel will be given to Yahweh for His salvation of

stands at their

as advocate, in antithesis with the adversary at the right

hand of the wicked.

ness

He

His people from the wicked oppressor.

hand

right

condemn

The wicked judge would

were

in his unrighteous-

not for their divine advocate, because

the adversaries of his Hfe are also there. The term " adversaries "
of the Ps.

is

Israel,

it

more probable than " judges

" of
J^

and Vrss.

CIX. A.
1.
\ix>Vy'S

>Thr\T\

pbr. a.X., but

Deusylaudem meam,%^~r\yi? d^hSn.

gests that

But

^hSn] so %, Aq., 2,

;'t:"^

we should

rd. >"^H;

^^'

2. "t"-\

so Hare, Houb.,

a. R.

''d]

De W.,

Hi.,

^^^ atvech
by nr^nn -"D sug-

5 ^^^y

interp,

Now., Ba., Vaieton.

prob. refers to an individual, whether Antiochus as Bar. Heb., or

some

PSALMS

372
At

other tyrant.

events,

all

a prosaic

is

1.

inrs]

gl,

but

n\-o more prob.; both interp. of an original nrc.

Jc, Ez.; wi^A, not against.

n^pn

phr. a.\., but

^jN]]

Che.,

^JV">D^ la^iy;}; Bi.,

Djn

3.

entirely prosaic in character.

'JiDn*7i] is

DJn as

35''.

>jid'7!:'^i

6.

ID-'C**]]

'Sj?

*-^

Du^

'^, 3f,

continuing through

gl.

^Jiwr^. as 38^^,

4.

improb. naio nnn

120^.

cf.

(S"*'-

no")] phr. of E, P,

\"in

due

v.^",

vA

to jaa'

Ba., Valeton, after

from 35^^

n;?n]

3821.

CIX. 5.
6.

!+

Nu. 1^4- 9

i^*^

13 t.;

wicked.

in"'?^SD

40^.

8.

cf.

as

as Che.

'^'^171]

10.

23^^.

as

(S

Is. 15"^.

rJ^]

i;*"ir

Ec.5^

''"^^^f^]

jb.

32^
(P)

iiri(rK0ir7)v,
^^7';'|:!]

9.

"'J^'^O^j

3 episcopatum

so Acts l^^;

needs vb. to complete

more suited

not outo/hnt

too long.

1.

to context, as

Dn\^o->nt]

but

prob. n-inn

1.;

of intensification, making

gl.

^\^-\'y is

im

with

giiHi of sin,

cf.

if

31- 2- 2

+ "'^9 n.i. office, charge, 2.sl>iw.^^^

rrji/

inf. abs. is

vb. cnj;

Gn.

as

c. S;'

not Satan as Zc.

^^ ^j;^ 3^ ^^ condemned as
improb. Che. suggests twiSc;

Houb., Ba., Ecker, Valeton.

from with

as (gx. a.r.t

Vf";]

"^'^^'^ iK^\T]dT^TU)aaVf

Street, Horsley,

prep,

n.m. adversary

X j"jr]

better suited to context.

pl.elsw.

Ch. 26^ 2 Ch.

j/cr^r

although sustained by Vrss.,

Is. 28'^ is

a^-jj-;::]

-5DB., Du.,

t.

7.

v.*.

""P^pn]

but

npo Hiph. appoint^ make overseer^ 8^

Hiph. imv.

'i^Pi?]

39* Je.

Kenn.,

has two tones:

away from.

^^^'^ n.f.

waste, ruin, of cities 9^, here from context of dwellings, home.

11. nc;ij ^'^i\']
nu'^j Qal ptc. creditor, usurer, elsw.
vb. as 38^^ strike at, @^- ^ ^-T, jj, *W|7?.
T13 vb. j/^?7
iib;i] 1 coord, with juss.
Ex. 22^* (E) 2 K. 4I Is. 242 50I.
a.X. ^, but

common

elsw.

13.

his posterity

V'^"'"^nN]

as 37^7, but S, 3,

end.'ynH n^ia] so Aq., 2, &, 3 but ins s- a.r.t -^^ Houb., Horsley,
ctr] but ">cc' (5, 3, Horsley, Che.,
Du., Che; prob. both interpretations.
more prob.
14. nvi> Ss] makes 1. too long and is a gl.
16. D";3r] pi. sf.

his

improb.;

rd. ^"^r, cf. v.^'*.

CIX. A.
16.

'\v^'>t

Vlil

gl.

BDB.,

vb. de disheartened,
Pr. 15I3 1722 i8i4,

conpunctum
17.

nn

"^-

^^^s^, as Dt.

3^+.

19.

23!^ but dub.,

v.i-2o

parall.

cf.

126

^^^}']
;

but

:i^U' y;-z^

10

1.

II

nxpj

cf.

13

Kapdiq.,
p';^^

with which

v. 16",

nn
3

a"?:.
it

was transposed, and assimilated to

It

origits

pn-^n^ at the expense of the measure.

because of

its

t.

frrn*: Jb. 1221.

Niph. f hnd

Karavevvyfi^vov ry

D.

It is

repeated in

v.^^

original

Qr.; but with the omission of

22.

i:p?3

are a late addition to Ps.

a seam, and

Pss.

13^2 (?)

18. t ["'"T] n.m. ^rwas prob. n-;N.

fn":] n.m. gird/e BDB., Egyptian loan word, elsw.

The

separation from v.^K

wifw/, as Ju.

sa.r.t

This makes a complete

by adding two words,

t ^!^^']

Hiph. Ez.

ii=^\

hdj Is. 66^.

formed introverted

antith.

Is.

Dn.

as

corde, Aq., 2, ireTrXrjyixhov rrj Kapdlg., Hi., Ba., rd.

n3-\33 yon nSi].

inally

two

as a seam, connecting the

gl.

21.

"j-is

20.

the

of pleading.

^3JN jraxi ^j;] phr. 35IO

37H

r^^n>

:< nin']
1.

is still

3rj ^:]

^qIS ^qQ ^421

rs;:]

is

prob. a

gl.,

although

conflation, prob. of Kt.

too long.
ST,

Ba.,

Doubtless

31:33 is

and

n.-iNi

more prob.

is

86i._S^n] so Aq.,3, vulnera*

PSALM
^-

turn ; but

^'

ex.

373

rerdpaKTai, TT conturbatum

"^

so

est,

S=

"'''n>

Qal impf.

^m

writhe in anguish, as 55^ Gr., Kau., Che., Valeton, is more prob.

23. v'^^'^'^J]
Niph. a.\., i.p. prob. assimilated to Tii^'jj. Qal is used in the sense required
here.

Niph.

"TT)]?;;]

Ps. 1361^ as Ex.

I4-^'

rendered helpless

Rd.

The

avrikeu^ias.

22^.

which

is

a gl.; the

is

As

^"ipns].

by the wind, and so

this

1.

first

as indicatives.

1.

too short, rd. i-iDn

is

n^n and nnx in

if

although

gl.,

so

est,

although

make

antith.

it is

]'^'^iii

virb

ait3D

as

This and the following vb. are prob.

i^'?i"2^].

||.

not surprising

fro,

and the Qal ptc. ;:'n of mn as

from 31^2^ cf. 79* 89*2, the second

precation, as they are gls. of the final editor

them

off,

grows stronger.
24. K'nr]
@n-a. b. t ifWonhdii]

??iutata

context suggests the prep.

25
26.
28.

it is

and

to

niso as the light of ^z.y

ryz-^

one hasting away.

from

shake

Pi.

cringe 18^, a sense inappropriate here.

Pi.

U immutata est propter oleum, %

81 eXaiov,

out.

improb., though sustained by

is

but the vb. has not this mng., and the context does not

suggest a storm.

shaken

be

i6"2^

may be shaken up and down,

Vrss.; for locust

vb. Qal a.X.;

| nyj as Jb. 381^ Ju.

5I3.
nfi-}Nz]
(J) Ne.

1.

with

of im-

possible to take

is

it

v.21*,

juss.

tetrameter, as the

mate

against the measure of both original

VD1>\ iDi^j] so %, followed by consec. of pf. may be interpreted as prot.

Pss.
and apod, of temporal or conditional clause but (5 ol iiraviaTavdixevoL fwi
aiax^vd-qruxxav = 'it'3> iDp is better suited to the context and more prob.; so
"i

Du., Gr., Ba., Kau., Ehr., Valeton.

elsw.;

U, 3

of attribute

fig.

D"'t3fltt'i:,

which makes

common term

the

'JBB'D,

v.J'dj

more

of these

PSALM
Ps.

no

David

cite

is

29.

He

\p, but common

but (Sn'-a.r.t ^^

n.m. robe, a.X.

31.

>;opb'?p]

suitably obj. of vb.

It

seems best to

rd.

ex.,

STR.

5^

a didactic Messianic Ps.

The Psalmist

(i)

lets

an utterance enthroning his lord at the right hand of

volunteer for the

He

gls., v.*- 20- 29.

Yahweh, with a strong sceptre

(2)

| S''y?p]

59!^ 61 10 Jb. 29I*.

Is.

cites

war

to overcome his enemies.

People

dewdrops at dawn

in multitudes like

(v.^"^).

an oath of Yahweh, making him priest forever

goes forth to war, overcomes kings and nations, and

is

(v.'').

exalted

in victory (v.^^).

UTTERANCE of Yahweh to my lord

make

" Sit

enthroned

at

My

right hand.

enemies a stool for thy feet.

With the rod oi thy strength rule in the midst oi thine enemies."
Volunteers on the sacred (mountains) are thy people, in the day of thy host

Till

From

the

thitie

womb

of the

morn come

YAHWEH hath sworn, He

is

forth to thee the

not sorry

My

(lord) at {His) right

He
He

executeth judgment on kings.

"

Thou

hand doth smite

He

art

in the

doth

fill

dew

of thy youth.

a priest forever."

day of His anger.

the valleys with nations.

doth smite chiefs, (going over) a wide land,

(An

inheritance)

on

the

way he maketh

it,

therefore he

is

exalted.

PSALMS

374
Ps.

Ml^.

no

was

The

v.^, \"i->3n

in

Q, then

in

Ps. in its present

*?>

for -IDT

'?;;

v.'**

former an error for nnn.

fH

form

(v. Intr. 27, 31).

is

very late

(a)

It

are late formations, but the latter

(^d)

The sentence

was not used

The words
\m3-i

pix""'0'?o

is

in

mn for p-^^n

and the

a gloss
v.^'

*?;*

based

is

on the story of Melchizedek Gn. 14, which many critics regard as a postexilic midrash, and also gives an explanation involving an anxiety to distinguish this priesthood from the Aaronic, and so the period of the supremacy
But this being a gloss, it does not give evidence as to
of the priestly Law.
{c) There is a reference v.'^ to the story of Gideon's men
the original Ps.
lapping water Ju. 7*^; but it is doubtful whether such a reference was in the

On

original text.

cabean times and

The

the basis of these,

to Jonathan,

many

cf.

suggestion of G. Margoliouth that Simon's

ning certain lines of the

Ps. y;r:\:\

sustained by Du., Charles,

al., is

Mac.

name

terity of

in the letters begin-

is

based on arbitrary arrangement, and

Maccabean

princes,

{a)

Bi.

is

and

against

There are insuperable

They were not of

the pos-

David, and the hopes of the nation as to the Davidic dynasty could

not in fact gather about them.

century

Simon.

lo^o, or to

though suggested independently by

the usage of acrostics {v. K6. Einleittmg, S. 404).

objections to any of the

Mac-

scholars refer the Ps. to the

Hi., 01s., Ba.,

B.C.,

The

Psalter of

Solomon

i728Bq^ in the

looks for a son of David, and not for a Maccabean.

The

first

utter-

Yahweh v.^- * refer to the covenant of David 2 S. 7 Ps. 2^ and

Yahweh 89*- ^-^"^ 132^^ None but a son of David could enter into
mind of a Jewish poet. The reference to the Davidic covenant also favours

ance and oath of

the oath of

the

the view that

it

is

the Davidic dynasty that the poet has in mind, the seed of

David of Nathan's prediction. The glorification of the dynasty at its covenant institution was the greatest glorification that could be given to any of the
We are obliged, therefore, to go back to
line of succession in that dynasty.
the time of the Davidic dynasty, unless
{b)

The

priest here

were born

is

regard the Ps. as altogether ideal.

The Maccabeans
Aaron before they attained sovereignty. They
by divine oath. It was least of all appropriate

priests of the line of

were not instituted as priests

to speak of any of them as a
not after the order of Aaron.
the priest

we

a king, or at least a sovereign lord.

is

priest after the order of

In

fact,

it is

Melchizedek, implying

just this that is

not a priest as such, of an order of priests

emphasized, that

but a priest in the

more primitive sense, when a king like Melchizedek could be priest although
he was king. The conception of the monarch as priest is a primitive conception, earlier

than the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood of P, earlier

even than the Deuteronomic conception of the Levitical priesthood,

just

a conception as that in the earliest historical documents, of Jethro Ex.

18^

(JE) and of princes 2

S. 8^* 20^6

K. 4^ (Judaic sources).

The

Ps.

such
2^^ 3I

must

therefore be pre-Deuteronomic. The words "after the order of Melchizedek " destroy the measure of the Ps. and are a gloss, giving an explanatory
distinction,

made

necessary

when

the Aaronic priesthood

filled

the minds of

the people and a Ps. using this ancient terminology needed to be explained.
Gr. refers the Ps. to Jeshua, the great high-priest of the Restoration, in

PSALM
612-13,

accordance with Zc.

and the ncx

a

monarch

of the Davidic line

Je.

and the predicted

high-priest,

23^

mind

in the

is

375

where he interprets the two crowns as

for Jeshua
But the ncx has already become

3^ as referring to Jeshua.

of a Davidic

title

ex.

and Zerubbabel

33^*-^^ (v. Br.MP-496>)^

of the prophet rather than Jeshua the

be a priest-king, the crowning of

to

nc:^ is

The

Jeshua being symbolical of his crowning and enthronement.

6^^^ is

crowning of Jeshua Zc.

to the

reference

denied by We., Now., as a gloss

and

Ew., Hi., al, think of two crowns, the royal one and the priestly one, for two

Whatever interpretation we may make of

different persons.

there
Ps.

is

no.
and

this

priest,

and

passage,

this

an antithesis between king and priest which we do not find in

The same utterance which enthrones him is an oath making him

yet

was

covenant of David

in the

dynasty

at the institution of the

a very different conception from the reestablishment of the kingdom.

is

The author

of the Ps.

knows nothing

of a dominion in the future

and so

postponed, or of a period of humiliation of the king and people such as

The dynasty

seen in Pss. 89, 132.

where

victorious,

Deuteronomic, but
Jehoshaphat,

therefore the Ps.

earlier

who was

some

in

knows no

must be

defeat and

is

and not only pre-

preexilic,

respects appropriate as a representative of

line.

This Ps.

is

earlier

than Ps.

2,

because

does not contemplate a universal kingdom and rebellious nations.

resembles Ps. 18 in

its

is

every-

than the Assyrian invasions and not later than

the conquering king of David's

it

installed

number of kings and

victory over an indefinite

It

nations.

The Ps. probably has the song of Deborah in mind, Ju. z^^, in its emphasis
upon the volunteering of the people in the army of the king, and possibly the
victory of Jehoshaphat over the

Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites 2 Ch. 20

The question now remains, whether a poet here speaks his own mind as a
court poet, or the mind of the people and their hopes in the dynasty, or
whether he makes David, the father of the dynasty, speak his hopes respectThe former reference does not seem so appropriate
ing his own dynasty.
when the people are represented as ^cy and ^mSi v.^, unless we suppose that
the people who utter the Ps. are thinking of another and a later people and
body of young men than themselves. It is improbable that the poet speaks
merely

for

Strs.,

It is most probable that he

which the people of the seed may

himself

as those in

each of

five

pentameter

lines.

In the

caesura and at end has assonance in

caesura and at the end

assonance in am.
text as restored

all

i,

lets

In the other lines there

shows assonance of second

The

first

Str.

Ps. has

the

first

his

hopes

two syn.

line

before

the remaining four lines before

In the second

in ka.

David speak

join.

is

Str.

the

no assonance

line in o, of third

first

line

has

in |, but the

and

fifth lines

in im, of fourth line in ah.

Jesus cites and interprets v.^ thus

'The Lord

said unto

my

" David himself said in the

Lord, Sit thou on

my

right hand,

till

Holy

make

Spirit,

thine

him Lord: and

whence is he his son?" Mk. 12^^-^"^. Mt. in citing from Mk. changes the
first clause into an interrogative, " How then doth David in the Spirit call
enemies the footstool of thy

feet.'

David himself

calleth

PSALMS

376

him Lord, saying"; and makes the quotation, "Till I put thine enemies
underneath thy feet," and the final clause, " If David then calleth him Lord,
how is he his son?" Mt. 22^^-^^. Lk. also citing from Mk. changes the first
clause, " For David himself saith in the Book of Psalms," gives the quotation
" David therefore calleth him
as in Mk. and slightly varies the third clause
Lord, and how is he his son? " Lk. 20*2-44. The argument rests upon David's
having said these words in the Ps., and it is justified if the author of the
Ps. lets David appear as spokesman (v. Br.SHS. p. 263)
j^ does not require
:

We

Davidic authorship of the Ps.

arguing on the basis of the

might

common

that either he did not in his Kenosis

say, furthermore, that

Jesus

opinion as to the author of the

know

otherwise, or else,
pp- '^2-473)

not care to correct the opinion (v. Plummer^^"**

can be maintained only on the theory that he

if

Ps.,

is

and

he knew, did

but the latter view

arguing from the premises

is

of his opponents to confute and to silence them, which he actually does with-

These words, by whomsoever uttered,

have a Messianic reference to the seed of David in accordance with the
covenant with David, and they do not lose their Messianic reference even
out endorsing the premise himself.

though

for

Str. I. is
1.

The

David

mouth of another. This Ps. is assigned in the Roman and

Christmas and the Circumcision of Christ.

in the

Sarum use

composed of a

synth. tristich

and a

syn. distich.

accordance with

in his seed, in

God

that

than

He

He

much

has promised so

has granted to himself.

2 S. 7^^^,

where he praises

greater things for his seed

In view of the fact that the

seed was to build the temple and as the son of

eternal throne,

it

was not too much

The view

of his son as his lord.

whom

for a poet to let

have an

David speak

that the people of Israel, over

is

not sustained by the context.

covenant with him as an Utkrance of

a prophet in the ecstatic state (cf. Nu.
of the "vision" 2

2^

addressed

to

my

lord'],

the Davidic dynasty.

24^**^-

cites the

utterance to

2 S. 23^^"^),

Ps. 89^), interpreted as

(cf.

This utterance was

David

Yahweh\ an

a syno-

which Yahweh spake to Nathan

S. 7^' in

the words of the covenant

Ps.

God

the Davidic dynasty reigned by divine appointment, spoke

these words,

nym

psalmist speaks, not for himself as an individual, but for

mediately through

an

pH

Nathan, but

the sovereign of Israel, the seed of David,

Its

contents were

Sit enthroned at

My

right hand], the right hand, the seat of the highest honor (cf.
Ps. 45^),

occupy a throne nearest

the sonship relation

stool for thy feet].

cf. Ps.

Yahweh

Yahweh, implying therefore

I make thine enemies a
the one who subdues the enemies

2^- ^.

is

to

Till

PSALM
The Hne

here as in 2^

ex.

377

synth.; but the second part of

is

it

is

suggested by the sitting enthroned, the feet resting upon a footstool

composed of subdued enemies.

himself becomes active.

now

With

2.

The enthroned

lord

rod of thy strength^ the

powerful,
massive
mace,
suggested as held in
sceptre
or
strong,
the hand, in antithesis to the stool for his feet ; cf. 2^, where the
Messiah rules with a rod of

He

In

iron.

the

the midst of thifie enemies'].

goes forth into the battle and uses his strong rod

dashes them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

as in 2^ he

later editor in-

here a gloss of petition. May Yahweh send it out of Zion\

implying impatience for the realisation of the promise, such as
serts

characterises Pss. 89, 123, but

3.

The

Str.

synth. to the previous tristich.

weh and

foreign to the tone of this Psalm.

is

concludes with a syn. distich, which

That

is,

however,

of the activity of Yah-

tells

the king, this of the people of the king.

As

in ancient

times the people volunteered to follow Deborah and Barak Ju.

They

5^,

and eager
to follow their king, in the day of thy host], on the day when the
They assemble on the sacred mounhost is mustered for war.

so here. Volunteers are thy people].

are ready

tains], as J, ^, especially appropriate to the syn. simile of the

dew.

The

sacred mountains are sacred because they are God's

foundation, the place of His temple 87^, and as the place of the
king's installation 2^

but

^,

(3,

have

*'

in

sacred ornaments,"

army of priests, in accordance with the

conception of the nation as a kingdom of priests in the covenant
of Horeb Ex. 19^. This is the interpretation of Rev. 19", and
is appropriate in itself and ancient.
But it seems premature to
cf.

29^ 96^, implying an

mention

priestly warriors before the priesthood of the king,

does not appear

till

the next Str.

The volunteers

are

which

compared

abundant and fresh in vigor. They are

young men, with youthful enthusiasm and strength.
They appear on the sacred mountains, as it were covering them
in their battle array as dewdrops cover the mountains in the early
morning, seeming to be born J^rom the womb of the morn], cf.
to dew], drops of dew,

thy youth], thy

Str. II.

ceded by a

is

syn. with the

single line to

a single line of climax.

first,

composed of

which they are

There

is

three syn.

synth.,

11.

pre-

and followed by

only a general correspondence

PSALMS

378
with the

Yahweh

first Str.

4.

Yahweh hath sworn]

sustained by the usage of 8g*-^-^ 132^^

is

an unchangeable oath,

sure, cf. Ps. 89^^.

king, as Jethro

20^

office,

gloss

\\

to " utterance of

" v.^ another interpretation of the covenant of David,

Thou

Ex.

I/e

just as in 2 S. y^^ the

ts

not

art a priest forever\ that

2^^ 3^ 18^

sorry'].

kingdom

is

It

made

a priest-

is,

(JE), and princes of David

2 S. S^^

K. 4^ all in sources of early history, not involving priestly

but priestly functions of king. This is explained by a
after the order of Melchizedeky that

cal priest

of Deuteronomic

code, but one

after the order of

he was not a Leviti-

is,

an Aaronic

law, or

priest of the priest-

Melchizedek, the friend of Abra-

5. My lord\ just as in v.\ and not Lord of

ham, Gn. 14.
MT., which makes God the subject of subsequent vbs., which is
appropriate v.*, improbable v.^, and impossible v.^, there being
nothing to suggest change of subject. The parall. suggests the

and this makes the king the subject of all

So we must read
following verbs and removes all difficulties.
at His right hand, which is also favoured by assonance with " His
anger," and not " thy right hand," which was due to the inter-

same reference

as v.\

pretation of "^HK as Lord,

ing of the position of

and which

Yahweh and

also involves the transpos-

the king from that of v.\

" kings " the

makes
rule with strong rod v.^
doth smite]
obj. of " smite," but this destroys the measure, making this line
\\

too long, the next too short.

of battle,

II

in the

day of His anger], the day

On

with "the day of his host" v.^

judgment], that

is,

in battle,

by overthrow.

He

6.

executeth

kings], obj. here

Kings lead the army of enemies, as in

instead of above, as J^.
2^- ^ they plot, and are warned.
He doth fill the valleys with

nations], after (, 3, "valleys," instead of ?^

"dead

bodies," and

attaching "nations" to the vb. "fill," instead of J^ "fill (it) with

dead bodies." The nations in the valleys, as in Jo. 4^^'^*, where

they are assembled for judgment in the valley of Jehoshaphat,

based on the narrative of the victory of Jehoshaphat over the

Moabites and Ammonites in the valley 2 Ch. 20^^^, to which
possibly also the Ps. refers.

He

mace, rod of strength.

He

going over a wide land].

The

his

doth smite chiefs], that

is,

with

smites the leaders of his enemies,

battle-field

is

extended, and the

land of the enemies over which he pursues them

is

far

away.

PSALM

7.

change in

heritance

way

he maketh

battle-field,

cf. 2^,

379
read

text, chiefly in pointing, enables us to

inheritance on the

wide land, the

ex.

He

/V].

and the land of the enemy, as

his in-

where Yahweh gives the Messiah the nations as

This gives us the climax to the previous

his inheritance.

An

takes possession of the

lines,

and sustains therefore he is exalted ; that is, in the joy of victory

and sovereignty. J^ gives, " of the brook in the way he drinketh," as the men of Gideon lapped at the spring of Harod Ju. 7,
in a rough and ready way of drinking, not waiting for drinking
This

hurry for battle.

vessels, but in a

suits the context,

" lifteth
J^ also has

not give a good chmax.

up

his

but does

head."

This

drinking of the brook, but the line is too long and the
The word for " head " has crept into the
conclusion is weak.
suits the

text

from the previous

sit

enthroned

nnv^rx, but this rule

ture,

2^.
is

r-'rN'i;;]

so 18^2 2ii3 3^7 389,

DipD

(cf. "\

This

Messianic king.

and end of

1.

change of

v.

Yahweh;
Is. 6oi3),

of Moab,

cf.

^"'^"'^

o^r!

Is.

66^, the

place of His enthronement in Israel,

Ch.

here only of the enemies of the

28'^;

T^Ji'^-

2.

1,]';

jvxd

thy strong

ntoio]

staff,

so

an abrupt
which precedes

nin^ nV;r^] is

incongruous with 2d pers.

and the assonance,

and rio-'X mark the two parts of the pentameter.
3. ^d*;] so 3.
Pbn;] pi. abstr. voluntariness,
<Tov @x.A. R. T. ^q., U, tecum, qo;].
It is

of petition, destroying the measure

gl.

^[r;

to volunteer for the war, v.

readiness

5^/

Some

think of free-will offerings, but there

text

cf.

aty>

n.m. never apart,

earth as His footstool

DJty Ps. 2^.

Sr"3

subj. in midst of Str.,

follows.

ixerk

Qal imv.

2t;~\

has two pentameters with assonance at the caesura

''J''^S T'?'*'?

Je. 48^^ v; ntjri

T)

properly takes cohort, form

din] stool for thy feet; f

:i\^_n^

the cherubic platform Ps. 99^ 132"^

for

v. ^6^.

not carried out even in earliest and most classic litera-

fp^r. used of

literal:

sanctuary La. 2^

and

final clause;

with double accusative, make a person or thing into another thing;

n-'tt'

never

declaration, revelation;

utterance,

Dx^]

1.

pregn.

line.

yMT\r\ for volunteering for

dpx^f 'S principium

nn-i^j

n.f.

war

Ju.

Aq.

is

^-

as Jb. 30^^;

iKovaiaa/jLoi,

spontanei.

nothing to suggest
^.

But (5^

cf. n-^^J

o-px^],

adj.

it in con(gx-c-a.A.R.T

princely in rank

in the day of thy host, the day of the miUtary array

for war, of mustering of forces; cf. Z'^'^-'^'^ 1361^
-^ip "'T.l'^] in sacred
Ps. 47^^^

+.

ornaments,

:i':^^n

D'^^^]

cf. 'p n'l-in

Pss. 29^ 96^

nection with public worship of

This conception

is

Ch. 16^^ 2 Ch. 20^1, always used in con-

Yahweh and implying

in accord with that of the

king as

|n3

priestly
:

his

ornaments.

army would be

Rev. 19^*, where the cavalry of the Messiah is " clothed

and pure " (probably an interpretation of our passage)
cf. Ex. 196, where the nation is " a kingdom of priests."
But why
for
nn-in? J[ has in montibus Sanctis, cf. 87^ t^'lp "nnn ; so S and many Heb.
a priestly army

cf.

in fine linen, white

mn

PSALMS

38o

codd., Hare, Houb., Ols., Hu., We., Ba., Davies,

This

al.

suits the figure

and in accord
There has been a transposition of words by copyThe original order was prob.
ist, and so the assonance has been destroyed.
inc*;? Dn"^c] phr. a.X.
q'?>n-cr3 cn,-)-ni,-i3 r|::y ri:nj.
f nnrp n.m. a.X. for
of the dew^ and

also appropriate to the place of mustering

is

with the installation

2^.

usual nnc' dawn^

is

7r/>d (j}(T<pbpov,

6.irb

of the

dawn

qn"<^2]

Tput,

of time

'"''"''?'

^.^.

U anf^ luciferum ; & onp

suspicious; prob. dittog. of r.

ws Kad* 6pdpov

youth, elsw. Ec.

a.

T has

A.

pointing

figurative.

is

r\\:\^

DNj v.i;

the

womb

i3^ i^ey^vv-qad

morning

before the
^r, prob.

because

it

followed by Herder, Houb., Kenn., Minocchi,

89*- ^-

cf,

^"^

132^^

of this

nntt'.

^'^"^'h

is

1.

H^

in

riS

and

'"'^"^]

rimV"'.

P^

^^

young men, those

the mustering of the volunteers.

at

This ignores

^. The assonance

Vrss. agree with

II

genui te,fro7n

just as Ps. 2}.

'^T\-h\

also prep., thinking

i^cvpOpia /xivTjs, ptc.

^K yaa-rpbs irpb ewacpdpov iy^vvrjad ae

utero ante luciferum

thee,

Aq.

abstr. for concxeie

^"^

ii^-

assembled on the sacred mountains

^s. c.

takes this d as prep.

]z,

4.

star

But
5J ex

I begat

was simply
Other

al.
r\\r\>

y^cj]

usually employed

one of the historic orders. But there is also a usage in

applied to kings Gn. 14^8 (Mid.), chiefs of tribes Ex. 2^6 3I 18^

for the priest of

which

is

it

piD p^ (JE), and princes 2

Israel as a nation

S. 8^8 20"^

In none of these instances

ministry.

pnx->3Sn

is

cf. Is.

q).

that of the ancient king of Jerusalem, to distinguish

it

is,

go

61* of Israel's

a specific priestly office involved.

after the order of Melchizedek, that

'<nn2i"':'>]

1922.24

K. 4^ so prob. Ex.

a kingdom of priests Ex. 19^ (E),

is

of the same kind as

from the Aaronic or

t [^l^l] n-^- l^ite word ; without prep, only Jb. 58

The reference
suit, cause ; elsw. with ^;' as prep, because of Ec. 3^8 7^* 8^.

priesthood,

Levitical

David and the attachment of the word

to the covenant of
it

necessary to think of |n3 in the earlier sense, in which

order of priesthood distinct from royalty.

function in this Ps.

There

is

to the king

it

no reference

This explanation involves a time

make

does not imply an

when

to priestly

the Aaronic

mind that the use of pD in connection with the

and it prob. also implies the story of Melchizedek,
Gn. 14, as so well known that a reference to it would be readily understood
in a congregational poem. Such an explanation would not have been thought
necessary in a preexilic Ps. This v. cannot, as it stands, be arranged in any
good measure. It has four beats in the first part and four in the second
priesthood was so

much

in

king needed explanation

part, ace.

to f^

but the second part has really

five

words.

The

Ps. is a

and only one 1. is needed in this v. We must

therefore throw out the glosses for good measure. This explanation is a
No poet would have constructed such a line, cnr kS|
gl. of a later age.
has been changed from an original cnrsS by adding conj. ] and changing
Assonance requires O- not 0_. The 1. in its original form would
pf. to impf.
then be oSiy'? pD'nPN DnrxS nin> p^rj. This is then essentially the same
pentameter in the

first

Str.,

as 2 S. 7^^

divine

cf. Pss. 89*-

name; but

^-^

point

132^^'

>j-in,

5-6.

as v>.

o>oSd as obj. ace. to verse division

"n?^]-

rn::]

then

||

vb.

'^^^

wox^

cf. \%^^,

itni f no v..

is

pointed as a

smite through, has

But

this L has too

PSALM ex.
many words, and

good measure.

the next too few, for

and make

381

^an cvj]

Therefore remove

v.^
the day of
Yahweh's wrath follows the day of muster of the army of His king. The
king shatters the enemy here, as Yahweh makes the enemy His footstool
exectite judgment in war, here, c. ace.
Is >jnN
in v.i.
pi^] Qal impf, |n
This is most natural, carrying on subj. from previous v. This leaves
subj. ?
and yet there is no
only v.'^, which it is impossible to attribute to Yahweh
hint of a change of subj., and why should the king drink of the brook unless
he had done something to weary him? Most interpreters therefore think of
But the difficulty remains, that in the previous v. he
the king as subj. of v.^.
has been referred to in the 2d pers. The difficulty could be easily removed
by reading, instead of nm"" S>, irc"> Sy, and interpreting ""jnN as "'Jtn, referring
This change is desirable (i) as securing the assonance found in
to the king.

to next

D'^oVn

1.,

yn^^ abs.

||

r^'^^n

ZV2

(2) as making -ij^n in both Strs. refer to the king, and

change of attitude from the right hand of Yahweh to the right
hand of the king
(3) as enabling us to regard the king as the subj. throughout the Str. The sf. of 2d pers. originated from interp. "ijtn as divine name.
Read, therefore: ^cn diu ^na "^y^yy^'^'} ""nN.
anj::] must then be connected

previous

11.,

irD"', '^dn

so avoiding a

with nSd, and constitute that with which the valleys are

filled

We may

up.

think of the nations gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment,

according to Jo.
(gA. R.

TTTW/ua

which

is

3110

S.

dmjij

TTTci/xara

IB implebit ruinas ;

^^

n^;:].

iniplebit valles

are

irXTjpibffei

it.S'Q

Pi.,

(^so

Vb.

Horsley.

orig. in

1|

Ch. iqIO)

N'7a suits valleys,

with other vbs.

of the army, chiefs,

v.12- 12

But Aq., 2, 3,

s^- ^ (coll.);

nvNJ valleys,

so here J^, ;
so Kenn.,

v. 23'*;

is no receptacle
and make the king the

but not corpses ; for there

vhx:,

not heads of the bodies, corpses

C'Ni]

D'ijS?:.
||

Na.

rd.

We may point

or place suggested in context.

subj. as

d^-'ij

more probable. r'^MJ pi. \ n>u n.f. (i) body ; of living body
Ne. 98^ Dn. lo^ Ez. iH- 23
(^2) dead body, corpse, {a) of man

of lion Ju. 14^-^.

{p)

good pentameter and assonance

nrxj nSd o'^o |n\

certainly

Gn. 47I8 (J)

I

2 Ch. 20I5-26.

4^, cf.

given in the order:

but heads

might be regarded as pregnant,

^3"!. Vl?^"'^>!]

and requires just this

S>, went up in war,
in a campaign against; ^ ivl yijv iroW-riv; 3 in terra multa ; ^a. R. T ^^^i
7^j TToXXcDv, so U in terra multorum. Assonance is given by the order:

and a

vb. inserted in thought

vb. for completion,

n3-i T-\N~S];

n"^-;

n*^^ irs-^ fnr.

and based upon the

but the

1.

defective

is

has been omitted by error before

story of

the victory of the king.

7.

nnc'^

Gideon

^^7.75

Ju. 7,

though sustained by

Sn:::]

all

Vrss.

does not give a proper climax to

Snj without the prep.,

which may be

interp.,

would

suggest rather the vb. divide as a possession, the broad earth which he has

conquered.

makes

it, is

r\TW^

might be

nrr'tt''*

to be found in "I"n3,

(cf. v.i)

he maketh

where again

3 is

an

it,

the land.

interp. prep.

What he
777 would

then be highway, in accord, with the dividing of the earth as a possession.

The

pi.

Doin would then be needed, not only on account of the number

of such highways required, but also for assonance with

gl.

from the previous

oni p'Sy

D"3-n nn"''>

Sm.

1.

The

original

nnv

E'xi

is

indeed

would then be with assonance:

PSALMS

382

PSALM

CXI., II STR. 2\

Ps. Ill is a resolution to praise

Israel

(v.^* ^''),

Yahweh

for the greatness of His

in the congregation of

works

(v.^),

His wondrous

deeds of righteousness and compassion (v.^), His fidelity to His

covenant (v.^), His trustworthy precepts (v/'^), the ransom of

His people

(v.^''*),

and His awe-inspiring sanctity

WILL thank

Yahweh

with

my

all

(v.^'^^").

heart,

In the intimate fellowship of the upright and the congregation.

QREAT are the works of Yahweh,

Sought out of all

that delight therein.

TITAJESTY and splendour is His doing,

And His righteousness standeth firm forever.
A COMMEMORATION hath He made for His wondrous deeds
is Yahweh.
them that fear Him
He remembereth forever His covenant.
I-JIS power hath He declared to His people.

Gracious and compassionate

pREY hath He given to

To

give (them) the inheritance of the nations.

works are faithfulness and justice

Trustworthy are all His precepts.
'T'HEY are established forever and ever;
They are done in faithfulness and uprightness.
TRANSOM He hath sent to His people;
He hath commanded forever His covenant,
C ACRED and awe-inspiring is His name;
T-J IS

The beginning

A SOUND

of

wisdom

is

the fear of

understanding have

all

Him.

who do

so:

His praise endureth forever.

Ps. Ill

the

is

one of the Hallels, the

title n-'iSSn (z/. Intr.

trimeters in groups of
legal attitudes,

two each.

when they were

first

of the group 111-118, each having

composed of twenty-two alphabetical

It presupposes both the gnomic and the
harmony, before they came into conflict

It is

35).

in

and therefore the Greek period.

The

couplets of the Ps. are

all

synth.

Their connection

is

loose,

/ wt7/ thank Yahweh\ resolution of

phr. of D; with the
my
public thanksgiving, with
intimate felhnvship of
inner being. In

in the

gnomic

style.

1.

all

entire

The

the

heart"],

the upright'].

upright are distinguished from the wicked in Israel, and are

conceived as closely united in an intimate fellowship from which

PSALM

CXI.

383

and
This
from which the unworks of Yahweh\
Great are
godly usually abstained.
by
His doings on behalf of His people, Sought
the
that
investigation and study, 0/
Majesty and splendour
true attitude of the people of Yahweh.
His doing], manifesting His glorious majesty, And His
standeth
eousness], vindicatory, redemptive,
for A commemoration
and
permanent,
a celebration of them by the
hath He made], arranged
the congregation, for His wondrous deeds],
hearsal of them
Gracious and
implied
the salvation of His people,
Yahweh], based on Ex.
Prey], taken
compassionate
hath He given them that
enemies
from
the wicked are excluded.

fellow-

the congregatiofi\.

ship was that of the congregation of

Israel,

the

2.

diligent

out'],

delight therein],

all

cf. i^;

3.

right-

is

as usual,

ever],

steadfast,

is

fi?'m

4.

reliable.

for

re-

in

as

in

in,

34^.

is

fear Hifn],
Holy Land

to

His true worshippers

as implied

the covenant of

a glossator into

clared

them of

by

He

to

them in the
His covenant],
His power] enlarged by

the provision for

re??tembereth forever

6.
Horeb Ex. 19, 24.
"power of His works,"

His people], power over

to

5.

for their benefit,

their

cf.

their

their lands, as implied by,

hath

v.^"-'*'*,

enemies

He

de-

in dispossessing

To give them]. His people,

of the nations], the possession of their land.

7-8. His works], cf. v.^*; enlarged by glossator to *' works of His
the inheritance

hands," at the expense of the measure,

are

and

faithfulness

justice], attributes not usually paired, cf. Je. 4^; the

one

in the

carrying out of the promises of the covenant, the other in the administration of His government

and

Trustworthy],

justice.

support,

II

established

His precepts], a
cf.

cf.

v.^^,

done

in faithfulhess

same word, the latter a syn. of

be depended on as a firm, stable

uprightness], the former the

late

w?"^,

to

upheld, sustained, maintained,

are

all

term for the laws of the Pentateuchal Codes,

199 103^^ jj^4 + 2it.(em.txt.)

_9,

Raiisom

He

hath sent

to

His

people], originally of deliverance from Egypt, then from Babylon,

Is.

50^

probably here in a comprehensive sense, thereby confirm-

He hath commanded forever His covenant],

Sacred and awe-inspiring His name]. His name,

ing His promises.

cf. v.^.

the

sum of His

as

is

manifestation of Himself to His people,

hallowed and revered in worship and in

10.

life,

in

The beginning of Wisdom

is

to

be

accord with the

is

the

fear of

PSALMS

384

Him\

a fundamental principle of VVL., Pr.

the reverential fear of

Yahweh

is

the very

i^

9^*^

first

Jb. 28^8 BS.

i'*;

step in the acquisi-

sound understanding^ another term

have all who do so^ all who have
this fear and act accordingly, especially in giving thanks and
praise.
J^ and (^ both supply objects to the vb. at the expense
of the measure the one pi., doubtless thinking of the precepts of
v/, too distant in such a gnomic poem; the other sg., referring
to the " fear," and thus interpreting it against the usage of the
wisdom.

tion of ethical

of

WL.,

syn. of

"wisdom,"

phr. as a syn. of the

Law

both doubtless wrong.

His praise\

concluding with the thought with which the Ps. began,

endure th forever'], standeth

is

certain to be rendered in

1.

as Ehr.
2.

crot,

tibi,

an original

6.

vr>'n nbj

7.

vt"* "'t';"^]

112^

^.
t rns]

V.

9.

::^'''ittT\.

makes
makes

cf.

if^'\ for

Pr.

deXi^naTa avrov,

TO.

5. T^.ij]

too long;

1.

3,

"^U'^

S', tJE;

prey,

ransom, {xom

'^nr;

rd. vr;*::.

exile Is. 50^,

Dn. 8^.

faciunt earn,

ori^rP'^v]

sfs. all gl.

so ons

3''>"i:;d]

(v.^)

is

fear,

Qal

of nnS.
ptc., as

pass,

cf,

Ps.

Pr.

4'^

130"; here
9I0

^^' (i) prudence,

WL. and

Chr.;

(3)

a&ri^v, "S facientibus

WL.

S. 25^;

bad

sense,

eum, 3 qui

II

STR.

2^

and sure

fears

Yahweh and

his posterity will be blessed (v.^), he

he maintains justice in

everlasting remembrance

without

sense of food.

interp.

sfs.

rd. nb^'S^.

will have wealth and prosperity with

(v.^)

fig.

is

both

Gr., Che., Ba., Valeton, Ehr.

Psalm 112 pronounces happy the one that

Law

use of td.

vohmtates eius

from iniquities

X ^?^']

"^^^^ iroiov<riv

PSALM CXIL,

delights in His

to dittog. before mD3,

n^r.s^] a.X.,

(2) insight, understanding, here, as also in

craft,

8.

more prob.;

due

Ps. 2^^^ for

76^ ; here in

v.

10. n^pn
more general Ex. S^^ is dub.
nin> PN-iJ makes 1. too long; rd. V'^<">;.
;

3"^,

v.

3^^^^

too long; interp. of

1.

-lU'J (5,
n.f.

gl,

phr. a.\.;

v.^,

Public worship

sure.

generations.

all

explanatory

n^D]

cn'?Dn] so S, ^, but <Q

interp.

^"';c*"'

and

fast, firm,

(v."^^)

which he will be benevolent

all his affairs,

;

and will be held in

he will be firm and confident,

of victory over his adversaries

(v.^"**)

he

generous to the poor, and will be exalted to the chagrin of the

wicked

(v.^^^").

The Ps. concludes with the ruin

of the

wicked

PSALM
IJAPPY

CXII.

385

he that feareth Yahweh,

His commands delighteth greatly.
T-TIS seed shall be mighty in the land:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
"\^EALTH and riches are in his house;
And his righteousness endureth forever.

That

IGHT

is

in

doth shine for the upright.

Gracious and compassionate

TT

is

well with the gracious

Who
"pOR

he

The
f~\F

the righteous.

is

and benevolent,

maintaineth his affairs with justice.

shall

never be moved

righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

evil tidings

His mind
T-JIS mind

is

is

he

not afraid

is

fixed

he hath confidence.

established; he

Until he look

on

is

not afraid,

his adversaries,

UE doth disperse;

give to the poor:

His righteousness standeth firm forever.
T-JIS horn shall be exalted in honour.
The wicked will see and be vexed.
T-JE will gnash his teeth and melt away
The desire of the wicked will perish.

Ps. 112

is

the second Hallel of this group (v. Intr. 35), and the mate of

III in alphabetical structure, measure, and in the use of words and phrases;

doubtless from the same author and the

same time.

TTJs iTriarpocpijs

'Ayyaiov Kal Zaxap/oi;, which

sound

passed over into

basis.

It

in

found in the Syro-hexapla of

attitude as Ps.

WL.:

v.3a

which

i,

it

re7Jersionis

also, but

is

v.^- ^^.

copies in

is

In (g^

Aggaei

It

has in the

title

Zachariae.

et

It is

This Ps. has the same

not in 3.

many resemblances with

has

with Pr. lo^

igi^, v.c*

with Pr. 8^^ v.5 with Pr. 1421

it

a late conjecture without

v.9

with

Pr. Ii24.

Happy

1.

is

the god-fearing

His commands

now follow,

he that feareth Yahweh'],

man on

his piety

and

delighteth greatly], cf. i^

with regard to which

it is

cf.

i^

congratulation of

his fidehty to the

A number
man

them are probably timeless and general in

2. His seed
the generation of the upright],

their

||

ence

II

men

in

determine whether

difficult to

they refer to the present or the future of the

shall be mighty in the land],

Law

of statements

his

the most of

descendants.
character.

of power, position, and influ-

shall be blessed], share in their father's congratulations

of happiness.

3.

Wealth and riches are in his house].

He

enjoys prosperity in accordance with the blessings of the Deu-

teronomic I>aw, Dt.

2C

28.

His

righteousness],

doubtless in the

PSALMS

386
sense of prosperity, as Pr.

have no end.

8^^

endure

Jo. 2-I

fh forever], will

Light doth shine for the upright], the

4.

prosperity in the divine favour, as 97^^ La. 3" Jb.

was probably

original object

generalized into a

sg., but by
and so gave a

pi.,

of

light

The
became

22-** 30^'.

copyist's mistake

it

basis for interpreting " the

upright " either as his posterity, or as those under his influence,

in

"

EV.

the various interpretations represented by

The

gloss

in darkness "

was introduced through a similar mistake, at the

expense of the measure ; for the context would make it altogether
inappropriate to the

ancient error also

was

originally

man who

influenced

the theme of the Ps.

is

the

of the

interp.

Gracious and compassionate

This

which

line,

||

by

the righteous],

is

the introduction of a conjunction before the last word, making it

into an additional attribute " and righteous," which then makes
it

construct the line grammatically.

difficult to

with the gracious

tion of

and

v.^

and benevolent],

so RV.,

JPSV.

his affairs], so essentially AV., JPSV., after

much

better than RV.,

''

he

his character as

never be inoved], usual phr. for

55^

shall

which

^T,

(,

3.

justice], in ac-

For he shall

6.

stability of the righteous, cf. 15*

shall be in everlasting remembrance], in the successive gen-

II

7-8.

lations.

threaten

him.

the

suits

maintain his cause in

erations of his seed, that will inherit his blessedness

them

well

is

WJio inaintaineth

with
a righteous man.

judgment," although sustained by

cordance with

//

5.

but the PBV., AV,, are ungrammatical

against the context in their renderings.

context

a resumption of the congratula-

and congratu-

Of evil tidings], emphatic in position those which

most men as liable to come some time unexpectedly upon
;

as the parall. suggests, v.^, of adversaries

he

is

changed by a

confidence],

coming up

not afraid], repeated for emphasis v.^,

glossator, at the

into " trusting in

||

against

he hath

expense of the measure,

Yahweh " true enough, but not exactly the

thought of the poet. The reason for his confidence in the future
is, that he is prepared to meet adversaries
His mind is fixed is
:

established], taking
final result.

9-10

a.

Until he

He

v.'\ cf.

1 1^*.
||

Cor.

||

he

is

sure of the

look on], gaze in triumph, as 22^^ II8^

doth disperse'], free and

in alms, cf. Pr.

perity as

up again the thought of v.^

full

give to the poor

9^,

where

it

is

distribution of his wealth

His righteousness], proscited as an

encouragement

PSALM

6^'<i-.

Mt.

2^

S.

where "righteousness" is a syn. of almsgiving, cf.

His horn shall be exalted in honour], cf. 75^ 89^^^

doubtless here also in triumph over the adversaries of

who

V.*,

387

This passage prepares the way for the

to Christian benevolence.
later usage,

CXIII.

now

are

represented in the

as

||

The wicked

They will

triumph and be vexed, while he looks upon them

see his

umphant

gratification,

v.^*.

10 he.

The

The wicked

thetical to the first one.

final

couplet

in tri-

is

anti-

will gnash his teeih\ in the

rage of disappointment and contemplation of the triumph of his

away

adversary, and will melt

from

own

his

heat.

The

the delight of the righteous

ruin, as Ps.
1.

as j^

but

vb. as 104-2, of sun.

rr^r]

v.^*.

v^ii is

the measure and are needless.

4.

will

prob.
2.

T^'n^

C'^n]

as v.i; interp. gl. before ptc.

'75'?^^]

Pilp. Si3 support, as S5^^y

tZT

to be preferred to

dispensabit verba sua injudicio.

7.

is

is

an

1.

too long; nino

f^.i.^p]

into utter

makes 1. too long.

making 1. too long,

prosaic,

iiot

P"'"!^}]

ni*:^;

is

6.

n^ri";]

interp. gl.;

p^n; VJB^] phr. jj-^s 3712 La. 2I6 Jb. 16^.

PSALM

is gl.

tovs \6yovs avrov iv Kpiaei,

as v.^ a

with Dy.

10!

of alms,

Pi. scatter ;

lend, as 37^^.

olKOPOfiQp tcl Trpdyfiara avrov ixerk

inf.

-\]q']

an additional

Gr., after ,S

ptc Hiph.

oiKovofxi^crei.

nb3

9.

were

interp. gl.,

gl.,

making

t nvicr] n.f. tidings, as Je 4922 (n;;-\), Pr. 15^0 25^^ (n^ra).

makes

it

here as well as rx; both impair

gl.

n';T\'i]

of an original "i*^'\
man," as Hare, Du.,

6.

Kpiaeuis, cf.

away

perish], go

C"!.^'] is also a generalisation

attribute, but " the righteous

impotent rage, melting as

i^.

"'^.U'n]

li^'^K

in

desire of the wicked], in antithesis with

cf.

rd.

||

sn"^;

too long.

nin>3 ntp3]

for other uses v.

Pr. ii^*;

CXIII., 4 STR.

n'J)3

1.

iXiri^eiVf

i^,

43.

Ps. 113 is a summons to Israel to praise Yahweh forever (v.^"^)

who, exalted above the nations in heavenly glory, is worthy of

universal praise (v.^)

He is incomparable, from His heavenly

what transpires in heaven and on earth

throne condescending to see

(v.^^)

He

enthrones Zion, taking her from her desolation and bar-

renness, and

which

last is

making her the glad mother of

emphasized by glosses (v.'^*-*).

pRAISE

Yahweh, ye servants
name of Yahweh.
The name of Yahweh be blessed
From now on even forever.
Praise the

children (v/"-

^)

PSALMS

388

pROM the rising of the sun unto

The name

He

is

of

Yahweh

high above

Above

all

is

its

worthy

be praised.

nations,

the heavens His glory.

"YYHO is like Yahweh our God ?

He who exalteth Himself to sit
He who stoopeth to look
In the heavens and in
T-J

setting

to

enthroned:

(all) the earth.

E who raiseth out of the dust

He who enthroneth His people
He who enthroneth the barren
To be the glad mother of children.
:

Ps. 113

the third Hallel of this group (v. Intr. 35).

is

begins the

It

Jewish liturgical Hallel, 11 3-1 18, sung at the three great pilgrim

feasts, at the

new moons. At the Passover II3114 were sung before the meal, 115-11S after it, in connection with the fourth
cup. The group is also called " the Egyptian Hallel." The Roman Catholic
Feast of Dedication, and at the ordinary

Church uses these as the basis of the Sunday vesper service. This Ps. depends
upon Mai. i^^ in v.8, i S. 2^ in v.', Is. 54I in v.^ V.^ except for a transposition of lines is essentially the same as 135I.
The Ps. doubtless belongs to the

Greek period.

Three

Str. I.

for

has four trimeter tetrastichs, with

It

emphasis

||

lines syn., the last synth.

l>e

blessed.

The

subj.

from

gls.

1-2.

S. 2^ in

Praise'],

Ye servants], as

v.*^''-

^.

repeated
(,

U, J,

faithful worshippers, the true Israel, to be preferred

Aq., 2, PBV.
to " servants of Yahweh " of %, %, 3:, AV., RV.
The first line
:

then gives both those called upon to praise and the object to be
praised

Yahweh]

Yahweh, repeated

latter has then as its

the name of
emphasize the worship as comprehending

which

to

||

The climax

the entire divine manifestation.

is

From now

on

even forever], everlastingly, without cessation.

The

Str. II.

first

Hne

followed by three syn. lines synthetic

is

3-4.

thereto, reversing the order of the previous Str.

rising of the sun unto

thest

West

its

setting]

universal worship in place

of time of the previous Str.

96* 145^
Str.,

and not

when

it is

the heavens

among

all

earth, as

is

is

worthy

thus
to

added

with

||

His glory]

nations, for

He

is

He

to universality

if

||

with previous

high above all nations

cf. 8^ 5 7^- ^l

The

reigns over

His glory above the heavens

praise

them
is

the
far-

be praised], as 18* 48-

be praised " of EV* as

''

really

From

from the remote East to the

all

also

is

to

and over

above

||

above

be universal

all

all

the

the earth.

PSALM

An

Str. III.

concluding

5-6.
He
The

15^^ Dt. 3^^.

Who
is

superiority of

when He

sits

" of

the supreme heights

the regions below

He

Yahweh

heavens.

is

is

now

set forth

Himself to sit
riseth to supreme

He

v.'*.

He who

He

incompar-

is

stoopeth to look^

stoopeth, in order to look through

namely, In

ceived as above the heavens

a chal-

to all others, cf.

exalteth

on His heavenly throne.

able in His divine sovereign majesty.

From

Yahweh

He who

enthroned\ resuming the " high

all

an introductory and a

Yahweh our God ?~\

like

is

incomparably superior

in participial relative clauses

heights,

389

antith. couplet enclosed in

line.

lenge insisting that

Ex.

CXIII.

incomparable

He

the heavens'], for

and

is

con-

in all the earth], beneath the

in

His condescension

also, cf.

Is.57^^

Three

Str. IV.

who

syn. lines with a synth. conclusion.

raiseth out of the dust]

7-8.

He

Yahweh was incomparable in His

and heaven, so now He is incom-

as

universal inspection of earth

parable in His special dealings with His people.

Israel

had been

maltreated by the nations and humiliated to the dust.

Yahweh and mother of

of her children, who had been
wife of

Zion, the

her population, had been deprived

slain before her eyes or been taken

and so she had become barren, cf. Is. 54^ "^incomparable in that He is the one who enthrone th],

into captivity;

Yahweh

is

repeated for emphasis, both in connection with His desolate people

and barren Zion, and especially with the latter in order to the
climax
making her the glad mother of children]
giving a
numerous and happy population. A glossator enlarges this Str.

by inserting from
first line,

and

S. 2^ several clauses

an entire syn.

in the

line,

from

the object poor of the

the dunghill lifteth

up

the needy

second Hne with princes ; repeated, probably in the

original gloss, but

changed by an early scribe

in the latter case to

"with nobles of His people," which gives the clause a reference

to individuals against the context,

'>

1.
"1

DC']

3y22

122 128*;

dubious.
ptc.

>i3r] SO S,

as 135^";

3.

^,

as 1351^;

'C"',

but

loS^j

constructed with

U,

'n; juss,,

iNOD""!*; "^riv nntDr]

S>'

(5,

3, Aq., S.

but against measure.

2.

which

phr. 50^ Mai.

VSn: elsw. i84'482 964'i453;_4.

jy6. 12

which evidently refers to

here assimilated to

is,

more prob.

Pu. ptc. "|ia;

cf.

however, needless and

i^^.

cv.j s^-s-; --,]

D^c.i'n S;

annj?

'n"*^?:]

Israel.

mni

cf.

in syn.

Di^'

>iJ2 46II,
clause.

*?^nc]

Pu.

o'mn)
T\y\<\

is

S3;

PSALMS

390
needless

gl.

'n"33sn]

5.

hiimiliate i828(?) 758

\f/

Hiph.

euphony, to get two accents.

y

56. 6rt^

"_

cf.

Qal 103^^

6.

elsw.

"''^'sr^^]

ancient case ending,

is

Ges.^'^-

^,

for

^c^pr] shuuld have article as ptcs. above

7.

and then two accents as those.

j then makes 1. too long and is a gl.,
2^.
V."'' from i S. 2^.
X rsrs] n.[m.] (y'.-'ijr) dunghill^ as i S.
*?

as also
8.

ptc. r,2)

The

147';.

Hiph.

o-t'^n'^']

as in other cases

enlarged the

Now.,
an original

1.

with

inf.

^"^^'Z^^iry,

prob. assimilated to

_>

and regard

as v.^",

as

''::;

We should rd.
A glossator has

S. 2^.

its

object.

t Kadiaai avrbv 3 ut etivi sedere facial; so Gr.,

is an interp. as usual, and does not imply

@><-A. r.

Du., Che., but doubtless this

^^'C'lnS,

non

Is. 54I.

is

9.

ron

"T"}?;-^^

doubtless interp.

cstr. J

-^ly;

adj. barren, as

S. 2^

Gn. ii*'

gl.

PSALM

CXIV.,

2 STR.

6^

Ps. 114 is a historical poem, describing the transformation of

nature at the Exodus

presence of the God

(v.^

^''),

and affirming that

who

of Jacob,

is

it

was due

to the

at the same time Lord of the

Glosses add the selection of the holy place in Judah

earth

(v."^').

(v.^),

and the bringing of water from the rock

(v.^).

"\X7'HEN Israel went forth out of Egypt,

The house of Jacob from a people of unintelligible speech,
The sea saw and fled
Jordan turned backward
The mountains skipped like rams
The hills (danced) like lambs of the flock.

"^HAT

ailed thee,

O Jordan,

Sea, that thou shouldst flee;

that thou shouldst turn

backward;

Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams;

Ye hills, that ye (danced) like Iambs of the
It

At
Ps.

14

is

was

at the

fiock?

presence of the Lord of the earth

the presence of the

also a Hallel, having

God

of Jacob.

in

.T'l'^'^n

, although

in J^,

Jf,

word

this

attached to the end of previous Ps., doubtless by error (v. Intr.

is

35).

it was not a Hallel.

The title is appropriate only so far
was used with the previous or the subsequent Ps. Probably in liturgical
use it was always used with the latter, and accordingly it is combined with

Originally, however,

as

it

it

in (5,

dan

is

U.

The

reference to the crossing of the

of such a general character that

particular

document of the Hexateuch.

evidence of late Hebrew.

It

it

The

the

Jor-

The

use of

?>*?

v} is the onlv
Greek period.

Ps. doubtless belongs to the

has two trimeter hexastichs arranged as

glosses.

Red Sea and

does not indicate the use of any

Str.

and

anti-Str.

V.^-

are late

PSALM
Str.

I.

and a

couplet

syn.

CXIV.
syn.

391
tetrastich.

From a

1.

people of unintelligible speecli], speaking a language that Israel

did not understand,

in

v.^

The proper apodosis

42-^ Is. 28^^

Gn.

cf.

is

but a glossator, wishing to give a more suitable basis for

the use of the Ps. in public worship, and thinking of the final

purpose of the Exodus, adds

Jiidah became His sanctuary\

2.

the land of Judah, for the usual Jerusalem, the capital city,
15^^ Ps.

He

the land over which

saw and fled\

was

the

reigned as King of Israel.

Red

might cross.

was

is

reserved for the antistrophe,

Jorda?t turned backward'^.

Its

waters

above, so that Israel might cross in

The mountains skipped

4.

Ex.

The sea

3.

like

rams

cf.

it

saw.

Ex. 15^ Ps.

77^''.

that

became dammed up

bed,

its

The

Exodus
and

It is personified

terror before something

represented as fleeing in
this

Sea, or sea of reeds, which at the

laid bare, so that Israel

What

cf.

Israel His dominion'\, the entire land of Israel,

78*^"^^.

hills

cf.

3^^^'^.

Jos.

danced

like

lambs

of the flock\ personification of the mountains of Horeb, which, in

the earthquake at the theophany of the lawgiving (Ex. 19^^^^),

resembled young rams and lambs, skipping and dancing about in

their terror, cf.

Str. II

is

Hb.

3^.

the antistrophe, with a syn. tetrastich of inquiry, and

a syn. couplet of reply.

5-6.

What ailed thee /]. What is the

What was it that you saw, that frightened

reason of your terror?

you so much?

The

mountains, and the

question

hills,

is

asked of the

sea, the

question, in order to the emphatic reply.

ence

Lord of

of\ repeated

Jordan, the

repeating exactly v.^ in the form of the

for emphasis.

the

//

7.

was at

the pres-

the earth'\, the

sovereign owner and possessor of the sea, the Jordan, the

and the

tains,

and of

hills,

all

other things

mounwho had come in

theophany, summoning them to take their part in the deliverance

of His people

for

He

was

also,

and

in a special sense, the

God

of facob. This answer has been disturbed by an early copyist's

mistake ; who, to the great injury of the measure, wrote the vb. in
v.^"

instead of in v.^.

Thus

the vb. " danced," which

is

syn. with

"skipped," had to be given a meaning appropriate to

objects of nature
ble "

and interpreted

as

all

the

an imv. " writhe," or " trem-

and so instead of answering the question, these great obdo what they have already been

jects of nature are exhorted to

PSALMS

392

represented as doing.

glossator tacks on, with great impro-

priety, a couplet relating the miracle of bringing water

from the

He who

turned the rock into a pool of water, the flinty

rock into a fountain of waters y cf. Ex. 17 Nu. 20^'**- Pss. 78^^- ^^-^

rock

8.

107^

vh

1.

NH.
of

41^^

Is.

D>] a.X. a people speaking an unintelligible or foreign language,

for

God

pointing.

(5''

1.

17^^;

1.;

-\p'\

prob.

skip about ; so also

^^t\\

so also

139I9

Is.

Jos. 159

815

50''.

(p)

''J'vr:]

k;

(gl.).

v.jo^^, archaic ending for euphony.

Jb. 28^

Hiph.

v.^.

v.*'^ cf. 96^.

8.

v.^,

3i'">-

2^

This

3.

'yo\\

not elsw.

parallel vb.

needed

n'''^s

elsw. in

yp

18^2

article relative, ptc.

n.va. flint, as

archaic, euphonic ending, for cstr.

i85 2 K.

dominion

displaced from previous

'''?ZiT\7{\

"^'"r'^'!']

n.f.

prob. error of

v. is gl.

29^.

"'Vin]

7.

improb.; error for 3p>^ vi^n.

phr. a.X.;

3pj7^ !^''^?<]

pi.

ninx turjt about backward, so

c.

(for ^N 2 S. 22^2), 5022 (gl.)

*1D-"i,

only 136^ % n^c'pp

pi., elsw.

^ of heavenly bodies 136^-9;

avrov, 3 potestas eius.
This whole

i^ovaia

3::d, v.

Qal

i"'P'^]

in next

rri^^r::^]

as 10322 145!^, elsw.

Qal impf.
4.

28II.

J>.;S cf. Is.

]"';;d

Dt. 8'^ 32!^

with

CD

as

v. is gl.

PSALM CXV.
Ps. 115

is

composite

(A) a prayer

to

Yahweh

to manifest

His

glory over against the idols of the nations, with an imprecation

(v.^^^-'-ri.s^^

^q which supplementary glosses were

(B) a litany of priest and people, the former
trust in Yahweh, the latter responding that He is

upon idolaters
added

(v.^*"-'")

exhorting to

their help and shield (v.^")

upon

all classes of

the latter then imploring a blessing

the community

the blessing in the

name

the former pronouncing

(v.^-'^^),

of the Creator

vow

added a gloss in the nature of a

(v.^*"^*^).

to bless

(v.i'-i).

A.

2-'^-

v.^"*-

^,

4 STR.

4^

MOT to us, Yahweh, not to us,

But to Thine own name give glory.
Wherefore should the nations say:

Where now is their God ? "

/~)UR God is in heaven (above).
All that He pleaseth, He doeth.
"

Their idols are

The work

silver

and gold,
men.

of the hands of

To

this

Yahweh

was

forever

PSALM cxv.
A

MOUTH

393

have they but they cannot speak.

Eyes have they but they cannot see.
Ears have they but they cannot hear.
A nose have they but they cannot smelL
T-JANDS have they; but they cannot feel.
Feet have they but they cannot walk.
Like them be they that made them,
Every one that trusteth in them.
;

B.

V.^^",

(HOUSE
He

3 STR.

6^.

of) Israel, trust in

is

Yahweh.

their help a?td their shield.

Yahweh.
and their shield.
O ye that fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh.
He is their help and their shield.
/T-JE is their help and their shield.)
^
May Yahweh remember and bless:
house of Aaron,

He

is

trust in

their help

Bless the house of Israel

Bless the house of

Aaron

Bless them that fear Yahweh,

Small together with great.

jyrAY Yahweh add unto you.

Unto you and unto your children.
Blessed be ye of Yahweh,

Maker of heavens and earth,

The heavens (which are assigned) to Yahweh,
The earth which is given to the sons of mankind.
Ps. 115 is a Hallel, incorporated by @, U, S, B, 3f, and some codd. |^,
without n-'i'^'^n in f^
52 de Rossi, with previous Ps. for liturgical reasons
but the space with o in codices indicates its omission, due probably to the
;

liturgical use of this

trimeter tetrastichs,
in

1356a. 15-18.

of idols

^\i\x glosses

with a later gloss

plies

cf.

^-''^^

^,

Ps.

contrasting the

v.^'^

115

God

is

composite: A, four

of Israel with idols, cited

from 138^, and an additional characteristic

B, three trimeter hexastichs, a litany of priest and people

v."^*^;

idolatry,

with the previous Ps.

v.^"''-

v.^^-^^^

Is. 44^-20 Je.

is

lo^-^^,

earlier, indicating

priesthood in

v.^*'"^^,

and the

The prominence

of the Aaronic

v.^^- ^^

from the house

distinction of proselytes

of Israel, with the absence of any mention of a king, imply the

The

B im-

probably from the Babylonian period.

established worship in the temple.

v.^-^^,

a period of conflict with

Greek period.

glosses are of later date.

PSALM CXV.

A.

Not us\ repeated

But
emphasis, appealing
order
the
Yahweh,
A glossator adds from 138^: foy
Thine own name give
Str.

I.

Two

synth. couplets.

in

to

to

1.

glory.

for

to

to

antithesis

PSALMS

394

Thy kindfiess, (and) for the sake of Thy faithfulness^

do honour to those divine attributes, cf. Ex. 34^
2. Wherefore should the nations say: ^^ Where now is their God?^'~\y
because He had not displayed the glory of His name in the
redemption of His people, cf Ps. 42^-^^ 79^^
the sake of

to

Synth, couplets in antithesis.

Str. II.

heaven'], to

which

3.

Our God

is

in

very properly adds above, as the measure

requires ; implying, on the one hand, that His throne was there,
and on the other hand, that the gods of the nations were not

Ail that He

there.

knows no

will

pleascth,

He

His divine sovereign

doeth].

restrictions or restraints.

4.

gods of the nations are thus identified with

Their

idols'].

their images.

The

are

and yet The work

5-6. Mouth ears
A
these
of the
common
men and
heavenly
when they manifest themselves, have
but they have no
them.
cannot speak
hear
They cannot use these
beings do.
IV. A
couplet and a
one.
Hands feet
have
chief instruments of the
of the body; but
cannot feel
they cannot use them.
cannot walk].
adds
not with
throat], which makes
A
and gold],

silver

of the most precious metals

of the hands of men], not creators, but creations.

Str.

syn.

III.

tetrastich.

features

nose],

eyes

face,

to

to

intelligences

they],

idols;

they

life in

smell].

Str.

synth.

syn.

with

living

7.

they

they utter

the Str. just this line too long,

other

as

activity

they

glossator

see

features

they],

\.\\qsq

their

is

in a different style

from the

and really is a repetition of v.''^ and not homogeneous

immediate context.
Tike them be they that made
8.

lines,

its

them], an imprecation not only upon the craftsmen that

made

who employed them that they

impotent
may become as
and probably also as dead as these
The imprecation is extended in the chmax to all idolaimages.
the images, but also upon those

ters,

Every one that

trusteth in thetn.

PSALM CXV.
Str. I.
tical lines

so
J^,

(g,

B.

Litany of three syn. lines by the priest, with three idenof response by the people.

%, V, PBV., as

v.^-

9-11.

house of Israel],

135^^; to be preferred to ''Israel" of

AV., RV., although the mng.

is

the

same

the

organisation

PSALM cxv.
of Israel as a household or nation.

395

house of Aaron], the Aaronic

||

priesthood, the rulers of Israel at the time of the composition of

the Ps., in the Greek period.

it

||

from other nations than

lytes

ye that fear

Yahweh\ the prosewe must interpret

thus

Israel, for

here as additional to the " house of Israel "

v.^^"^^,

and not

in

the usual sense of the ''pious " in Israel as distinguished from the

ungodly.

The

priest exhorts

each and

all

to trust in Yahweh'].

V, 3, all have the pf. here, stating as a fact that they do

in Yahweh, which makes a better antithesis with the idolaters

(^, Si,

trust

of the

I/e

their help

is

and

sfs.

suits the

priest,

trust in their idols,

But,

on the other hand, the

nature of the litany with the people

which

in

any case appears

in the subse-

the last of which the priest responds to the people.

Strs., in

Furthermore, the threefold repetition of identical lines

priate to such a litany,

and not

is

to statements of fact!

conceived as help and shield of His people, as

and

of the thrice repeated line

their shield].

change of person best

responding to the

quent

who

of the previous Ps.,

last line

also harmonises better with the

3^ 28^

appro-

God

is

33^.

and a synth. line in

remember and bless]. The
subsequent context makes this rendering most probable. ( interprets both vbs. as in the same construction and with the same
sf.
5^ takes the former as pf., which then must be in a relative
Str. II.

conclusion.

clause, as

synth. couplet, a syn. triplet,

12-13.

JPSV.

EV.

all

who was mindful of

us," or a statement of past

PBV., AV., RV., "hath been mindful of us."

experience, as

"He

''

May Yahweh

take the impfs. here and in subsequent clauses as futures,

will bless "

but JPSV. more correctly as jussives.

line

missing in J^ and Vrss. of this Str.

It seems most probable
that the people here begin their petition with the same words
is

they have used in the previous

shield.

The

He is
May He

Str.

people then pray:

their help
bless]

and

their

each of the

mentioned above, the house of Israel, the house of Aaron,

and the7n that fear Yahweh; comprehending all in the climax.
Small together with great], all portions of the community, whether
classes

exalted in position or of humble condition

Str. III.

Two synth.

responds to the petition of the people

weh add unto you],

cf. Je. 6^^

couplets and an antith. couplet.

in this Str.

14.

16^ 31^.

The

priest

May

Yah-

increase your numbers, ever an important

PSALMS

396

divine favour to ancient Israel

also unto
tions.

by

your

15.

their

and

not only Unto you, but

children'\, giving increase to all

Yahweh\

Blessed be ye of

God, receiving

all

Maker of heavens and

manner of
earth'].

as

subsequent genera-

approved and favoured

blessings from

The

creator

His hands.

the sovereign

is

owner of all things, and therefore able and competent to bestow

them in blessings on His people.
16. The heavens'], not only
created by Him, but assigned to Yahweh], reserved to Him for
His divine throne and royal residence. The unpointed text sug-

gests this rendering, as does the antithetical line

but J^, (, and

making it predicate, as RV.,
JPSV., "the heavens are the heavens of Yahweh," or in apposition, as AV. " the heaven, even the heavens are Yahweh's."
But
PBV., " all the whole heavens are Yahweh's," follows the Vrss. in
taking the two as in the construct relation.
The earth which is
given to the sons of mankind], for a residence and for the use
of its products.
It is given by Yahweh, whether we regard Him
as the subj. of the vb., as most, or take the vb. with an indef. subj.
to be rendered in Eng. by the passive, which best accords with
;

Vrss. read " heavens," the former

all

the previous line,

if

our interpretation

is

correct.

glossator adds 17-18, a trimeter tetrastich of the nature of

a vow, implying the deliverance of the nation from a deadly

probably therefore in the early

cannot praise Yah], that

38'^^^^^

Is.

as 94''.

18.

II

in the

times.

peril,

17. The dead

temple worship, as

Nor any that go down

But we], "the living,"

who have been

Yah], in

is,

Maccabean

6^ 30^ '^Z^^

to Silence], a syn. of Sheol,

as (^ interprets

preserved from death and Sheol.

by a

will

the temple worship. Frojn now on even forever]^

gloss,

bless

in all

subsequent generations and ages.

cxv. A.
@><- a.r. t ^^ L,5^ j^Qjg proper in
If nS is rewith imv. |n.
^ncN'^y TtDn~'^>] gl. from
must be not adversative, but intensive.
r. t,
138-, without intermediate \ which, however, is given by na.
@^' ^ adds Hvo) = ^';r:, which is needed for good measure, but
3. D>cuo].
1.

n'^]

tained,

it

@sc. a. a.

omitted in

is

(gs.

|1

v;

c. a.

A. R.

106S6.

88

impf.

full

135I5.

^j,

t^

^s

also has iv rots ovpavoh kuI

T^ y^^ which is an expansive gl.

(5, 5, rCiv idvdv instead of sf,, as

form 3

pi. % n'"i

denom. nn

scent, odour,

4.

iirl

t^s 7^5,

c^'^xy] ^^fir idols, as

135^^.

and so

6.

?in>-i;]

Hiph.

to scent, smell,

as

PSALM cxvi.

397

3925.
7. Dn>n>] so Dn>'?jn, but awkward.
&
( JE) Jb.
|Vk^^p']
more prob.
Hiph. impf. full form 3 pi. f ['^^'ir;]
Hiph. elsw. Ju. 16^6 (?) idem. @ has the same
y\i. feely Qal only Gn. 2721.
But the last
construction here as in v.^-^, and that is intrinsically more prob.

Dt. 428 Gn. 821 2727

on*?

1.,

Dn% onS

D^'^jn

of different constr., Djnji uni-^S,

is

gl.

CXV. B.
9.

Sn-i'^>]

but ^s'.A. R.T ^^

0s. A.R.T ^^ J, pf. as v.io"n?.?^] ^- ^ ifivifjaOr] rjfxQv

interpretative.

sfs. all

TV

ou/aai/v

assigned

= ViNC*

to.

cctrn

ciC'-y

phr. a.X.,

^in''']

94I".

y-^^^

^^-

A-

as v.12 13519.

@N. c

ijfjLds,

1^-

but

cf.

A.

12.

but
ij-^^t

prob.

(Q^-^

ixvrjadels

:2^r:t'

ptc. c^r r<?

nnn

112 ni"' Pss. 28^ 143'^.

by the

interprets

PSALM CXVL,

a.

imv.;

n"p3]

13519.

^ oupavbs tov ovpavov,

suggests

|1

nS^

n>3] as v.12

cc^'n] (5^'T

U, S,

so

"^cr,

10.

Kal evXdyrjaev

16.

17. ncn
18. unjN]

11.

Sni'^"' n>3,

elsw.

gl. 01 fwj/res.

8 str. 3^ rf. il

Yahweh the love of His people and continual

He had proved Himself the hearer of prayer (v.^"^),
had delivered them from death (v.^
was the gracious keeper of
the simple-minded (v.''^-^"-^''), and had dealt bountifully with them
7.8ar-^
assures Yahweh of their faith in Him and their continual
^y
prayer, though greatly afflicted by false men (v.^*^"), and vows a
Ps.

116 pledges

prayer, because

'^''),

libation of gratitude for benefits (v.^-"^^),

and

votive

Glosses emphasize
/y

56. 65. 86ci. 9. 14. 15. 16c.

the

in

offerings

still

courts

thank offerings

(v.^^^-^''),

temple

(v.^^'^^").

the

of

further various

statements of the Ps.

196\

LOVE

(Yahweh,

Verily

Verily

He
He

my

strength).

heareth the voice of

my

doth incline His ear to

supplications

me

Therefore on the {name of Yahweh) will I

'T'HE

call.

snares of Death encompassed me,

And

the straits of Sheol found me.

Trouble and sorrow

Therefore on the

AH now, deliver my

find

name of Yahweh

will I call.

life,

Yahweh, gracious and righteous

Yahweh, keeper of the simple-minded
{^Therefore on the name of Yahweh will I call.)
!

T>

ETURN, my

soul, to thy resting place

For Yahweh hath dealt bountifully with thee;

For He hath rescued mine eyes from tears
[^Therefore on the

name of Yahweh

will I call.)

PSALMS

398
J

BELIEVE, though

speak

was greatly afflicted.

said Every man is a

I
I

^HAT
For

Therefore on the
shall

liar.

name of Yahweh

of salvation will

Therefore on the

am Thy

will I call,)

render to Yahweh,

me ?

His benefits unto

all

The cup

AH now,

it.

lift

name of Yahweh

will I call,

servant

I am Thy servant, the son of Thine handmaid.

To Thee will I sacrifice a thank offering

name of Yahweh will I call,

Yahweh will I pay,

Therefore on the
TV/TY votive offerings to
will declare

it

to all

His people.

Yahweh
name of Yahweh

In the courts of the house of

(

Therefore on the

will I call).

^, preceded by dWTjXouid ; but in | 7\>-hhr\ is at the

and also at the close of v.^^ in both cases txt. err.
(5 also divides the Ps. into two Pss., making the second begin with \}^ preceded by dXXTjXoutd ; which, however, is not in f^.
The separation was
doubtless for liturgical reasons, for though there is a natural break at this
Ps. Ii6

a Hallel in

is

close of the previous Ps.,

place in the

yet the two parts have so

Ps.,

many

features in

common

that they

The Rf.
must be regarded as parts of the same original
cf. njN v.*- 1^.
NnpN mni Diroi, given v.^"- ^^*- ^'^ and in a corrupt form v. 2*, has been omitted
(gs also omits it in v.i'^ but it is given by (gs.ca.A.T
v.66.9?).ii6.i96.
xhe
;

Ps. is an artistic trimeter of eight

There are several glosses \.^'^- ^ from
:

from 3i23j also

for various reasons, as explanation or expansion,

omitted in
the latter
\}^^.

The

(5.

is

probably

sacrificial

Str. I.

The

later.

worship

original has

There

D.
in

is

v.i""^^

syn. couplet enclosed

'-

V.i9
:

1*

^- 1^-

and

is

1352, but

iXD v.^,

"'niSirDjn

no evidence of the use

This favours an early date.

the temple

v.*-

displaced,

is v.^^

two rare forms

otherwise explained.

of any literature except

upon

v.^*

original Ps. uses: v.i iS^, v.* iS^-^.

may be

n-^jj V.I86

2x2x2x2.

tetrastichs arranged as
56^*, v.ii"

But the

stress laid

favours the early Greek period.

by introductory

and

1.

Rf.

/ iove'], absolute in J^ and Vrss. ; but as it is based on 18^

the original object was probably Yahweh ^ f?iy strength^, which has
1-2.

been omitted by copyist's error at the expense of the measure and

the parallelism, and of the interpretation. The people here affirm
and pledge their love to Yahweh, who has been their strength in
all

their past experience.

is,

that

He

rather than causal

His ear

to

The

specific

ground of love

has been the answerer of prayer

me

of

Verify']

in this Str.

asseverative

EV.
He heareth doth incline
my supplications^ familiar terms, cf.

particle as

the voice

PSALM
2g2.6

2j23 851. 6_j_^

vow

call'],

by copyists

399

name of Yahweh

Therefore on the

^^^-

cf.

^'^

v.''"-

rendered " as long as

is

Str. II.

compassed me

it

has been changed by an early

I live

"

and

Rf.

is

my

days,"

EV.

3.

the straits of Sheol

II

by

The snares of Death encf. 18^, upon

based; explained as Trouble and sorrow;

syn. triplet

which the thought

which has been retained only in part

Here

copyist's error of a single letter into " in " or " during

which

will

end of every

of prayer, which was repeated at the

in the original Ps., but

Str.

cxvi.

found me\

not individual but national, as throughout the Ps.

Str.

III.
I.

deliver

my

life],

Ah

v.^^.

from the peril of death, of the previous

Str.

and indeed vocative, as

of the imv., and not a statement of

for emphasis,

position with the subj.

keeper of

and Rf.

line

no7v\ exclamation of entreaty as

Yahweh], repeated

EV.

by introductory

syn. couplet enclosed

4Z)-6.

as Str.

the simple-?ninded], those especially in

in apfact as

need of

divine favours, because of their liability to be misled into peril

owing to lack of experience,

who

In

19*.

cf.

WL.

indicates those

it

on the one side open to instruction, on the other exposed

to temptation and error. A glossator adds to the attributes gracious
and righteous : Yea, our God is compassionate, and to v.^ a stateare

ment of the past

which

is

of the

Str.

Str. IV.

my

the
the

/ was

A syn.

me He

brought low, but

couplet enclosed as in previous

The

soul, to thy resting place].

weh Himself;
and

peril

saved,

not consistent with the prayer for deliverance characteristic

for just as the

resting place

temple

Str.
is

7.

Return,

doubtless Yah-

the refuge of God's people

is

God Himself (cf. 90^ 91^) so the temple is

resting place of God 132^, and the temple and God Himself are
resting place of His people.
For Yahweh hath dealt bountiin a higher sense

There

fully with thee],

cf. 13'^.

original.

For He hath

8-9.

is

but a single specification in the

rescued mine eyes

from

tears], re-

suming the thought of the trouble and sorrow of v.^ But a glossator adds from 5 d^^ three other items
Thou hast rescued my life
:

my

from

death,

in the

land of the

Str. V.

feet

from stumbling; I

will

walk

before

Yahweh

living.

Synth, lines.

10.

believe], absolute; expression of

confidence and trust in Yahweh.

though],

as

JPSV., and not

PSALMS

400
*'

RV., or " therefore " PBV., AV.,

for "

I speak

U, 3.

after i3,

it\ that which follows, which might seem to evidence a lack of

I was greatly

confidence.
to

afflicted\

which the glossator adds from 31^

I said\
my alarm every man'],

resuming
in

v.^

11.

ts a liar], emphasized by J^ into

"all mankind," against the grammatical construction, which JPSV.
tries to avoid by the unjustifiable rendering " the whole of man."

as (3, required

by the

sg. ptc.

The people were exposed on

Str. VI.

Synth, couplets.

every side to

12.

weh?], by way of recompense

question

What

and slanderers.

liars

shall

raised in order to the answer in the

is

of salvation will I

lift],

re fide r to

Yah-

The

His bounties.

for

vow

13.

The cup

in a drink offering, expressing thanks-

giving for the blessings of salvation received and enjoyed.

adds here

v.^^ a

premature repetition of

the strophical organisation.

Str. VII.

am Thy

Syn. couplet and synth. lines.

servant, emphasized in the

their

God

inserts

as worshipping servants

an interpretative particle

to

the

former

trials

The

is

interpreted by

But

it

is

not in

72^*,

J^

PBV.

(g,

Yahweh
and

in

is

and

as
it

and adds reference

from which the people had been delivered

a pentameter based on

the

relation of -His people to

glossator prefixes

Precious in the eyes of

now, I

and

the basis of the vow.

is

as causal "for."

impairs the measure.

Ah

servant

which was probably designed as

asseveration " truly " as AV., RV., but

"how," by JPSV.

15-16.

/ am Thy

||

The

son of Thine hand?naid], cf 86^^

J^
not in ( and against

v.^*^,

the

His pious],
Maccabean style and

the death of

late

Thou hast loosed 7ny bonds], probably referring

to dehverance from captivity in the Maccabean wars, cf. Is. 52^
17. To Thee will I sacrifice a thank offering],
Jb. 12^^ 39^
accompanying the drink offering of v.^^
18. My votive offerings to
Str. VIII. Syn. triplet and Rf.
is thus specified as one
offering
thank
I
pay].
The
will
Yahweh
paid.
The context makes
was
now
to
be
vowed
and
that had been
sacrifice.
of
/ will deis
that
kind
of
vow
it evident that the
temper

the latter

probable interpretation of a difficult form, which

most
by an ancient error of a single letter has been changed into an
anomalous form, interpreted by PBV. after (g, F, 3, " in the sight
of," but by other EV. after J^, which introduces a particle, " now
clare], the

PSALM

"

would

401

"yea, in

presence of," AV.,

the

in

CXVI.

presence of," RV.,

the

The

were in the presence of," JPSV.

it

accompanied by an

that the votive offering will be

vb. asserts

oral declara-

to all
tion of the praise of Yahweh, probably in sacred song
19. In the courts of the house of Yahweh~\, the
His people\.
place where the sacrifices were made and the sacred songs and
music were rendered. This is enlarged upon by a gloss In thy
:

O Jerusalem.

midst,

II

for "ir:n"is of 18^.

""ri^nN]

1.
sf.,

goes with the second

V.2,

with Bruston, Gr., Che.

in the following

There

1.

then tempting with Ba. to give the vb.

It is

which might have been absorbed

has for

This, in accord with

"id.

no sound reason
mni 6 0e6s, but @s.

to substitute Tijcxn

is

begin with

without the divine name, then the

ycc'i~''3

These were prob. those of 18-

words being missing.

omission of

explained, and

is

sf.

archaic ending in order to get two accents.

140"^.

2.

defective

Lis cited from

fl'w/r^fjj,

^-

so J,

"-p;!!]

/8^.

is gl.

cnnn irn^Ni].

6.

c^npq]

56I*.

txt. err.

The

12.

sf.

1.

is gl.,

Qal

v;''l]

is

making

^- ^- t.

'^

Hiph. impf. old form

">

is

pf.

';z''<

1.

too

This phr.
sg.

'^^'^

S. 17*"^ for

This whole clause

dittog.

1.

This

''J'dj

r\^7\^>

v. Ges.^^- ^.

j^'P'^"'^]

V. is

is

13.

pent. gl. from

is gl.

gl.

Ps. 2^.
19.

it

10.

''2]

JJ

om.

"'S]

861^.

17.

suits

15. ^^lo^] a.X. fem. for r^^.

16.

cf.

This

n-^^jx as 406.

is

an unnecessary

with

"'d

sf.

besides, the clause

v.
is

gl.

above

+;

elsw.

11" =

with Ara-

for '?idj
i/'

prob.

separate Ps.

propter quod.

16^ 23^;

v. 11^.

due to displacement of

But xj implies
However, (g, 5,
m^Dn^] S of late style.
""ii.

the

phr. elsw.

gl.;

142^

v.i-i^

1|.

interp. gl., not in (gx. a.r.t

is

"^do nre]

n^t]
-[i.-i

^2'^

Aramaism

good sense

V.i^

18.

makes

(S Sio,

n.m. a.X. benefit^

14 =

rd.

""DD^n]

dubious

2D

Di;] phr. a.X., 0^3 in

traces of nj.

a late

tfi^'''^'^.

a.X. n^jj usually interp. as local ace. for

incN p]

pnj
measure.
makes

"],

for liturgical use.

n^>'Vyi'>

v.*.

cf. 'D

for

sf.

iniSiriJn] f ['^I'^Jn]

^rnnj;]

show no
as

2^^- 1^.

4.

The

3. JiDnN].

vb. cohort, as elsw.;

The

Am.

48^

iVip]

f "?? n.m. straits^

n-^^c] Pi. imv.

San 18^.

'^nn pix-in] phr. a.X. forD^^n(n) v-\n 27^^

9.

nipi!r> pi. abstr. intensive.

v.^^.

= hwy

phr. a.X.

Du.

31^3 86^ 130^

avrov.

r)fi^pais

n, so Hu.,

'jiNjp] for "1J133D 18^.

Gr. thinks that

Aramaising

""^

was prob. divided

3i23.

maic

v.*- 1^-

unless dittog. {y. 1038), but cf. ''3"'Sy.

8^^
n.m. rest ; other mngs. not in -^ ; cf. nm:D 23^.
marginal gl.

mjp

It

but ^"^^ kv Ta?s

as

For form

142".

iioX i(Ti))<j^v /xe >"';rMn.

"P^nijp]

7.

from

v-UQ"?] i.p- as 28^-

@^' prefixes nin^, but not ^-

79*.

cf.

S. 19II Je.

5.

be brought low, as 79^

j;>iyv

Dtt'3

^'^np njsc]

elsw. La. i^Ps. ii8^

cohort.; phr. elsw. 89^^

long.

^- ^'r,

- *

the Rf.; rd. nini

it is

Then the

nin\

-"jn

1.

two

defective,

is

1.

not causal, but asseverative.

is

In

Kvpio'i.

then the second

If

first

a.r.

c. a.

such cases of difference both are usually interpretative.

Is.

n"in>

is

also gl.

52^ Jb. 12^8 ^gS^

of interp., and impairs the

v.'^;

but following

a dimeter and

is

of :h'vrs>

doubtless a

gl.

PSALMS

402

PSALM CXVIL,

STR. 48.

Ps. 117 summons all nations to worship Yahweh for His kindness
and faithfulness (v.^-).

pRAISE ye

Yahweh,

Laud Him,

all

For His kindness

And
Ps. 117

is

all

nations;

peoples
is

mighty over

the faithfulness of

us,

Yahweh endureth

a Ilallel, preceded by aWrjXovid in

But in

(S.

the close of the previous Ps. and also at the close of this
Str.,

a trimeter tetrastich.

Originally

it

forever.

the n">iSVn

was part of a longer

v.^,

is

connected with the following

temper toward the nations.

It is

unless that be error for svps^

It

different

C'ps

it

Ps.

It

many

codd.

of an entirely

is

of late date, as

was used

at

but neither

Ps.;

of the one that precedes, nor of the one that follows, although in

Kenn., de Rossi,

is

has a single

It

I's.

is

evident from

for liturgical

worship at

the feasts.

Two

syn. couplets.

all nations

2.

||

For His

frequently

kindness

combined

elsw. 103".

Praise

1.

laud\

\\

in public worship.

all peoples\ universal, as in the royal

The

||

group 96-100.

faithfulness of Yahweh'], attributes most

in songs of praise.

is

mighty over us\ phr.

whom

psalmist combines other nations,

dresses, with Israel in personal relation to

Yahweh,

he ad-

as the recipients

of His kindness and faithfulness.

1.

cijN^.

C'^xn] 0.x. Aramaism for

2.

non

ij-'Sp

r^irs

Nu.

25^^, D-"bx

Gn.

251*^,

Heb.

for usual

n3j] phr. elsw. 103I1.

PSALM CXVIIL
Ps. 118 is a composite processional with responsive voices

In

I.

the streets of Jerusalem the leader calls upon the three classes of

worshippers to speak, and the chorus responds with the liturgical

phrase,

"His kindness endureth forever"

claims the deliverance of the people by

their confidence in

enemies

(v.^*).

Him who

The leader

the chorus responds in a

leader bids

them hearken

(v.^).

Yah from

The

solo pro-

great straits, and

has helped them to triumph over their

recalls the multitude of enemies,

vow

to exterminate

them

(v.^^'-j.

to the shouts of victory;

and

The

the chorus

PSALM
responds that
II.

is

it

CXVIII.

403

due to the right hand

Entering the temple, the

call

of

to open

answered by the priest that only the righteous

The statement that the

head of the corner

Yahweh

the

gates

may

is

enter (v.^)

rejected corner stone has been

(v.^-), is

(v.^^^^.
(v.^^)

made the

answered by the recognition that this

The call to recognize the day as

is the work of Yahweh (v.^^).
Yahweh's feast (v.^^), is answered by a priestly blessing from the
house of

Yahweh

Many

(v.^*').

(^^^9.i3-i4.i7-i8.2i.25.27-28>j^

glosses emphasize various things

^he Ps.

ends with the liturgical

iu Its preseut

summons

4 STR.
r\

LET

O
O

form begins and

to thanksgiving

(v.^-

^)

6^.

house of) Israel say:

For His kindness endureth forever,
let the house of Aaron say
For His kindness endureth forever.
(the

them that fear Yahweh say

For His kindness endureth forever.
/~)UT of my straits I called upon Yah
(Yah) answered me in a broad place.
let

is for me
What can man do

Yahweh

to

fear not.

me ?

me, as my great Helper;

And so I look in triumph upon them that hate me,
LL nations encompassed me,
In the name of Yahweh will I circumcise them.
They encompassed me, yea encompassed me.

Yahweh

is

for

In the name of Yahweh will I circumcise them.

They encompassed me, as bees (encompass) wax.
In the name of Yahweh will I circumcise them.,

T-IARK

a shout of joy and victory

{The right hand of Yahweh doeth valiantly.)

Victory in the tents of the righteous

The right ha?id of Yahweh doeth

The

B.

QPEN

valiantly.

hand of Yahweh is exalted.

The right hand of Yahweh doeth valiantly.
right

to

That

22-24.

v.19-20-

26^

g^j^^

me the gates of Zedek,

may enter therein to give

This

^3^

thanks to Yah.

the gate that belongs to

Yahweh.
The righteous may enter therein.
is

'T'HE stone that the builders rejected

Has become the head of the corner.
From Yahweh this has come.
It is

wonderful in our

eyes.

PSALMS

404
T^HIS

is

Yahweh hath made.

the day that

Let us exult and

let

us be glad in

it.

name of Yahweh.
of Yahweh.

Blessed be he that cometh, in the

We bless you from

Ps. 118

is

a Hallel; introduced by dXXTjXoutd in

end of the

also at the

omits

it

rect.

The

Ps. resembles 115

use of responsive voices, in

But

V.2-*.

it

the house

its

Ps.

There can be

victory that has just been won,

but not in

^, which

doubt that

cor-

division of the worshippers into three classes

it

celebrates in a temple festival a

and looks forward

to other

and greater

Accordingly, as the Ps. cannot belong to the period of the

ries.

is

in its structure of trimeter hexastichs, in its

from that Ps. in that

differs

(5,

little

victo-

Hebrew

monarchy, we are compelled to think of the Maccabean victories and the

temper of the whole Ps. favours this date, as does its language and style. The
:

Ps. uses earlier ones

v.^ iS-^o

v.e

v.i*- ^i- 28_

Ex. 15 are in glosses,

5612

yi

^^c. 9

^,22 jg, 2810.

fije Davidic Psalter

was

in the

The

uses of

mind of the

But the Ps. is modelled after the earlier 115: v.^-^; cf. 115^^^;
psalmist.
and uses nxn v.^ as Ii6^ The use of c'^'-cn v.^'^-^^ jg probably in the ironical
sense, and as such is peculiarly appropriate to the earlier Maccabean times,
when circumcision was forbidden to Israel by the Syrians. The only objection of Ba. to the Maccabean date is the use of v.^^ in the prayer of Neheand his
miah, Ne. i^^ but as this v. is a gl. in the Ps., the objection falls
;

reasons for thinking of the feast of Tabernacles of Ne.

8^*"^^

have

little force.

and concluded with a liturgical couplet, which in neither

There are several other glosses (i) v.^-^ is a pentameter
couplet; (2) v.i^'^ a pentameter couplet based on Ex. 15^; (3) v.^i a pentameter 1. also based on Ex. 152
(4) v.-^ a tetrameter couplet from Ne. i^^

The

Ps. is introduced

case

was

original.

(5) v.-^ a pentameter also based on Ex. 15^ ; (6) v.^"-^^ a trimeter tetrastich,
original to the glossator, but involving a different situation from the victory

celebrated in the Ps.

(7) v.^" an interpretation of the blessing in accordance

After

with Nu. 6^5 (P), and a direction as to the procession in the temple.

off, the first Pt. is composed of trimeter hexaThree of them, v.^-^- 10-12. 15-16^ are responsive, each with thrice
repeated solo voices and responses. One of them, v.^ is a solo recital of the
victory. The second Pt. of Ps. has three tetrastichs, owing to the fact that the
voices use couplets instead of single lines. This part of the Ps. was sung in
the temple by priest and people, the other part exterior to the temple by a

these gls. have been stripped

stichs.

procession in the streets in which a solo led and a chorus responded.

PSALM CXVin.
The

Ps.

is

introduced and concluded by the

Yahweh ; for He

Give thanks

to

forever^

106^ 107^

it

cf.

A.

-f- ;

liturgical

formula

good ; for His kindness endure th

which was not in the original Ps. because
is

has no place in the strophical organisation.

Str. I.

2-4.

The

PSALM

CXVIII.

405

leader of the procession in the streets of Jerusalem calls

upon the

three classes, house of Israel, house of Aaron, and them that fear

Yahweh

(cf.

115^^'^), to

say\

Wliat they are to say,

gical phrase so suited to the situation, repeated after

three

is

the

litur-

each of the

summons.

The

Str. II.

leader recites, in a hexastich synth. and progressive

and the

throughout, the deliverance

victory.

5.

Out of my

straits\ the great trials due, as the context suggests, to enemies

out of a deep experience of agony.

called upon

Yah\

in

prayer for relief; using the poetic abbreviation of "Yahweh."

answered
pregnant,
"straits."

me'] in response to the call

and

implying the vb. "set me,"

Yahweh

6.

in

me], repeated

is for

I fear not] with the best of reasons

a broad place],

In

antithesis with
v.^"

on

my

citation

Helper],

cf.

from

56^^,

and cited

54^ in antithesis with

these last he looks] pregnant

8-9.
59" 92^^.
couplet of gnomic experience
divine help,

in

cf.

in

the

side.

because Yahweh so shields

What can man do

As my great
them that hate me. Upon

me, that the challenge can be uttered.

me?],

to

Heb. 13^

7.

triumph, as the result of the

glossator adds a pentameter

in

Vahweh, than

better to take refuge in

Yahweh, than

It is better to
It is

take refuge

The

10-12.

Str. III.

to trust in

mankind.

to trust in princes.

leader describes the serious situation in

three syn. lines, in which the vb. encofnpassed me,

four times

is

repeated

at first with the subject all nations, then twice for

subj., and finally with a simile.

as bees encomwax], for thus the text should be restored.
It has been
confused by the gloss
They are quenched as the fire of thorns],
which certainly is not suitable as the words of the leader, and
impairs the strong statement thrice repeated by the chorus in
identical language
In the name of Yahweh will I circumcise

emphasis without
pass

thejn]

this vb. is

used here

had forbidden circumcision

ironically.

to Israel.

geance by circumcising them

The

Syrian oppressors

Israel

yet not with

would take venreligious

signifi-

cance, but as the performance of an operation extiemely painful

to adults
referring

cf.

back

Gn.

34.

to the straits.

glossator

13.

appends a pentameter

Thou

didst thrust

line

hard at me

PSALMS

406
that

I might faW^. The change

of subj.

common

in glosses

a direct complaint against the enemy in antithesis with

Yahweh was my

helper,

ened 14 by a loose

cf.

The

v/".

Str. IV. has the

Yah

but

then strength-

latter clause is

from Ex. 15-

citation

and psalm and has become my

makes

iny strength

is

salvation.

same structure

15-16. The

as Str. L, III.

leader calls attention to the celebration of the victory.

Hark\
EV\ a

exclamation, as JPSV., more probable than "voice of"

shout of joy

and

victory^ " salvation " of EV*.

too general to

is

of the righteous\ the army of

The right hand of
righteous Israel triumphing over the enemy.
Yahweh is exalted'], the lifting up of His hand has given the vicsuit the situation.

in the tents

The chorus responds

tory.
hand of Yahweh, personified,

The

in three identical lines:

doeth valiantly] in battle.

right

Again,

the glossator returns to the previous straits in a trimeter tetrastich.

VI.

shall not die], a national death, but

shall live], in the

renewal of national existence and independence.

declare], in the

doings.

18.

And I shall

temple worship, the deeds of Yah], His victorious

Yahweh hath sorely chastened me]. The people

recognize that they have been under divine discipHne.

hath not given

me over

unto death], delivered

me

But He

into the hands

of mine enemies.

PSALM

procession has

chorus

come up

CXVIII.

B.

to the gates of the temple,

and the

speaks in couplets, and a priest responds in couplets.

me the gates of Zedek]. It is probable that this is an

ancient proper name of the Holy City, which is called " the city
of Zedek" Is. i^; cf. Je. 31^^ 50^ and whose ancient kings were
19.

Open

called

to

Adonizedek Jos. lo^-^ and Melchizedek Gn. 14^^; as

That I may enter therein to give thanks to
is used 76^

" Salem "

Yah].

The purpose

of the procession

is

to offer a thank offering

and celebrate a festival for the victory given by Yahweh.

this the priest replies

This

is

the gate that belongs

to

20.

To

Yahweh].

Only those may enter whom He permits access to His presence,

may eriter therein].
and only The righteous people of Israel

The glossaan imphcit inquiry whether they were such.

21. Another statement based on Ex. 15^: I will
tor now adds

This

is

PSALM

CXVIII.

407

Thou hast answered me, and become mine

give Thee thanks that

The true reply

for victory^, which is a further unfolding of v.-*^\
22. The stone that the builders rejected,
of the chorus is, however
:

has become the head of the corner^

kingdom of God
done their best to

made by

Zion

accordance with

in

and destroy

reject

is

the cornerstone of the

The

Is. 28^^.

The

it.

had been
had been

He

Antiochus, the king of Syria, but in vain.

overcome.

nations had

last effort

Zion had regained her strength and glory through the

victorious armies of the Maccabeans,

and the omnipotent

The Messianic appHcation

hand of Yahweh.

of the passage

right

due

is

Messiah bears the same relation

to the fact that the person of the

kingdom of living persons that Zion, the capital of the kingdom, does to the kingdom. The metaphor stands equally well
to a

for
I

both relations
2^^

Pt.

cf.

Eph. 2^

From Yahweh

this

elevation of Zion

21'^^

Mt.

has come.
is

(Br.^^P- 20^-^3).

due

It

Mk.

12^*^-^^

23.

The

Lk.

20'''

priest

wonderful in our

is

Acts

4^^

responds:

The

eyes^.

wonderful victory wrought by

to the

The final word of the chorus is: 24. This

Yahweh Himself.
This festival day, this day
is the day that Yahweh hath ?nade~\.
of celebration, is due to the victory wrought by Yahweh
it is
Let us exult and let us be glad in it'], in the
therefore His day.
festival celebration in the temple.
The priest repHes with the
26. Blessed be he that cometh, in the name of Yahweh.
blessing
We bless you from the house of Yahweh.] The blessing is pro;

nounced upon those coming or entering the gates of the temple

with the purpose of celebrating this

reaches

its

a later situation of
priest

25.

perity.

an urgent

which

same or another

the priest 27, which in

And

its

blessing of the

not suited to

is

thus the Ps.

glossator, in view of

interjected before the

trial,

petition,

now, Yahweh, give victory

The

Yahweh

festival.

most appropriate conclusion.

its

context.

now, Yahweh^ give pros-

glossator adds to the blessing of

original

form was a trimeter couplet

was] who hath done all these glorious deeds.

By
error 7i< came into the text and forced the translation " Yahweh
is God," which has no propriety in this context.
And He hath
it

given us light], the

blessing

Nu. 6^.

light

Even

to

of His countenance, in
the

horns of the altar]

the

priestly

in accepting

the sacrifices offered in the festival they were celebrating.

PSALMS

408
liturgical direction

Begin

was written on the margin of ancient codices

the feast with dense boughs'], as the feast of

Lv. 23^

so essentially

But when these words

ancient Vrss.

all

made

crept into the text, they

explanation of the combination

Tabernacles

The

endless difficulty.

easiest

that the decoration of the courts

is

of the temple extended even to the horns of the altar (cf. Succa,
EV. " bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the
IV. 5).

horns of the altar "

Or

is

not in accord with

laws or usage.

sacrificial

the vb. might be taken in a pregnant sense, as Hu., Now., Dr.,

" and lead

it

unto," which, while more reasonable,

against

is still

usage, for the blood of the victim was applied to the altars

by the

the animals were never brought thither.

De.,

officiating priest

after Ainsworth, thinks of the festival offerings as so

numerous

that they filled the entire court, even to the horns of the altar.

But Ainsworth in

his alternative, "

uncertain which to choose.

many

sacrifices or

Moreover, there

to justify taking 3)1 in the sense of festival offering.

Ba. that iH

to

is

be taken

boughs,"

no usage

is

in

is

OT.

The view

of

in the ancient

dance, and that " the dance "

is

sense of the sacred

"
to be joined with " dense boughs

it may be (cf. JPSV. "wreathe

march with branches of myrtle ") is not sustained by the usage of the word, and is altogether improbable

or garlands, however

ye the

tempting

festival

at the late date of the

28.

Ps.

pentameter on the basis of Ex.

y

14.21
.

Thou,

jify'j7i Q^f

and I will exalt

and I

The

15-, as

glossator adds another

he had already done

will give Thee thanks

in

my God^

Thee.
CXVIII. A.

6.

"\xp'7] the straits,

elsw. Ti6^ La.

i^.

composed of

n^^3n-\':]

and anno

broad, roomy place i8~^ 31^; as J in latitudine dominiis and Eastern Mas.
(gs.A. R.T^ Western Mas., regard it as enlarged fern. form.
7. "'"^rV^] i.p.

among my helpers or emphatic pi.

ter, but 3 mihi auxiliator, (g^A.
10.

c'^^?:^ ^~J

It is

cised,

prob. a

Hiph. impf.
gl.

neither in

sg., sf.

of asseveration.

Hiph. make

but De. cut in pieces, ^T pJiTN,

3,lB,ultus sum.
Is.

7l^ pL

cn3T

with

R.

^^^i

poT)$6s,

pi. Ges.^^^'.

J '^n vb.
to be

my

essentiae, as

(5,

^y'-;)

circumcised
'^,

BDB.

Aq.

12.

c-^^i:]

^^

pf_ . p]_

out, be extinguished, of

lamp,

fig.

of wicked, Jb. i8^-^

here and

iiixvvdnrjv,

__,elsw. Dt. i*^ ju, j^s

t^j

c';:''DN.

Che., 'y;! Gr.

3, do not translate

>?.

Qal circumcise, Niph. be circum-

rc'DS, @^- ^- ^

Du., Valeton rd.

Helper, Dr. bet-

21^"^

pi.

v.^^- 12

dU6pv\l/a,

t ""y^"! n.f. bee,

^y,^^r\

vb.

Qal go

Pr. 13^ 20^^ 24^^, of

PSALM CXIX.
hostile armies Is. 43^'^, Niph. of brooks Jb.

i^Ka^6r)<Tav,

missing, the text

lowed by
V. Intr.

pf.

cs^i]

also

v.

is

nn-i]

This
a gl.

should be in both clauses

nyiiT"']

as 6oi4

niy;*]

S-'n

This

I.

gl.

+._13.

35^ 62^ 140^

cf.

As a word

is

was prob.

33^2 je. 43 12I3

Is.

Pu. of enemies only here.

6^"^,

exarserunt, n;'i, so Oort, Ba., Che., Gr.

The second 1., however, is a

(E)

409

108^*

pi. X fip

n.m. thorn bush, thorn, Ex. 22^

Qal

abs.

v. is

inf.

16.

gl.

nm

14.

vb. /^rj/, push, fol-

nncn

rv>

exclam. hark

V^ip]

n>'], as
I,

as

Ex. 15^

JPSV.

the second was omitted by haplog.

of warlike valour.

18.

-\b_>]

Pi. v. 2^^ discipline

with severity, as 94^^^

CXVIII. B.

xdn]

19.

Is. 281^.

tion of

clause;

final

25.

nn^'7>n]

so

nn;x.

22.

Hiph. Imv. cohort.;

two divine names though

in

(pavev,

et

apparuit.

U constituite

foucrtj/,

in fronduosis,

D\n3>'a jn

The

cf.

and

c\'"2;'

corner,

27.

of stone, as

mn> Vn] confla"^>^*2] Hiph.

from below.

Yahweh,
@s.a.R.T ^ai ^Tre-

shine the face of

47 134.

avar-fiaaade eoprrju iv rots irvKti-

frequentate sollemnitatem

crvvdrjcraTe iv wavrjy^ipeL irvKdafiara.

Lag. would rd.

improb.

n.f.

zf

make

diem solemnem in condensis,

jn in the usual sense of /east,

age.

nox]

J^

Sn came in

consec. copula in previous clause.

niN
as Nu. 6'25 (P) Ps. 3 1 17 672 8o4-8.20 119I35.
impf.

njs]

cf.

These

Vrss. all take

in the sense of boughs with dense foli-

DO'iy Lv. 23*^ for

difficulty in this interp. is

D\~iD;*,

is

unnecessary and

-^Ds,

which means to

but this

with the vb.

ncnSn -^DX i K. 20^4, 2 Ch. 13^ means io join battle, cf. German
" den Streit ankniipfen "; so here begin the feast with dense boughs, as Lv. 23*^,
bind, tie ; but

the

first

day of the

feast of Tabernacles.

The

interp. of jn 2a festal victim, cf.

nrjn, though sustained by Ew., 01., De., Hu., Now., Dr.,

in usage of

OT.

Minocchi, JPSV.,

and the
is

interp. as sacred

al.,

has no support

dance ox procession of Ba., Davies,

a rare and early usage, not to be thought of in so late a

Ps. or gl.

PSALM
Ps.

19

is

CXIX.,

22

STR. Z\

a prayer of the congregation in twenty-two parts, based

(i) Happy are those who perfectly

it with heart, lip, and way, and
observe
They
(2)
their
counsellor against plotting
Law
is
rejoice in it.
The
(3)
princes.
They pray that Yahweh may uncover its wonders;
(4) may quicken and strengthen them according to it, and deliver
them from humiliation. (5) They pray that He may teach them

on the observance of the Law.

obey the Law.

PSALMS

4IO

may

the Law, that they

(6)

They

delight and love.

for keeping the

joy in

turn unto

away from covetousness.

vow to observe it with

it

assert their trust in the Law, and

it.

(8)

Proud seducers

(7)

like a sirocco

Law, but cannot deprive them

The cords

of the

wicked enclose them, but they

are companions to those that observe the Law.

good and the doer of good, even in their

(10)

Yahweh

affliction

maker and His Law

is their

is

and
still

Yahweh

(9)

is

by proud enemies.

righteous, therefore

may

they pray that not the perfect but the proud

They pine

torment them

of their comfort

be shamed.

The proud
The Law is
fixed eternally in heaven and on earth.
It has no end, and is
exceeding broad.
They
love
the
Law,
which
imparts wisdom,
(13)
and hate every evil way. (14) The Law is a lamp. Their life is
risked by the snares of the wicked, but they rejoice in their inheritance in the Law. (15) They pray for support against backsliders,
(11)

for salvation, but hope in the

have well-nigh overcome them by treachery.

whom

Law.

(12)

Law

they hate, but they reverence and love the

(16) they

pray that He will save them from oppressors, and give them under-

Law which they love. (17) The Law is wonderful,

They long to understand it, and pray for redemption
from oppressors who break it. (18) Yahweh is righteous, and His
standing in the

giving light.

Law

Jealousy for the

upright.

is

they have not forgotten

it.

pray for salvation from enemies.

Law.

(20)

The Law

They plead

is

the

sum

for

They plead

has destroyed them, but

Their hope

is in

the everlasting

redemption from treacherous persecutors.

of faithfulness.

without cause, they yet praise the

(22)

Law

(19) In great peril they anxiously

for salvation

(21) Persecuted

Law and

with a vow

by princes

hope for salvation.

of praise

with

lip

and

tongue.

J-IAPPY are they that are

Happy are they that

perfect in way,

who walk

in

Thy)

Law;
who keep

seek (Thee) with the whole heart,

{^Thy)

Testimonies.

Vy

Thou

(Thyself) hast

Then

shall

commanded

to observe diligently

Thy Precepts

Thy Commands.
Yea, they do no iniquity that walk (according to Thy Word)
Ah: that my ways were established to observe Thy (Saying).
I will thank Thee with uprightness of heart, learning Thy righteous Judgments
Do not forsake me utterly; I will observe Thy Statutes.
HEREBY shall one keep his path pure? By observing Thy Word
I

not be

ashamed

in

looking unto

all

Within

my

heart, that

may

not sin against Thee,

have stored up Thy Saying.

PSALM CXIX.

411

Blessed be Thou, Yahweh

Teach me Thy Statutes
With my lips I told all the Judgments of Thy mouth.
5 In Thy (Law) I delight myself, I forget not {Thy) Way.
In Thy Testimonies I rejoice, over above all riches in ( Thy) Way.
With my whole heart I seek Thee; let me not err from Thy Commands;
In Thy Precepts I muse, and I look unto Thy paths,
p^EAL bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live, and I will observe Thy Word
Yea, princes sit down, talk together against me, while I muse on Thy Statutes.
A sojourner am I in the earth do not hide from me Thy (Saying)
!

My
5

soul

longing at every time for Thy Judgments.

in exile in

Uncover mine eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of Thy Law:
Uncover reproach and contempt; I have kept Thy (Precepts).

Thou

dost rebuke the proud, the accursed that err from Thy

my

Yea,
lyr

is

delight, the

men

of

my

Commands;

counsel, are Thy Testimonies.

Y soul doth cleave to the dust according to Thy Word quicken me

My ways have I told, and Thou hast answered me Thy Statutes teach
:

The way

My

Thy wonders

me.

Thy (Judgments) make me understand;

doth drop away from heaviness; according to Thy (Saying) raise

of

soul

will

sing;

m^e up.

The way
The way

remove from me, and with Thy Law be gracious to me ;

I chosen
with Thy (Precepts) compose me.
I cleave unto Thy Testimonies, Yahweh
put me not to shame;
The way of Thy Commands will I run for Thou wilt encourage my heart.
IVTAKE me understand Thy Law, and I will observe it with all {my) heart.
Show me the way of Thy (Precepts) and I will keep it as {my) reward.
of falsehood

of fidelity have

Make me

Thy Commands for in it / delight;

Thy Testimonies and not unto covetousness my heart.
Remove mine eyes from worthlessness, (according to Thy Word) quicken me.
Behold, I long for Thy (Statutes) in Thy righteousness quicken me.
Establish to Thy servant Thy Saying according to the fear that is due Thee
tread in the path of

Incline unto

{my

step)

Remove my reproach Thine excellent Judgments / stand in awe of.

let Thy kindness, Yahweh, bring me Thy salvation according
Word;
;

yERILY
And

I will lift

up

my

palms unto what

sing

of,

even Thy Statutes.

And

I will

This

is

to

my

comfort in mine

love,

Thou

even Thy Commands.

made me hope in {Thy) Word

Thou hast quickened me according

hast

affliction, that

Thy Saying.

The proud scorn me

I

what
because

delight myself in

I>EMEMBER Thy servant,

Thy

away the word of faithfulness I hope in Thy Judgments.

And I will return word to him that reproacheth me that I trust in Thy (Saying).
Verily I will observe continually, forever and ever. Thy Law
And I v/ill walk in a roomy place, because I study Thy Precepts
And I will speak before kings, and I will not be ashamed of 7/^^ Testimonies;
Verily do not snatch

to

remember

of old,

exceedingly

have not inclined from Thy (Testimonies)

in Thy Judgments.

Yahweh, and comfort myself

A burning wind has seized me from the wicked, the forsakers of Thy Law.
Songs have I in the house of my sojourning, even Thy Statutes.
I remember in the night Thy name, and observe Thy (Commands)
This have I because I keep Thy Precepts.

PSALMS

41

ENTREAT Thy favour with my whole

heart; be gracious to me according to

Thy Saying
My portion, Yahweh, I have said that I would observe Thy Word.
At midnight I rise up because of Thy righteous Judgments
I have considered my ways and (turned) unto Thy Testimonies.
H The earth is full of Thy kindness teach me Thy Statutes
The cords of the wicked have enclosed me I do not forget Thy Law.
A companion am I to all that fear Thee, and to them that observe Thy Precepts
I made haste and delayed not to observe Thy Commands.
hast Thou dealt with Thy servant, Yahweh, according to Thy Word
Well was it for me that I was afiflicted that I might learn Thy (Testimonies).
Before I was afflicted I erred but now I observe Thy Saying
Better to me than thousands of gold are the (Judgments) of Thy Mouth,
to The proud have smeared lies over me I keep Thy Precepts.
Their heart is gross with fatness; I delight in Thy Law.
Good taste and knowledge teach me, I believe in Thy Commands:
Good and the doer of good art Thou: teach me Thy Statutes.
J^ET them that fear Thee turn to me that they may know Thy Testimonies:
Let them that fear Thee see me and be glad, that I hope in Thy Word.
I know, Yahweh, that righteous and faithful are Thy Judgments
Let Thy kindness be to Thy servant, to confirm me according to Thy Saying.
^
Let Thy compassion come to me, that I may live my delight is in Thy Law.
Let the proud be shamed while I muse on Thy Precepts.
Let my heart be perfect, that I may not be ashamed of Thy Statutes.
Thy hands made me and prepared me, that I might learn Thy Commands.
A/TY soul doth pine for Thy salvation I hope in Thy Word
Mine eyes fail how long ere will comfort me Thy Saying?
Though I am become like a wineskin in smoke, I forget not Thy Statutes.
How many are the days of Thy servant? How long ere ( Thy) Judgments?
3 The proud have dug for me pits for one who is according to Thy Law.
According to Thy kindness quicken me, that I may keep the Testimonies of
Thy Mouth.
All with falsehood pursue me faithful are Thy Commands.
Almost had they consumed me, and yet I have not forsaken Thy Precepts.
pOREVER fixed in heaven, Yahweh, is Thy Word.
To all generations Thou hast established (in) the earth and there standest fast
Thy (Saying).
As regards Thy Judgments, they stand fast to-day for all are Thy servants.
Forever will I not forget; for Thou dost quicken me according to Thy

^ELL

(Statutes).

Though

I had perished
For me the wicked wait
Thine am I save me;
;

To
C\

mine

in

affliction,

to destroy
for

me;

my

delight

had been

in

Thy Law.

consider diligently Thy Testimonies

study Thy Precepts.

broad are Thy Commands.

my musing
More wise than mine enemies, Thou makest me with Thy Commands forever
all

HOW

completeness have

love

Thy Law

seen an end

All the

day

is it

they are mine.

More insight than all teachers have I for Thy Testimonies are my musing:
More understanding than my seniors have I for Thy Precepts /keep.
From every evil way, that I may observe Thy Word, do / refrain
;

25

PSALM CXIX.

413

From Thy Judgments I do not turn aside for Thou dost instruct
From Thy (Statutes) have I understanding; for every word of
;

me.
falsehood /

hate:

how

sweet

is

Thy Saying

LAMP to my foot and a

to

my palate
my path

sweeter than honey to

my mouth.

Thy Word
1 have sworn and confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous Judgments.
quicken me according to Thy (Saying)
I am sore afiflicted, Yahweh
The freewill offerings of my mouth, O accept, and teach me Thy (Statutes).
My life is in my palm continually but I forget not Thy Law
i
The wicked have laid a snare for me but I err not from Thy (Commands)
I incline with my heart to do as a reward Thy (Precepts).
for the joy of my heart are Thy Testimonies.
I have an everlasting inheritance
TVIY hiding place and my shield art Thou I hope in Thy Word
Uphold me, and shame me not in my hope, that I may live according to Thy

light to

is

Saying.

Those

that backslide

Thou

dost cause to cease

therefore

love Thy Testi-

monies.

My

flesh bristles

Those

up

awe

Thee and I reverence Thy Judgments.

mouth I hate but I love Thy Law
may be saved, and I will (delight) continually

in

of

that swerve with their

Support

me

that

in

Thy

Statutes.

Thou

dost set at naught the falsehood of their deceit all that backslide from
Thy (Precepts).
As for them that turn aside, their portion is adversity; but I keep ^Thy)
:

Commands.
JV/riNE eyes pine for

Thy

Take (Thy Word)

I

in

Salvation and for Thy righteous Saying

pledge;

let

not the proud oppress

have done (Thy) Judgments:

do not abandon

Thy servant).

to the

oppressor {Thy

that

may know Thy

servant).

Thy

servant

am

make me have understanding

Testimonies.

servant according to Thy kindness, teach me Thy Statutes.

Yahweh to act they have broken Thy Law.
Therefore more than gold or than fine gold I love Thy Commands.
Therefore the way of falsehood I hate, I direct my steps according to ( Thy)

Do

It is

with

Thy

time for

Precepts.

'pHE

opening of Thy Word giveth light, giveth understanding to the simple.

Wonderful are Thy Testimonies therefore keepeth them my soul.
Turn to the one that loves Thy name, and according to Thy Judgments be
gracious to me.
My footsteps confirm according to Thy Saying, and let not iniquity have
;

dominion over me,

Streams of water, because they keep not Thy Law, run down mine eye.
Redeem me from the oppression of man Thy Precepts / keep.
Thy face make shine on Thy servant, and Thy Statutes teach me.
My mouth I open wide and pant for Thy Commands / long.
righteousness and faithfulness exceeding Thou hast commanded Thy Testimonies.
My jealousy hath destroyed me, that mine adversaries have forgotten Thy
:

TN

Word.

PSALMS

414

Smelted exceedingly is Thy servant, but he doth love Thy Saying:

Righteous art Thou, Yahweh and upright are Thy Judgments.
I am small and despised, but I forget not Thy Precepts.
Thy righteousness is righteousness forever; and faithfulness is Thy Law.
Trouble and distress have overtaken me: my delight are Thy Commands.
Thy righteousness is forever give me understanding that 1 may live according
;

Thy (Statutes).
beforehand with the twilight of dawn, and cry for help I hope in Thy Word
T
Mine eyes are beforehand with the night watches to muse of Thy Saying.
My voice, O hear, according to Thy kindness quicken me according to Thy
Judgments
I will keep Thy Statutes.
I call with my whole heart; answer me
p They draw near that pursue (me) with evil devices, that are far from Thy Law
I call upon Thee (Yahweh)
O save me and I will observe Thy Testimonies.
Be Thou near, Yahweh; faithful are Thy Commands:
Of old I know (them) forever Thou hast founded Thy (Precepts).
pLEAD my cause and redeem me: quicken me according to Thy (Word)
I see the treacherous and loathe them that do not observe Thy Saying.
Far off from the wicked is salvation they study not Thy Statutes.
Many are Thy compassions, Yahweh quicken me according to Thy Judgto

AM

ments.

^ O see
Many

mine
are

affliction

my

and rescue me

do not

forget

persecutors and mine adversaries

Thy Law
do not decline from Thy

Testimonies.

Thy kindness I love Thy Precepts.

and forever are Thy righteous (Commands).
pRINCES persecute me without cause; I stand in awe of Thy Word:
1 rejoice, as one that findeth spoil, over Thy Saying.
Seven times a day I praise Thy righteous Judgments
Lying I hate and abhor; I love Thy (Statutes).
t^ Great peace without a cause of stumbling have they that love Thy Law
My soul doth observe and love exceedingly Thy Testimonies.
I hope for Thy salvation, Yahweh; I do Thy Commands.
yea, all my ways are before Thee.
I observe Thy Precepts
T ET my yell come near before Thee; make me to have understanding according
see,

quicken me, according to

The sum

of faithfulness

Let

to

ThyyNox<^:

my

supplication

come

before

Thee

deliver

me

according

to

Thy Saying.

My lips will pour forth praise, that Thou teachest me Thy Statutes
My tongue will respond in faithfulness of Thy righteous (Judgments).
fl

salvation, Yahweh, my delight is in Thy Law

and praise Thee, and make to help me Thy (Testimonies).
Let Thine hand be ready for my help I have chosen Thy Precepts.
I stray as a lost sheep
but I do not forget Thy Commands.
I

long for

Let

me

Thy

live

Ps. 119 (118 (5, U) is the most artificial of the Psalms. It is composed of
twenty-two alphabetical Strs., in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. Each
Str.
Str.

has eight lines, each line beginning with the letter characteristic of the
;

of.

La.

3,

which has twenty-two alphabetical

every line beginning with the letter characteristic of

Strs. of three lines each,

its

Str.

The

Ps. is also

PSALM CXIX.
artificial at

the close of

rhyming with the

lines,

its

some form corresponding with

415
characteristic suffix, or

Copyists and glossators have

in utterance.

it

disregarded this feature; but by transpositions and a few modifications of the

it is easy to so restore them that they always
n_ or v- Dr. Littmann has called my attention to the fact
that the same kind of syllabic play is found in Arabic poetry. The Ps. has
also its regular, uniform measure throughout.
It is not always easy to distinguish pentameters from hexameters, especially when the text has been often

text justified for other reasons,

rhyme

either in

corrupted by prosaic copyists

The most

ter.

Law.

The

These are:

n-\DN,

-i2-',

only other word used for

instance
is

but the measure of this Ps.

significant feature of this Ps.

is

doubtless an error.

missing from the

Str.

formly throughout the

and once

u^pn,

Law

Since

Ps.,

w'iDs-y^,

just

not

really

pentame-

n-iir,

and ompij.

nni:, nn)?,

is v.^^

But

nipn.

this single

has been inserted for another term which

This

It is

is

use of eight terms for the

its

in this Ps.

these eight terms are used, and used uni-

the presumption

only, in each Str.

corruption of the text.

It

is

is

each one was used once,

that

the case with some exceptions, due to

is

difficult

to restore the original text, so far

and to show that each term was used once

in each of the Strs., and that all were used in every Str.
It was not understood by later copyists that these were all legal terms, and hence there arose
gradually textual errors due to the giving of other interpretations to these
as these eight terms are concerned,

terms.

All Christian translations err greatly in this particular.

These eight terms represent

Hebrew Law

^ut

the most part their original force,

of Law, originally of the type

meaning several types of

seem to have lost for
(i) The term nan is the Woi'd ot sentence
Thou shall or shall not, a prophetic word

in their original

(v. Br.Hex.242 6q.),

in this Ps. they

addressed to Israel as a nation conceived as one person.

term, and the most prominent one in this Ps.

a poetic syn. of
prob. also in

term

D"'pn

tration of

based on Dt.

-iDt,

ig^"',

for

which

(4)

law, in
for

^^s

Law,

in sg.

for specific laws also

of P, used in

pi.

is

throughout the Ps.;

(3) The
Hebrew adminis-

is

used in

Di^Oij::';^,

originally a

used throughout in

later prophetic

Com7nands,

sg.

term

(6)

^ue

it is

through-

to txt. err.

for a

VA^r. is

body of

used in

pi.

(7) nn>, Test'unonies, term

(8) Diips, Precepts, a poetic term in late Pss.

ivToXai same as miT, for which indeed

pi.

Judgments, used

sg. in v.^^. 84. 121. 132. 149. I60. 175 jg

as teaching, instruction

Deuteronomic or

This term

later type of the ^^pn are the

The

the earliest

has been substituted by mistake.

Law, usually with penalty attached.

also in pi. throughout.

(5)

used

indicates the brief, terse Statutes of the primitive

out the Ps.

'^"^'''^j

rN-|^

It is so

2)3^.

n:3n is

The term T^rs, Saying,

(2)

synonym

(S renders

renders praecepta

same as o^">n. It is used throughout the Ps. in pi. with sf. These eight terms
Law, so far as |^ and Vrss. are concerned, are used with such variation
There are
that there seems to be no more order than in a kaleidoscope.
variations in the Vrss., but these are not sufficient in number or helpful
for

in character to

change

in all other respects

this situation.

was so

artificial

It is

improbable that an author,

and ornate

in style,

would

who

in this essen-

PSALMS

4l6
tial

matter be so artless and unconventional.

ABC

This Ps. was composed for

scribe in the Law.

One
would expect the author to give aid to the memory by an orderly arrangement.
When we examine these terms in their present usage, and emend the text
in the cases already mentioned, some trace of order becomes apparent in the
midst of the chaos. The question then arises whether the disorder is not the
result of the carelessness of scribes, or due to variations of memory in the
recitation as

an

ancient schools. Ba.

tells

us that " jeder Vers bildet in der Kegel einen

abgeschlossenen Gedanken

Verse enger zusammen."

the essential feature of

nur selten

This

is

(z.

much

as

fiir

sich

hangen mehrere

B. 89-91,97-100)

as to say that this Ps. lacks parall.,

Hcb. poetry, and

all

careful search for parallelism in this Ps.

more marked by

young

for the training of the

is

makes

it

no poetry

in fact

evident that there

at all.

no

Ps.

is

and that no Heb. poetry known

By copyists' errors and

parall. in its varied forms,

to us has a greater variety of these forms than this Ps.

due to defective memory or

glossators' neglects, by readjustments

eye, or supposed

or destroyed

improvements of

but

it is

not

editors, the original parall.

difficult to restore

in

it

most

slips of

the

often obscured

is

cases, as the

subsequent

comment shows.

Much

time has been spent and no pains have been spared in the

effort to

discover the principle which determines the variation of terms in the Strs,

The

following scheme

If the

problem

distant.

The

is

presented as the best that we can offer at present.

hoped that the solution is not far

been determined chiefly through
a study of the parallelisms. These seemed to require a transposition of lines
in many Strs.
The frequent omissions and duplications of terms in J^, and
the many and remarkable variants presented by , U, seemed to justify an
not fully solved,

is

is

it

principle of arrangement has

occasional transposition of terms, as well as the substitution of missing terms

The scheme

for duplicates.

is

by a similar use of the terms.

eight,

and ten

10,

grouped

Strs. are

in pairs

all

four terms between the tetra-

(3) These groups are subdivided by changes

lines

first

15-18, where the terms of the

n-\"in

The

are divided into larger groups of four,

opening couplets of the

the tetrastichs use in their

and

They

by the interchange of

Strs.,

stichs (Strs. 1-2, 5-6, 13-14).

in the terms of the

(i)

as follows:

(2)

take the second place.

"^3^

and

">3-i

is

Ps.

excepting in Strs. 7-

n-iir,

couplet

first

With

Throughout the

tetrastichs.

change places, and 13T

used n-\cN in

Strs.

1-2, 7-8,

11-12, 15-16, 19-22 (12 Strs.), c^-JDr:: in Strs. 13-14 (2 Strs.), D^^n in Strs.

3-6 (4

Strs.),

Pnv

in Strs. 9-10,

17-18 (4

Strs.).

With

n-iin

used: onipc

is

17-18 (8 Strs.), nxn; in Strs. 13-14 (2 Strs.), nn;? in

This
1-2, 11-12, 19-22 (8 Strs.), D^->n in Strs. 7-8, 15-16 (4 Strs.).

in Strs. 3-6, 9-10,

Strs.

variation of the second term divides Strs. 1-4 into two pairs, Strs. 5-12 into
four pairs, Strs. 13-20 into four pairs.

The

final Strs.,

21-22, seem to form a

group by themselves, as they repeat the arrangement of the

and of the closing

the order of the

Strs.

first

the other tetrastich,

first

pair of Strs.

of the larger groups, 5-12, 13-20, varying only by using

Str. in
i.e.

i"

one tetrastich and the order of the second

is

combined with

2^,

and

i^

with

2".

Str. in

(4)

The

PSALM CXIX.

417

tetrastichs always retain three of their terms, but

The terms thus common

one.

"pn and nn;\ D-ipn is

mates n-iDN and u^'^qvd in Strs. 1-6, 11-14, 19-22; nny
mates ampo and mxc in these same Strs. The two terms

used with 13t and

with

and

n-iin

its

occasionally interchange

to both tetrastichs are

its

are interchanged in Strs. 7-10, 15-18.

This variation serves to unite two of

the four pairs in Strs. 5-12 and 13-20, making the subdivision of each group
2
4 + 2. (5) The order of terms in the first couplet of the tetrastichs is
reversed only in Strs. 7-10, 15-18, i.g. where the variable terms are inter-

This variation serves to emphasize the union of these pairs in

changed.
quartettes.

(6)

The

order of terms in the second couplet

throughout the Ps.; so that no

Str. repeats exactly the

is

regularly reversed

combination of the

Str.
(7) There is the same selection of terms, with variation in
order only, in the opening and closing groups of the Ps., Strs. 1-4, 21-22, and

preceding

in the opening

spondence

between
Strs.

and closing

Strs. 3-4, 5-6.

Strs.

between

The same

form of a table (see

There
this Ps.,

p.

is

corre-

and

1-2, 11-12, 19-20, 21-22;

general correspondence appears between

Strs.

7-8, 15-16

This resemblance serves to unite the several

9-10, 17-18.

The scheme may be presented most

groups into an organic whole.

in the

Strs.

and the exact correspondence between

7-10, 15-18,

and between

There

pairs of the groups 5-12, 13-20.

in order as well

clearly

418).

undoubtedly a considerable amount of repetition of phrases in

is

and

this to the superficial reader gives the

impression of monotony;

but in fact such phrases are comparatively few in number, and their repetition
is

due to the emphasis the poet desires to put upon them and upon them

alone.

The

great majority of the terms used in connection with the

used no more than once or twice in these

wonderful variety in the

Ps.,

76 lines

a variety so great that

Law

so that in fact there

it

seems

are
is

to exhaust the

possibilities of usage.

The

and indeed
encompassed by proud, powerful enemies, who scorn him
for his fidelity to the Law, and heap reproaches and contempt upon him.
At
the same time they seek to ensnare him by craft and lies. Notwithstanding
all this, the psalmist is entirely loyal to the Law.
The Law has become to
him the representative of his God. Throughout the Ps. he ascribes to the
psalmist writes in the midst of great trouble, affliction,

He

persecution.

Law

is

God

the attributes older writers ascribe to

looks to the

Law

for the help

and salvation that ordinarily come from God alone. The Law is to him almost
hypostatical, almost what the Memra became to later Judaism. It was eternal
in heaven before it came to the earth
it came to the earth and to man to
remain everlastingly. Upon its observance depend life, salvation, knowledge,
wisdom, happiness, and every joy. It is not true that this author has the
Deuteronomic spirit. The personal allegiance to Yahweh of D has become
:

a legal allegiance.
P.

He

is

The

psalmist

is

far in

advance of the

priestly attitude of

a scribe, an early Pharisee of the highest and noblest type.

The

Ps. originated, therefore, after the rise of the Pharisaic party, at the time of

their persecution

because of zeal for the

Law by

the Hellenistic party in

PSALMS

4i8

mm

nny

cn'pE

m:ia

121

max

B'aBtra

B"pn

min

mii7

n'ira

anipB

nnn

B^lipS

n^2:a

n^i

niax

-Q-l

D^pn

c*pn B'asra

mas

B^as'^'a
^

nm

n-nn

mm

B*l'pB

nni7

n^i'a

121

apn

max

B'aera

max

nnn

B^nps

n:ii:

m::a

mil? B^acu'a

niM

B-pn

n^,s:a

c-pi 2"^Etra

max

msta

mir

D^'PS

mil?

v
1

"isn

^21

c'pn a-jsra
ni!2K

n nnas

121 D'asra

mir

mm
mm

Bpn

nnr

mas

an-pe

B'lips

B-'Tps

m^ia

apn

mi*a
X

nnr

max

ni"n

B-TpC

B-pn

c'pn E'asra

niM

miy

n*2:a

121 2';:Era

m::a

"(

nm

niaK

is-r

max

D^asca

B-pn

J2

HTn

nii'a

nnr

a^i'PE

mm

niiy

B'lipB

m^a

-21 a'asca

B'pn

max

niira

B-'TpB

mir

B'pn

B-'Tpa

,
3

-13-1

D^'^Biya

niaK

max

B-pn

mir B^acra
X

\
i:

,-naK

ns-i

1121 D*aEtra
n-ir caetra

121

mm
mm

max

-12T

niax c-asra

-121

mas

121

max

rrnv

B-pn

max

mm

121

maK

B'acu'a B-l-pS

B-pn

B'pn

B*pn|D*aBra

mm
mm
mm
mm

an-pB

mi'a

an^ps
)

apn B-acra
D'aara

nixa
X

B^l-pS

B-pn

ni3K:
c

mm
my

n*::a

B'pn

n'::a

B*l*pB

r-ii"

B'l-pB

n-i*a

r:ir

n'::a

Bn^pB

mir

B-TpB

msca

PSALM CXIX.
and

Israel,

419

and princes who represented the

especially by the haughty leaders

Syrian interest, toward the close of the Greek period.

Str.

The

i^.

repeated for emphasis

walk of

rity in their

heart], so

v.^

make

i^

v.^, cf.

perfect

15^ iS^^^i-

life, cf.

Walk
more

Yahweh

as assonance

enlarged by glossator into "

who have

in way],

integ-

Seek Thee with the whole

||

Thy Law],

in

the

1-8, Happy'], congratulation

personal acquaintanceship with

goal of their way.

ure require

and synth. couplets

tetrastich has syn.

first

second, antith. and synth. couplets.

Law

Yahweh

of

the

is

and meas"

to

walk according to Thy

Word], w?, which an early copyist changed by error into the
similar Heb. "in His way."
keep Thy Testimonies], v^. This

vb.

the reference

frequently used in this Ps.

is

with

Law

Statutes

v.^^

It is

v.^-^'*^.

Law

||

i^^-^*^,

obso've

used with

all

with

It is

of the author of the Ps.

is

happiness.

Ah

v."\

fixed right, directed aright

way, be "perfect

Do

v.*^.

not forsake

out divine direction

in

me

with

with

Word

1^- ^'-

v.^-

^^^

with Saying

v.^^-^^,

v.^^

the only vb.

vbs. imply watchful, careful

mind

Thyself hast commanded], v.^

of God, involving personal

with the whole heart, and the resultant

strong expression of longing, with

my ways were
might walk
by God so

way"
the negative

antithesis in the negative jussive

in the

v.^^- ^-^,

v.^^^,

evidently the chief thing in the

command

Him

that],

v.^-^'->,

with Judgments

Thou

the personal

Commands

Precepts], v.^\ vb. used with

These

the legal terms.

allegiance in seeking

Thy

with

Commands v^,

y.^^-^^-^'^^-^'^^-),

observance of the Law.

The Law

with Testimonies also

with Statutes

v.^^-^^-^^^'^-^^^,

with Testimonies

cf.

y.^'^-^'-^-^'^,

with Precepts

Precepts also v.^

with

definite

its

established],

v.^.

that I

aright

Cf. for

side

v.^

utterly], leaving

me

to walk alone, with"

one who " seeks Thee with the whole heart

Then shall I not be ashamed], put shame by

gression
thank Thee], vJ, giving God the
with uprightness of heart], the heart being upright because without
and with completeness of devotion.
v.-.

trans-

to

v.,

but, in antithesis,

praise.

transgression,

ifi

looking unto all

learn;

cf.

"learn"

v.^^

is

Thy Commands], with a teachable spirit to

Thy righteous Judgments]. The vb.

learning

used also with

The

phr.

with

corrected

author;

||

" righteous

cf.

text

Commands

Judgments
y.121.

leo. 172^

19^^ for the idea.

"

^f^

is

v.''^,

with Statutes v.".

used elsw.

^^75^

favorite

^^^-

^^,

also

term of

this

v.'^^-

PSALMS

420
The

Str. D.

first

quartette

is

composed of two synth. couplets

9-16. Whereby shall one

the second of Hues essentially syn.

keep his path

An

v.^-^.

pure?\

God
WL.

a question directed to

early copyist

under the influence of

the antith.

cf.

inserted in the

young man "

but the context has no more to do with
young men than with other persons, and this being the only pastext "

sage in the Ps. applied specifically to young men, the reference is

improbable. The path is a pure path " perfect " v.\ and is to be
|1

The EV^ "cleanse" implies a way not already pure

but to be made so which suits admirably the Augustinian doctrine
of sin, but does not suit the conception of this poet.
Within my
heart'], v.^^, in antithesis with my lips w}^.
Within the heart that
I may not sin against Thee] as a preventive of sin against God by
kept pure.

violating His

Law.

ever to be kept in

mind, the

same

/ have stored up

Thy Saying],

mind and guarded.

In this way, the heart, the

the entire inner

as a treasure

man is restrained from sin.

The
man by oral recitation / told

accomplished in the outer

is

all the

will,

Judgments of Thy mouth],

Telling

v.^^

impresses them upon the mind of him

public recognition of their obligation
restraint

from outward

sin.

Blessed

who

tells

them
them

to others

and

and therein an

be Thou,

Yahweh /]

is

effectual

v.^^

An

Yahweh, the great Teacher, Himself

Teach me Thy Statutes], phr. of D, also

ascription of blessedness to

sum of the Law.

the

26. 64. 68. 124. 135.

171^

jj^g ^^^

In

^jg^ ^gg^

jg

Thy Testimonies I

^jj.j^

Judgmeuts

(crror for

Thy Saying
In Thy Law I delight myself], v}^ so in Thy Commands
v.^^
" my delight is Thy "
v."*^
cf. also use of noun from same stem
Testimonies v.-'*, Law v.''""^-^- ^'*, and Commands v.^^^.
The interStatutes) v.^^.

rejoice], v.^*, cf.

;

II

mediate in Thy Precepts

muse],

v}^, is

not simply the musing

of meditation and study, which does not suit the

or in v.^'*^ (with Statutes),

v.'^,

where

allelism with terms of rejoicing.

this vb. is in the

with Saying, and

noun of
Ps.

v.^-

'^

v.^^

13^*'*^

This

The Law

all riches].

things, worth all things else

Mt.

tristich

And

the other passages

with "wonders," and even the cognate

favour this general mng. for

over above

same par-

the musing of talking or

It is

singing to oneself about a joyous theme.

v.^*^

here or in

||

cf.

is

all

the passages of this

the most valuable of

Jesus' Parables of the

has also the syn. terms

Way

all

Kingdom

used twice.

PSALM CXIX.
and Path, which
pious look\

the way of the Law,

and they forget'\ it not

with

Commands.

v.^^-

Unto

cf. v.^

is

cf. v.^

Law, v.^ with Statutes,

v.^'^^

421

y.^^-^^^-^^-'^

cf.

"^ with Precepts, v.^^^ with

Let me

not err

from Thy

this the

used with

Word, and

Cof7imands\,

where the same vb. is used with "Statutes"

and the conception of sin as error in P.
Str. 3. The first quartette has synth. and syn. couplets, the sec17-24. Deal bountifully imth Thy servant'],
ond antith. couplets.

\}^

so

v.-^, cf. v.^^^,

also 19^^

cf.

as 13^ 116'' 142^.

that I may

live],

not physical but religious, as

^^25. 37. 40. 50. 77. 88. 93. 107. UG. 144. 149. 154. 150. 150. 175^

^his Writer evidently thiuks

that the only true

Yea

life is in

prifices sit dozun],

knowing and obeying the divine Law.

at the
its

The

earth], vP.

residing in
II

first

3^''

The

context.

lowing

"

is

person to the third.

Afy soul

is

glossator inserts

sojourner

change of

am I in

He was

earth was not his native land.

also

differ in text,

after La.

serz>ant, requiring the

by sufferance with only the

it

was probably

talk together against

v.^^-^^-^''^-^^+.

expense of the measure Thy

vb. from the

in council.

v.-'',

me], plotting and conspiring, as

an

rights of a guest.

in exile],

v.-,

The

and Vrss.

for J^

f^ has an Aramaic word which is usually rendered

crushed " ; but this is dubious and harsh in the

Vrss.

infinitive.

seem

have had a

to

The

in longing].

vb., syn. with the

psalmist

is

fol-

not content with

He

the provisions for his comfort which he finds on the earth.

longs for something which

enly things.

ing; and

may

it

at every
is

over and beyond the earth, for heav-

is

time].

for the divine

There

not hide], but reveal to him.

ness of vision, not physical

wondefful

is

no cessation of

Uncover
This

is

mine

eyes],

y}^

moral indistinct-

cf the words of Jesus

things], cLvi^-^^, a

Yahweh

this long-

Law, which he implores that God

unable to see without the divine help.

Jn. 9^^^.

the

alien,

Mt

6""^^ 7^"^

term used elsewhere

for

judgment and redemption here

for the wonderful features of the Law itself, and so it is defined
out of Thy Law], manifesting themselves from the Law in the
attentive study of it, so soon as the religious eyes are opened
to see.
Uncover reproach and contempt], v.". Reproach and
contempt are conceived as garments clothing the Psalmist. His

the wonderful acts of

in

prayer

is

may be uncovered, that they may be stripped off.

make this clearer inserts " from upon me."
Thou

that he

glossator to

PSALMS

422

vA

proud\

dost rebuke the

The author was

many

time when there were

God, and such

are here described as accursed of

Thy
ing

Cojutiiands^

cf. v.^

subverting

v.^^,

shame v/^

evidently Hving at a

and oppressing him

and

his advisers

In the

first

The second

My

32.

to the

face in the dust, unable to rise

persecution.

according

||

and

to

Judgments

me

up']

v.^*^-

^,

cf.

also

Law

"'
||

with Saying

according

to

I told~\,

have

w,'^^

in confession to

v.^^,

to

accordance

in

imparts the only true

v.^"- ^^^,

life,

v.^- ^^,

with

Thy Saying

raise

and Thou hast

The way of Thy

from the prostrate condition into new

My ways

due doubtless

Thy Word quicken me\

v.*''-

by syn.

syn. couplets.

doth drop away from heaviness^

used also

is

cou?i-

25dust\ prostrate on the ground, the

with the principle that the divine

This phr.

men of my

tetrastich antith. lines are enclosed

tetrastich has antith.

soul doth cleave

v.^^

as put to

helpers.

dissolving in tears, in the intensity of affliction,

cf.

and

v.^-*^,

In antithesis with the conspirators already mentioned,

Str. n.

ones.

as err

elsewhere as deriding v.^\ misrepresent-

v.*',

the psalmist consults the divine Precepts as the

sel'], v.^^

who
from

of these proud, arrogant men,

life

and energy.

God

answered me]y with forgiveness and favour.

wonders will I sing\, musing on it in praise. The way is the way
of the Law and of its wonders, as v.^^
A later scribe at the cost
of measure and parallelism makes this more evident by transposition.

make

ment,

fne

understand]^ give intellectual and moral discern-

II

Law

from the

so antithetical to

obedience

The

way of falsehood], v.^, leading away

implying unfaithfulness to legal obligations ; and

teachy cf. v.^

to the

The way of fidelity],

v.^, faithful

The former he prays

Law.

of the latter he affirms that he has chosen

the

is

petition

Precepts.
II

to

me],

make

the

This term, suggested by the

most probable explanation of a

adherence and

God

I cleave

will

remove

the basis of both

with Thy La7v\ as an instrument

de gracious

greatly differ.

On

it.

with Thy
means of grace.
calmness and an even

Law

compose me], reduce the agitated soul to

temper.

that

||

parall.,

difficult phr. in

seems

to

be the

which J^ and Vrss.

unto Thy Testimonies],

v.^^,

the deliber-

ate adherence of affection as distinguished from the forced physical

v.^-,

as eager,

The way of Thy Commands will I rtiti],

v.^.
and so impatient of the slower " walk " of y}.

adherence of

PSALM CXIX.

423

Thou wilt
on the negative side
There will be no discouragement, but encouragement to run the divine race of the
put me not

to shame'], petition

my heart\

encourage

||

the positive side.

Law.

The

Str. n.

first

cf.

to

v}^

33-40.

as

way of the divine Law Make me

cf. v."^; the most probable expassage where J^ and Vrss. differ, and suited

with all ?ny heart.

reward of the servant of

upon

tions are set

||

||

I delight], v.^. The Law itself is the

God

the very keeping of

and gives delight

reward, as 19^-,

Unto the End

*'

it.

to the heart

EV.

" of

is

more probable, but not

in

heart],

Jos. 24-^ (E) Pr. 2^ Ps.

The

cf.

the path],

antithesis of

God and His Law

for unjust gain, cf. Is. 33^^

from

so well suited to

141^

Mt.

The

worthlessness], nF,

6^^

||.

Make

Incline

my

covetousness].

Mammon

and the greed

16^^.

Remove

mitte eyes

glossator inserts, at the expense

The

of the measure, the unnecessary "seeing."

would not see

is

v.^, suggests.

These worthless men,

him

||

not unto

with

Lk.

own

affec-

not sustained
JPSV. " with

is

\P, as guide and helper

me tread

it is its

whose whole

by usage, and does not give an appropriate sense.

every step "

in-

27^^ 86",

way], as

the

my reward],

planation of a difficult
II

Show me

give instruction in the

understand

to the

two syn. couplets, the second

tetrastich has

troverted parallelism.

vanity that he

worthlessness of evil conduct as the

cf. 26*,

for not sharing in their worthless

||

my reproach,

heap reproaches upon

He

conduct.

desires to

my
explanation
of a word misunderstood and
the most probable
preted
omitted. Establish
a
by 5^ and
Thy servant Thy Saying],
make
according
due Thee], the
fear that
Thine
God invokes from His
Judgments
avoid them altogether, and to see nothing of them.

steps],

inter-

Vrss., or else

relative

as

v.^,

to

to the

it

reverential fear that

servants.

I stand

in

awe

of],

^P,

identical to this psalmist.

is

of,

as usual in
Str.

1.

shewing
i/^

The

and
first

it,

Is.-

excellent

||

As usual

cf. 22^'* 33^.

a constant interchange of

mentality

firm, sure, certain, cf. v.^

is

in this Ps. there

God and His Law, which

In

putting

Thy
it

righteousness],

forth as a

is

are practically
v-^^,

means of

by

instru-

grace.

It

a saving attribute.

tetrastich has synth. couplets

syn. couplet enclosed in synth. lines.

asseverative J, usually neglected.

41-48.

let

the second, a

Verily], so v."*^**;

Thy kindness bring me],

PSALMS

424

"come

the most probable rendering for

will

RV.

followed by AV.,

S:, 3,

lift

up

77iy

palms

Law

of the

which

always a

is

*'

determined by the

even Thy Statutes'],

v."*^

This

His God.

fidelity to

is

speak

may

it, it

Word

elsw.

y.*^-

"^-

^*- ^^-

that I trust

usual trust in

in

and

Trust in the

God

will sing
the

relaof,

word of

that the psalmist would

/ hope

may

not

about

is

(9^^ -{ 21

Thy Judg7nents\
hope on the divine

in

waits in
69''.

And I will return

respond to

v.**^;

Thy Saying],

salvation,

proud enemies.

what I
away

implores that he

on God Himself, 31^ 33^

and

from

both lines the

or that, just as he

it,

The poet

^''".

hitn that reproacheth 7ne\

life

2^*

63^ La.

not be taken from him by Yahweh's aban-

elsw.

secures

here

word

to his enemies.

Law, as
vP.

" but in

He

word to
cf.

God Himself

not snatch

the

be made incapable of speaking

donment of him

to

to its present place), the clause

love

Do

speak

to

This attitude of worship

copyist's error inserts

last clause,

cf. v.^^.

faithfulness], w}^.
in

134'^.

Thy Commands which

tive is

MT., 5,

An^ I

gesture of prayer, especially

up of the palms

lifting

(after the transposition of

unto

in pi.,

a late conception, instead of the earlier conception,

is

3^S or to His shrine Pss. 2^^

V.'*''

The

u7ito\ v.^.

form of invocation and adoration.

in the

me,"

to

U, PBV., JPSV.

in sg. (3,

phr. a.X.

his reproaches,

trust in the

Law

Law

answer to the

this is the sufficient

to this poet stands for the

In a roo?ny

where
pubhc square
so v.^ the Commandment itself is spacious, exceeding broad
and
v.^'^ Yahweh enlarges, encourages the heart.
because I study Thy
there

is

ample room

t. \p).

for liberty of

movement,

place], y.^,

like a

Precepts], so v.^, with Statutes v.^^^

cf.

Ezr.

7^^^

before kings],

the

v."*^,

word of

Ch. 28^

And I

with application, study in order to practise.

The

testimony to the Law.

faithful

seek

will speak

kings were doubtless the Egyptian and Syrian monarchs of the

Greek period.

later
nies],

Arid I will not

implying the reverse

pride in the

what I

Law

love,

(gl.), also

w}^

',

full

as expressed

even Thy

be asha?ned of

by

v.'*^

in the

form of
;

Law takes
Yahweh Dt. ^^^

Love

Deuteronomic love to

/ will

cf. v.^^.

of Testimonies v."^-^^

v.^- "^- '^- '^.

to

Thy

Testi^no-

of hope and courage, joy and

Commands],

characteristic of this poet

Law

delight myself in

Love

to the

Commands

of Precepts

v.^*^;

Law

elsw.

is

v."***

elsw. of

the place of the earlier

6^ -f

10

t.

(Dt.) Pss. 31^^

PSALM CXIX.
145^; or to the name of Yahweh 5^^ 6(f as
His salvation 40^^ = 70'^, Jerusalem 122^.

97^" 116^

house

425
v.^^^,

His

26^,

Str.

The

t.

first

tetrastich has synth. lines enclosed

49-56.

the second, antith. and synth. couplets.

servant\ v?,

cf.

136-^ (with b), 9^^ 74^ 115^^ (with

ace).

the most probable reading, so soon as the term for

the end of the line as in

other cases in this

all

Str.

by

antith.

Remember Thy

''

This

is

Law goes to
Word to Thy

servant " of J^ is most naturally a promise, which is not suited to

"
the usage of terms in this Ps. ; and moreover the Vb. " hope
requires an object as in
as

The prayer

RV.

v.'*^

because Thou hast made

based on the fact that

is

me hope"],
God Himself has

more probable than " wherein " PBV.,

This is my comfort, that
when " JPSV.
hast
Thou
quickened me'], v.^, cf. RV., JPSV. The experience

This
inspired the hope.
" upon which " AV., or "

is

of quickening in the past

is

the ground of comfort for the present

my

This is explained, v.^^, as from

affliction'].
Who scorn me exceedingly], cf. i^ These,
The proud, cf. v.^^
in the Greek period when the study of Hebrew Wisdom and de-

and the

future.

in

Law

votion to the

alike prevailed

among

who engaged

in such studies with scorn,

upon them

cf.

monies], so v.^^^

v.-^"^^.

the pious, treated

all

and heaped reproaches

/ have not inclined from Thy Testi-

The Law

is

conceived as a straight Hne, a rule

of conduct from which the psalmist does not deviate to the right
or the

left.

||

forsakers of Thy Law],

for the earlier " forsake

God,"

Ju.

v.^^, cf. v.^'

Dt. 29^*

Dt. 28^

-f-

10'*^

31^*^

burning wind has seized me from the wicked].

39

-ft.

14 t,

The scorning

coming from the wicked is compared to the Sirocco, a burning,

The and the
enervating wind which enfeebles and afflicts him.
usage of the noun, v. 11^, makes this rendering more probable
than the various explanations of the Vrss. ancient and modern
"horror" AV., after %, % "hot indignation" RV., JPSV., which
have no justification in Hebrew usage, and require the rendering
||

" because of the wicked," which then entirely destroys the parall.

I remember],

v.^^,

also v.^, in antithesis with the divine

That which
name of Yahweh. The

brance

v.'*^

remembered

remem-

in the latter case is the

Yahweh Himself should

and that the divine name should not
"
J^ and Vrss. all make the obj. "Thy judgments

be the object in the

be vocative.

is

first

||

suggests that

case,

PSALMS

426

but usage and assonance require that

of the line with the

final

remembrance

of

v.*^ is

Vb.

this

The first
Yahweh

in

This have /], v.'"^, suggests that the remembrance in the

a joyous one, expressed orally, cf. Jb. 35^^
in the house

II

night

is

of my

sojourfiing'], the earthly life, cf. v.^^^

Both

Str. n.
tioUy

vA

cf. v.''^; the second v/'^ is /;/ the nighty the

and consideration, cf. v.^^.
Songs have /], v.^,
songs, whose theme is the Statutes of the Law.

time of reflection

The

cf.

of the historic deliverances of

old,

from ancient times,

joy expressed

should be at the close

comfort myself \

Yahweh~\,

Gn. 47^
57-64.

My por-

tetrastichs

have synth. couplets.

Yahweh

the portion of His people 16* 73^ 142^

is

/ have said], resolved, promised,

Ch. 27^
entreat Thy favour'],
45^^ At midnight I
as

x:'^, cf.

Ch. 21^

rise up~\,

v.^^,

as

the glossator rightly interprets, though at the expense of the measure, " to give thanks unto

Thee," in the songs of praise of v.^^,

making the midnight hour a vigil of worship.
/ have considered
my ways], v.^^, attentively examined the course of life and conand turned unto Thy Testimonies], the positive side of
duct.

This psalmist is unconscious of violation of Law,

and therefore says nothing of the negative side of turning away
from sin. A glossator inserted at the expense of the measure
repentance.

"my

feet,"

upon

in

thinking of walking in the way.

60.

/ made

haste

and

This enlarged
The turning was
The earth full
is

delayed not].

prompt, without hesitation or procrastination.

is

The cords of the wicked

of Thy kindness], v.^, as t^^, cf. 145'*^^.
have enclosed me\ so essentially RV., JPSV., " wrapped me round."

These wicked men are doubtless the proud scorners of the previous Strs.

They

are here regarded as hunters

who

for the

time

him and binding him fast with their

But they cannot withdraw him from the Law. PBV,,
cords.
AV., "have robbed me," has no justification.
A companion am
have succeeded

in snaring

to all

ties

that fear Thee], v.^.

He

voluntarily unites himself with

of fellowship to the true worshippers of Yahweh, because they

are observant of the Law.

Str.

10.

The

syn. couplets.

first

tetrastich has introverted parallelism, the

65-72.

doing him good.

||

second

Well hast Thou dealt with Thy servant],

Thou art good and a doer of good],

nignant, beneficent, and bestowing

good things on His

v.^

as be-

servant.

PSALM CXIX.
Well was

if

for me that I was

427

afflicted\

The

v/^

was

affliction

not merely a suffering from injustice and wrong through proud

and scornful enemies

good; cf. La. 327-32-33_

but was a divine discipline, doing him

j^^y^jf^

ijuas

afflicted

brought him to repentance of

Affliction has

I erred\

v.^''.

his errors, cf. v.^^

so

now he errs no more.

Better to me than thousands of go Id^
s?neared
wP, more precious than great wealth is the Law, cf. v.-^^
lies over me\ v.^^
The proud so frequently mentioned v.-\ as
that

him

talking together against

him over with

and scorning him

v.^^,

Their heart

falsehood.

is

v.^',

here smear

gross with fatness\ v..

In their pride they have so greatly indulged themselves that they

have become incapable of right thoughts, right

judgments,

17^

cf.

73''.

v^,

Taste'\,

feelings, or right

intellectual discernment,

defined as having the quality of goodness, excellence, and so asso-

The context

ciated with knowledge.

object of this taste and knowledge

Commands^

phr.

Gn. 15^ (E) Ex.

word of promise
Str.

''.

The

a. A,.

for

Thee'],

v/"^,

(J)

tetrastich has

first

repeated
\\

the Law.

Ps. 78-2,

His works

syn.

turn

me

that they

may

knoiv, wP.

The

which he hopes.

that

is

Kt.

sustained by Vrss.

is
;

learn from
to

him

be preferred

since

it

As

to

see

me

in v.^, the

him

know

to see

the

to the Qr.,

Law

though

gives in the phrase "

know Thy Testimonies," an unnecessary

the

Let them that fear

the true worshippers of God.

v.'^;

to

him and be glad with him, and

the latter

His

78^-,

and synth. couplets

73-80.

psalmist was their companion, so here they resort to

in

Thy

believe in

God Himself

106^^.

second, antith. and synth. couplets.

and be glad]

sufficiently indicates that the

the earlier belief in

Nu. i^^

14^1

is

addition to "

them
them

and omits altogether the purpose of their resortI know, Yahweh], vP, not only the Law as
its attributes righteous and faithful, which indeed

that fear Thee,"

ing to the psalmist.

such, but also

same combination are attributes of God Himself, 96^^ i43\

A glossator put upon the margin 77/^?^ hast afflicted me
v.^''''^ to indicate that the divine affliction also had these

in the

cf. 85^^"'^.

after

characteristics.

When

it

measure and assonance,

Let Thy kindness

come

to

me], \P.

be to

The

*'

crept into the text at the cost of the

faithful " was attached especially to it.

Thy servant], vP, Let Thy compassion

who transposed "Thy servant" to
||

scribe

PSALMS

428

the close of the line, interpreted Saying as a divine promise, against

the usage of this Ps.

Let

as v.^^

who

the

my

Let

be shanied\

In

in

God

and

in order to this

Judaism, that the world

later

Law.

inserted the imv. "

this,

An

early glossator,

make me

Both tetrastichs are composed of syn. and synth. coup-

81-88.

Aly soul doth pine],

cf.

84^

||

Mine

eyes fail], cf.

with the strain of watching and eager longing with

upon the physical

the subsequent context

proud.

to under-

cf. v.^*.

Str. D.

effects

and that the purpose of his

and learn the divine commands.

in the interest of the divine

not understanding

live\y

accord with the doctrine of

was created

69*

I may

creation was that he might study

lets.

that

Thy hands made me and prepared me'],

The author conceives that he as an individual

cf. v.^.

was made by the hands of

stand,"

||

same proud scorners

the

antithesis with this he im-

not be ashamed,

7tiay

Dt. 32^ Jb. lo^

is

as v.^,

v.'^,

heart be perfect^ wP, entire, complete in conformity to

the divine Law,

This

me\

comfort

^o

constantly appear in the Ps.

implores that

of.

proud

How

organisation.

indicates,

long ere],

ing], cf. v.*-^- '^

It is in

w.^

wasting

for Thy salvation],

as

from the persecution of the

a frequent complaint in

v.^',

delay of divine interposition,

its

cf. v.^.

7v ill

comfort

xj/

at the

me Thy

Say-

accord with the constant usage of

this

Law

should do what the older psalmists thought that

Himself would do. An early copyist by transferring " Thy

Ps. that the

God

Saying " from

its

proper place

at the close of the line

made

it

the

and made God the subject of comThough I am become like a 7uineskin in smoke], v.^. The
fort.
skin of wine, the bottle of the ancients, hung up on the beams of
the room becomes blackened and shrivelled when the room is
filled with smoke.
Thus the body of the psalmist becomes ema-

object for which the eyes

fail,

ciated, as his eyes

fail,

postponed deliverance.

How
fort

long ere

with long-continued pining for the long-

How

many

are the days], explained by

the days of waiting for the

and salvation longed

for.

An

Law

to give the

com-

early scribe, not understanding

its parallelism with v.^, inserted at the expense

of the measure an explanatory clause " ere Thou wilt do on those

the terse sentence in

that pursue

me," which forced the explanation of "Judgments"

the usage of the Ps., where it

as judicial punishment, against

PSALM CXIX.

429

always means the judgments of the Law.

for me

7^^ 57'',

v.^, cf.

pits'],

The proud have dug

one who

a figure for plotting.

is

and conduct correspond

according to Thy Law'], v.^,
This is the most probable
with the Law's requirements, cf. v.^
explanation of a difficult passage, where J^ and Vrss. differ and all
All with falsehood pursue me], v.^, cf. v.^^-^^.
are alike prosaic.
The " all " must be at the beginning of the line, in accordance

whose

life

||

with the alphabetical arrangement, and refer to the proud of v.^.

An

by mistake attached

early copyist

which assonance requires

Thy Commands],

v.^.

sumed me], nF.

He

it

to the

term

at the close of the line.

for the

Law,

faithful are

This divine attribute, ZZ^'^ 89^- ^- ^-^H-, is here

Almost had they conattached to the Law, cf. y.^^- ^^2. m. leo ^^w

had well nigh perished from the persecution

of these proud and slanderous enemies, and yet he was faithful

to the

Law

notwithstanding

The

Str. V.

first

tetrastich

all.
is

composed of a

heaven

is

syn. triplet

89-96.

synth. fine, the second of two synth. couplets.

and a

fixed in

The divine Law was everlasting, preexiscame down to earth as the later rabbins
Thou hast established and there standeth fast],

Thy Word].

tent in heaven before

it

understood

it.

immutable

for all future time in generation after generation of

mankind.

The

||

||

indicates that

thus established, and that

with "in heaven."

"Thy

An

is

it

the

we should read

Law

early scribe, mistaking

faithfulness," a similar

form

in

as Saying

which

Heb.,

"Thy Saying"

made "earth"

object of the Vb. as that which was established forever.

psalmist, however,

is

in the earth in antithesis

for

the

The

was not thinking of the creation of the earth

they stand fast to-day], v.^\

As regards Thy Judgments,

The Law not only was preexistent

and so everlasting

and extending

or

its

permanence, but of the Law.

the future

it

was

in the previous v.

in the past,

to all generations in

The

also in the present alike immutable.

God, which

earth as immutable in accordance with the laws of

a later conception certainly not in the mind of this poet.

Law

are Thy servants], heaven and earth in which the

immutably established.
tion], v.^^

the

parallelism

error

compelled the Vrss. to think of heaven and

Though

I had perished

in

scribe, transposing this clause with

and the

sense.

The poet makes

for

is

all

has been

mine

afflic-

the next, lost

the

extreme

PSALMS

430

Statement that he would have

Law, even

EV^,

still

continued to delight

had resulted

if his affliction

in his death, cf.

The

weak " unless

wicked wait to

finding the clauses transposed, give the rather

For

Thy Law had been my delight."

me\ v.^. The proud, scornful,

me

the

slanderous enemies are

destroy

waiting for an opportunity for his destruction.

gently

the

in

v.'"'.

Thy

make an

Testimonies']^

cofisider dili-

earnest study of them,

w}^- ^^.

cf.

am I: save me], v.^. The consciousness that he beYahweh gives him confidence to implore salvation from
To all cojnpleteness have I seen an end\ v.^.
enemies.

Thifie

longs to
his

This verse sums up the thought of the

Str.

All things else, how-

ever complete, have their limit

come

to an eventual

but in antithesis the

end

end

broad, limitless in breadth, without

is

in time, past, present, or future.

The

Str. D.

first

troductory line

97-104.
of

Law

they

hoiu

I love Thy Law],

Yahweh has become

thought appears also

^'^

timonies,

v.**^-

an

tetrastich has three syn. lines synth. to

in-

the second has antith. and synth. couplets.

v."^-

of the

The Deuteronomic

v.^'.

to the psalmist a love of the Law.

^^-

^^ of the

Commands,

Law

v.^^^

itself,

^"
v.^^'-^-

love

This

of the Tes-

of the Precepts.

More

than mine enemies], the proud, lying scorners of the previous context.

all teachers], as the context shows, not teachers of the

II

Law, but other teachers who would lead him into other paths of
instruction.
He means to say that God is the great Teacher, and

Law

that His

not the

know and
they.

is

official

to

wise

far superior to all other teachers.

elders of his people, but old

be able to teach.

II

insight have

way],

is

v.^"\

the seniors],

\\

is

(,

given

previous line.

givest

me

forever they are

his everlasting personal possession.

way leading

ought to

a better teacher than

F, 3, to be preferred to
In the
understanding have I], cf. v.^^'*.
wisdom, so

supplementary clause the reason

The Law

is

||

Thou makest me with Thy Commands],

their instruction in divine

EV*.

The Law

men who

to

/re/rain],

evil;

7tiine].

From every

evil

taking up the thought of the

restraining himself, withholding

his

feet from walking in the way, which word indeed the glossator
In antithesis with the
inserts at the expense of the measure.
From
evil way is the right way from which he does not deviate

Thy Judgments I

do not turn aside], \}^, but he goes straight

PSALM CXIX.

431

This Deuteronomic term is frequent in OT.

For Thou dost instruct me\. Usually the psalmist
Law as the instructor but here of Yahweh Himself,
he still ever sees God behind the Law.
From Thy

forward in their way.

even in Pr.
thinks of the

showing that
Statutes have

understanding\

In

v.^i

Law and from no

pears that from the

the climax,

this,

ap-

it

other instructor whatever,

wisdom and knowledge come.

every way of falsehood I
the way leading from the Law into falsehood.
O how
sweet is Thy Saying to my palate / sweeter than honey to my
mouth], v}^, based on ig^^^. The Law is the sweetest, the most
dehcious of all things. It is the most dainty food of the soul.
Str. 1 The first tetrastich is composed of synth., the second of
105-112. A lamp to my foot \ a light to my path].
syn. couplets.
The Law is conceived as a lamp giving light upon a path which
all his

hate'],

would otherwise be dark,

been sworn but

perform

it,"

I have sworn and confirmed

Pr. 6^.

The oath

<S, '.

by a solemn act

ratified

or by the recording of
will

cf.

so RV., after ?^, (g, U,

it], v.^^,

with a seal

it

follow %.

but AV., JPSV., " and I

The freewill

offerings

the praises for dehverance, cf.

afflicted], v.l^ cf. v.22-^-^-^i-6'-<5"^^-^-'^.
accept],

palm

v.^^,

he incurred.

peril that

This

for me],

of the holy
it.

Law and

is

He
is

Here he

Statutes

was

Str. D.

v.''--^^.

it.

and

life with God resulting

my heart, that in which he
/ incline with my heart to

Law,

To do

v.^^,

cf. v.^^),

as a reward], finding

The Str. has

my

in

is

the

as in

Law

is

v.^^-^^^

to

he does

obey

it,

act

here in the form of Precepts (so prob. as

his inheritance

are antith.
cf.

it

required for

is

Commands.

v.^^*;

life

not thinking of the holy land, but

inclines toward the

not incHne or decHne from

accordance with

is

/ have

the Joy of

has the greatest delight, cf

it

My

sore

the everlasting holy

This, says he,

do], v}^-.

as

I am

The wicked have

an eve j'las ting inheri-

explained v..

as v.^^-^.

tance], y}^\ cf. y}^-^-^\

in

II

of my mouthy

19^^.

continually], v.^% a phrase indicating the great risk

laid a snare

from

has not only

as in a court of justice,

and

v.^-^

his

of Judgments,

reward in the

v.^*^

Law

of

itself,

joy, cf. v.^.

synth. couplets enclosed by syn. couplets which

113-120.

My

hiding place

and my

shield art Thou],

28^ 32^; protecting from the enemies of the previous

tetrastichs.

My flesh

bristles

up

in

awe, and

reverence], w}^.

PSALMS

432

The

context and the entire thought of the Ps. indicate that the

Law in great reverence and awe. The more

Yahweh has become reverence for His Law.

psahnist holds the

ancient reverence of

There

no thought of

is

his having terror or

being afraid of

it,

as

Support me
Uphold me\
The personal
Yahweh and
divine
not
sustaining grace are here emphasized. and shame
my

EV.

variously express

\}^^,

it.

cf. 3 37^^'^^ 51^*-

v."^

||

relation to

the

fne

hope'],

II

by the

that

I may

be saved v.^^^

failure of the salvation

swerve with their

hoped

jnouth'], y}^^,

The most probable

me

Let

for, cf.

explanation of a

difficult

"

things" PBV., "vain thoughts" AV.,

double mind " RV., JPSV., are

a word elsewhere
Vrss.

all

dost set

Them

"them

conjectural

that imagine
that are of a

translations of
in

0, S, 3, PBV., JPSV., as

v."^, cf. v."^,

were essentially

f:ilse

and

transfer of this clause to the

ancient

v.^^-

the

'' ''^
;

doom of the wicked.

The wicked of this

liars,

cf. y.^-^-^-^*^.

Through the

end by an early copyist,

at the ex-

pense of the assonance, the rendering originated which

literally in

RV.

" for their deceit

logical expression giving

loi^

their deceit] , syn. with v.^^.

the

most

cf.

and defective sen-

by AV., RV., " have respect unto,"

to J^ followed

Thou
at naught],
falsehood of
Ps.

Those that

unknown and otherwise explained

wi/i delight], v}'\ so

to be preferred

v.*'-^^-^.

from truth and the Law,

tence, in accordance with the parallelism.

evil

in

not be put to shame

no

is

is

given

falsehood," a tauto-

real reason for the previous statement.

from the Law; repeated in v."^ according

to (g, U ; but J^, 2, J, followed by EV^ read " as dross," which
required the insertion at the expense of the measure of the exall that backslide],

planatory "all the wicked of the earth."

As for them that turn

aside, their portion is adversity], v}^^,

ii^ This

with the parall., and

is

cf.

is

in

accordance

gained by slight changes, chiefly in the

separation of the letters of the Heb. text.

The reading of 5^ and
" Depart from me, ye evil doers, that I may keep the Com-

Vrss.

mands of my God,"

is

against the context, refers to

third person instead of in the second which

Ps. throughout,
Str.

3?.

The

and makes the

first

is

God

in the

the usage of the

line overfull.

tetrastich has introverted parallelism

the sec-

121-128. The oppressor let not

ond synth. and antith. couplets.
the proud oppress].
These same proud oppressors are constantly
||

PSALM cxix.
reappearing in the Ps.
pledge\, interpose

Do

my

on

not abandon

and be

behalf,

Thy servant am I
The
making

over against them.

The

^124-5^

him

fies

to

in

pose

Do

I may know Thy

w}-^,

with Thy servant'],

is

God

Testimonies'],

Him

high time for

own Law which

thus far with impunity.

the most precious of

cf. v.^^^.

to inter-

my steps
much better

these proud oppressors have broken,

more

thafi

things

all

is

gold or than fine gold],

the divine Law,

Thy Precepts],

cf. v.^*''^.

direct

according

is

suited to the context than the other possible

to

" I esteem right," which

justi-

make me

not only because of the peril of the psalmist, but also to

vindicate His

ing

in

pledge and guarantee

greatest kindness

his plea.

time for Yahiveh to act],

is

Take Thy Word

||

my

personal relation as a faithful worshipper of

have understanding that

It

433

The

Str. S.

like

mean-

and tame.

and synth. couplets the

The opening of Thy Word giv-

129-136.

v}^\ the uncovering, the manifestation of

break forth from

The Law

rather prosaic

so (, F, J, which

tetrastich has syn.

first

second, synth. couplets.

eth light],

is

v.^^^

it.

||

w}"^,

Thy face make shine]

Yahweh's face gives

light.

it,

v.^^;

lets light

cf.

4^ 31^^

the simple], are the

open-minded, who may be led aright or led astray according as

they are taught; cf. 19^

Wonderful are Thy Testimonies], v.^^.
They contain and set forth wonderful things, cf. v.^^.
Turn to the
one that loves Thy name], v.^^^.
Love for the name of God is

God Himself and

another phase of the love of

acteristic of this Ps.
v.^^\

and the

grief of

It

Law

of His

so char-

corresponds with the eager longing of

v.^'^^.

An

early scribe, misunderstanding the

the expense of the measure and assonance and the term

line, at

for

Law, gave by transposition and readjustment, the text followed

by

EV.

" as

Thou

My footsteps
^5.128^

from

let

usest to

do unto those

confirm], v}"^, that I

Thy name."

that love

may walk

in the right way, cf.

not iniquity have dominion over me]

the oppression

of man],

v.^^*

||

Redeem me
who

the proud oppressors

wrought mischief and trouble, and broke the Law with impunity,
cf

v.^^^-^^^^^.

Streams of water run down mine

My mouth I open
La.

eye], v}^,

excessive weeping,

pant],

v.^^^

The

cf.

3^^

eagerness

is

from

wide and

expressed physically by the wide

open mouth and the panting of hasty movement, which correspond

with the longing of the soul.

2F

PSALMS

434
The

Str. ^.

tetrastich has introverted parallelism

first

ond, synth. couplets whose corresponding lines are syn.

144. Righteous art Thou^
exceeding, v.^^,

Thy

||

the last repeated

Yahweh

v.^^^,

||

In righteousness and faithfulness

righteousness

v.^^.

This

is

righteousness forever^

v.^^^,

emphasizes the righteousness of

Str.

but the context shows that

the sec-

137-

it is

a righteousness syn. not

with justice, but rather with faithfulness and accordingly a saving

upright are Thy Judgments'^, v.^^^, cf. 19^^. The Law has
^o faithfulness
same attribute of uprightness as God Himself:
My jealousy
is Thy Law, w}^, as God Himself has faithfulness.
hath destroyed me~\, v.*^. Jealousy for the Law and its observance
has brought upon him persecution from his adversaries who violate
^^ also 69^^.
Smelted exceedingly is Thy servant'], y}^,
it, cf. v.^^^An editor, misled by
in the furnace of affliction, cf. Dn. 11^.
attribute.

the

II

Ps.

18'^^

Pr.

parallelism.

30^ thinks of the Law as refined and so loses the

/ am small and despised\
EV. follow this mistake.

compared with the proud enemies who heap upon him

Trouble afid distress have overscorn and contempt, cf. v."^^'-".
Notwithstanding
taken me], \}^j due to his fidelity to the Law.
all, he asserts his love for the Law, that his delight is in it, and that
that I may live according to Thy
he has not forgotten it.

v."\ as

||

arranged in accordance with

Statutes'], w}^, so the text is best

UB

25. 40. 50. 88. 93. 107.

Str. p.

whose

The

first

first lines

ticipate in

my

tetrastich

are antith.

prayer

is

syn.

the second has synth. couplets

145-152.

repeated in

v.^*^

Ia?n heforeha?id],
in the

former

v.

w}^'',

an-

with the

twilight of dawn, before the break of day, in the latter with the night

watches

before each of the three watches of the night,

63^ La. 2^^;

voice,

all

O hear],

peated

in v.^^

\}^^,
II

the invocation of prayer.

cry for help v."^

the personal address upon Thee,

my whole

(3,

F, S,

cf.

||

v.^

re-

by

heart, in the latter

Yahweh ; having

Hne the additional petition ansiver me

They draw

I call], \}^

qualified in the former line

the intensity of the invocation with

l)y

cf.

My

indicating oft-repeated importunate prayer.

O save

in the

former

7ne in the latter.

near that pursue me with evil devices], v}^ ; so

PBV., to be preferred to MT., followed by AV., RV.,

" pursue evil devices."

The proud and wicked enemies

previous Strs. approach him, yes, pursue him, to execute

of the

upon

PSALM cxix.

435

T/iey are far from

him the evil they have devised, cf. 17^ 26^^.
Thy Law\ have departed a long distance, are far from observing
Be Thou near'], y?^^, petition, as PBV., is more suited to the
it.

RV. When

context than the statement of fact of AV.,

draw near, he implores that Yahweh

them.

Of old I know

learned the

The

divine

draw near

will

enemies

his

oppose

also to

them'], \}^^, in past experience, having

Law from childhood

Law was founded

forever Thoit hast founded].

on.

as a structure

which

endure

will

forever, cf. v.^.

The

Str. n.

tetrastich has introverted parallelism, the sec-

first

ond couplets whose

antith.
v.^^^,

fines are syn.

first

153-160.

an urgent plea

and whose second

plead my cause

||

God

for the interposition of

Ex.

of His servant,

cf.

me], from the

affliction,

3''

La.

i^ Ps.

my

see

35^ 43^

fines are

affliction], cf.

in the vindication

7-edeem

me

rescue

||

which, as subsequent context and the

thought of the entire Ps. shows, was due to proud, maficious ene-

who

mies, described as the treacherous], v}^^, those

and

deceitful in their conduct toward him,

the psalmist loathes

wicked

offfrom the

they are disgusting to him,

is

him

to save,

saries, y}^\ cf. v.^^^

The

this,

These

Far

servant,

Many

which are near

adver-

the same proud, contemptuous, reproachful

chief, the highest

of the divine Law, as

standing

139"^

Many are my persecutors and mine

v."-- ^^\ cf. v.^- ^^.

inserted "

The

sum of faithfuldegree of faithfulness is that

enemies that appear throughout the Ps.

ness], w}^.

cf.

In antith. are the

it, cf. v.^^*^.

n}^ of Yahweh toward His

cf. v}^^.

are faithless

25^ 59^.

salvation], y}^^, because they are far off from

the Law, which alone gives

compassions],

cf.

Thy Word," making

glossator,

misunder-

the phr. " the

sum of

Thy Word," and he

(^,

has been followed by afi Vrss., excepting that

F, J, have the pi. " Thy Words." The sum of the words in

sum

this case is their

total.

But the attribute of faithfulness

not only most appropriate to the thought of the

other term,
Str.

synth.

forever]

^. The
and syn.

first

cf. v.^-

Ps.,

^^^.

tetrastich has introverted parafi.

couplets.

is

but also to the

161-168.

the second

Princes persecute me].

The

proud, maficious enemies and oppressors here seem to have princes

at their head, probably the officials of the Syrian kings, cf. v.^-'*^

without cause

|j

Lying], the false charges of the enemies,

cf.

PSALMS

436
^

09. sc. 128. r.<<

cf.

I stand

\y^,

rejoice,

victor who, having

in aiag

Word\

of Thy

conquered

v.^'''*

it

greatly,

cf. Is.

9^: the

probably not implying seven fixed times of wor-

used as the holy number of completeness.

ship, but

of the praise

is

by a change of
v.^^,

v.'*^-,

enemy, appropriates to himself

Seven times a day

his

the treasures which they have abandoned.

J praise'],

reverence

as one that findeth spoil\

Law

the

expense of the measure.

text at the

The

God

but a later editor makes

object

the object

Great peace],

inward, of soul, and so explained as without a cause of stum-

with nothing to scandalize them, offend their minds or con-

bling,

Outward peace was excluded

sciences in their relation to God.

by the

fact that their persecutors

7uays are before Thee],

knows thoroughly

all

were princes,

The

w}'^^.

his course of

psalmist

life

not of fear but of hope and courage.

and

w}^^.

Yea,

that

is

to

my
God

all

assured that

is

him a ground

I hope for Thy

salvation],

and expect it, cf. v.'^^ 104-^ 145^* 146*.

Str. n. The first tetrastich is composed of two syn. couplets, the
169-176. Let my yell come
second has introverted parallehsm.

v}^, confidently look for

it

near before Thee

my

Let

||

petition for deliverance.

a stream of song,

supplication

My

19^ 78-

cf.

||

My

responsive song, as an antiphone.

Thy
The theme is,
that Thou teaches t

?ne

II

needing

it,

tongue will respotid],

in faithfulness],

righteous Judg?nents],

Thy

||

PBV., AV., or

I stray as a

ethical or religious sense of v."^

causal,

lost sheep],

it

RV., JPSV.
and greatly

v}"^^,

not in the

but in the physical sense of losing

the way, as 107^ and so becoming lost and needing help and
vation.

and

Let me

7nake

usually

is

live

Thy Testimonies
ascribed to

1.

The

praise Thee],
to help

Yahweh

be ready for 7ny help],

is

and

in

faithfully.

and so most probably

salvation], w}~*, eagerly desiring

cf. v.^^-^-^^^

v.^^^, iiv

v.^"^,

Statutes], taking the clause as ob-

jective rather than as temporal,

/ long for Thy

come before Thee], urgent

will pour forth praise],

lips

resuming

v.^^^,

sal-

v.^''^

Law what
Let Thine hand

me], ascribing to the

Himself, and so

||

s}"^^.

Ps. throughout, except v.^-^-

1^^,

has 2 pers.

sf.

with legal term.

It

improb. that these are exceptions, especially as measure and assonance

both require the usual

sf.

prosaic scribe substituted nvT" p-iip for in-^r,

seemed better to use the divine name at the beginning of the Ps.
And then it became necessary to change the sfs. of v.^"^ from the 2 p. to the
because

it

PSALM cxix.

437

and the order of words in the sentence was changed accordingly.

which is absent from Str. and needed to complete its usage of legal terms. The original was certainly ^"iJT, needed for
4. This 1. should be transposed to follow v.^, where
assonance at close of 1.
such an emphatic statement seems most appropriate.
T'^pis] should stand
p.,

V3n-i3] txt. err. for n:]nr,

3.

assonance at close of

for

Aram,,

BDB.

v.

1.

5.

This should be

1.^.

that; elsw.

<^h

'''!?'?^'<]

2 K.

'';;nN

used also

T'i?.n]

5^.

here, through carelessness of a scribe, taken the place of an original

which

missing from the

is

Str.

6.

Hiph.

"'jp-'^na]

This should be

temporal, but circumstantial.

7.

has

it

qmcN

and 3; not
makes 1. too

with

inf.

1.*.

'''?"nN

Probably

v.^.

sf.

33^:]

The second 2 dittog. of the next letter.

:3^.
8. T'|?.n"nNj.
The order of the sentence has been changed. The v. should begin with Sn
and close with T'pn.
9. ^>'J] is a gl, too restrictive for context or Ps., making 1. too long.
n"^3iD]
3 custodierit verba tua, (^ (pvXdaaeadaL tovs \6yovs aov = y\2i. The sg.
long; reduce to

without prep,

of

should be

14.

1.^.

10.

yr\)-\';

nV

Hiph.

"'^VT}']

This should be

for assonance, as usual.

1.

most prob.

is

cf. 19^3^

v.^^

Jjjy

II

I.'''.

"ima]

is

prosaic for an original nSi.

is

t>^'^]

v.^i- iis

Qal used

juss. njt;';

end

"imr:N tijdx] belongs at the

11.

The

improb.

||

v.^^- ^^

of

This

requires id-it

end of 1. and the prep. 2 with "fmiy at the beginning.

15. n-kO-iDNi]
cohort. Hiph. 1221 requires Sx, the usual prep., for good measure, as v.^. This
16. ri^rpnaj n\-?n term of H is improb.
only here in
should be the last 1.
Substitute for it nmn and
Ps. for cpn, which has already been used in v.i2_
at the

make

1.^.

riD"n as

Hithp.

V'^'i'.ri'^'N]

requires.

||

already been given in this

tetrastich.

is

19.

||

f.

important a

too

v.^i

fD'^J

this

C^'"^-')

Aram,

V concupivit, 3

rated, exiled,
k-KiQv\ir\<jaL,

||

1J v.^^.

1.

is

It is usually

be

of

1.

1.'^.

makes

for assonance.
is gl.,

should be

making

1.2.

it

for

nDsn

v.^*.

in

too long

prob. error for

22.

needed
1.

this

1.

is

for

Law

has

begin second

to

middle of a

in

rd.

tetrastich,

of Str. as usual.

1.^

}\nixcj

''JN""ij.

n.f.

that

Sj]

1.

n:Di is

nir-ij

a.X. longing,

most prob.

may end

for

one thrust out, sepa-

Z^DB.

inf.

f.

but

dnp;

tov

cf. v.*'^

assonance in ftODiyc.

uncover, here shame, conceived as a gar-

gl.,

roll,

and then should be

prob, the former.

Substitute here the missing f'TpD;

v. is parall.

with

v.^^.

23.

nnr].

and

rd.

tr.

to

end

o-'^'a*"!.

n"'*i>x.

24.

The

'?J.

an interp.

is

''d]

necessary to change n^^x into n^a'v S rd.

T'm;] must go to end of 1. for assonance.
close of 1. rb. SiAcaiw/iard <Jov = D^in; so also U.
25. "::.!:] should be at the end for assonance ; so 'JIdV v.^^

TiDy]

^"^3"!]

hdndV]

This

inmN, needed in Str.

20. ~D-)j] Qal
crushed, ^DB., cf. Hiph. La. 3I6; but i-rreird-

regarded as imv. ^^J

used also

i\'^"'>]

come

also

is

desideravit

Either ^^yD or

overfull.

gl.

Transpose

to

desiderare, imply inf. vb., so

This should be

ment.

9^^^.

v.

and the term

err. for

ry^DD] should be transposed,

21.

1.

min

v.^'^.

prob.

is

v.^,

v.

the long form improb.;

"DJx]

drjaev,

is

as well as

v.^*

used also
pf. 3

It

\J^

Pilp.

v.*^,

Sj] Pi. imv. nSj for nSj uncover.

18.

and

as

j,*>^

has been used already

q"iDT

This

adds

27.

at

nn^fi

PSALMS

438
Substitute for

""Jjon].

i-'iipc, 1>03'J'?:.

SiKaid/j-aTa has C'pn, so also

(5

F.

The

phr. should be at the end, in accordance with the assonance of the v.

We

should therefore

28.
Ec.

Qal

Htj';'-;]

lo^s.

rd. nn"'.:'N -[Viin'^dj 'Ti"'a,

pf. f

t nji.i]

-|n-iDN,

needed

in Str.

3 proponebam ;
oblitus,

suggest
rd.

sf.;

33.

""ryw'

Pi. pf.

mc'

sg.

but absence of prep, suspicious.

but

all

other

"'JC^-']

v. 25;

error for

irpo^ra^a,

(^^), so

se^

Ps. 13'^

U non sum

(5 qxjk kirt\aQb\x-r]v,

11,

in

||

impr, usual term

n-nn

after

v.'^"^,

making

gl,,

'r\\r\-''\

too long.

1.

wa.vrh'i

Substitute

y^rs'].

but

<5^',

6.itjei.ypi.v

np;; and then,

should be transposed with

3^
the connection. 36.
of amplification.

making

that

may begin

r^-\^7\

xvj*::.

1.

c. a.

n-^i'N^]

is

for rinaiD.

a. T.

requires

This

step.

34.

n-^i'si]

37.
38.

gl.

disturbing

gl.

for assonance.

err.

^.?">^"^:!]

'^z^.

Str.

after

here 5i4

The assonance

rrward, rather than JPSV.

Bii.,

goes to end of

''3^]

v.^^^.

di/Td/x(e) 11^ (6)11/ (gx-

5t*

assonance requires

'?33]

too long; rd.

1.

as
v,^*,

impc, needed

so

^i"^"]

here per vestigium, there propter retrihutionem.

in both vs.

y^^va being

in this part of Ps.,

to be order in use of terms.

is

there 5ia

ira>'r6s,

1.

^r^^v]

30.

cf. pj>

already used

S had before it \n2Nn v.^o. Zenner, Ba.,

end in _. We would therefore expect vb. with
smooth, cornpose me, which suits
"'j:r, cf. 1312 Is, 38'-"^.
"["JD'J'r:].

"'Hvis,

nm.i, if there

T^^n^]

imply -phdj' or synonym.

Substitute

needed

for assonance.

1.

also gives better parall.

elsw. Pr. lo^ 14^^ 17-1,

n.f. grief,

should go to close of

which

vb. drop, elsw. in tears Jb. i6-^^ /eaJ^ (of house)

'1''"'

gl,

rix"^::]

ri":Nn'^ ^P'?<].

h rbv (pd^op aov, 3 in timorem tuiivi, ignore nu'N. It is prob. due to

v.^^, where it is a gl.
But a word is needed for measure and
assonance; rd. nrN my step (cf,
if 37^1 40*^44^^ 73-) and transpose to
end of 1.
39. \~->j'] belongs at end of 1. for assonance, and has for obj. not
\nD-\n, but ycyv-^
irNn\ f -^ji> vb, be afraid o/Dt. 91^ 28^'^ Jb. 32^ 928. here
as "MJ Pss. 22^'* 338 stand itt awe of
"'j]
is gl., not needed, and spoiUng
measure. This should be last 1. of Str,
40. v?3Nn] f 3x.-i vb. long for
assimilation to

||

desire, as v.^"*;
is

supplied
41.

all

30

v.-'^^,

err.

yP^ and

it

nax.i

^:><o^\

transposed with

This term should be

united with

by

cun

to transposition.
1.

too long.

into the text

should be

1.2.

v.*^. 44 jt is

juss.

v.42.

The measure

46.

It

This

The

v.

from the previous

1.

43.

l,"*.

1.

for

vb,

pi.,

also

has been

v.

"sr;]

is

in

MT.

is

expan-

T^i:*^'?;^].

assonance

so

y?\i^ \P,
44. This should be 1.5 as
The measure requires that n'? should be
1

should be

original

Then

complete without them.

impo

asseverative

is

goes to the end of

if

1..

q-^Dn "'?n2m]

v.

v.'"',

n'?^].

original 1-131 here. This

one tone; therefore

47.

then should be

but (5 sg, more prob.

for

is

in pi. as usual.

v.*".

in

v.

rirnrx]
an
42. This should be

also -jr-wn V.44, I'-^ps v.*5, iv^^y

Substitute ypT\,

i"'mp5].

This

Here and

of this Str.

1.

^~.Dn defective pi. for i""-'Dn;

usual, followed

introduces the apodosis of the

sive gl,; so also -D in::"i".

makes

\P.

seems to require.

as order

more prob, Hiph.

by

:}S"'

begins each

1]

other cases
5>,

cf.

was only

To

is

1.^

iviiyDJ
48. \iDnN
gl.

i*j>n~^n;

this is

due

gl.,

due

n'^'s "ivnyio

Sn]

3 also

the other words crept

before nn-'rN.

This

v.

PSALM cxix.
49.

3 sermonis ; ^
2 Xdycou ifjLov.

so

n3"t]

X67WJ'

TtDj/

o-ou

the close of the

Then

1.

rov \b'yov aov

riiDi is

439

U verdi tui, also ^

required in this

Str.,

needed

after

transpose ^ with

as

it

"''

'^-

and as usual at
^n-" rather than

50. "in-irDX o] err. for the usual "iniCN.-,

where it is lacking (3 '^.
51. ''JX^'rr.] Hiph. y'^ vb.
cf. V.25 + ; and it should be at the close of 1.
Hiph. also Jb. 16'^^
in-^ir?;] err. for "^r^^-i'j and should be
scorn, Qal /'.
at close of 1. '\r\-\'\.- is given in v.^^. This v. om. by (^^, but given by ^- ^- t.
after -\y,

"

52.

is

then obj. of inijT

y^sZT,']

used

required at close of
r\zv v.^^.

||

Vrss. differ

the Sirocco.
ror.

is

qniiT

required.

is

as usual.

1.

nin^]

is gl.

V.

^ rhv

^-^- ^-

and ^,

of the texts of

should be transposed with

shows that

69.

''^_^~i\

(ppiKt],

hor-

not needed, as

makes

= either

took place.

too long.

1.

1.

"jnpis

after the separation

This

Its insertion

This should be

to the interp. of nac'Ni as Hiph. instead of Qal.

was due

trou

as in f interchange of terms

v.^^.

XatXai/',

65. n-""^^']

56. T'lpo] belongs at close of

"iriir,

vh^iov <jov

in

Aq.

r,

sf.

burning wind of

("^Tds ^zroXds

67. T'13"'] pi. improb.; rd. sg. as usual.

or "iTix::, ^^^-

represented by

nin>,

as 11^, the

."nvSr]

(3 ddv/jiia, IS defectio,

54. ^^"'^] belongs at close of

v.^^;

as usual.

1.

53.

1.*.

Tncncrn] Hithpalp.
form,
tarry, delay
only
43IO
stirround,
Ex.
(E) +
Gn.
innin] should be
This
should be
n^xn] phr.
of

Ru.
Ex.
Ex.
iS nninS]

should be
This
should be A
an
This should be
of
should be
end of
impairing measure.
o]
tnncN] should be
of
assonance.
should be
This

This should
Qal
the
t Do'^] Qal

a
of
smear, plaster
f
vb.
followed by
This should be
of
assonance.
should be
emph.

Aram.
71 should be
nmn has already been used
assonance.
This phr. should go
end of
needed
60.
19I6

1239

(J)

ii4 (J) Jb. 342^,

elsw.

interp. gl.

close

61.

at close

^J-i-v;]

\2^^

cf.

tion.

69.

Str.

\:n]

a.X.

v.'''^.

at close

1.

to the

into the text

the

gl-

''J.r?!!]

v.

should be

of interpretation
first

by

1.

error.

1.

It

75.

1.

78.

of expansion

77.

nnnir]

vh

|J7dS] for

81.

V.

is

V. has been transposed

v.'^- ^^.

a marginal

"'J^^jy]

nji:DNi

76.

gl.

and

that has crept

The

T'LDQ'i'D.

T'.^"';']

belongs in

belongs to the close of

on the basis of

should be

an original

1.^

nSi.

80.

This

T^^iS] goes to close of

v.*^^.

79. ly't] Kt.

is

to

"'Jn]

1.

as usual.

not emphatic,

be interp. as

Qr. vyr, though sustained by Vrss.,

subjunctive, expressing purpose.

This

ip

for assonance.

but introducing a circumstantial clause.

prob.

""tDij^'O

^ip^i]

has been removed to this place by misinterpretation of

rinncx as "promise."
ijini;: -ifiu' v~] gl.

for

for

1.

and occasioned the transposition of

half of

1.

1.*

so

belongs to the close of the

first

be gross, fat,

v."''.

to

This

intensifica-

gl.

'^'r'^]

q^s t-<^7\\

in Str.

of amplification.

as usual.

for

pf.

is

""Jn]

70.

1"">1~]

gl.

72.

1.^.

1.

1.

iVd^]

ijS Vij^

1.^.,

latter

is

at

at close

close

V.

last

3.

'n^pn]

at

'i\~vic]

67.

1.^.

over, elsw. Jb. 13* 14".

73.

62. n^^'^

1.^.

68.

from

v. 2cP.

-11;

1.^

(J) Ju. i63-3

64. mn'-] is gl.

gl.

V.

gl.

Pi. pf. sf.

v.

1.

v.

1.

66.

is

linger,

this

"^b.

t E^'"'"]

1.

has been transposed from close of

'n^i^ns]

v.

1.

im1.

1."^

assonance

and

with

as usual belongs at close of

should be

for

is

S prefixed

so

"i^-in v.^^.

82.

in-^CN]

because of the icnS.

It

PSALMS

440
was

"^bsS]

really originally the subj. of nrnin.

n.m. thick smoke as 148^ Gn.

1928- 28 q-)_

a prosaic

is

gl.

83.

<'I3^']

Y, 3, prtiina improb.
84. 'O^"^? T\v'{'r^'\ is an explan. gl., making 1. much too long, and indeed giving
a false explan.; for -c^z'-z here as elsw. in Ps. refers to the law itself and not
to its execution.
The sf. ry was dropped from acrn by haplog.
85. r'^n-'r]
iri-xyri,

pi. t 'in^'f Xi.i.pit; phr. also

unknown

given a mng.

ovx ws

^.

1|

(Kt.)

86.

depends on irs
yr^:ir2

r^n";-,

sV

which

i<^,

is

but

an interpretation of an
is needed at the

This should be the

r^rnoN,

of

1.

"T'3-']

goes to close of

which

is

y-Mi^

previous

1.

goes with

is

dittog. for

"h,

and irnir with

its

"'';;'i^]

\--'2X,
v.

should be

needed

in Str.; so

belongs at close of

Transpose

this

94.

inipD] belongs

fn^pn]

rip;i::N]

It goes,

is

an error

for

however, to close

iNr]

is

it is

^""'r'o]

used also

is

v.^;

at close of

1.;

will

||

Then

v.^^.

v.* will

teachers.

previous

1.

it

It

^?jx?]

as v.^*^;

sg.

f.

with

pi.

then i^ixo

'V

n-ti].

is

sg.

noun

This

should be

v.

1.'^.

This should be

here only in Ps.; error of

The

was

sf.

is,

Ges.^^^.

but 6, 3, F, 2 sg.

4^

This on

the second subj., v. 3^

The

sg.

f.

does not agree in number with

1.

Pr. 5^3;

be followed

n^r''^??

Yahweh

previous

tn]

begin second tetrastich as usual.

so yr^'Vi y?^.

of intensification.

gl.

here error

is

it

and niin

||,

the whole seems more prob.

;

to the transposition of the clauses.

, U, which, however, give -fpn also v.^*. The term

'jn^'n.
03] is a gl., due to the transposition.

^J^pnn] Pi., usually 3

referring to

due

n.f. a.X. completeness, perfection, for n''^pn 13922.

pointing for usual

98.

90.

T\3-'.

||

to close of first tetrastich,

1.

96.
1.8.

vb. belongs at close of v. as usual.

93.

1.^

after

1.,

with which

v.^*-^,

as

The

gl.

and here

in Str.

88.

1.^.

for assonance.

1.

of Str.

1.

Bi.,

should be r-\N3<D^DC3.
91. -|^:2D2'::S] h has the force of as /or,
and not " according to," as EV*., due to error of
;

92.

It

for "T'pn

needed

last

gl. due to
ijni]
Du.
m;;] impos-

is

summing up

as regards,

by

This should be

rd. n'n> as usual.

89.

So refers to the

sible

is

tame and improb.

nrvv]

1. and ^v-iix:: at the close for assonance.

and should be followed by 'jiDin npii*.
^nry]
the transposition above mentioned.
87. T*"^nd] is gl., as

v.^^,

circumstantial clause.

^irriMo-vrb

which, however,

beginning of the

Dnr of

impossible, for Vd

is

'^ii]

so S, 3,

elsw., as also the vb. n-iD.

(Tov

v6fj.os

original ">^n^

18''^=^

narraverunt mihi fabulationes

dSoXeaxi-as, 'B

fMoi

57" Je.

came

"[."^ix::.

into the text from the

99.

""'.^'Tr]

Pi- ptc. as

however, not original, but an assimilation to

indefinite, as D'jpT of next

1.

101.

\'^nSd]

goes to close

"'^j-'] is an explan.
which characterizes this Str.
?;?dS] is interp. of an original \ also making 1. too
gl., making 1. too long.
adds n-\vn at close of this 1.
103. ix';'?:;] Niph. pf. 3 pi.
long.
102.
vSc; a.X.; prob. be smooth, pleasant ; pi. vb. with sg. subj. is improb. TimcN

of

1.

is pi.

The

for

assonance in

in
pi.

C U, ^,

5r,

but that

is

against the usage of this term for

of vb. must therefore be a copyist's error.

already used in \y^^.

interp. of
V.

an original

Here prob.
""D.

>rNj'.:']

104.

T'lipc].

error for "^^'^ missing from Str.

should go to end of

should be transposed with previous one.

1.

Law

in

^.

This term

?3"^J?] is

for assonance.

This

PSALM CXIX.
105.

.S,

107.
is

y\)pD vM'^.

but

1~i2"i]

nance.-

106.

making

gl.,

1.

too long.

110. ~inp3]. Substitute

made

here

Its use

n-^n

in Dt. 4I

so

at close of

which

is

10

longs at end of

by

II

(S wapavd/xovs,

tuosos,

prob.

^^'n]

as usual.

word

112.

needed with

^i>''^]

is"? in v.^*^^.

iniquos, Aq. 5La(p6povs,

lacking to

is

anD

v.^i^ {v.

assonance

114.

below),

This

V.

for asso-

This

which be-

but Vrss.

is

commost

favoured

is

^-^'CO

all

3 twnul-

Trapa^dras,

goes to close of

rirnir-]

1.

many

explan. gl ,due

Gr. suggests s^rD as loi^, which

z^:^y v.^^^, d^'D v.^^^.

v.^i*.

so "jn^i

rd. i^pn as
1.

Substitute "impc.

^DB.

but cn^a should follow to complete the measure.

nvr*]

prob. two words are contained by

Str.,

Heb. word.

pression in the one

v.^*^^;

end of

resulting in transposition of legal term,

'OVD] pi. [tvd] a.X. adj. divided, half hearted

113.

otherwise.

juss.

necessary at end, and so brought one word too

np;', cf. v.^^,

1.

to

of

108.

in Str.

1^"in>] should be at close of

intol. This V. should be transposed with the next.

to misinterp. of

in apod,

needed

Transpose

t.

for

1.

already used

T'IDDJ';.]

111.

i\'^ is::.

assonance

consec. with Pi. cohort, confirm, as

rd. "jn-iCN,

t.),

(7

followed by AV., Ba.,

v.i'^^;

no'? in this Ps.

should be

nr:^riNi]

et perseverabo,

already used

unnecessary

usual with

Term

nmp.

(& has

n"!^"'].

*]niin y.^^^f

441

1.

for

begins second tetrastich as usual with niir.

v.

properly begins Str.

115.

c^"?:: ":p?

niD]

is

improb. in the

more that it compelled the substitution of '>n'?s mi-r for riv-^isr, which assonance and the uniform usage of the
Ps. require.
For second pi. imv. of vb. mD rd. ptc. nno
DMt:*.
The final D
has been wrongly connected with "'jr, which stands for an original n-'jD portion (11^) with sf. a wrongly attached to >>"<, which then instead of Hiph.
ptc. is the noun yn with intensive pi.
This should be last 1. of Str.
116. ^nncN:!] belongs as usual with n^n, and the two words transposed for
context, though sustained

by

Vrss.

all

the

||

assonance at close of

117.

1.

'1?'^*']

n.m. elsw. 146^

["^ItV.*]

This

v.

should be

/00k at (S9^^); but (3, &, 3, the usual r-'"-"^a'N, which is

better suited to the context.
This v. should be 1.^
Tlv'\ goes to close of 1.
1.^.

118.

La. i^^

-iix^Ni],

n^'i'D]

Qal

T'pn?

pf. 2

s^Jb-"'^.-]

make

[^^O^

S. f

belongs

at close

light of, set at natdght, elsw. Piel

of

As

1.

D"'pn

has been used already

substitute here the missing i^iipo.

ar^rpn] sf.
t] is interp. gl.
14I* 2326 Zp. ^^^.
(g, 5, 5J, 3, D-;7*in
3 pi. t 'i^p-jn n.f. deceitfulness, as Je. 8^

in

v.ii'^,

their thought,

Heb,, as

form

is

it

which would

evidence of

n.(m.) dross, as

Is.

l^-^-

its

^^

reality.

This

V.

"nau'n,

should be

d^J'^T',

not so prob.
l.^.

This

Pr. 25*; so 2,

cantes, suggests rather jd

yiffd/xriv

context

if

such a word could be found in

While the formation from the stem

explained.

sufficient

suit the

avoids the tautology or unnecessary emphasis whichever

120.

cf.

jns

should be

v.

The

v'jn ^;]

first

::

1."^.

119.

expl. gl.,

is

BDK

dittog.

is

no

D\ip] pi. J j'p

praevari-

Hiph. ryy;

~^y^;':~\

way the

possible, there

but (g Trapa^ahovras,

53* So^^.

f "^^d] vb. drist/e up,

n^ns-^pn] transpose with \-^xi\

is

making

1.

i\o-

overfull.

elsw. Pi. Jb. 41^.

and changes the original

one of terror. This v. should be 1.*.

an evident err. for the usual r^pis >\2S'y::. It has, however,
been lengthened from an original
The assonance then requires ^lag
^^^f ^p.

fear of reverence into

121.

p-;i.5fi^

tosc'p]

PSALMS

442

This v. should be 1.^.

1.
122. r\^TJ iiv] J 2'\'; Qal faJ^g in
go surety for, \\tx& as Jb. 17^ +
Hithp. Ps. io6-^^ ni^v is out of
place.
It is needed at the close of this 1. and also of the previous 1. for assonance. The term for Law is missing, rr^n^ is needed.
20"? is a gl. due to
at the close of

pledge,

previous
close of

txt.

123. This

err.

This

1.

as usual belongs at close of

err. for sf.

:",

should begin

v.

124.
127.

q^pn]

Str.

should be transposed with the next.

v.

1.

128.

"73

which the noun requires.

The

^-nps '?3].

@, U, have

belongs at

yTA-ir^ \-:3nNj

an evident
which stands for an

last ^d is

'?j^

But the legal term belongs as usual with its vb. at close of 1.
^lake straight, right, of the steps, @, }?, .^, suits the context better
than AV., RV., " esteem right," Piel in this sense a.\. v. j^.
nnN-'?3]. This
original

"T'-iipo''.

''"'7;^':]

^j also

is gl.,

due

to its use with z^np;.

129. This V. has been transposed with the following, doubtless because it
seemed the most important one in the Str.
r.\s;;'2] pi. f. n;'3 (^2^ as Dn. 12'^
for D\x'?D La. i^
130. fnn?] n.m. abstr. opening, unfolding, as @; but 3,
S, so Ba. np^ door, less probable.
1^31] evident err. for the usual n^ji.

DVPs] for ^79

wide, mouth, elsw.

cohort, tnxw"

2sr,

removal of
into

:i::ir

Is. 5^*

pant

ace. Jb. 5^ 72 36-0.

desire

'D

\3n'*'r

Is. 42^-*, cf. Je. 2-*

of interp.

gl.

is

This

v.

dominion Ec.
1.

too long.

assonance.

2^"^

8^

is

134.

Ne.

gl.

with

with

sf.

133.

5^^ Est. 91-

weak

Str.

pi.

132.

Hiph. Juss. t

Hiph. elsw. Ec.

1.

vb. at close of

1.

1.

^'^n] gl. after

1.

and

1.

is

*?;;]

137. This v. should close the

error for the usual rji^n.

for

It

:2d-'Cd after

X)^-^z^

^y-;

interp. gl. before nrir-N'?.

tetrastich.

first

Law

1.

138.

should begin with

This

-tsr^

|1

v.

should

been incor-

n^yi] has

njirs'^ pnx.

139.
close of 140.

at the close of v.

should also be at

(3.

for

1.

requires l"nx agreeing with

n-^ncN
IT

:^^3;,

The

manifest

ti^p^i]
I

should go to close of

makes

rd. ^

'n"'3;*2]

The

The

assimilated to 18^^ Pr. 30^

belongs

';;n]

vb. Qal have

'^^^^

5I8 6^.

the

change

its

'^'i

"ri;

rectly placed at the beginning.

noun

c.

long,

ps goes with Vn,

closing 1. for
with apod, in form of cohort. But asso-

begin the tetrastich.

vb. belongs with the

i^,

Aramaism,

of this term for Law.

tO'^r:]

Ec.

c. 'rx

open

consec.

135.
^wl

improb.,
136. should be
assonance, and be

at close of

belongs at close of
its

nn,

t^><' a ^.

of intensification,

'^";'::"^"]

nance requires \-n::r

''^7.^'r]

should close the

nosrsi]

which was connected with a misinterpretation of

for assonance.

S:3

14^ with

^nps^J

t [">xD] vb.

v?"!"?;>] pf.

3ns^, the original reading, to the close of the

a copyist had omitted the usual

1.

131.

Jb. i6i^ 29-^ so prob. Ps. 69^^.

after as

cf. v.*^.

qr:u'

at close of

assonance.

sg. required for

nonxl
J
T
J

and that

which should be read instead of hthn.

1.; so ~ir-nr \M', ]\-iix:: wM^, and "|\"iny
v.^**. The latter should be preceded by 3 as usual with term of Law connected
with n^n
but as r^-<'; has been used already, v.^^^, the missing ypn should here
take its place. , F, give D'?n for snpa \M'^. (3^ has for n^)r, vM-, nj-i; and
for -\2n vM^, the ambiguous term iuroXai used by both for rv:;': and for ampc.
145. n>,T'] has been transposed from v.^**^.
Here it makes 1. overfull;
:1."'i::n

141-144.

^"""^Pd] v.

1.

after a^x,

141 goes to close of

there

it is

needed to complete

1,

T?^2 8^^ ^^ close of

1.

as usual

so ^nnln

PSALM cxix.
This

v.'^^^.

mxD

either

should close the

V.

443

146.

tetrastich.

first

The

or cnpr, doubtless the latter.

147.
of the dawn.

149.

nin^]

usual.
ol

KaradnvKovris

cl.

of

fie ''S1"\

151.

overfull.

of

cl.

ncN iTiUn

r^^Sy-c?]

This

1.

"roi]

of 1 or

The

of interp.

gl.

may be found

sf.

in r of ]\~n>*c

word

for

But since nn;* has been used already,

150.

pi.

as

"flii]

and

goes to

"TTIX,-:

o iti^d] o

is

dittog.

and

rather than to cn-'D-,

\-i;-t

Law

for

It

should begin second

v.

152.

belongs to

pi.

1.^

of amplification,

is gl.

'?:;

(S gives for nix:: b5ol, so also "F viae.

1.

so 5.

impossible; rd.

sg.

This

followed by 148.

Str.

should be

v.

U, more prob.

so 5,

should begin the

v.

1.

should also go to

It

tetrastich.

making

gl,

is

This

1.

^ti\
l"'"'^'^] Kt.

1.^.

n.m. twilight, usually of evening, but here as Jb. 7*

though sustained by @, is manifestly wrong for the usual T:3i Qri
also goes to close of

mandata

"iTn"] 5J

should be

v.

goes to close of

as usual.

1.

the missing "impc should be sub-

v.^*^,

stituted.

153.

is,

'd]

at close of

1.

as often in Ps., expl. gl.

154.

of second tetrastich.
'r\^n.

Term

157. This
[:3ir],

159.

Law

for

goes to close of

should be

V.

v^ijns' 1"'^^i1D]

making

The term

been used already,

161.

manifest error for

makes two

beats.

It

^'pn.
v.

Qr.

ic";]

1.

1.

nn?,

rd.
It

S>, W'.

nin'']

1.^.

is gl.,

of

gl.

is

z,^-<2QV2

having

of intensification.

164.

^^^c-'a h';

is gl.

'UD'.J'O

due

163.

'T'."^-^~'^> ]

makes

^^^y7^]

vnS*?,"!.

This

1.

165.

This

v.

should be

1.*^.

168.

162.

rr]

^djn

used also

v.^^^, is for

should be transposed with

v.

overfull.

I.

'\~~\yr\

to the transposition.

1.

with two beats goes to

'n~~''ri]

It is

"^ns';']

166.

has been transposed from end of

"I^"^^^>]

, U, ^

v.l20._-^^n:)1] Kt. as

cf.

goes to the close of

goes to close of

It

the transposition.

the

.nvir,

1.

cohort.

should be

']-\1^

overfull.

is

1.

the missing

is

1.

should be 'jN~rr.

original

close

-i-ipt u-s-^]

of this

overfull;

1.

is gl.

1.

nrst

Law

for

of expl.

gl.

used also

consec. Hithpolal

1.

-lu-vs]

used with

is

goes to close of

v.

r\-\2'\

3^]
the missing

the following
change from an
of
167.
of
close of

"i^iJSw'::]

n-^-^^-irxi]

word

this

This

cf. 95^^'.

to beginning

1.

v.^^^.

makes

^3':]

156.

-ti^i.

Trsp. this

S is error for r, invariably

belongs in reverse order at close of

160.

overfull.

1.

misinterp.

in-on] as usual belongs

v.^^^- 1^^.

Furthermore as

1.

158.

1.^.

Hithp. elsw. 139^1,

The

rin^rx';'].

here stands for the missing

V.158, it

so

so "fpn v.^^^, y^^'^'; v.^^^, "innr:x v.^^^^

1.

goes to close

|\-nx::]

an editorial

as usual goes to

suffix

Q?."'**^]

n\-n;'ij is dittog. of

due

to

terms for

the Law, implying variant readings at an early date.

169.

"fpn "ijiDSn
really

making

nin^] gl.

v.i,

nnncN

impo

v}'^,

"id]

is

1.

overfull.

1.

^rmn

v.^'i

overfull,

171.

1"^3i]

goes to close of

Hiph.

njvsr,]

t, as often,

is

of responsive song, as 88^ 147^.

used adverbially.
the latter
for qpiv.

interp.

gl.

"^^

r;]

usual

often.

phr.

175.

makes

of intensification.

The

gk as

is

:in-\CN] already

1.

overfull

used

p-^x ri\-^ii'::] iv-'ii"::

ip---:;

v^f-^

y^yy.:

clause

v.i''^ is

is

word

used

so prob. here.

^S-' ^^^' ^"r pi.

The

172.

the former

but

apod.

of interp.

gl.

an objective one, giving the theme of the praise.

as usual

1.

juss. y^},

so

is

|>ri] juss. r\y;,

error for njinx

of interp.,

is gl.

w.'^'^^.

p^x stands

173.

if ^aa^^'o is

o]

is

an

correct in

PSALMS

444
must here stand

v.^"2, it

overfull.

was

It

for the missing ^v-^n;'.

176.

The order

originally a marginal gl.

Ti^j?

of

11.

rp^] makes

should be, in

1.

last

174, 175, 173, 176.

tetrastich:

PSALM

CXX.,

STR. 4.

Yahweh for deliverance from treacherous

compared to sharp arrows and burning coals

Ps. 120 is a prayer to

foes,

whose tongue

(v.^^)

is

complaining of the woe of dwelling with people

peace and prefer war

TJNTO

Yahweh

who

hate

(v.^^).

mine own trouble I call, and Yahweh doth answer me.

from the lying lip, from the deceitful tongue.
What shall one requite thee, and what more, O deceitful tongue?
Sharpened arrows of a warrior with glowing broom-coals.
"VXTOE is me, that I sojourn with one that draweth it
(Woe is me), that I dwell among the tents of Kedahl
Full long have I dwelt with one that hateth peace.
deliver

Ps. 120

is

for

the

peace

first

It is essentially

title.

are

am

in

me

but

when

speak, they are for war.

of the Pilgrim Pss. (v. Intr. 36), without any other

These
Meshek, referring to the Moschi
conjecture of MT. and improbable.

a prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes.

compared with the Bedouin Kedah.

of the region of the Black Sea,

is

a later

These treacherous foes seem rather to be

Israelites

than foreigners, and

probably represent the irreligious party of the Greek period.

belonging especially to
unity,

and not an

me~\.

The

The

A tetrastich of Stairlike parall. 1. U/i/o Va/iwe/i'], emiph.

Him and to no other. tn mine own iroubk\ the trouble

Str. I.

unto

pf.

individual.

the experience of His people.

is

the lying lip]

The

peril

is

in the

from

complementary

doth answer

3.

2.

deliver

clause, the deceitful

crafty, treacherous foes

party in Israel, and not foreign foes.

thee?].

and Yahweh

immediate consequence, the divine answer.

call has, as its

tongue].

people are speaking in their

call,

expresses the general truth of the emphatic present.

This has been and

me from

me. The
/

What

probably a

shall one requite

What retribution, or penalty, shall be given for such

and what more?], as usual in this phr., an addition

treachery?

to the usual penalty of exact retribution, in

lex talioniSf

accordance with the

on account of the enormity of the

offence.

4.

Shar-

PSALM cxx.
pened arrows of a

treacherous tongue

The words have been sharpened

64''.

ing deadly injury.

makes the

7vith

Je. 9^-^ Pr. 26^^

for the

purpose of do-

glow.

Three

Str. II.

and one

syn.

The broom shrub

glowing broom-coals\.

and therefore the best coal

best charcoal,

compared

is

cf.

words hke arrows;

to a bow, shooting forth

Ps.

The

warrior'].

445

5-6.

synth. line.

burn and

to

Woe

me\

is

repeated for emphasis, with the variation Full long, in the third
line.

that

with

sojourn

||

dwell among\, the

variation of the

person.

first

among

the tents

Arabian tribe descended from Ishmael Gn.

25^^,

foes

may be compared

among them,

tongue as a bow,
This

cf. i

to them.

with

K. 22^, and so

subj., as

Kedah\ an

of

men-

doubtless

tioned here because of their well-known treachery

author was in fact living

repeated

last

person as

in the third line with the third fem. of the

not that the

but that the treacherous

that draweth it\ the

o?ie

with one that hate th peace].

||

the most probable explanation of a difficult word, which in

is

most ancient

Vrss.

is

interpreted as a vb. with the meaning " pro-

longed," thinking usually of a prolonged sojourn.

MT., S^, EV^,
name, " Meshech," a tribe dwelling on the

interpret as a proper

southeast of the Black Sea, in the Persian period

66^^

Is.

The

peace.

of

It is

faithful

probably only a late conceit.

have the attribute of peace

when

God speak

speak, they are

Ez. 27^^ 38^

cf.

I am for peace].

7.

they are, as

The

for war].

the language of peace, friendly words

were,

it

faithful

all

people

their treach-

erous foes speak not only lying, but warlike words.

1.

r\T\'yi'i\

retracted accent

imv., urgent petition.

in

@, where

long, and

is

30*.

some

it.

\n-\j

cf.

ti'N

-hrsy

f 3""^ n.m.

18^.

is

belongs

'^^ is

+ The measure

"i^'p ''H";^]

as noun.

K.

in

requires

it

l.^.

It

makes the

14** 20^3.

cf.

22^4, cf. Is. 661^.

^rp

clause too

4. o^C"";

"'';]m]

in the next

1.

A careless
i"^?;

-jrapoiKia fiov ifxaKpiv6r) "^iC'D nij, so

est JJ

cohort,

K. 19*-^ Jb.
The strengthened form of "iix,
elsw.

so %, but most ancient Vrss. regard

t]

J^';"^!!']

prob. a late addition, though

broom plant,

n^^x] a.X., accent retracted as v.^.

scribe

as vb.,

U,

and

pere-

It seems
and think of drawing the

irapeiXKvaa, Aq. iv fj-aKpvafic^.

better to regard the form as active ptc.

bow, as

The

'i\Cii<j<xav.

is

mea prolongata

grinatio

2. nin^]

cf. i S. -^"^

it

6^ Je. 4^^ 6*

omitted

inconsistent with 7rp6s

"h

5.

2-^2.

3. "^^ fT'p' '^'?i].

not elsw. found with the phr,,

phr. a.X., but

cf. Is.

"I'rr:

|1

njvj,

n. pr. gent,

the Moschi, Ez. 27!^ 38^ 39I,

not prob., and seems to be a late conjecture of Massoretic period.

The

PSALMS

446
iise

of vb. -w, measure and

Arabian tribe

much, or time,

p^]

emph.

BiSc

require insertion of z;.

too long,

The

It is

it.

vb.

gl.,

nor can

it

be

obj. of n^iN,

suggests

T\iyi-

making

as predicate of the faithful.

C'-'N,

Ez. 2721.

49''^'*

J -i-n]

n. pr. gent,

6. r?-;] adv.

full long, Ps. 123* 1291-2, for the usual

the ethical dative.

is

not necessary to write

is

||,

2ii6 42^1 60' Je. 2^^

Is.

It is

1.

too long.

not for

thrown before

PSALM CXXL,

"^'dj

adj.,

nn-^ 78^^

as subj.;

7.

but

89^
was
noun

it

as

oi^:;']

nor does

an

of quantity,

stand for

it

for emphasis, Ew.^--^.

STR. 4.

lift up the eyes to the mounwith a petition for Yahweh's sleepless pro-

Ps. 121 is a pious resolution to

tains for help

(v.^)

tection

(v.^).

response gives assurance that help cometh from

Yahweh, who never slumbers (v.Yahweh protects on every

side as a shade from sunstroke and moonstroke (v.^^), from every
'').

evil forever (v.'"*).

LIFT up mine

eyes unto the mountains. Whence cometh my help?

from Yahweh, Maker of heaven and earth.
May He not suffer (my) foot to be moved, (and) may He that keepeth (me)
not slumber!
Lo He slumbereth not, and He sleepeth not, the Keeper of Israel.

Help

is

YAHWEH,

thy keeper; Yahweh is thy shade on thy right hand.

By day the sun will not smite thee, nor the moon by night.
Yahweh will keep thee from every evil, He will keep thy person.
Yahweh will keep thy going out and thy coming in from this time

forth

and

Greek period.

It

forevermore.

Ps. 121 doubtless belongs with this entire

group

has the stairlike parall. in a marked degree

to the

v.^"^

also

is

antiphonal in

character.

Str. I.

Is

antiphonal,

the

first

response in the second and fourth.

and

1.

third

lines

/ lift up

having their

7nine eyes to the

7nountains\ the sacred mountains of Jerusalem 87^ where

dwells, the source of

my

help?'\

dehverance

3'*

20^ 134^

Yahweh

Whence

coineth

so RV., JPSV., and most moderns; implying not per-

plexity or doubt, but, in accordance with the context, expectation.

The
is

indirect question of PBV., AV., although sustained by Jos.

improbable

here.

assimilated to previous

2.

Help\

word by

in

general;

not

"my

early copyist's error.

response to the previous question by another voice.

help,"

This

is

2**,

is

from

PSALM cxxi.

447

Yahweh, Maker of heaven and eartli], the source of help is the

;
whether conceived as resident on earth
in Zion, or in heaven, the place of the throne of His majesty.
creator of the universe

3.

May He

my foot

not suffer

and therefore " my

foot "

is

same voice

be 77ioved\ the

to

An ancient copyist,

necessary.

as

v.^,

not per-

ceiving the antiphonal character of the Ps., assimilated this line to

same time

the second Str. with the second person, doubtless at the

mistaking the difference in the negation of

been followed by

EV^

needed

sleepeth

not], an

help needed in

v.^

is

not slumber'], sleepless vigilance

is

and

exact

The promise

55^^

cf.

fall,

Lof He slumbereth

4.

not,

definite response, giving

assurance that the petition was granted in

Keeper of Israel].

cer-

juss.

me

that keepeth

This has

v.^.

66^

for protection against foes.

and He

The

RV."\

support from tottering to a

here defined:

and

But the negative of the

also.

tainly implies a petition, as

May He

v.^

its

own

Gn.

to Jacob,

terms.

28^'^ to

The

keep

his

descendants as a shepherd does his flock, Yahweh has always

fulfilled.

Str. II.

like parall.

The second voice speaks throughout this Str. in stair5. Yahweh thy keeper], so probably in apposition,

and not predicate

as EV'., taking

climax of the previous

up the great thought

Yah^veh

Str.

general sense of shelter, protection,

cf.

in the

thy shade], in the

is

91^

as

is

more

evident from

on thy right hand], the place where the advocate and protector
stands, cf. 16^ 109^^

It is

improbable that the author

is

here

thinking of the shade of the wings, as 17 36^ 57^, or of a booth

or

rock from the heat

Is.

There

not smite thee].

will

4^ 32^.

which there was special danger

making the use of turbans

The

rays of the

moon

full

ous, especially in the East.

evil],

from every kind of

tion of

EV.

poetic for

"

in

necessary. nor

home

to labour,

and

day the sun will

the

K.

sunstroke, of
4^^^^ Is. 49^^,

moon by

night].

are also generally regarded as danger-

evil,

7.

Yahweh

will keep thee from every

rather than the inexact generahzathy person], the

whole man,

accordance with Heb. usage; and not the

specific " soul " as distinguished

against the context.

By

6.

in Palestine,

He will keep

all evil."

"me,"

protection from

be

8.

thy

from the body, of EV'., which

Yahweh

coming

is

will keep thy going out], from

in], return

from labour

including

PSALMS

448
all
I

the intervening activity, the entire course of

2 S. 3"^ Ps. 139'"

S. 29^

throughout
!

^rj;

alone

'^

is

this time forth

future time, in the

indirect only Jos. 2*.

proper.

3.

2.

cf.

Dt. 28^

andforever tnore\

29* Nu.

as usual Gn.

"'-ir>]

ii^^ Ju.

assimilated to previous word.

prep, with noun,

uv'^'^]

life,

of the nation.

life

whence?

prob. direct question,

t'.^^l

17* 19I7

all

from

cf.

552^ 66^.

^n]

neg. juss.

The second 'r'N requires for measure.

^^J"!] assimilated to subsequent context.
The juss. of petition, v.^, makes it impossible that the sf. should be
the 2 pers. The sf. is prob. a wrong interp. of the article Spn; rd. i^i:'^ for
1

||

incc.

4.

nS njn] the change of negative to emph. positive assertion implies

a response to the petition by another voice.

with nr\
beats,

7.

yn"'?^::]

without

article, every.

he would have inserted the

PSALM

article

6.

and made

CXXII.,

and strong sf.

had thought of two

n^r;] full

If the poet
it

" all."

STR. 4.

Ps. 122 expresses the gladness of pilgrims to Jerusalem (v.^"^

admiration for the city (v.^)

for the sake of friends,

remind that the royal throne

that the pilgrimage

am

glad)

O Jerusalem

of

when our

feet

"

To

(v.^^).

David was once there

was according

AM glad when they say to me

(I

implores peace upon the city (v.^^)

and especially the temple

to the

Law

the house of

and

(v.*^).

Yahweh we

stand within ihy gates,

Glosses
(v.^),

go."

Jerusalem.

rebuilt as a city which is compacted together;

Whither the tribes ascend, the tribes of Yah, to give thanks to His name!
pRAY: " Peace be (to thee), Jerusalem, and prosperity to them that love thee."
" Peace be within thy ramparts
prosperity within thy palaces."
For the sake of my brethren and my friends I will bespeak thee peace.
For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God I will seek for thee prosperity.
!

Ps. 122 has in the title nn^, so "%

could have been in S.

It is

and

But

(S.

it is

impossible that the Ps.

a late conjecture, due to the

gl. v.^.

The

Ps. is

and abounds in Aramaisms. The Ps. could hardly have been

earlier than the late Greek period.
Ptc. for finite vb. v.^- ^j 'V relative v.^-*;
T\\r} v.*, term of P for Law, is, however, in gl.

late in syntax,

Str. I.

Two

habitual state

synth. couplets.

1.

I arn glad\

repeated in the stairhke

is

as a present

and

but omitted by a

when they say to me^. At the

made by friends and relatives ready

prosaic copyist in second line.

time when the proposition

parallel.,

PSALM
to

proceed to Jerusalem

Yahweh we go\

you not go with us?"

Jerusalem~\.

Pss.

to the

it

the house

temple

of

will

within thy gates,

renewed and intensified at the

was begun at the start.
Z. O Jeruis

vocative expressing admiration.

and not "

To

When our feet stand

gladness

end of the pilgrimage, as

i-^/ff/w],

up

are about to go

2.

The

449

to the pilgrim feasts.

We

"

cxxii.

built " of the EV'., as if

rebuilt'], as usual in

the

referred to the original

it

as a city which

is compacted together], its walls and buildcompact and harmonious mass ; and so different
from the small towns and villages from which the pilgrims generWhither the tribes ascend], all the tribes of Israel
ally came.
4.
the tribes of Yah], indicating that they
from all parts of the land,
to give thanks
belong especially to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
to His name], the purpose of the pilgrim's feast in the pubhc wor-

city.

up

ings rising

in a

|1

Yahweh by

ship of

temple.
is

is

Israel's

the entire nation assembled together in the

to

Israel], using the term of

law to observe these pilgrim

the text occasioned the change

name,"

all

this against the

of the measure, inserts a

long

For

5.

on the margin, inserted

glossator, probably at first

a testimony

//

historic al

of

Law.

for the

It

This insertion in

feasts.

"name

measure.

Yahweh"

Another

for

"His

glossator, careless

statement, making the line too

there sat they on thj'ones of judgment, thrones

of the

house of David,
Str. II.

Two

syn. couplets,

6-7.

Fray].

Exhortation, the

theme embracing the first distich.

Feace be to thee, ferusalem], so most probably, in accordance with usage and
Feace be
||

of " to thee " by an early

copyist at the cost of the measure occasioned the MT. " peace of

within thy ramparts.

The omission

Jerusalem " as the obj. of the vb., followed by

(,!}.

and prosperity

urally,
II

them that love thee], so

prosperity within thy palaces vl

initial letter,
it

to

all

(@,

EV'., against

U, most nat-

J^ by mistake of the

followed by EV'., interpreting noun as vb. impf.,

parallel with the juss. that follows in "

They

shall

makes

prosper that

"
8. For the sake of my brethren arid my friends],
who accompanied him to the pilgrim feast from their common abode
still more, 9. For the sake of the house of Yahweh

love thee

those

our God], the temple, the common resort of all the people of
Yahweh. It is probable that this couplet is an antiphon to the

2G

PSALMS

450

/ will bespeak

previous one by another voice.

thee peace

||

will seek for thee prosperity]^ closing with the stress on " peace,"
the keyword of the

and the synonym "good, well-being,

Str.,

prosperity,"

Both may be variously interpreted. In

would express continuous, uninterrupted saying, which

Dn::N^] Qal ptc. with prep.

1.

classic style the ptc.

is

improb. here.

therefore doubtless the ptc. for finite vb. of late Heb.

It is

may

as V.2, which

refer to past, present, or future, in accordance with the

interp. of "rnrty; prob.

past.

emph. present, rather than aorist referring to a definite

as most Vrss. and interp.; or obj. of vb. be glad at,

may be temporal

or rejoice over, as Pe., De., Dr.,

cohort, as EV'., which

word

measure and

for

repetition 3 \'^n::r.
3.

n>ij3n]

n-^anu']

city,

with

Qal

f.

with

shortened relative
n';;

'z*

eo quod.

This

2.

1.

indie,

"i^p]

and not

requires an additional

but inasmuch as these Pss. use

\"~Vj),

a.

a. r. t.

but (gs without

sf.

doubtless vocative with the mng. rebuilt.

with Pu.

pleonastic Aramaism.

so 3,

article,

^ttI,

n^Sj.

parall., possibly 3

"|n;'r3]

ptc.

would require

4.

pf.

nan

f.

Sn-\'J'"S

here of walls of

(5<5*)

nn>'] gl. to indicate that such

pilgrimage feasts at Jerusalem were according to the Law, using the term of
Ex. 23^" 34-3 Dt. 16^6.

Other expl., making it part of Ps., are unsatisnin> cr'^] makes 1. too
and indeed it makes 1. much too long.
long after n^, ^r:^' would be most natural. The insertion of the gl., separating
Dtt' further from n^, occasioned the
change.
6. tSD*^'::"? riND3 ^yz^^ ncc' ""^
nn n-'a'? pindd] is a historic gl., making Str. too long.
6. u'h'^ i'^n^']
ipuiT'/iffare 5ij rd els dprjvTjv ry 'lepovaaXTj/i.
<S^ omits ry, T t^v. Both
readings difficult and improb.
the latter did not interpret ciS*^' as construct,
P,

cf.

factory

but in the usual sense 2'^r with prep., prob.

Indeed the vocative best

r]'^.

for i'?c\

'"'t'V'

29II.

is

indeed most prob.

err.

8.

><^-n"j3-iN].

6J<-

c-

Hiph. 2 K.

4^8.

But

The transposition
The nj makes 1. too

this

though in

';'.

the context.

word

missing

is

v^r^]

rd.

Qal impf. plene

vb. elsw. Qal be quiet, secure, without care, Jb. 32^ 12^ Je. 12^

Niph. 2 Ch.

La. i^

suits

a. R.

eiidrjvla rd.

of clause in
long.

9.

^
3ia]

v.",

and

doubtless

txt.

mVu' as
is

is

not in @^',

PSALM

CXXIII.,

4.

Ps. 123 asserts fidelity to Yahweh, waiting for His signal as

faithful servants

(v.^"-).

gloss implores favour, because of con-

temptuous treatment (v.^).

TJNTO
Lo

Thee

I lift

up mine

eyes,

O Thou who art

enthroned

as the eyes of menservants are (lifted up) to the

in

heaven.

hand of their lords

the hand of her lady

(Lo !) as the eyes of a maidservant are (lifted up) to

So our eyes are unto Yahweh, our God, until He be gracious

to us.

PSALM
123 belongs to the Greek

Ps.

CXXIII.

451

when

period,

fidelity

Yahweh was

to

emphasized.

The

has introverted parall.

Ps.

throned in heaven
lord of

mine

Thou who art en-

tis\ manifest

to

||

His favour.

This attitude

lift

up

tin tit

He

be

is

compared

a maidservant], whose eyes are

which usually

to the hand,

cf. 2^.

defined by

in attentive, patient waiting,

eyes'],

to that of menservants

up

the supreme sovereign and

whose majestic throne was in heaven,

all,

gracious

||

1-2.

God\

Yahweh, our

lifted

gave the signal of

in ancient times

the kind of service required, or of the bestowal of favour, both on

the part of lords and the lady of the house.

complete

tetrastich

in itself,

was enlarged

This

in the

little Ps.,

Maccabean times

by a trimeter pentastich, which changes the patient attitude of the

servant to the importunate plea of one in great need.

Be gracious

to us,

Yahweh

For exceedingly we are

Exceedingly our soul

Be gracious

filled

to vis

with contempt.

is filled

With the scorn of those without care,

The contempt of the proud oppressors.
3-4.

Be gracious

to us, Kz/^w^/?/],

For

repeated in importunity.

exceedingly], the reason for the plea, with the emphasis laid

the exceeding greatness of the need

we

are filled

our soul

with

endure any more.

pressors

so

is filled],

repeated for emphasis.

The Antiochian

scorn of those withotit care].

II

we cannot contain or
defined as that oi proud opthat

full

contempt,

upon

party

was so prosperous, strong, and proud, that they looked with contempt and scorn upon the few

faithful servants of

was so aggressive that the

their attitude

situation

Yahweh, and

had become

intolerable.
1.

emph.

T'Sn]

get an additional
Pss., is

Vb. pregnant, as

hexameter.

assimilation.

The

1.

':2rin] vocative, with final

emph. present.
to
and two accents ; required if this, as all other Pilgrim

inNtrj]

syll.

2*.

-i

2.

n""

needs vb. for completeness:

Sn]

>^'i?y,

(S,

U,

so next

pi.
1.,

improb.

which also

These were deemed unnecessary by prosaic copyist.

\ nnas:']
Gn. 16I 2512 Is. 242.
nnn^^] sf. 3 f. with tnn3J n.f.
lady, queen, Gn. i64-8-9 (J) 2 K. 5^ Is. 475-.7
ijin^r] rel. "v with impf.
pn and sf. i pi.
3. 2-;] emph.; adv. for which rn"! v.* as 120^
A gl. begins
needs

n.f.

r^:^r^.

female

slave, as

with this

V. in

trimeter measure.

4.

r'"]

ethical dative as 120^.

y^yT\\

PSALMS

452
with

article

followed by

cstr before D"'jjNtrn impossible in

as

'^

toTs cvdyjvovaiv,

and

with V prefixed has two accents

X O'^^?*^']

Am.

careless, easy ones,

for

cjrN)

nN3

proud g4^, and

6^ Zc. i^^,

cf.

Is. 32^- ^1.

ptc. pi. nji (z/-'^)

z-^t^

should be

It

so Ehr.

intensive adj., generally in

ancient Vrss.;

a.X. prouci, so all

Heb. grammar.

as in subsequent clause

d^wj*^]

Kt. as

but Qr. two words,

This

violent, cruel.

bad sense,
one word

"'NjS pi. cstr.

is

most prob.

In any case two accents are needed for the measure.

PSALM CXXIV.,

STR. 4.

Ps. 124 is a reminiscence of repeated deliverances of the people

by their own God from enemies of overwhelming power (v.^"^);

and an ascription of blessedness to Yahweh for not having given
them up, but having given them escape from snares (v.^^); concluding with the assurance that help

Yahweh, the
ti

TF

only in the name of

is

V.^ is a gloss of repetition.

creator (v.^).

had not been Yahweh who was ours," let Israel say;
it had not been Yahweh who was ours, when they rose up against us;
Then alive they had swallowed us up, when their anger was kindled against us
Then the waters had swept us away; the torrent had passed over us."

it

" If

<<

rJLESSED
(Lo)

be Yahweh who hath not given us over as a prey to their teeth.

like a bird, that has escaped out of the trap of the fowler.
!

We are

(Lo!) the trap was broken, and

Our help

in the

is

name

Ps. 124 has in the title of

for the
v.^,

language

is

of

a word of post Bib. Heb.,

two syn. couplets.

This

RV., JPSV.

is

it).

is,

this

must be a

n>n2' v.^-

with the entire

late conjecture

The D-'^nn
gloss.
The Ps.

^tn v.^-*-**.

2,

a late

v.,

1-2.

therefore

If it had not been Yahweh who

on our side against the ene-

repeated for emphasis.

Israel say\, cohort.

let

exhortation to the people to give utterance to their

The PBV., AV., "may say"

US'].
The context makes

experience.
they rose

(from

in troublous times of party strife.

was ours\ our God and

mies.

But

(5^, "yr^.

][^,

of the Greek period

must have been written

Str. I.

we escaped

Yahweh, Maker of heaven and earth."

up against

incorrect.

is
it

when

sufficiently evident

who

these enemies were ; but an ancient scribe at the expense of

the measure inserted the unnecessary " man," which indeed is too

general and not well suited to the context.

for

emphasis

in position.

3.

apodosis of the temporal clause.

they

had swallowed

Then], repeated
alive],

emphatic

us up], implying the figure of

an earthquake, and probably having in mind the story of Korah,

PSALM CXXV.
Nu.

6^^

453

although the same terms are used of Sheol Pr. i^^ and

when their
of Babylon, compared to a great monster Je. 51^^
anger was kindled against us\ another figure, of devouring fire.

4.

Then

18^''"^^

Pss.

waters\ a

the

or cataract.

depths. A

added a variant

glossator

lo^

in 5

us.

We are

a bird\

like

\ La !
The enemies

cf. 1

1^

was

trap of the fowler

the trap

are here, as 91'^ Pr.

They

fowlers setting traps for birds.

are broken, as

Blessed be

difference being that there help

beasts of prey,

cf.

and we
6",

the

escaped

compared

to

only because their traps

fail

" from

is

as a prey to their

bi'oken,

suggested, by Yahweh.

is

6.

that has escaped out of

from

it\

its

raging

the

the previous statements, and introductory to

Str.
who hath not given us over
The enemies are compared to ravenous

those of this

7^

as in a flood

Then

Tetrastich with introverted parallel.

Yahweh\ based on
teeth'].

from enemies,

figure of peril

had swept us away\

the torrent had passed over us\ drowning us in

waters had passed over

Str. II.

common

69^"^ Is. 8^"^ La. 3^*.

8.

See 121^, the only

Yahweh," here in

the

name of Yahweh.
1.

"'^"i'?]

hypothetical negative,

n^nr] accent retracted before

oihb
relative
3.

TN

dative of possession, ours.

ij';;]

Hu., Pe.,

al.

take the

rel.

as

complement

if that, and regard it as pleonastic. It is better to take it as simple

" Were it not Yahweh who^'' as Ew., Dr., al.
njicn"'] juss.

Hu., Ko.ii-i-^-^ take

then, in that case,

as local

'I^:]
;

-27^^.

ij^.

ace;

cf.

for ^n]

it

\(f^.

(/'S''^)

as older

4.

form of

f ""^nj] n.m. as

stream, brook.

BZ>B. dialectic form of

TX.

Aramaic

ir-'sj]

us,

nShj, cf.

Nu. 34^

not our souls.

and ^o proud.
t
This 1. is a variant of the previous one and a gl.
This is a word of late Heb.
7. The measure requires that njn should be pre6. xVr] rel. 'C' and neg.
fixed to both 11. and njrc added to 1.^ all omitted as unnecessary by prosaic
^''^i^J.;?] adj.

5.

a.X. insolent, raging,

from

"'IT

boil, swell,

rage

scribes.

PSALM CXXV.,

4^

Ps. 125 expresses confidence that the faithful will be as

able as Jerusalem, encompassed

that

Yahweh will

by protecting mountains

immov(v.^"^)

not permit the wicked to rule in their lot (v.^)

Glosses state the divine protection restraining His people from

iniquity (v.*)
(v.'*),

and implore the divine guidance for the upright

and banishment for those who go astray

(v.^).

PSALMS

454
pHEY that trust

Yahweh

are as Xfount Zion, which cannot be moved.

enthroned, mountains round about her;
round about His people from henceforth and forevermore.

in

Forever Jerusalem

So Yahweh is
For He will not

sits

wicked to

suffer the sceptre of the

upon

rest

the lot of the

righteous.

Ps.

125 in

its

original form, v.i-3, gives

little

evidence of date, save that

Jerusalem seems to have been in security, reigning as a king on the

pros-

glosses indicate a later date,

when

It

perous times of the Greek period.

The

there was a

v.'^^*"*.

strife

of religious parties,

An emblematic
the faithful

among

1-2. They that trust Yahweh'],

are as Mount Zion\ the sacred
of Jerusalem. which cannot be moved\
Forever
unshaken,

The

sits

royal city

hill

cf.

enthroned].
is

in

the people.

remain firm and

Jerusalem

doubtless

tetrastich.

mountain, the chief

will

hills in

came from the

the midst of the surrounding mountains.

This

is

Is.

28^^ Ps.

46*'.

parall. to the previous line.

enthroned as a king,

cf.

mistake the measures and the connection.

"^ and Vrss.

48^'^-.
(,

U, attach to the

previous clause and render "the inhabitant of Jerusalem will never

be moved," which altogether destroys the measure.

by

EV.

Jt^ followed
attaches the vb. " abideth forever " to the previous clause,

but "Jerusalem " to the next line

making the one too

other too short, and impairing the parall.

about her], although Jerusalem

south

is

long, the

mountains

enthroned on

hills

round
and from the

commanding

mountains.

position, yet in all other directions are

" All around Jerusalem are higher hills on the east,

Mount

of Olives; on the south, the Hill of Evil Counsel, so

the

is

in a

called, rising directly

ground

rises gently

from the Vale of Hinnom

.

in the west the

while on the north, a bend of the ridge

connected with the Mount of Olives bounds the prospect

at the

6*^ Yahweh],
more than a mile" (Rob.^''^'-^*^'-^-^''^).
like these mountains is round about His people], the faithful ones
compared to Zion above, /r^w henceforth andforevermore]. They
will be shielded and guarded forever, cf. Zee. 2^.
3. For He
will not suffer to rest], so (6, with Yahweh as subject
more probable than J^ followed by EV*., making the sceptre as subj.
the

distance of

of the wicked], in antithesis with lot of the righteous].

These are wicked nations whose sceptre of dominion would be

sceptre

lifted

up over the holy

city given

by

lot

of

Yahweh

to righteous

PSALM cxxvi.

455

This must have been written during the mild rule of the

Israel.

Egyptian monarchs some time before the Syrian oppression.

are not surprised that in the troublous times of the

and added by

glosses were found necessary,

states the

view

One

different hands.

purpose of the divine protection from a legal point of

that the righteous put not forth their hands on iniquity.

Another and

5.

We

Maccabees

couplet

O do good,

Yahweh,

good and

to the

wicked Israehtes, the unfaithful

turn aside

to their

in Israel itself.

may Yahweh

crooked ways,

minded\

to the right

distinguishing them, not from wicked enemies as in

the holy city

4-

probably an earlier glossator adds the antithetical

and from the people of Yahweh

but from

v.^,

But

those that

lead forth'], from

workers of trouble], probably external enemies.

together with the

The

Ps. con-

cludes with the additional gloss of congratulation, Peace unto

Israel.
1.

to'iD^

Niph. impf.,

x'?]

with it^ subj.

D';U'S]

clause

rel.

but

% to

attached by

makes an independent clause

by @ to air:\ ac';] @ 3^^ =
it

^ir-,

6 KaroiKCiv;

attached by both to previous context, really has

and yy^ has

its

prob.

y^'^.^]

pregnant mng.
but O,

Davies, Minocchi.

previous

1.

<S, 'B, >"f'^7

I^'^*?]

n-'^v;] fuller

form of
ry

S;']

= T^f'
n'?i;\

5^.

ovk

acftiicet ttjv

a^apToAdv more
gl.

Kapdiq, aS

intensive, crooked, elsw. Ju.

Vnic^

ntj^]

3.

introducing a

D-i3'73 na'"''?] (g TOis evO^iXL

adj.

4.

The

n3"''>p''n]

''"^w';'^.

lisn

Str.

c'^'^n"'

as subj.;

pd^Sov

ht more

prob,, as Gr., Che.,

has been completed in

Hiph. imv. cohort.

3tD\

5. CP^'7pS'^i?] pi. sf. f ['^i^S^V.]

iV;;fl]

for usual

px

"h^iZi.

oiSa^

liturgical addition.

PSALM

CXXVI.,

STR.

4.

Ps. 126 is an assertion of the festive joy of the people

Yahweh restores their prosperity (v.^"^) preparatory to

that He may grant abundant harvests (v.'*^).
;

when

the prayer

Yy HEN

Yahweh restores the prosperity of Zion, we are like dreamers.

Then is our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongues with jubilation.
Then they say among the nations " He hath done great things with them."
Yahweh doth great things with us we are glad men.
:

C\ RESTORE, Yahweh, our prosperity, as (do) streams in the south

They that sow (seed) in tears, may they reap with jubilation.
He may go forth weeping, bearing (a load) of seed;
Let him come home with jubilation, bearing (a load of) sheaves.

The
while

it

country.

date of Ps. 126 cannot be determined by no'i* Dir, because that phr.,

might

refer to restoration

from

captivity, frequently

means

restoration

PSALMS

456

The

of prosperity, which alone suits Str. II.

The

postexilic.

Snjn v.^- ^, as Jo. z^^, is

Greek period, when the people

phr. m-'yS

Ps. doubtless belongs to the

long for a return of prosperity, probably more favourable years for crops.

parallelism.
1.
IV/ien Yahweh restores
Zion\ a general statement in the protasis of the
temporal clause, whose proper apodosis is the syn. v.^, Yahweh
doth great thi?igs with Jis, with the complementary we are like
The realisations of the hope are so great, that
dreamers \}.
they seem to be incredible.
we are glad men]. There is no

Introverted

Str. I.

the prosperity of

|1

specific reference to a restoration

does not

suit the prayer, or the

two syn.

lines,

from captivity as EV'., which

thought of

v.*^.

Between these

accordance with the principle of introverted

in

was inserted by the author v.^

Then is our mouth filled with laughter], the ecstatic state of
joy, which in v.^ is conceived as like dreaming, is here represented
and then in the complementary part of the line:
as laughter,
and our tongues with jubilation], loud shouting expressive of the
Then they say among the nations]. The neighbourgladness.
ing nations observe the prosperity of Zion, and speak about it
among themselves, making the same remark that the people
parallelism, a synth. couplet

2.

make

v.^.

Str. II.

synth.

and an

antith. couplet.

4.

restore,

Yah-

weh, our prosperity], petition taking the place of the conditional

The Negeb, or
as do streams in the south country].
" south country," lies between Palestine and Egypt. In the rainy

clause \}.

seasons the channels that run

of water, which refreshes the

fresh vegetation

and

flowers.

down from

soil

The

it

full

to burst forth with

greater part of the year except

in close proximity to perennial fountains

5.

the mountains are

and causes

They that sow seed in tears], doing

it

is

dry and barren.

their best to obtain crops,

but sad and sorrowful as they contemplate a failure owing to a

bad season.

7nay

they reap with jubilation], a jussive in con-

tinuation of the prayer,

that

it

will

be

so, of

EV.

and not indicative expressing assurance

The prosperity longed for is a change

6. He 7tiay go forth
from bad seasons to a good one, cf. Jo. i.
Let him co?ne hotne with
weeping (as he goes)], resuming v.'^"*.

jubilation], resuming v.^.

he goes

forth,

it is

But the

significant thing

is

that

when

bearing a load of seed, when he comes home,

it

PSALM CXXVII.

457

bearing a load of sheaves'], a very successful harvest. The

simple meaning of the original has been obscured by a copyist,
who mistook the word meaning " load " and used a word to which
is

it is

1.

2Vu'a] prot.

to the past.
v.*

temp, clause with apod.

P3^r]

ir>n]

a.X. doubtless err. for

POi'

tn] impf. after

nSs;!

Qal

a>?:Vn]

rs',

which

ptc.

so n::N''

27

La.

and

8^1

n. laughter, as Jb.

t p^nt']

derision Je. 20^ 4828-

3I*.

mn^]
too long and was unnecessary.

is

The

5.

is

Probably the

improb.

gl.,
1.

as

it

the

in |^, (5, as

stands

obj. of the first vb. >"t,

is

third

phr. Jo. i^^

though

conscc,

members of it.
The earlier mng. was

and

WL.

elsw.

second vb. have been omitted by

of the

o^nDt:' v. 3.

||

In any case the time

?n.

nvj';S '?^njn]

auxiliary or adverbial force.

cf. 73'^

usage has the force of

present, carrying on the previous apod, as second

subj.

in the phr. r\^yy 2\j

r\^y2?

nominal force

in early

doubtful, however, in this late Ps.

of state, not referring

pf.

not referring here to the restoration from captivity, but to the restoration

of prosperity (v. //).

2.

an appropriate meaning.

difficult to give

is

first

tetrameter

vb. has

makes

it
;

1.

but that

and the emph. demonstr. as

txt.

err.

6.

'n';;:.

"n^Sn]

inf.

nb^] inf. abs. after vb.

meaning: goes on.
emphasizing its temporal character: continually weeping; but @ iKkaiov.
(g^c. a. T fSdWovres,
j7-\Tn ':]i^*D Nt'j] (^'- ^ only afpoj'Tes rd air^pixaTa avrCov,
R <f)^povres. t lir''? n.vci. elsw. Jb. 28^^ drazving up (in fishing) here usually explained as the drawing out of the seed as it is scattered, so Ew., Pe.,
Conant trail Dr. cf. Am. 9^^ where the vb. "^pn means to trail or draw out
abs. before vb., intensifying

its

But in its absence from (^ it is improb. It is prob. txt. err. for Nfc'p
n.m. load, burden (s^^)y which same word is needed in y.^^ after xrj to comVDdSn]
N3"> N3] inf. abs. intensive with vb. come in or home.
plete the 1.

the seed.

sf.

3 sg. t

C'^?^?'.] n.f. sheaf,

as

Gn.

37'^

(E).

PSALM CXXVII.
Ps.

127

is

composite

success in daily toil

inheritance of

asserting that all depends on

I.,

weh, whether the building

of a house, the

(v.^"-)

II.,

watching

asserting that children are an

Yahweh, enabling a man

to

meet his enemies with

confidence at the gate of his city (v.^).

pXCEPT Yahweh build the house,

Except Yahweh keep the
It is

vain for you,

Eat the bread of

who

toil.

city, in

Yah-

of a city, or

in vain the builders labour.

vain the keeper waketh.

down

rise

up

He

giveth to His beloved in sleep.

early, sit

late,

PSALMS

458

TO!

an inheritance of Yahweh is the reward of the fruit of the womb.

As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are sons of youth.
Happy he who hath filled his quiver with them
They shall not be put to shame, when they speak with enemies in the gate.
!

v.1-2, v.^-^; which have no

Ps. 127 is composed of two independent Pss.
manner of connection in thought so Bi., Peters, Ba., Du., Che., Davies. The
ncSi'S of |1|, Aq., 2, 3, ^, is later than , which had it only in 6^. and is a
conjecture due to the no of v.i, the nn-" and nj-' v.-.
There is no good
reason to doubt that both Pss. belong to the more prosperous days of the
Greek period.
:

PSALM CXXVn.
Syn. and synth. couplets.

repeated

in

II

||

keep the

The

the keeper waketh~\.

//

2.

city\,

from

is

lacking,

conditional

clause,

the temple, but any

falling into the

in vaiii\ repeated for emphasis.

Yahweh, remains

1.

A.

Exccpt\

Yahweh build the house\ not

||.

house whatever,

enemy.

hands of the

the builders labour

thing, the cooperation of

essential

which alone gives success and

security.

vain for you~\, change of the order of the sentence,

with the personal address for the previous,

who
down

person.

rise

vp early\ to go

more

objective third

forth to labour earlier than

after an unusually prolonged day of work.

bread of toil], emphasizing the intensity of the
hard labour during the lengthened time. All this extra hard toil

usual.

sit

and so
is

Eat

vain, unless

late'],

the

Yahweh

without any kind of

Him

in sleep],

shares in

toil

to

it.

Indeed He (Yahweh) giveth\

His beloved\ the one who

even when he sleeps quietly in

is

thinking of anything needed, or making any effort to gain

PSALM CXXVIL
3-5. Synth, tetrastich.

Lo],

dear to

his bed, without

it.

B.

calling attention to the fact as

by
Yahweh.
A glossator inserts "sons" at the expense of the
measure and the unity of the line. In fact the subj. is,
the reward of the fruit of the womb]. The fruit of the womb, children,
are a reward or recompense given by Yahweh as a token of His
favour, as an inheritance to His favoured ones.
As arrows ifi the
often in Pilgrim

Pss.

a7i

inheritance of Yahiveli], given

PSALM CXXVIII.

459

so are sons of
hatid of a uoarrior\ potent weapons of war.
father,
vigour
the
and so well
youthful
of
the
during
youth'], born

grown and strong while he himself

Happy he\

as (^

do

able to

still

man

battle.

" of
J^ followed

who hath
hath very many
quiver with
They shall not be put
these
when speak with enemies], meet them
by

sharp words preliminary

and indulge

EV.

by

is

not needing the inserted "

them'],

filled his

sons, a house full of them.

to sha?ne~\,

face

they

defeat.

sons

in

to face

in the

to battle.

gate], the entrance to the city,

where

battle

is

usually

waged with

The whole conception is

It is altogether against the context to think, as some do,
warlike.
of maintaining a cause against powerful enemies, who would do a
enemies who

strive to

man injustice were

it

capture a

city.

not for the support of numerous and stalwart

sons.

CXXVII. A.

mn-* emph.
13 vj")3] but B^-^-^ ohobo1. mn^ cn] conditional clause
fwvpTes avrSp; @^'-c. a. T omit avrdv ; 3 aedificant eam^ only v:o or d^jj. 13
:

dittog.

iS::;']

Qal 3

pi.

gn

i626 Ec. i^ 2^1 515-17

t "'?"
cf.

denom. Scv n.m.

2''i- 19- 20.

(7^^).

_ 2.'^rv7rr]

Qal

Hiph.

Jon. 410 Pr.

elsvv.

ptc. cstr. before inf.:

nyv vb. denom. do a thing early in the morning, with adverbial force before Dip.
Its antithesis is """^nNO Pi. ptc. inN delay, adverbial late {40^^). @^- -^ iyeipea-dai
mistake the ptc.

fxera rb Kadrjadat, <3^' iyeipeade, YJ surgite postqiia77i sederitis,

for prep,

oTav

maism

and

fail

to see the antith.

both interp. of a clause which

nw

(76^)

is

third ptc. clause.

^"^ps]
is

better without either.

]-']

so

Jf,

Njr]

but

Ara-

ace. of time or condition, not obj. ace. as Vrss.

CXXVII. B.
3.
n.f.

cj^]

interp. gl;

quiver, as

Is.

22^

makes 1. too
/^^^ Je. 51^

PSALM

long.

La.

5.

t^n n^jn]

Jb. 39^^;

31-^

but (

only 6s. t'^?f'!<]

ttjj/

iiridvfilav.

CXXVIII., 4^

Ps. 128 is a wish for happiness to the godfearing (v.^), especially

when such

eat their daily bread

(v.^),

that the wife

a fruitful vine, the children numerous olive plants

(v.^)

assert the divine blessing upon the godfearing (v.*)

divine blessing from

Zion

(v.^")

the welfare of Jerusalem (v."")

wishing peace for Jerusalem

(v.*^).

wish that he

may

be

Glosses

invoke the

may

look on

concluding with a later glois,

PSALMS

460
T-TAPPY be
The toil

every one fearing Yahweh, walking in the way of

of thy

hands when thou

Yahweh!

happy be thou, and may

eatest,

be

it

well

with thee

May thy
May thy

room

of thy house

sons be as olive plants round about thy table.

was

Ps. 128
It

wife be as a fruitful vine in the inner

originally only v.^-^

but several later glosses were added,

v.*-^.

resembles 127, and doubtless belongs to the same period and possibly the

same author.

1-3.

Happy

Synth, tetrastich.

be every o?ie\ a wish, not a

EV^

congratulation or statement of fact as

the more personal second person

Happy

resumed

in v.^ in

be thou'], intensified in

fearing Yahweh], having the

the complement walking
way of Yahweh], the way of the divine Law shortened
ancient
" His ways." The
the expense of the measure
hands], the product of
the food thereby gained,
of
emphasis. when thou
thrown before
the
down
enjoy
over and the man
evening meal
accordance with which numerous sons are conceived
and so the wife
gathered round about
inner
house],
where
the
was placed, and not the
of
woman's apartments. May
wish
above, and not
wife
EV'., or statement of
a promise
JPSV. as a
May
bearing many
a vine does
ful
and may

it

be well with thee

rev-

erential fear of true religion,

in the

in

into

texts at

thine

toil

toil,

eatest], after

for

at his table to

sits

toil is

his

in

as

thy table

roo7n

thy

table

thy

be],

as

as

fact as

fruit-

children, as

vine],

thy sons be olive plants],

The

in the

w.^^,

full

grapes.

of vigour and vitality,

cf. 52^^

Je. 11^^.

Ps. thus reaches its appropriate conclusion.

Later editors and glossators enlarged

improved

Lo !

and made

it

it

it,

and, as they thought,

more appropriate

public

for

use.

emphatic, calling attention to the fact based

on previous wish, so JPSV., PBV. AV., RV., render " Behold that

4.

verily thus],

thus," which

Yahweh

is

not so well sustained.

shall the

that feareih

be blessed], the divine blessing taking the place of the

wish for happiness v.^

the glossator

5-6.

It is difficult to

wished to state a

fact as

EV^

thee out of Zion], or to express a wish as

former,

man

if it

be by the same hand.

And

determine whether

Yahweh

JPSV.

will bless

doubtless the

look thou on the welfare

ofJerusale7?i all the days of thy life, and look thou on thy children's
children].
This is doubtless a wish, and by a different and indeed

PSALM CXXIX.
an

hand than the previous

earlier

461
It is prosaic

gloss.

and does

make any good measure. The wish is, that all his life
pious man may share in the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may

the

not

live

long enough to look in the faces of numerous grandchildren.

The whole concludes with a

still

later gloss, as 125^

Peace be upon

Israel.
!

(^^) prob. with juss. not indicative understood.

"'!}*^>:']

^y^

sg. cstr.

i''^"^';"?] for an
and so renders pi. also for "i^n^.
original nin*' yr\i which the measure requires.
2. "''rj {78^) emph.
Viisn >r] though ^d not in (g, it is required for measure.
It is temporal as Ew.,
not asseverative as De., or causal as Hu.
T'"^^n] a wish and not an asser-

takes

it

as collective,

tion of fact.

euphonic;
^r-'^

3.

^ri'ft<]

cf. r\^h

vb. (/^).

4.

La.

i^^.

|3"''3]

the variant and later

harmonious with

variant for

nn's]

pi. cstr.

'h.y'^'~\

Vt*^

for n'^rs.

doubtless begins a

PSALM

fuller fern, for nis,

so

CXXIX.,

1.

nx->]

5.

"^n-i'^i

6.

for NI1 v.^,

-i3J

n"T'

late prosaic gl.

new

more

transplanted shoot,

a.X.

late prosaic expression;

ii:3'

"loia*,

H-"?'^'^*

"?;;

cf.

and

Imv. not

diS;:']

as 125^

4^

STR.

Ps. 129 is an exhortation to Israel to acknowledge that they have

not been overcome

youth

by the frequent

affliction of

enemies from the

of the nation because of the interposition of

Yahweh

(v.^"^)

followed by an imprecation upon present enemies (v.^^).

a

QREATLY have they afflicted me from my youth,"

"

Greatly have they afflicted

me

my

from

let

youth

Israel

now

verily they

say,

have not pre-

vailed over me.

Upon my back (the wicked) ploughed, prolonged their

Yahweh (vindicated) the righteous, cut off the (backs)
T

ET

them be put

to

shame, and

let

(iniquities)."

of the wicked.

them be turned backward,

all

the haters of

Zion.

Let them become as grass of the housetops, which before (one can draw the
scythe) withereth

Wherewith
bosom.

And

they

the reaper does not

who

pass by, say not

fill

"

his hand, or

The

he that bindeth sheaves his

blessing of

Ps. 129 has historical reminiscences of

Yahweh unto

you."

enemies from the youth of the

and an imprecation upon present enemies. It is probably Maccabean,

at least in the second half, which may possibly be a later addition, although
of the same structure as the first half.
nation,

Str. I.

Stairlike

afflicted me'],

and

antith. couplets.

repeated in

v.^.

The

1-2.

adv.,

Greatly have they

emphatic in position,

PSALMS

462

emphasizes the magnitude of the

afflicting,

which has been that

from

of wicked enemies, especially in wars.

yout/i], the

7?iy

youth of the nation, when Israel was led up out of Egypt and was
disciplined to war by a long series of conflicts.
let Israel now

say~\, as 124^, in

of the nation.

over me], Israel

my

an oral recognition of the historical experience

Verify'], asseverative.

they have not prevailed

remains notwithstanding

3.
Upon
U. The back is compared
which has been ploughed up and down. It is lacerated
still

back the wicked ploughed], so

to a field,

it

all.

(!5,

with deep wounds like furrows in a

The wicked

field.

Yahweh.

usual the enemies of the people of

are as

prolonged their

ini-

U, " their iniquitous affliction." J^ by error has a

word a.\., which is rendered by EV\ " furrows," but by most
moderns more correctly " field for working," which is, however,
quities]^ so

(!5,

a conjectural meaning, derived from the meaning of a late Heb.

word and improbable

in itself

Yahweh

4.

and

eous], in accordance with the context,

An

next clause.

vindicated the right-

in antithesis with the

early copyist, omitting the vb.

ure because of similarity of form with the adj.,

to connect the latter with

plained

oxen

at

necessary

meas-

cut

off the backs of the wicked],

the cutting off of the enemies' backs being in

But J^ by error of a

retribution for their abuse of Israel's back.

word meaning "cords."

single letter has a

for

it

''Yahweh," either as adjective as PBV.,

or predicate as AV., RV., JPSV.

so essentially (S,

needed

made

This

is

variously ex-

by some as referring to the straps of the yoke of the

the plough, the cutting of which made further ploughing

But the words

impossible.

in themselves

Others think that the figure

this idea.

cutting of the cords

is

tion in the context.

synth. imprecation.

retreat, cf. 40".

only hostile

readily suggest

changed, and that the

and

let

cf. 2^.

not consistent with \?, and

is

an abrupt transition of the thought,

Str. II.

do not

the release of Israel from bondage,

But such a reference to bondage

the enemies, by defeat.

is

which there

for

5.

is

Let them be put

to

shame],

them be turned backward],

The enemies

all the haters of Zion].

but have a deadly hatred of Zion.

the time of the Antiochian persecution.

6.

This

is

no sugges-

in

are not

suits

best

Let them become as

grass of the housetops], grass springs up easily and quickly on the

PSALM CXXIX.

which are much used by the

roofs of houses in Palestine,

flat

people.

which

for use

that

draw

before one can

before

is,

463

the scythe\ to cut

it

down

has grown sufficiently for the purpose.

it

meaning of a vb. variously paraphrased

and modern.
withereth\ The depth of
soil (Mt. i3^'i) is so slight, that it cannot grow to maturity; and,
exposed to the full blaze of the sun, it is speedily scorched and
Wherewith the reaper does not fill his hand\
7.
withered.
when he gathers the grass in his hand to cut it with his scythe.
This

is

the most probable

in the Vrss., ancient

or he
hay

is

and placed

in sheaves

ment, in order to take

in the loose fold of the gar-

to the barn.

it

And they who pass

8.

wayfarers, travellers, beholding the haymakers.

would
you],

Ru.

We

1.

2^

bless

you

adv.; also

ns-i]

\jnyi] also v.^; Qal

3.

bim;
I S.

% 2J

2.

n.m. back^ only here of

c^chn not
Am.
more prob.,as in vA
612 q13^

emph.

elsvv. ptc. 6^.

i/^,

elsw. in other senses.

8^2

D^yt:'"!

emph.

"-nrS;]

glossator repeats this congratula-

as 120^ 123*;

pf. a.X.

Yahweh unto

as having received

name of Yahweh.

in the
v.^,

by],

say not], as they

blessing of

them

in congratulation of

from Yahweh.

this blessing

tion

The

were a good harvest.

if it
cf.

The new- mown

that bindeth sheaves {fill) his bosom].

bound

"'*^'"^n]

ptc.

Qal

nj irx-'] juss., as 124I.

nS dj] intensive, not advers.

men

in Ez. 10^2 of cheru-

3 m. + [^"in] vb. plough Dt.

pf.

22^*^

in (^ here, but ol afiaprioXot, 'S peccatores

anm'io'^] Kt.

but Qr.

both forms dub.

a;^"'J"~':';

^DB, place for

task {?), s^qc. fieldfor ploughing ; T\y;i2 elsw.

and meaning dub."
Trjv dvofiiap ai/rdv,
iniquitatem suam = zirMv; seems more prob.
4. P''7^] is difficult to connect with niH", whether apposition or predicate.
It seems to be in antith.
prob. p'''\^'r\, omitted by mistake
with D^yci. In that case a vb. is needed

t nr;D
I

n.f. ace. to

S. 14I* "

where

text corrupt

be found

suitable mngs. can

vices,

vb.,

prob.

T\^i'^

T<^n -i^n]

6.
n.f.

antiquity

out,

weapon

Is. 23'^,

Ju. 322

rjSn,

5.

Hu.

word

Dn.

S. \f^.

Dh'^.

hands and

i^,

avx^va, "B cer-

This

v.^.

suits

feet 2 S. 4^^

2.

K.

ig^e.

r^^i^r]

6I1 is

rel.

mngs.' unsuitable here.

alone appropriate.

(g tov iKairaaeijvai,

seem

% i^*^] vb.

evellatur,

Sexta tov ^Ko-Tepeuxrai.

Vrss. all

'v with f

to paraphrase.

the

hgje

v^3>] frequent in imprecations v. 46^^.

iKKav\r]<raL,

The

No

but of what?

in this context.

state Ez. i655 36II,

former

toes, Ju.

UDn

-nns

before Ezr. 5II

statim ut inruerit,

Du., rd.

cords, bonds {2^);

most prob, in exact retribution, same as

phr. elsw. Is. 372^

Aramaic mng.

for the

used of cutting of thumbs,

similarly of back.

-^3"]

because of similarity of form.

^?=''i"'

The
draw

Aq. dvidaXev,

Ortenberg, We.,
It is better to

think of drawing out the scythe to cut the grass, than of drawing or pulling
up the grass.
7. n*^'"] rel. with s^.
rfn] sf. with f ':* ^ n.m. bosom a.X.,

PSALMS

464
but ]in

is

Is.

49^2

bosom

of parent

doubtless the same

"iDyn] 'Pi.pic.-f'\r:';\b.dQnora.'yT2';,dtnds/iea7'es.

a variant of previous

gl.,

Ps. 130 is a cry of Israel to

with a confession

Yahweh

pardon

for

word
8.

variously pointed.

ni,"T

ddhn

Q'Z'2

ij^"^^]

1.

PSALM CXXX.,
tress,

STR. 4.

Yahweh
and

of iniquity

for help in deepest dis-

Israel waits on

(v.^"*).

but reliance upon

Yahweh, hoping in

ill-desert,

His word and watching from day to day, with confidence that with

Him

is

kindness and ransom from

(~)UT

of the depths

Adonay,

cry unto Thee,

Thine ears be

let

all iniquities (v.^^).

Yahweh.

hearken to

attentive to the voice of

my

my

voice.

supplications.

If iniquities Thou shouldst mark, Yah, who could stand ?

For with Thee, Adonay, is pardon that (Thy Law) may be revered.
T WAIT on Yahweh my soul doth wait for His word I hope
My soul for Adonay, from morning watch to morning watch.
For with Yahweh is kindness, and plenteous with Him is ransom
Inasmuch as He ransometh Israel out of all his iniquities.
;

Ps. 130 V.2

is

g^'^

m.-i", 'JIN,

and

6^^-*'^.

cited in 2 Ch.

Dn.

elsw. Ne.

ri\

9^,

rio*.;*-'

It

v.^ elsw.

must therefore be

2 Ch.

7I*.

6^*^

earlier.

nn-iSD v.*

divine

names are
These
].

The

which, however, are several times misplaced in

resemblances to Chr.

make

it

probable that the Ps. was written early in the

Greek period.
Syn. and synth. couplets.

Str. I.

phatic in position.

I cf-y

Ez. 27^.

proper

Trouble

compared

Out of the
to

depths'],

deep waters

em-

69^-^^

unto Thee\ emphatic present, as JPSV., and not

O hearken my
my
urgent enexpressed by loud crying and pleading. The divine names
pf.

" have I cried " of

Thine ears be attentive

treaty

is

1-2.

EV.

to the voice

voice

to

of

Yahweh, Ado?iay, and Yah, are used

||

let

supplications],

in the several lines of the Ps.

without apparent consciousness of any difference in their meaning.

Z.

If

iniquities'],

emphatic in position,

other voice responds with the consolation.

cf.

v.^

Probably an-

Thou shouldst mark],

observe them closely, and strictly record them with their ill-desert
who could stand?], implying a
and well-deserved punishment.
negative answer no one as the condition itself impHes the negative that Yah does not so deal with the iniquities of His people.

PSALM CXXX.

103^.

cf.

For with

4.

pardon], of

sins,

Heb. conception

the

is

emph.

Thee~\,

Ne.

cf.

Dn.

9^''

461J

Thee

9^ Ps. 86^,

the removal of

them from

that Thy Law fnay

presence and observation.

especially.

which, according to
the

divine

be revered]. This

alone explains the use of the vb. in f^ and the noun in most ancient Vrss. ; and at the same time makes the measure of the Hne

Reverence

complete.

visitation of

by the

and

ties

its

Law

for the divine

penalties, but

is

not only promoted

by the removal of the

their penalties after the iniquities

iniqui-

have been confessed

and put away by sincere repentance.

Str. II. Stairhke couplets.
v.^,

with the same speaker.

up of vbs.

5-6.

||

my

I wait],

emphatic present as

soul doth wait

I hope],

||

emphasize the anxious yet confident looking

to

heaping
for help.

His word], of promise.

to Yahweh
from morning watch to
morning watch], as J, ^ " fro the one morning to the other,"
Coverdale. This is much more suited to the context and more
||

probable in

watch

itself

" more than they that

than J^ followed by AV.
RV., JPSV. " more than watchmen for
;
:

morning "

for the

the morning "

with the same words repeated.

glossator ap-

pends an exhortation Israel hope in Yahweh, which has no place

in the

measure of the Ps.

For with Yahweh^,

7.

attribute

which

is

plenteous], emph.,

the
full

cf.

v."*,

ana

kindness], divir^
and
Ex,
source of
ransom], a
and abundant. with Hi7n

doubtless by the same responsive voice.

that

is

34^''.

forgiveness, cf.

is

ransom from enemies and troubles but

here, as the vb. implies in the climax, in the late and unusuav
8. Inasmuch as], a circumstantial clause.
sense from iniquities.
term ordinarily used

for

He ransometh Israel out of

:

1.

"'i^cvQ::]

is

v.'*.

depths, deep waters, elsw.

The ransom

all his iniquities].

doubtless syn. with the pardon of

with

D^::

as Cq^-^^ Ez. 27^*.

It

has

two accents.
2. \nN] belongs with next 1., but hsp'y n^DC is the necessary
complement of the first 1.
f [^-J'p] adj. of vb.
f '^'2^'?] elsw. 2 Ch. 6^^ 7^^
i'rp hearken, attend to.
4.

f^r?''^'?']

i^-f-

^veKev (p6^ov,

elsw.

3 cum

Dn,

3.

p;]

shortened

9^

Ne.

9I";

terribilis

(^^'- ^- '^

rw\'-.

ijix

nSo vb. {2^^^).

goes with next

jyr.S]

n-7.i-i

^vckcv tov dvo/jLards aov

1.

so Aq,

Sexta ^veKev

rod yvwa-6i]vai 'K6yov aov suggests the solution, especially as the line needs an

nmr; prob. originally tov vSfxov, as "^propter legem

so 9 and @^, all reading r\-\^ri {v. Jerome, Epistola
n^iVi] but IB had not 1, and connecting this noun with

additional word, Niin

tua??i,

ad San.

'iveKev

78).

2H

vbfiov,

5.

PSALMS

466
previous vb.,
bis

(3

'

rd.

dird

"ii'isj

The measure

nSnin.

(pvXaKTJi

7rpu}las

fx^XP'-

favours

||?.

but @-^-

vvkt6^,

^-

npaS Dnnc*]

6.

'^

dirb

<f>v\aK^i

matutina usque ad vigiliafn niatututayn, so S,

giving the true reading ip^S ncir npiS "\::rD.
7. ni,T Sx '?n-(^"' ^n^] gl., not
irpuias

bis,

J a

vigilia

inig^but^^*' -^-^R-T.
502 Ex. 819 (?).

^-2)7

Nini]

8.

^^'^;!'}\

adv. as Ez. 2i20._fm-i3] as iii^

Is.

emph.

PSALM CXXXL,

4.

Ps. 131 is an assertion of the humility of the people, in heart,

and walk (v.^), and of the quieting the soul as a weaned child
upon the mother's breast (v.^).
A gloss urges Israel to hope
look,

always in Yahweh

(v.^).

Y^HWEH, my heart

is not haughty, and mine eyes are not lofty;

do not walk about in great things, or in things too wonderful
Surely 1 have composed (my soul) surely I have quieted my soul.
As a weaned child upon his mother, so is bountiful dealing unto my

And

for

me.

131 has, according to

Ps.

addition

doubtful.

syn.

it

is

The

^^^^,

?^,

Aq., 2, nnS; but that was a later

not in (S^\ and the omission in

Ps.

jf,

9E,

makes

it

still

more

doubtless one of the late Greek period.

is

Yahweh, my heart
are not
high-minded. and
And I do not walk about
or
wonderful

and an emblematic couplet.

not haughty\,

soul.

am

not

1.

is

?nine eyes

lofty\ looking only at lofty things.

great things\ neglecting

little

in

in things too

things.

for me\ beyond my ability to understand. The people have in

fact renounced all ambition and are content with their lot.
2. Surely\ strong affirmation, repeated in complementary half of
the line, though omitted by the condensation of a prosaic scribe
at the

expense of the measure.

have quieted

my soul\ the

ing and measure.

scribe.

The

obj.

/ have

was needed

In the former

soul,

it

composed
in

soul

||

was omitted by a prosaic

which might well have been agitated by ambi-

tion, or the failures of life,

was by deliberate action reduced

a calm, gentle, submissive, patient, and contented

weaned child upon

my

both cases for mean-

his 7nother~\, resting quietly

state.

to

As a

on the breast of the

mother, already satisfied with nourishment and no longer fretting

for the breast.

so

is

boimtiful dealing unto

7?iy soul~\.

^^his is

PSALM CXXXII.
essentially the interpretation of (g,

467

V, ^, representing the soul of

all needed benefac-

the people as having received from Yahvveh

tion

and

just

as

as being in a calm, peaceful condition, without agitation,

the child already amply nourished upon the mother's

" my soul is even as a weaned
J^, J, followed by EV'.,

is

breast.

child,"

essentially repetition without

is

upon the

and leaves

simile,

temporal addition

130'''':

the exhortation, as

from

good reason

unexplained.

it

3.

andforever.

strong asseveration, surely, should be repeated before vb.

Is.

40^5 Pr. 26*

cf.

Is. 3813.

quiet,

Pi.

?nake

like, level Is. 28^^, co77tpose,

DDT Qal be silent {4^).

13^, (2) requite y^, (3)

Spj]

Qal

wean here and

ptc. ^70^:

PSALM

CXXXII., 4

Ps. 132 is a prayer in

remember the

affliction of

two

parts,

nS'dn]

\ti-ii^

^'^"^

TDDn]

Polal

(i) deal bountifully

prob.

c.

to

^y

Sdj) weaned va.

we should think of (i).

STR. 4.

Yahweh

is

implored to

first failure to

remove the

(i)

David, in his

All Vrss. rd.

Is. ii^^.

clause, but ,_U, S, ^7^^ inf. cstr. vb. as (2)

first

2.

Q^^ ^^ ^^^^
as a stormy sea, Hu.;

needed by the vb. and the measure.

is

"'^'flJ

emphasis

Yahweh, with the

Israel hope in

this time forth

"npSn] Pi. intensive zualk abotct, emphatic present.

1.

for

glossator adds

ark to Jerusalem, and the solemn oath he then made to resort to

the holy place

urge

Yahweh

ones

(v.^^^).

find the

ark in Jearim and

(2)

and His pious

paraphrase of the Davidic covenant

Yahweh hath

(v.""^^).

The people

(v.^"^-^).

to rise up, for the sake of His priests

is

provides there for His priests and His pious ones

(v.^^"^^).

Glosses

predict the sprouting forth of the Messianic king and the

of the enemies

king

(v.^''^^),

and urge Yahweh not to

YAHWEH, remember unto David

he sware

(Saying)
of
Till

shame

reject the reigning

v.* is a gloss of intensification.

(v.^*^).

How

given

chosen Zion for His everlasting throne, and

"

my

Yahweh, vowed

to

will

(for

good) all his affliction:

Mighty One of Jacob,

to the

not enter the tent of

my

house,

I will

not go

up on

the couch

bed,

find the place of

Yahweh, the great tabernacle of the Mighty One of

Jacob."

We heard of

(We

said)

stool."

"

it

in

Let us

we found it in the fields of Jear(im)

His great tabernacle, let us worship at His

Ephrathah,

come

to

foot-

PSALMS

468
Arise,

Yahweh,

to

Thy

resting-place;

Thou and

Thy strength.
Thy pious ones shout

the ark of

Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and

let

shouts of joy.

VAH WEH sware to David in truth

"

Of

body

the fruit of thy

If thy

sons keep

My

will

He

not depart from

will

set (thy seed)

My

covenant and

testimonies, which

Also their sons shall be forever; they shall

pOR Yahweh hath chosen Zion, desired

(Saying)

"

desired

This

is

my

it

sit

it.

upon a throne
I

for thee.

teach them,

enthroned on a throne

for thee."

for a habitation for Himself,

resting place for ever

here

will I sit

enthroned, for

it.

Her

provision will

And

her priests

will

greatly bless; her poor will

clothe with salvation,

satisfy with

bread;

and her pious ones will shout shouts

of joy."

Ps. 132 agrees with 89^^"^^' in citing and paraphrasing the Davidic covenant
(i) The condition
It represents, how^ever, a much later date,
2 S. yiisi-.
in a

term of

appended to the Davidic covenant is interpreted

py'^y^ and implies the legislation of P.
(2) The

Ps. uses the narrative of

the removal of the ark to Mt. Zion in the spirit of

the share of the priests in

of 2

S. 61-1^

or

ing of the horn

Jer.

its

Ch.

i^^'--

Ps. 119,

", emphasizing

rather than in the spirit of the Judaic narrative

it;

Deuteronomic redactor.

v.^" is

v.^-^

based on Ez.

23^ in the form of Zee.

3**,

(3)

The

29-^, but that is

6'^,

reference to the sprout-

combined with the

n^zn

of

looking forward to a future Messianic

king from the point of view of one who knew nothing of the monarchy in his
v.^-io and 2 Ch. 6*^-^^ is more difficult.
time.
(4) The relation between

own

This passage of Chr. was not

in the source

K.

8,

which gives a Deuteronomic

It was

redaction of the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple.

appended by Chr. from some other source, probably, therefore, our Ps. They
both cite from the song of the ark Nu. lo^^^^ jhe variations, adding C^h^n,
probably Qr. of ^^r^', and using im: for irmjo v.^", adding dvi'^n mn^ and substituting np-yr^ for p-'S and 3VJ3 in::::'^ for ijn" pi v.^ cf. v.'^ and the addition
of

D'-n^vS rt^r\1

The one

v.i'^

before

3rn

Sn, all

seem

serious difference, ii^y -in '^on^

like adaptations of
h-idt

at the

end

an original

for -\^z-;

in

Ps.

113;3

beginning of v.^^^ seems to be in the latter a glossator's variation of i3r

and substitution of c^Dn deeds of kindness for the -Dn of the covenant and

at the

the ^-^y; of v.^

(5)

It is

altogether probable, therefore, that Chr. uses the Ps.

priests and the Chasidim y?-^^ as the real con-

The emphasis upon

stituents of the Jewish

community, not only points to a time of the predomi-

nance of the priesthood, but also

to the

harmony of the priesthood with the

(6) V.i^ recognises

Chasidim, probably therefore in the early Greek period.
probably from
temple,
the
in
poor
a time when provision was made for the

the numerous thank offerings and festival offerings.

We

are reminded of the

good works by Simon the Just. (7) The author of the Ps. lived in
There is no impatience at the delay of the estabpeaceful, prosperous times.
lishment of the Davi.lic king, no trace of shame and suffering among the
praise of

people, such as we see at the close of Ps. 89.

(8) V.*

is

in

such close agree-

PSALM CXXXII.
ment with

Pr. 6* that there

that the Ps.

definite relation.

where the break comes most naturally

lines

favours a hexameter.
is

not probable

Moreover,

all

no trimeter among them.

the fourth tone.

after

This looks like a caesura rather than the close of the

There

It is

borrow from the Praise of Wisdom, one of

The Ps. might be a trimeter poem, were it not for

sufficiently late to

is

the latest parts of Pr.

several

must be a

469

line, so v.^-

1^"'',

and

the Pilgrim Songs have the long measure.

Both the

earlier familiar proverbial expression.

It

Ps.

and the

Pr.

probably

might be taken as a

gl. to

an

cite

the Ps.,

but this would force us to see with Du. a

gl. also in \}-^, which is indeed quite

would then be that the second half of the Ps. would
be two lines longer than the first half. It would be easy to find in it two
tetrastichs, and to regard v.^"-!^ as a closing couplet, referring to the Davidic
covenant. In this case it might be regarded as a later Messianic addition.

The

possible.

The uniform

difficulty

strophical organisation of the Pilgrim Pss. as hexameter tetrastichs

forces us to regard all these as glosses.

Str.

I.

David\

a synth.

is

cf. 89'*^-

tional worship.

tetrastich.

for good\

measure, as in Ne. 13^^

that which

1.

^\ a plea of intercession,
is

Yahweh remember unto

composed for congrega-

not in the text, but

is

David suffered on account of the

failure of the first

attempt to remove the ark to Jerusalem, and during

Obed-Edom

the house of

weh^.

This oath

required by

all his affliciion\ the context implies

S. 6^"^^

2.

How

its

abode

in

he sware to Yah-

not recorded in the historical narrative, but

is

on tradition or conjecture, based on the resolve to

make a second attempt to remove the ark, when the prosperity of
either rests

the house of

Obed-Edom was

reported to him 2

S. 6^^.

vowed

to

Mighty One of Jacob'], possibly referring to the humiliation of

David before the ark, rebuked by his wife 2 S. 6^^- ^^"^. This di-

the

vine

name

Is. i^^
is

/
is

my

is

3-4.

based on Gn.

49^*,

used elsewhere

I will

not enter the tent of

house, tent used poetically, cf. La.

my

Is.

49-^ 6o^^ cf.

house], tent, which

2^, Zc. 12^, Is. i6^

not go up on the couch of my bed], as above, couch, which
spread for my bed.
A glossator adds as an intensification

7V ill

will not give sleep

to

mine

eyes, to

mine

eyelids slumber], so Pr.

6^ both using a proverbial expression. All this is a strong oath,

not to sleep, not to go to bed, not to enter his tent, until he

does that which he proposes.

5. Till I find the place of Yahweh], interpreting the preposition as the genitive of late style,

and not dative for Yahweh, though that

is

sustained by

(, J,

PSALMS

470

David had already provided a place

and other Vrss.

weh

the tent which he had pitched

in

Jerusalem

in

he vows to go to the place of Yahvveh and find

The
Obed-Edom.

sense of arriving at a place of destination.

he knew

well,

was

in the

house of

it

for
2

Yah-

S. 6^^

in the usual

place of the ark,

the great taber-

nacle of the Mighty One ofJacob\ the pi. is the plural of intensity
great, not on account of its size or grandeur, because it was altogether unworthy, a mere temporary structure, but because of the

majesty and sanctity of

Yahweh who

punishment of Uzzah

terrible

Str. II.

is

it,

evinced by the

Lo we heard of it\
Ephrathah\ probably the

also a synth. tetrastich.

the ark of subsequent context v.^.

name

inhabited

2 S. 6^^.

6.

in

of the district of Bethlehem, Mi. 5^ Ru. 4^^

The

Ps.

is

here referring to the people of Judah in general as distinguished

we found it in the fields of

Jeari)n\ Kirjath Jearim, where the ark abode twenty years i S. 7-.
" Fields of the wood " probably originated from abbreviation and

from the people of the North.

was a misunderstanding of the

abode
part of the way
from

on the

there,

its

to

Jerusalem

original.
first

but

It is true, it

was removed

attempt of David, and taken

how

far

we

are not told in the

The

narrative of Samuel, or the later story of the Chronicler.

poet

is

to be excused for thinking of Kirjath Jearim here.

thinks of

Lebanon

as

*'

fields

But

ST

of the wood," so Ew., and thus the

North in antithesis with Bethlehem in the South, and so North

and South were summoned to take part in the removal of the ark
to Jerusalem.

This

is

tempting but improbable.

In any case the

following lines constitute the words of the people as they journey

to the place of the ark.

the same as

us worship at His footstool\ namely, the

v.*.

let

7.

Let us come

to

His great tabernacle^

place of the presence of Yahweh, enthroned, and standing with

His

feet

on the cherubic platform, according

the cherubic throne above the ark.

words of the ancient song of the

ark,

8.

to the conception of

Arise^ Yahweh'], the

when

it

set

first

forward on the

journeys, during the wanderings in the wilderness

Nu. 10^.

Thou and the ark of Thy sti'ength\ a phrase only here and in the
prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple, according to
2 Ch. 6''^
9. Let Thy priests be clothed 7uith righteousness^ so
2 Ch. 6*^ and v.^, except that these passages use " salvation " of

PSALM CXXXII.
which indeed righteousness

is

common

represented as clothing put on, so of

and shame by men

35-" 109^^^^.

syn.

Attributes are often

Yahweh

93^ 104^ also cursing

Righteousness or salvation, as the

may be compared

special clothing of priests here,

tive of the Chronicler,

471

which represents the

sanctifying themselves to bring

up the ark

with the narra-

priests

and Levites

Ch. 15^^""; which

is

doubtless a conjectural modification of the original narrative 2 S. 6,

upon priests
when the priests
were to the people the chief representatives of Yahweh, as bearers
let Thy pious ones shout
of His righteousness and salvation.
in accord with the priestly legislation the emphasis

here, in connection with the ark, implies a period

shouts of joy~\j so by insertion of infin. abs. to emphasize the

idea of the vb. here, as in

2

Ch.

The

perity)."

v.^^,

indeed the measure requires.

as

by "let Thy pious ones rejoice in good (pros-

6^^ varies

reference to the pious ones, the chasidim, over

when they were

the priests, also implies a period

against

dominant

force

religious

in

The

Israel.

the

without historic

Ps.,

them and the priests of the time back, in imagination,

and lets them speak in the bringing up of
Jerusalem.
10. For the sake of David Thy servant

sense, puts

into the time of David,

the ark to

turn not aivay the face of Thine anoi?tted~\.

2

Ch.

Do

6'*^
:

This implies a
text.

is

a gloss from

much

later situation than that of the previous con-

probably refers to the Maccabean kings.

It

Str. III.

David'],

Yahweh

This

not reject the anointed king for David's sake.

is

cf.

to the oath of

Ps. 145^^.

(,

an independent clause
cf. d>(f-^,

Of

tetrastich.

both paraphrase of

antith.

is

cf. Je. lo^*^

also a synth.

89^^-2^

the fruit

3,

"

make

David

It is truth

we

Yahweh sware
The oath

11.

S. f^'"'-.

will

vb. Hu., Pe., Hi.,

cf.

not depart from

cf. 2 S.

7^^ " thy seed

set],

as his successors in a dynasty.

S.

covenant],

cf.

late phrase,

f\

so Ps. 89^^-^,

89^^

it,"

who

will I
the
thy seed must
upon a throne for
obj.

be supplied to complete the measure.

attached 2

to

of

in truth], truly,

v.^.

truth ace,

of thy body],

goeth forth from thy bowels."

and My

cf.

thee],

This covenant had a condition

\^^~-''\

If

testimonies

thy sons keep

I
Law

which

My

teach them], a

both in the use of the term for

of P, and of
cf. 18^ 25- ^-^ 71^^ 94^^ 119^2 + ^*-, implying the

God's teaching,

period of the supremacy of the priestly legislation.

The

Ps. thus

PSALMS

472
represents

Yahweh

as requiring of the seed of

of the priestly Law, just as Ps. 89 requires the

The

original covenant

knows nothing of

David observance

Code

of Holiness.

a prescribed Law.

Also

their sons shall be fo7'ever\ a continuous line of sons in succession.

they shall sit enthroned on

a throne for thee\ reign as kings

over Israel.

Str. IV.

a synth. tetrastich.

also

is

The connection of

chosen Zion\

13.

For Yahweh hath

the choice of Zion with the

covenant with David

is due to the covenant itself, which was based

on the desire of David to build a temple to Yahweh in Jerusalem
2 S. 7^'*i-; and the promise in the covenant that David's seed

should build

The

it.

selection of Zion in the subsequent narra-

and of the exact place

temple, is thus wrapped up in

for a hal?itatioti~\ or place of enthronement, the former favoured by v.^- ^, the latter by v.'^
14-16. The words of Yahweh, antith. the words of the people
tive,

the covenant

v.'-^.

term

itself.

This

is

for the

desired

My

for the place

it

resting place forever'],

where the ark

rests

cf. 5^ the technical

from journeyings, cf. Nu.

here will I enthroned], usually pregnant meaning of

God and kings,
55^
102^1 Ber provision
I greatly
the supply of
food of Zion. her poor
I
with bread]
The
here
lo*^.

sit

the vb. in connection with

68^^

cf.

iv ill

-will

9^ 29^" 33^^

bless], all

satisfy

Ps.

conceives of a provision of bread in the temple for the poor,

probably thinking of the abundant thank offerings and festival
the

offerings in

priests will

the people

temple in which the poor shared.

I clothe

v.'',

ivith salvation], in

so also

A Maccabean

and her pious

editor adds

sprout for David].

The

Ez. 2921, the Branch of Je.

king to

fulfil

I have

and especially

Yahweh

writer
23"',

ones will shout shouts of joy.

had

Zc. 3^

her

response to the prayer of

in

6'-,

17.

I will

mind,

cause a horn

in the use

to

of horn,

looking forward to a future

the Davidic covenant, and so the passage

anic, implying the

writer.

v}'-^^.

And

absence of the Davidic king

is

Messi-

in the time of the

arranged a lamp for Mine anointed], cf. 18^,

1 1^, where the prophet Ahijah represents that

K.

gives one tribe to the son of David, " that David

My

ser-

may have a lamp alway before Me in Jerusalem."

18. His
enemies will I clothe with shame], antith. v.'^.
and upon him
vant

PSALM cxxxii.
his

crown will

The blooming

blooin\.

473

of the crown parall. with

sprouting of the horn, involves a metaphor of the Branch,

the swan song of David

also

cf.

2 S. 23''^.

1. h mn"" niDT] cf. 89*^-^1, ijnN nsr with ace; S is sign not of ace. and so
n^3^, Ne. 1321 navjS -h mjr. Bi.
Aramaism, but of dative /^r, cf. Ne. 1314-22
adds rsixd"! here also. The measure requires such an addition, and it is probI7

inijy-Ss]

able.

Pu.

inf.

his being afflicted as Ps. IIQ'^,

so &, Perles, implies

Trpg.{iTr)Tos airrov,

behrung," Aq. /caKoux^as,

The oath of David,

||

"ipij];

KaKwaecvs,

"nj z'cw,

is

hu7?iility,

53*.

cf. Is.

r^s

Ehr. in sense of " Ent-

afflictiones.

>2^j I^tn].

nine's

2.

not mentioned in the history.

This

poetic

is

enhancement of the story, 2 S. 7, that David had in mind to build a temple

"W^ = that or how, obj. clause.
to Yahweh.
2X>T "^'3n] also v.^j ancient
divine name, based here on Gn. 492*, and then Is. 4926 60!^, Snib'"' n"':3N Is. i2*.
The pointing is prob. a Massoretic expedient to distinguish it from the ordi-

nary T'ax mighty, as applied to men.

y4

8g3W)^

would expect

3.

on] with oath, strong negative;

poetic for house.

"'J''>*^]

'D>'s>''?

''>is"'

t'-\x'\

Pr. 6*

S.

7^, cf.

nioijni

q"'0>'f3>'S

rij-aS

nr^'

Shn]

tiij

12"^;

pN

njty

The

jnn Ss.

4.

cf.

cstr.

16^ La. 2* Zc.

Is.

also cstr. apposition {tP 6j').

only sufficient to adapt the passages to their context.

three clauses

in classic style nN:iN.

Shn used prob. because of 2

apposition.

ncun

We

5<2^].

dx

variation

is

has conflation in

il ddffoj VTTvov rocs 6(f)daXiJLoh /xov

Kal ToTs j3X0d/)ots fxov voaraynbv

Kal dvdiravcnv tois Kpordcpois fMov

The
as

last

1.

gl.

from 0, as Agellius, Ecker, Ba.

slwnber, elsw. Pr.

n.f.

here,

and

^-7^^',
is

24^3 Jb. 33I3.

gl.,

as the

1.

\? than by a couplet including

v.^

apocopated

The

phr.

The uniform

but arrive at the place sought.

discover,

Pr. 6* for intensification.

of the holy

mount

43^, the courts of the temple 842.

of late style, and not S of dative,

region or district; not elsw. in

3516-

Dn;;"!;

a poet

ni{cn~i;j]

nijst'n] pi.

1^,

(2)

name

(g, '3,

AV., RV.

may

this,

6.

1.

by the

in this Str.

V.*

clause;

not

final

used of the taber-

is

tomb

Is. 22^^),

is

'?]

and

S of genitive

% n~-joN]

is

prob. the

of Bethlehem Mi.

5I.

when he could have

"ii"'

come

""^C'?].

The measure

together.

It is

so easily avoided

it.

requires

improb. that

The

sf.

and npnas may then have

usual mng., referring to Bethlehem: we heard of it in Ephrathah, that is,
mji'c'J'

1.

organisa-

but (i) near Bethel where Rachel died

otherwise the two accented syllables

would do

for

strophical

49I2 (cf. sg. for

tomb

nacles of Israel 78^8 872, of the

Gn.

5.

j^g.,

unnecessary

is

seems better prepared

v.^-*.

?T2"iJr)

76^ Bo. for

""rjr, cf.

tion of the Pilgrim Pss. requires us to find a gl. of one

was cited from

11^.

\p

explained by Ew-S^^^c/^

Ges.2^^ poetic older fem. form.

possibly a

elsw.

d>d>'d>^

riz; is

better Hu., Ko.^^i-^^, as

Aramaism;

fuller fem.

6*- ^^

refer to the resolution of David,

in
its

in

PSALMS

474
Bethlehem so Bar Heb.
We might render "found

The difficulty then would be with the mjNxn.

"came unexpectedly upon the news of it";

that

the report.

is,

-\y>

1|

it,"

'>-\Z'

text.

3 m. refers to

sf.

Yahweh

as the 3

The

word

third

is

a reference to the term

He

sacred place where

the only change being addition of

''*^'?'^?

stituted

up;]

and that the divine names

weaker and much

?n.

identical in Chr.

Ps.

84^*^.

other

vs.

This

word

less poetical.

txt. err., cf. v.^^ -ijp,^

is

certainly defective.

and use of imj

Vn

V. is

3123:3

-\i3>'3] is

a late

K.

2i'5- 1'-

reftise not, as Ba., cf.

incongruous with the context.

oath. rps]

i/',

without the

as Ba.

Je. 261^ 28^ 32'*^

11.

If

it

nnS

is

tn

20

gl.

"^^

nv-i> v^'^'j] cf. %ff'-

adv. truly, in truth,

qualifies the vb., the

cf.

first

It is

sub-

much

been omitted by

abs. has

inf.

is

T'TDni

of Chr.

'\rv2Z'^

were not derived from Chr., as Du. supposes

them from

the

for irnu::.

nin% are inserted.

3"'n'?s,

missing.

prob. that

It is

10. :in3;

a^jD y'VT\

is

is,

inx phr.

^l^y

Solomon at dedication of temple

for mn",

ovi'TvS

that

corresponds with citation in Chr., save that for pnx

^''^^-l

n;?vj'P,

is

Yahweh

granted His presence to His people,

elsw. in citation 2 Chr. 6^^ at close of prayer of

\^')^_

Nu. 35^, introducing

r\r\:2

nnijD, cf. v.i* 95II, resting place of

the second couplet.

9.

The
Yahweh

although neither

is in the immediate context.

8. y; ]^M<^ n.-N ^rnuD^ nini ncip].
two words are a reminiscence of the ancient song of the ark Nu.

first

10^.

not a natural interp. of the

is

to the ark

f.

nor the ark

The

and

of David's reso-

cohort, implying vb. m::x, usually omitted in poetry.

-i^f'^J]

7.

of Lebanon, so Ew.

Lebanon on the north hear

This suits the subsequent context, but

lution.

understood by

is

thus Bethlehem on the south and

rin'';:'D jd

jxti-Sn]
toan

""je

The

from Chr.

gl.

rather Chr. derives

paraphrase of 2

S. 7^1 q

Je. lo^^ for r::N2 Ps. 145^^

part of the v. has four beats

and the second part two. Ba., after (5, J(, dXTj^ciai/, veritatem, makes it ace.
of vb., and then against , 3 makes it begin a second 1., which is improbable.
Ew., Bu., attach
it

it

to

first

part of

1.,

an independent statement: "It

Ba.; or to the oath as such, so most.

as

it

would most

is

truth."

nddS

1*?

is

2 S.

7I*.

^m^;]

o-'taoa'C,

7^2-13^
1.

much more

is

nwr;, of

Ho.

txt. err. for

f^-,

it

Ex. 1513

Is.

142* 1438, so 3, BZ^B., Ba., Du.; but

omitted, T A fxapT^/pid
dative as v.^^^

Aaron

qy-,j

12.

concise than 8931-

D, and nipn of D^ and

because here rn;', the characteristic term of P,

rel, cf.

1:33 nor;]

n-'i^'N

a paraphrase of 2 S.

naturally expect to complete the

either refers to rrx, as

!^'??]

is

-"nna

pentameter

we

thg word

jg

yii yyzv^ dn].

a condition to the promise of the covenant involved in the discipline

This

r\'y\ry

This

stands.

Hu., Pe., Hi., make

De. to the second.

is

13.

fiov

10526, tribe of

p^nJ Pi. pf. I niN;

45I2 10614.
14.

sf.

nh']

ravra

|vx3

nin'

Ephraim
refer, to
/lere, in

&.

makes

Late

gl.

only here and

this place;

-inS jnp n>DXl.

it is

later,

Ps. i8''^-23.

n]

9i'5

cf.

but

io2 178 316 328 682^

demonstrative, with
so 83^8 92^.

iS]

a.X. in
cf.

David
v.^*.
i/',

m-v

Vb.

\p

c.

Zion here.

78";

BZ>B.

rel.

ethical

of reason, nna of divine choice

78^ (ncg.), espec.

Zion

where the four terms,

used,

it

cf. v.^*;

provision, in this sense elsw. Ne. 13^^ Jb. 38*1,

17-18.

is

^'^,

are used

42^^ 4321 Pss.

"'i'""'"^".]

-ina->3]

usually Hithp.

15.

Ps. 782^.

n-i's]

her

16. Cf. v.^,

This seems to be derived from Ez.

2921,

PSALM CXXXIII.
where only
Je. 23^

of Je.

p''^^^s

33^

But the glossator doubtless had in mind

elsw. the phr. occurs.

nn^

nci"

and

knew

especially in the later form,

The 1.
them all.

Zc. 38 6^^.

cf.

the glossator

^"iinpn,

of

nn

475

is

later

than

nj \njn;]

cf.

ncx nn^

rip-\ii

n-ic'^x,

and doubtless
doubtless in the mind

these passages,

all

K.

1 1'^^,

phr. a.X. f li' blooming of flowers 72^6 90*^ 103!^

sancmetaphorically of the wicked 92^, Israel Is. 27^. (3 ayLaa/xd fiov,
21I2 Nu. 6'^-ii+,
tificatio mea, take "itj in the sense of consecration, Lv.

of the glossator.

i^^i'^]

and make the

justified by

sf. I

per.

Ps. Sg*"^.

is

and Aq., S, have

The crown,

The

awroO.

like the

pp,

reference to

compared

is

crown

to vegetation

or flowers.

PSALM

CXXXIII.,

4*'.

Ps. 133 is a congratulation of Israel because of the fraternal

dwelling together of the people under the blessing of

This

(v.^-*).

is

compared to choice

the most abundant

oil

upon the head

dew upon the mountain

pEHOLD how good and how lovely

is

of

Zion

Yahweh

(v.^)

and to

(v.^).

the dwelling also of brethren together;

As goodly oil upon the head, which goes down to the collar of the garment;
As dew (upon) Hermon, which goes down upon the mountains of Zion
For there Yahweh hath commanded His blessing, life forevermore.
Ps. 133 has niiS in the title of |^, but not in

The term cannot be

original.

The

X ^.

Ps. belongs in the

The

texts

of

vary.

Greek period with

all

the Pilgrim Pss.

Introverted parallelism.
fact

1.

with mutual congratulation.

lovely

is the

Behold'], calling attention to the

how

how

good], intensified in

dwelling also of brethren together], probably refer-

ring not to a reconciliation of the alienated tribes, or to peaceful

communion

in the holy land or holy city

but to their gathering

together in Jerusalem at the pilgrim feasts

gether

is

weh hath commanded His

common

blessing

homes.
similes.

upon

The
2.

Yah-

city,

but to

all

those

to the pilgrim feasts to share with the inhabitants in

upon them the divine

and vigour with which to return to their

national worship, which brings

and

blessing, life forevermore], v.^ a blessing

not only to the permanent inhabitants of the

who come up
the

for this dwelling to-

evidently in Zion, where, as the syn. line indicates

fresh

life

intervening

As

lines

gives two simple

and

beautiful

goodly oil], choice, select, the best olive

the head], used to anoint the

heads of guests at

oil.

feasts,

PSALMS

476

which goes

cf. 23*.

down

and beard even

to the

it

goes over

it

upper border or

glossator, wishing to give

mony

garment\ copious

to the collar oj the

in quantity as well as choice in quality,

going

a reference to the most sacred cere-

of the consecration of the priesthood, Lv.

the expense of the measure

the head

all

collar of the garment.

down upon

8^""^-,

inserted at

the beafd, the

beard

of Aaron^. But such a specific reference to the consecration of

Aaron, while it might illustrate the copiousness and richness of the
anointing, would not illustrate the dwelling together of brethren

when assembled at a
The measure and

so well as the festal anointing of brethren

common

meal.

As dew

3.

ttpon H'ermon~\.

the parallel, require the preposition which has been omitted as

which goes down upon the

mountains of Zion"]. It is not necessary to think that the author
supposed that the same dew which descended so copiously on

unnecessary by a prosaic copyist.

Hermon, subsequently descended upon the mountains of Zion

the South

although

it is

quite possible that the author,

in

knowing

nothing of the real origin of dew, might have had that notion.

But the

parall. suggests that the

because of

and

life

1.

fertility,

D^j]

in 3,

This

and
is

and

adj. swee/,

the precious

oil

is

gl.

dew upon Hermon

that

is

pleasant {i&^^.

CJ]

intensifies the

needed

measure;

for

of intensification,
its

cf.

making

1.

Ex.

3o22-3^

in the sense of

and

ousness.

is

garment only here

not original.

''"DZ^l']

3.

x\-^'\t\

^S\

overfull.

verbal force.

''3''^>]

the upper border of the robe above the bosom.

gl.,

mentioned
imparts

It

the point of the comparison.

of anointing preserved in the tabernacle.

which must therefore have

3(f>;

is

extraordinary richness and copiousness.

its

cf. 1::

in\

It is

pnN
"iTii"]

upon

2.

not in

^''jsn]

but

ipr ]p]r\-hy ni"].

late rel.

with ptc,

the edge or border,

% ni?:] n.f. usually vieasure,

109^8^

T^g

gf \^

^^^ ^^

Hermonlike dew, because of

its

<^\^^

copi-

poetic form for prose nn.

PSALM CXXXIV.,

4^

Ps. 134 is a call upon all the servants of

Yahweh

to bless

Him,

especially in the courts of the temple (v.^'^).

gEHOLD

Yahweh, all ye servants of Yahweh.

Yahweh), ye who stand in (the courts of) the house of (our God).
In the dark night lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless Yahweh.
Bless in Zion Yahweh. maker of heaven and earth.
!

(Bless ye

Bless ye

PSALM cxxxiv.

477

composed at a time when regular worwas carried on in the temple by Levitical singers. It

Ps. 134 is the last of the Pilgrim Pss.,

even

ship,

at night,

doubtless belongs to the Greek period.

Stairlike parallelism.

Bless ye

Yahiae/i],

Behold\ emphatic

1.

call to attention.

repeated in each line; omitted by early

copyist in the second at the cost of the measure, and changed to

"

May Yahweh

call to

bless thee " in the last line

All ye servants of

worship.

the entire congregation

who

The

God\

our

An emphatic

error.
all

His worshippers,

not to be limited to Levitical singers,

are especially mentioned in

the house of

by

YdhweJi~\,

who stand

ye

in the courts of

so (^, F, best suited to measure,

cf.

135^.

when

Levitical choir stood in the courts of the temple,

en-

gaged in worship.
lates

J^, followed by AV., RV., condenses and assimito the context in " in the house of Yahweh," at the expense

it

of the measure and the graphic style.

It was only in the more
general use of " house " for temple and its courts, that it could

be said that these worshippers stood in the house of Yahweh.

In the dark

2.

night'],

attached by

U, J,

(!5,

the measure and with the introduction of a

to this V.

blessing 28^.

up your

lift

to

the sanctuary], the

Israel.

idea, emphatically

hands'], a gesture of prayer

singers standing in the court.

weh, King of

new

itself,

in the vb.

and

also of

fronting the

abode of Yah-

in Zion], the

3.

The mistake

temple

accordance with

in

occasioned the inter-

pretation " from Zion " of J^ and all Vrss., making the v. out
fnaker of heaven and earth],
of harmony with its context.

Yahweh, the King reigning

was also the creator of the

in Zion,

universe.

1.

nini-rs idhd] should be repeated in each

in v.i* at the

expense of the measure

earlier copyist to |3"i3% prob.

deov

riiiCjv

prob., as

dofuini.

=
it

m'?"'Vn]

pi.

It is

f^ attaches

it

either of

dittog.

Dei

makes good measure.

prob. latter.
ure,

by

5J in atriis dotmis

and

"*'

But

1.

in v.^

it

nini n''33]

nostri, ^J^^SN
^- ^-

it

has been omitted

has been changed by

but

@"^' kv

no nnsnj

avXais otKov

as 135^

prefix iv otKcp Kvpiov,

is

more

U in donio

number, nights; or of emphasis, dark night;

attached by , F,
to previous

1.

2.

to v.^,

r^p]

and

is

needed there

ets rh. Br^ia,

for

meas-

3 ad sanctum.

PSALMS

478

PSALM CXXXV.,

3 str. 6\

Ps. 135 is a Hallel of the Levites in the temple, praising Yah-

weh

for His goodness

Israel

and loveliness

(v.^~^),

and giving them possession

summoning

in choosing

who

His supremacy over the gods

(v."*),

and over nature

of the nations (v.^),

of

(v.^- ^ ^^)

Glosses specify the goodness of

(v.^-^-^).

Israel

His deliverance

unite in blessing Yahweh,

all classes in Israel to

dwelleth in Jerusalem

Yahweh

for

the Holy Land

of

(v.^^)

refer to the miracles

Egypt (v.^), to Sihon and Og (v.^^) mention on the one side

Yahweh's commemoration (v.^'^), and on the other His compassion
in

(v.^*)

and contrast

Him with

pRAISE ye
Praise

Ye

the

dead idols

name

Yahweh, ye

(v.^^^^).

Yahweh

of

servants,

that stand in the

house of Yahweh,

In the courts of the house of our God.

Praise ye Yah for He is good.
Hymn to His name, for He is sweet:
'TO Him who smote the firstborn of Egypt,
;

From man even unto beast

To Him who smote many nations.

And slew numerous

And gave their land

A possession

kings

a possession,
His people.

for

to Israel

YE house of Israel bless Yahweh;

Ye house of Aaron bless Yahweh
Ye house of Levi bless Yahweh
Ye that fear Yahweh bless Yahweh
Bless Yahweh of Zion
;

Him

(Bless)

that dwelleth in Jerusalem.

Ps. 135 is a Hallel (n>iS7n, v. Intr. 35).

the lines are transposed: 134^ in

with ptc.
v.^

from Ex.

ment;
1

and with the

V.2'*

V.13

18^^;

v.^

from Ex.

1348 in

^^'^.

It

pf. v.^"-

from

31^;

It

v.2,

has

resembles 113I in v.^ only

v.2i.

many

It

has the relative

'tr

glosses: v.^ from Dt. 7^;

v.^ a prosaic statev.'' from Je. lo^^;

from Dt. 32^6; yi^i from Ps. 115^-8. V.", as

Ps. 115^;

v.i*

2619a. 20^ is a gloss of specification.

The

Ps.

cannot be earlier than the late

Greek period.

Three

Str. I.
II

syn. couplets.

1-3.

Praise ye]y thrice repeated,

Hyj7in\ public worship with song in the temple.

Yahweh

||

Yahweh

||

Yah

||

His name'].

the

name of

Those summoned

praise are servants'], not Israel in general, but specifically

to

Ye

PSALM cxxxv.

479

In the courts of the house of

that stand in the house of Yahweh
our God~\, those accustomed to minister in the courts of the
temple, the Levitical singers and musicians as 134^ the " house
II

of Levi "

v.^.

The reason

usual, benignant,

and so

for the praise

is

for

Both of these attributes are ascribed to Yahweh

the latter to the
of.

147^.

name

number of

glossator adds a

and the terms of the

by which

was selected out of

Israel

ure or property of
also Mai. 3^^
5.

Yahweh
2^

Peter

I kfiow

Verily

This

all gods'].

Moses

that

is

Yah

Yahweh

in recognition of the

Yahweh

from

chose

This

Jacob for

derived from

is

is

i^^

is

Tit. 2^^

great,

doeth in heaven

96^

and on

preeminent sense
Br .^p-

102.

ma.

52.191.

cf.

235^

^_

and

that our Lord

idP-,

the words of Jethro to

7.

the ends of the earth, the lightnings

wind from

All that

6.

earth, in the seas

an expansion of Ps. 115^.

forth the

nations to be the treas-

is

above

dehverance of Israel from Egypt as a

Pss. 95^

cf.

Ex.

original covenant of

all

in a special or

Eph.

an expansion of Ex.

divine act of Yahweh,

This

and not

with the Deuteronomic idea of the divine selection of

7^,

Israel, cf. Ps. 33^^,

19*,

as JPSV.,

specifications to these

J^or

4.

Himself, Israel for His peculiar treasure].

Dt.

good], as

is

as EV'., cf. 54^, or to the action of praise,

from other Scriptures.

attributes

He

sweet in His dealings with His people.

||

He pleas eth

and all depths]

Bringing up the vapours

making for

his treasure houses], a citation

rain, leading

from

Je. 10^^,

power of Yahweh over nature, doubtless with a

the beneficent effects of the rain upon the land and its

to illustrate the

view to

vegetation,
Str. II.

cf.

Pss. 33^ 65^"

Synth., syn.,

"^.

and

stairlike couplets.

relative obj. of the praise.

smote

man

This, as

even

cHmax
105^^.

unto beast].

of the plagues of Egypt,

is

8.

To

Him who],

the firstborn of Egypt,

From

the most significant and the

given as a specimen, cf 78^^

glossator, not satisfied with this,

and wishing

to recall

mind the numerous plagues of the historical narratives, adds

9. He sent signs and wonders in Thy midst, O Egypt, against
Pharaoh and against all his servants.
10. Him who smote
many natiofis, And slew numerous kings], a general statement
referring to the victories of Moses and Joshua over the kings
of the Canaanites. The Vrss. ancient and modern differ very
much, some rendering " great and mighty " instead of " many and
to

PSALMS

480

numerous," and others rendering the one way

in one line, the

While etymologically either rendering
possible, the one given above seems to be most probable.

other way in the other line.

is

The

11.

glossator again specifies from the ancient history, in this

case citing from 136^^^, Sihon, king of the Amorites^ a?id Og, king

of Bashan, and making the summary addition

kingdoms of Canaan, cf. Nu. 2\^^^'^- Dt. 2^'J-

And gave

12.

their

the lands of the

all

land for a possession

many

A glossator again adds

13. Yahweh, Thy

and all the

^^,

v.^",

3^'- Jos. 12^

Israel His people'],

to

He

nations and kings that

for their sakes, the entire land of

Jordan.

to

had smitten

Canaan, east and west of the

from other Scriptures several

endureth forever.
Yahweh,
Thy commemoration endureth for all generations^ a couplet from
Ex. 3^^, changing the words of Yahweh to Moses, at the revelation
of the divine name " Yahweh," into the form of the words of
14. For Yahweh will judge
Israel in recognition and praise.
His people, and upon His servants have compassion]. This is an
passages.

naifie

exact citation from the song Dt. 32^, predicting a divine judg-

ment upon His people for their transgression, and yet one carried
The Maccabean editor
on with regretfulness and compassion.
inserts v.^^^^

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

The work of the hands of man.
Mouths have they but they speak not.
;

Eyes have they; but they see not,

E^rs have they but they hear not.
Like them be they that made them,
All that trust in them.
;

This

An

is

a citation from 115*^* ^ omitting the gloss to that passage.

additional line

7nouth'\.

They

Str. III.

is

given

v.^^"*

Yea,

there is no breath in their

and so not alive.

and a syn. couplet.

are breathless,

syn. tetrastich,

house of Levi], resuming the " servants " of

of worshippers are

summoned

v.^"-.

the house of

19-21.

The

The

three classes

Israel, the house of

Aaron, and them that fear Yahweh, cf 115^^^ iiS^"^, to bless

Yahweh], six times repeated, the last omitted by error of early
copyist at the expense of the measure.
is

In the

fifth line

described as of Zion, which must be interpreted as

that dwelleth in Jerusalem, as indicating that

He

||

Yahweh

with

Him

goes forth from

PSALM CXXXVI.
when He would do His works of

Zion, His royal residence,

and judgment.

position

481

It is against the parallelism

inter-

and the

atti-

tude of the Ps. to think of blessings resounding from Zion.

113I.
2. Dnr>'a'] "d rel. with Qal ptc,
'Vl}' ^^^ ' ^' ^f 2'"^2>> as in
3. nin^] gl., though in Vrss.; clue to the fact that nj with t>^n had

1-

134^.

cf.

lost its significance.

delightful, ci.

z.di\.

D^;,*]]

property, peculiar treasure, of

Yahweh,

i(fi.

that

4.

^'^'

t'"'^.'']

Israel Ex. 19^

is,

iX) valued

(E) Mai.

3!'^,

Dt. f> 142 261^- ^ here ; (2) treasure of king i Ch. 29^ Ec. 2^. V. is
Prosaic
6. Gl. from Ps. \\f.
from Dt. 76.-5. Gl. from Ex. iS".
*l.

'D Di?

from

Je. lo^^.

NX^r]

25I*.

has

XX111,

n'^'V*^]

ph

[**''V'^]

txt. err. for N"'X-'C

cf.,

but Vrss. ptc. here.

is

needed before

nj;n9]

n. pr.

trn-D]

11.

elsw.

n>'

for

9.

8.

m. Sihon Nu.

2i2i

"'D.

has

This

v.

prosaic gl.

dittog.

''?.'?'^n2]

elsw. ^, 1361^.

1361^; Amorites, chief of peoples dispossessed

'/',

those E. Jordan Nu. 21^^+.

Nu.

2i33

14.

Gl.

QE) +.

This

from Dt. 32^.

15-18 =
20.

been influenced by the original

nrnr] 'i' rel. for nc'N, with pf.

scribe has

measure.

gl.

mSh ^'2]

defective

1.;

from

V. is

gl.

X'^<\

|^,

115*-^.

17.

". pr.

^^>']

from

3;

but

Ps. 136

13.

oiKrelpei,

ir?N^]

not.

it

t """^J^^fC^) l^'^]

by Hebrews; here

m. Og, king of Bashan,

13619-20.

Hiph. of

Gl.

from Ex.

make

to

better parall.

denom.

|?n,

1362*^
3^5.

frs

(j^).

">j3 i Ch. 1226.

21. o'7a'n>
t M^ adj. gent. Levite, cf. >'hr\
prefix ^nj for measure, in ace. with style of Ps.

PSALM CXXXVI.,
God, for

was

all

gl.

of kings of Egypt; elsw. ^, 136!^

n. pr., title

gl.

51I6 Pr.
n.[m.] vapour, elsw. Je. lo^^
however, Ges.^3. 3. Anm. 5^ jg. iqIS = 5116

passage to write the form in this way.

^

STR. e.

originally a song of praise to

His wondrous deeds

(v.^'^), for

His deliverance of Israel from Egypt

ptt']

Yahweh, the supreme

His creation

(v.^^- ^^

^*') ,

for

(v.^^), for

His disposses-

sion of the kings of Canaan, and giving His people their inheri-

tance

(v.^^

changing

21. 25>)

it

To

this additions (v.^^-

into an alphabetical Ps.,

""i^- i^i^- is-^o- 22^

were made,

with a solo voice giving the

theme and a chorus responding to each line with the common

liturgical phrase.
Finally two lines were added (v.^^^), and the
introduction (v.^) and conclusion (v.^^).

QIVE thanks to the God of gods

Give thanks to the sovereign Lord of lords

To
To
To
To
21

Him that did great wonders;

Him that made heaven by His understanding;
Him that spread out the earth upon the waters;
Him that made the great lights.

PSALMS

482
Him

'T'O

that

smote the Egyptians

in their firstborn;

To Him that divided the Red Sea into parts;

To Him that led His people in the wilderness;
To Him that smote great kings
(To Him that) gave their land for a possession;

Him

(To)

Ps. 136

a Hallel,

is

that giveth

bread

to all flesh.

aWTjXovid at the beginning ace. to , but n>^hhr^

v. Intr. 35.
It has in its present form
;

vi'ith

at close of previous Ps. ace. to |^

26 couplets, each of which begins with a solo voice, the leader of the choir

and it concludes with the chorus,

;
" For His kindness endureth forever."

giving the object or attribute to be praised

using the identical liturgical phrase

According to Soph.

The

original

of each

is

v.^-*-

1.,

18^2

was much

original Ps.

[^

y^Q^

shorter,

1^- 1^- 16.

The

vening glosses.

n^

v.11-1^ is

ant of

v.^"'

v.19-20

V.i

v.^i- 25

*?

^ has

with the ptc. at the beginning

been omitted because of

of a different construction, showing that

is

the general liturgical phrase frequently

a specification from Ex. 142^

are specifications from the history

v.23-24 is

part of the Ps.,

v.i4-i5 is

inter-

all

Hallels, cf. 106^ or 118^; v.^"^ are specifications from

a phr. of D.

from 135^^

jn

glosses are

they have been tacked on.

appended to

sung on the seventh day of Mazzoth. The

composed of two hexastichs without the Rf.

by the use of

easily detected

^7-

135^^

Gn.

i^^- ^^

v.^^ is

a vari-

v.^^ jg inserted

a pentameter of entirely different style from any other

and by a different hand from the other glosses v.^^ is a conterm '* God of heaven," over against the introduction v.^
;

clusion, using the

The

original Ps. uses Dt.

10^'^

in v.^-% Je. 10^2 i^ v.*-^, Ps. 24I-2 in

probable that the Ps. had three stages in

its

composition was of two hexastichs without the Rf. of the chorus

enlarged to 22 lines with the chorus
glosses

^^^ last of

all it

(2)

it

was

received the

V.l- 23. 24. 26.

Str.

1-3.

v.2-22- 26

It is

v.^.

development: (i) the original

I.

Gwe

couplet

Syn.

with synth. line

and

syn.

triplet.

tha7iks\ once repeated, but implied in every line that

The
hand prefixed the
formula
Give
Yahweh for He
good for His kindness endureth
God of gods sovereign Lord of
forever.
both
cited from Dt. 10"
implying the sovereignty of Yahweh, the God
of
over
the gods of the
cf
135^ The Rf.
third

follows.

thanks

to

liturgical

is

to the

lords'],

||

Israel,

nations,

all

Ps.

For His kindness endureth forever], was attached

to each line,

probably by the second hand, and sung by a chorus in response

to the leader,

who gave

in

each hne the theme.

4.

To

Him

that did great wonders], a general term, comprehending all the

divine deeds that follow.
A glossator added " alone " to emphasize the

uniqueness of the divine activities of Yahweh

but at the

PSALM CXXXVI.

5-7.

expense of the measure.

creation
specific

mode

Him that made\ at the

Him that spread out, a

To

twice with the intervening

||

483

To

of creation in the style of

Is.

42^ 44^*, involving the

image of the expanse of a tent or curtain spread

upojt the

usually applied to heaven, but here to the earthy

waters ;

It is possible

that there was a transposition of the Ptcs.

by copyist's mistake.

The

creative activity was

an

by His U7iderstanding\
intelligent one,

Creator.

cf.

Je. lo^^.

and the creations display the knowledge of

only are mentioned in addition to

the great lights

8-9.

heaven and earth.

sun for ruling over

their

A glossator

specifies

moon and the

the day, the

from Gn.

i^^- ^^,

the

stars for ruling over

the night.

Enumerates the several divine acts of redemption in

10. To Hii7i that smote the Egyptians in their
firstborn^ here as 135^, the supreme plague as a specimen.
Str. II.

six synth. lines.

To

adds

this a glossator

their midst by

Deuteronomic

ance with the

Red Sea

divided the

And

11-12.

brought forth Israel from

a strong hand atid an outstretched arm'],

ance as a specimen.
14-15.

narrative.

13.

in accord-

Him

To

that

supreme act of divine delivera glossator adds from the narrative

into parts'], the

To

this

And made

Israel pass over in the midst of it;

shook off Phai^aoh and his host into the Red Sea.
16. To Hifn that led His people i?i the wilderness], 2i general state-

Ex.

14^'':

of Canaan.

and He

ment covering the entire journey to the borders

17. To Him that smote great kings], d, general statement, as 135^^
The glossator varies the statement slightly by saying 18. And
:

slew noble kings, cf

originally

135^^.

was "nations"

He

also specifies in

and

Og, king of Bashan.

It is quite possible that

as

or

135^",

one of these

"kingdoms"

as

135^^

19-20, as 135", Sihon, king of the Amorites,

21.

To

a possession].

Him

that gave their land for

This has in f^ been assimilated to 135^^ and so

the second line has been added
possession for Israel His
:

The

hand appends a pentameter in a different

tone, and with different and later terminology
23-24. Who in
our low estate was mindful of us, and delivered us from our
adversaries, which probably refers to Maccabean afflictions.
25. To Him that giveth bread to all flesh].
This is a general
servant.

third

conclusion.

It is

probable, however, that the original reference

PSALMS

484

tor

adds

wants of His people.

for the

was to provision

The

latest glossa-

26. as a conclusion, over against the introduction

Give thanks

God

to the

which, however, in
to praise their

God,

is

of heaven], a phr. of Ezr.

summons

interpreted as a

i^

Ne.

to the

v.^

i* 2*,

heavens

148^

as in the Hallel

n^S] though in Vrss. makes

the
8-9. Gl. from On.
from Dt.,
the measure. 11-12. Explanatory
too long

Qal ptc,
t
+ prosaic sentence. 13.
here sections of sea; elsw. halves of animals Gn. 15^^
n.m. only
shake
measure.
too long
14-15. Explanatory
\jix] pi. emphatic,

3.

1.

too long and

is gl.

as Dt. 10^".

^n'^s;

II

cm.s]

7.

4.

ji*^-

oms::.

for

515

iS;

gl.

for

1.

->n]

cf.

88^.

D^->n]

army,

as 33^,

v.

pi.

48*

["'y]

pi.;

gl.;

cf.

off,

Niph. 10923.

16.

Variant of

18.

I3ciia-'>.

v.^^

21.

tacked on,
but

l"'^^]

6^

low

estate, elsw.

UwKv.

22.

Ec.

Gl.

lo*''.

24.

26 a

original sentences.

and a dimeter.

25.

8^5 Is.

135^'^^.

cf.

Je.

i'

usual

p:\

whether

'^x

^^"^

t!?0

or cc^i'n be vocative as 3.

gl.

whose

(S^ has

Kvpli{),

of

as

has been

manifestly error.

3 STR. 4^

Ps. 137 narrates the bitter experience of the exiles

demanded

51^+.

Gl. of specification,

\ has been omitted because of

be construct before DTcn as ^,

PSALM CXXXVII.,
captors

59^2 uq^.

Zc.

gl.,

gs.

R. T^

19-20.

135^-^

cf.

gl.

c. a.

ef--'^^

Pi. pf.

cf.

and which has been assimilated to 135^^,

23. u^prar] t C"?!?'] " lowliness,
The 't late form rel. Gl. of diff. structure from
Sentence of diff. construction from the original 1.
;

intervening

is

-\';\]

bbvTL implies ptc.

(S^--^-*^ Kal

omitted because of intervening

but

for

1.

S;n n.m., here hosi,

Hiph. iSn as Dt.

ptc.

r':'^']

last

'^\^ry].

them songs

of

Yahweh

(v.^"^),

when

their

which they

could not sing in a foreign land, in forgetfulness of Jerusalem,

whose remembrance was

recollection of

their chief joy

the streams, there

we

down,

sat

yea,

(v.'').

we wept;

we hung up our harps

our captors asked us words of song
(Yea, they asked us), " Sing to us some of the songs of Zion."
T-JOW can we sing the songs of Yahweh in a foreign land?"
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten.
By

the poplars in the midst

For

i(

a vivid

the treacherous cruelty of the Edomites, they look

forward to the time of vengeance upon them

"DY

With

(v.'^).

tliere

May my
"D

tongue cleave

my

to

palate,

if I

remember

thee not;

Jerusalem above my chief gladness.

EMBER to the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem
Who said " Lay it bare Lay it bare To the foundation with
Happy be he who repayeth thee what thou didst deal to us.
If

exalt not

EM

Happy be he who

it."

taketh and dasheth thy sucklings against the crag.

PSALM CXXXVII.

485

In (3 however it has ry Aaveld. This cerwas composed by David, but that it was of the
Davidic type. It is not probable that this Ps. was in ]3, although it intervenes between a series of Hallels and the Davidic group 138-145; v. Intr.
The date of the Ps. from internal evidence cannot be long after the
27.
destruction of Jerusalem, when the treachery and cruelty of the Edomites was

no

Ps. 137 has

tainly did not

fresh in the

Babylonian

title in f^.

mean

that

minds of the
exile, for

it

it

The

exiles.

Ps.

was evidently written early

in the

breathes the spirit of the bitter experience of those

composed of three pentameter tetrastichs. mna'n h22 r\2

makes the Edomites the chief
offenders.
It was introduced at a time when the share of the Edomites in
the destruction of Jerusalem had become effaced. ^22 in the first line was

The

times.

Ps. is

a late

V.8 is

gl.

against the context, which

also not in the original.

Str. I.

Syn.

and

stairlike

couplets.

1-2.

By

the

streams^,

the canals uniting the Euphrates and the Tigris, and fertilizing
the land of Babylon, which in the original was implied, but by a
glossator inserted in the text.

||

By

the poplars in the midst'],

changed by the glossator into " her midst,"

the midst of Babylon, which certainly does not suit the locality of
To these places the people had retired for solithe parallel line.
there we sat down], in the posture of
tary grief and reflection,
sorrow, with head bowed in humiliation.
Yea, we wept
we
hung up our harps], having no further use for them. It is not
probable however that they were hung " upon " the trees as the
between the canals

EV^
row.

For
have
our captors asked us
it.

of psalmody.

there], giving a special reason for the sor-

3.

The

ivords of song], the measured lines

vb. asked

is

repeated for

stairlike parall. ace.

J^ has a form a.A. and there is no

Vrss. or commentators.
PBV. takes it as a

to a probable emendation.

agreement among

noun " in our heaviness " AV., RV., as a vb. *' they that wasted
us"; JPSV., "our tormentors"; none of which is sustained in
form or usage.
Sing to us some of the sojigs of Zion], the songs
of Yahweh, songs composed and used in the worship of Yahweh not songs of a non-religious character, which might have
;

been sung with propriety.

Str. II.

can

we

Has an

introductory line, and a syn.

sing the songs of

Yahweh

songs were alone appropriate in

temple of Yahweh.

5-6.

If

triplet.

4.

in a foj^eign land?].

the

land

forget thee,

of

Yahweh

How
These

in

the

Jerusalem], in

PSALMS

486

antithesis with the foreign land.

tensified in

If

if

||

I remember

exalt not Jerusalem above

my

thee

not\

in-

chief gladness\

finding the chief joy during the exile in the recollection of Jeru-

The

salem.

psalmist imprecates paralysis

should be otherwise

may my

paralysed and no longer

II

May my

felt,

Str. III.

himself,

if it

or within the experience of the mind.

tongue cleave to 7ny palate'], also paralysed and un-

able to move.

appeal to

upon

right hajid be forgotten\ because

synth.

Yahweh

and a syn. couplet.

His people

to join with

experience of the past.

to the

7.

Reme77iber\ an

in recalling the bitter

sons of Edo7ti\.

The Edomites

were especially zealous against the Jews in their tribulations, cf.

///<?
day of Jerusale7n\ the day
La. 42i8q. Q^iosq. 2. 25^" 'I'.
when the city was captured and destroyed by the king of Babylon.

Who said:

^^

Lay

it

bare !''\ repeated for emphasis.

Let

the foundation with it/ "].

it

to the foundation, so that nothing

" To

be laid bare and stripped even

be

left

standing.

8.

be he], repeated at the beginning of the concluding line.

Happy

who

Edom, whose cruel zeal against Judah

exceeded that of the Babylonians, and who was the instigator of
greater severity in dealing with Israel than the Babylonians themrepay eth thee], referring to

selves proposed.

But

a later glossator at the expense of the

daughter of Babylon, waster], thinking of

for the destruction of the city, at a
responsible
chiefly
Babylon as

measure prefixed

time when the part that

Edom

had taken had become obscured,

and doubdess because of the mention of

Edom

in the previous

couplet, unwilling that the chief oppressor should be left out.

what

glossator

by the insertion of " thine own dealing "

of the measure.

who

the custom of the ancients

due

male

all

10^*

offspring, according to

to the principle of blood revenge

transmitted as a duty to offspring, making

minate

at

taketh a7id dasheth thy sucklings against

the crag], the cruel extermination of

Ho.

by a
the expense

thou didst deal to us], in exact retribution, intensified

it

necessary to exter-

males in order to prevent future vengeance,

Na.

cf. Is. 13^^

3^

2. ta'^i'JI':] only pl- poplars. Is. 15^ 44*

1. S33] is dub. here as in v.^.
Lv. 23*0 (H) Jb. 4022. np^na] sf. is improbable if S^3 a gl. iJ\nnjr] has
^ airaya3. uu^K'] Qal ptc. nac, v. 68^^.
two accents.
f ""^'Ir^^fi] '^'

PSALM CXXXVIII.
ydvres

Vfiois,

5r NJfra

qui abduxerunt nos, so S,

our plunderers

KaToXa^ovevdjULevot

ol

IJ"'^'?"'^,

tj/xQv

as Ez.

487
as Jb. 12^^ so Agellius

so Hu., Gr., Ba., Kau., Valeton

iJ'.?"'^^^

39^'^,

qui adjiigebant nos.

^"rn

does not

exist.

^hv does not explain any of the Vrss. except %. Ehr. suggests uiVxtt', which
nn:2'ki' is not in (^, and is late gl.
best suits context.
"^T?] ^k rlhv (fdCov.
5. ^yT2] na-'n] obj. omitted in order to emphasize the idea of forgetfulness

itself,

an

oblivione

obj.

being given in the next

sit,

assimilation to 2S.

demolish,

there

7.

no place for
the enemy.

it

is

Edom

3, V. K6.li-

1.

VSJi]

( iiriXTjadeiTj, r\yS'D, so
sf.

Imv.
8-9. mnc'n
n;;]

measure and

Pi. nn;?

it is

in

Aramaism, but prob. due to

v. s'f^.

'n^s]

rnN"- v.^.

make naked,

ni]

hi-y

is

lay bare,

doubtless a

against the context, which

gl.

makes

as

z-',

so

v.*.

^Vicjtn]

gl.

oppressor, waster; Street,

dS^'c']

late rel.

with impf.

of intensification, at cost of

consec. after impf.

PSALM

CXXXVIII.,

Ps. 138 is a thanksgiving to

faithfulness

But

1.

'D"i2Tn]

n^i-^rn pass, ptc, be wasted, as Rodiger, De., Ba., vastata

so with nSoj, also with

in

gl.

6.

Bo., Hi., Ew., Hu.^, n-jna'n

194^

Dy., Kau., Gr. nn'iv^n,

measure.

nmi]

Hithp.

1418.

cf.

oblivioni detur.

The kings

(v.^"^).

3 STR. 6^

Yahweh

for His kindness

and

of the earth share in this thanks-

mused upon His ways,

giving, for they have heard His words and

and see and know His glory (v.'*"^). Though Israel must undergo
trouble, Yahweh' s hand saves him from enemies ; therefore he
prays

Him

to continue benefits, and not to discard His

Vy ITH

my whole

heart

give Thee thanks

In the sight of divine beings

Thee

handiwork

make melody unto

Thee.

give thanks for Thy kindness,

And Thy name

for Thy faithfulness

For Thou hast magnified above all things Thy word,
:

And strengthened me in my soul with

A LL earth's kings give Thee thanks,

Because they have heard the words of Thy mouth

they muse, Yahweh, upon Thy way.
For great is Thy glory
For exalted, Yahweh, they see Thee,
And lofty from afar they know Thee.
the midst of trouble must I walk.
Against mine enemies Thou stretchest forth Thy hand,
And Thou savest me with Thy right hand.
Yahweh, on my behalf be Thy benefits
Yahweh, forever be Thy kindness
Do not discard the works of Thy hands.

And

TN

Thy') strength.

PSALMS

488

Ps. 138 was doubtless in IB, as it begins a group of Pss. with inS in |^,
of which 139, 140, were in IBK also, and
extending to and including 145
of which 139, 140, 141, 143, were in fH, 142 was a S'-ds'D and also a n'-'^p^
;

None were

145 a nSnn.
final editor

TV

of the

@^

Aaue/5,

i/'

These were given

in !5.

{v. Intr.

also Zaxap^ou, (S^ Zaxap^as

but Aq. and Sexta have not even

to doubt

The

its originality.

their present place

3, G, ^, have only

There

this.

original Ps.

is

by the

(S^-n of Ps. 138 had

26, 27, 31, 33, 38).

"David";

no good reason, however,

had three trimeter hexastichs

but

was considerably modified by the insertion of glosses v.^* from 5^, v.^",
and one in (3 between v.^" and v.^''; also by minor changes throughout the
Ps., made at the expense of the measure and to the destruction of the assonance. The Ps. in its original form had every line ending in ka. It belonged
it

to the Persian period in

Two

Str. I.

heart

syn.

its

happier times, after Nehemiah.

and a synth. couplet.

give Thee iha7iks\

PBV.

the expense of the measure.

Thou

hast heard the words of

though accepted by Gr.,

In

Bi.,

1.
IVi/k my whole
adds " Yahweh " at

after Vrss.

U, also add from v."^, " because

mouth " ; which was not original,

(,

my

Du.

for there

is

no place

for

it

in

of divine beings I make melody unto Thee"].

The psalmist conceives that the temple worship is in the presence
2. J^ and Vrss. add
of heavenly beings, the angels, cf. 8^ 89^^
the Str.

the sight

from

5*,

/ worship toward Thy

holy temple'], which

the Ps. and needed no expression.

Thee

Thy name

This

line has

is

implied in

no place

in the

for Thy kindness for

Thy faithfulness]. This syn. couplet has been reduced to a prose
For Thou hast magnified above
sentence by a prosaic scribe.
The divine word of promise has been
all things Thy word].
made great and glorious in its fulfilment. By a copyist's error the
Str.

give thanks

||

divine "

name

"

came

into the text from the previous line at the

expense of the measure, and occasioned great

*'

Above every name

latter

was

easily

Greek word "

codices.

J,

difficulty to the Vrss.

" was so incongruous to

holiness "

which appears

however, retains "word."

gives the rendering of AV., RV.,

Thy name," which cannot be

how can

that the

for the similar

earliest

Greek

"Thy name,"
JPSV., "Thy word

p| has

above
for

word "

the

in

and thus
all

*'

mistaken by the Greek translators

satisfactorily

explained

the fulfilment of the divine promise or of any divine

utterance be magnified above the divine

inserts the general statement,

In

the

name?
day

3.

calledj

glossator

Thou

didst

PSALM CXXXVIII.
answer me\ which

And

text.

me

is

489

true enough, but has

streiigthened 7ne in

my

no

relation to the con-

soul with Thy strength\ given

inward strength, by the comfort derived from the fulfilment of

5^ and Vrss. differ exceedingly in the form

the divine promises.

But the rendering given above

of the vb.

after (,

F,

.S, ^T,

so

more probable than J^, followed by RV.,

" didst encourage me," which has little support in OT.
PS
v.,
J
Str. II. Two synth. and a syn. couplet.
4. All earth's kings\
PBV., AV.,

essentially

is

share in this praise of Israel

cf.

96, 97, 98, 100.

Because

they

have heard the words of Thy mouth'], the prophetic words of

promise with reference to Israel's deliverance, cf. Is. /^i-^^"^- 42^

5-6.

muse upon], more probable than " sing "

of 5^, and Vrss., which is nowhere else used in this construction.
Thy way], required for assonance, changed by glossator into
"ways of Yahweh." The divine ways are in accordance with the
divine promises.
For great is Thy glory], required for assonance
For exalted
instead of " glory of Yahweh," of J^ and Vrss.
And lofty]. These were predicates of Yahweh in the vocative,
"glory" of previous hne and continuing the reason for the
thanksgiving of the kings.
But an early scribe interpreted the
for HliT makes it necessecond adj. of proud men against the
44^.

And

they

II

II

||,

of God.

Accordingly the insertion of

an obj. with vb. became necessary, and " the lowly," the antithesis
sary to interpret the

to " the proud,"

The

vbs.

first

came

into the text at the expense of the measure.

were originally

assonance

accordance with the context and the

in

they see Thee

they

||

nition of the exalted majesty of

most distant

parts.

know Thee from afar], the

Yahweh by the kings even

But the interpretation already mentioned

compelled the ignoring of the

sfs.,

respect unto the lowly

text became that

Yahweh be proud, yet hath

and so the

followed by Vrss. and EV'., " though

He

recog-

of the

but the proud

He

knoweth

afar off"

which might be regarded as a good gnomic sentence though in

bad measure, but which gives an abrupt change of person and
results in a

conception heterogeneous to

its

context and altogether

inappropriate to the conclusion of a Str. whose theme

praise of

Yahweh by

Str. III.

Two

by a syn. couplet

all

tristichs
;

is

the

the kings of the earth.

:

the

first,

an introductory

the second syn. throughout.

7.

line followed

In

the midst

PSALMS

490

of trouble must I walk']. The cohortative form was required for

assonance, but was changed by a copyist into the more usual form.

glossator at the expense of the measure adds the apodosis here

"Thou

me."

against

mine
had been occasioned by enemies. A
glossator inserted "anger " in the text, after the prep., making it
prematurely in the vb.

The

enemies].

revivest

trouble

Thou

the anger of the enemies, against the measure.

hand

forth Thy

position on behalf of His people,

Thou

cf.

Ex.

15^'^^ Ps. 20''

saves t me], from the enemies and troubles

me

stretchest

with Thy right ha7id\ the usual divine inter-

77" 98^

or possibly

Heb. word has both

mngs., and we cannot always determine which the author had in
mind.
8. Yahwehy on my behalf be Thy benefits].
The jussive
of last line makes it necessary to interpret the two previous lines
"givest

the victory" over them, for the

Moreover, the assonance could hardly have

as jussive also.

failed

had a noun with sf. subsequently

changed by a copyist into the jussive of a late Aramaic vb. of the
Yahweh, forever be Thy kindness], resuming
same meaning.
Do not discard the works of Thy hands],
the thought of v.-.
the works of kindness and faithfulness undertaken in fulfilment of
His promises, which need still to be carried on, in behalf of His
people. To discard them would be to break them off before they
had been completed, and prior to the complete accomplishment
the original, which prob.

in

of their purpose.
^""^n]

1.

Bi.,

transpose to end of

Che., Du.

But

It

ripp'px

is

not, however, in (@-^.

-|Dtt'

^^"'1*'

2.

^^""^

magnify over

all,

cf.

as Ba.

gl.,

fill

accepted by Gr.,

from

gl,

Bi.,

5^.

3.

Hiph. Jan-*,

^jan-)"?]

cf.

^.^-i-n '\zz'''\ so 2

3 nomen eloquium tuum ;

18^^ Is. 4221.

rh dyibv aov, but Hyiov error for Xbyiov,

and so

is

^^ mnr'^N]

cf.
1.

h'--^'; n*;'"!^^]

dvoiLO.

, &, 3, ^, insert nirr-, so

><c-aTj U, in-

44^ 54^99^ 142^.

T'::n~S;'i "i^Dn"'^;] is prosaic; one beand the first 1. should have sf. with vb., the second i::'"rs.

n-'^'i]

longs to each

for assonance.

1.

not needed for measure or sense.

t4 ^^/xara rod ardfxards fwv, which

sert 5ti ^Kovffa^

Du.

it is

Ct. 6^;

Bu. denom.

jn'i

pride,

with pride; Aq., %, dilatabis aniniae meae, interpret as 3nn

(cf.

rd. prob. '';3'^n.

It is prob. that there has been a confusion
@, S,
between Heb. 3nn and Aram. 3n->.
?;] @^ ^v dvvdfiei iroWy, but iroWr} not
in (gN. c. a. A. R. T
4^ .-iin"] excessive gl., cf. v.i.
y-)H ^d'^c-S:;] phr. 102I6
i8'^'^).

(^^).

'ISn]

r\2'n for

of

.-i)ni

(12'^).

assonance.

the

The

5.

i of

noun was taken as

n-'U-^i]

not elsw. with

sf. fell off

cstr.

2.

Gt.

r\'t',

cL

6^.

Rd.

by haplog., and so after transposition

-\)2d]

used with

on

13* 57^-

12

io8^

PSALM CXXXIX.
Rd.

assonance, instead of

rTTi33 for

Ez. 17I* Mai.

2^.

Pr. 31^* Is. 10^

:iNn%

30'^'^

gl. here,

y;^">

>'n\':

Ges.

6^- 2-

K-

3.

7.

had

'^DJ.

sf.

cf

niD^s

23'^

N-'ja

preserve alive, as 33^^ 41^.

^J^ai

S.

6^2

pnnoD] from afar

for assonance ; rd.

cannot be rectified

It

i'7.n-on]

""Jp'^^ni]

cf.

by-

iSn o.

1N"S>*]

f|i<

Ex. 156-6.12

(5(?

assonance, as also

rj-^n

^npa

adj. /ow/y

'^'-^f ]

8. ibj^]
complete, come to an end, 7^^ 12^ 77^; trans.
an end, complete, 57^; but here as well as in 57^ seems to have
The form is prob. glossator's change from an original ^Sdj, which

gives the assonance needed.

on*'

vbs. require

19^+.

3^2 8^

T^,^^

Pss. 20'^ 77II

<5rz^ /o

6.

too long.

1.

The

r\-xi

"'J.^n.'^]

expl. gl.

-\)2d.

arose from dittog. of \

Assonance requires ^dSn.

nSi^n] Gn.
98I +.
pointing

">

making

Je. 5^^ Ez. 23**^.

The form

q;?T'.

It is

491

so without

:TiDn.

T" c.

ace.

on

"'l.tpj

my

Hiph.

'px]

Ne. 6^ Dt.

behalf.

Tin""]

4^1 316-

should close

abandon, forsake,

juss. ns"!

1.

for

c.

n%

i^

Jos.

PSALM CXXXIX.
Ps. 139

omnipresent, and that

(v.^"^^)

weh

(A)

composite.

is

the divine Spirit, which

(S)

it is

didactic

Ps., represents

that

with the divine Presence,

is

from

it

impossible to

is also didactic,

searches and

is identified

flee

or to hide

expressing the conviction that Yah-

knows His people thoroughly and wonderfully

all their actions and in all their relations

(v.^"*').

in

This knowledge

based upon the creation of man, his protection even in the womb,
and the predetermination of his days and fortune in life (v.^^- ^^"*- '^)
The Ps. concludes with a prayer that this searching may be for
is

everlasting guidance

the numerous poor

that

He would

and loathing
divine

works

underworld

(C)

(v.^'^-^).

among

slay the wicked

of

them

(v.^^"^^).

exclaiming at

(v.^'^-

^^'^-

^") , and affirming hatred

Glosses express wonder at the

confidence in the resurrection

(v.^"*^^"),

(v.^^-^^*),

is also didactic,

the friends of God, with the petition

and abhorrence
A.

"^HITHER can

yJ'^^,
I

of the

wicked

3 STR. 4^

go from Thy Spirit?

I flee from Thy presence ?

And

whither can

If to

heaven,

And

if

Thou

art there

behold Thou art there.

I lift up my wings to the Dawn?
Would I dwell in the uttermost sea?
There Thy hand Thou wouldst cause to
to Sheol,

\^OULD
And

(there)

Thy

right

hand would

rest

upon me

lay hold of me.

from the

(v.^^^-^^).

PSALMS

492
I-JAVE

And

said

my morning
me be night "

" Surely

daylight about

twilight shall

be darkness;

Surely darkness maketh not too dark for Thee

the night shineth as the day.

And

YAHWEH,

(Thou) dost search me,

And Thou dost know (me).

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
Thou

(my

perceivest

uprising;

friends) from afar.

'pO my path and my resting place Thou dost (turn

And to all my ways Thou art accustomed
For there is nothing, Yahweh, on my tongue,
But

lo

Thou knowest

it

aside).

altogether.

"nEHIND

and before Thou dost watch me.

And put Thy palm over me.
(Thy) knowledge is too wonderful for me:
inaccessible;

It is

VrERILY Thou
Thou

My

it.

my reins;
my mother's womb.

screenedst

me

in

frame was not hid from Thee,

Which Thou
lyiY

cannot attain to

didst beget

didst

make

in the secret place.

Thine eyes did see,

And on Thy book was it all.
Days were inscribed, preordained.
When there was not one of them.
CEARCH me and know my mind,
Try me and know my thoughts
And see if there be any wickedness
(lot)

And

lead

C.

me

in the

v.^'l^-20-

Q HOW
How numerous

precious are

that

way

21-22^

Thy

in

me.

everlasting.

STR.

4I

O God
among them
the wicked, O God

(friends),

(the poor)

Thou wouldst

kill

Those who speak with wicked intent.

J)0 not I hate them that hate Thee ?
And loathe them that rise up against Thee
1 hate them with the perfection of hatred
They are enemies to me.

Ps. 139

was

in 13

and fH, and subsequently

BK according to |^

in

(y. Intr.

27, 31, 33), to which (5-^'^ adds Saxap^oi', and (S"^- * ('"S)^ iv ry diaa-jropq,
as in other instances, thinking of its composition in the times of the postexilic
prophets.

But

it is

impossible that the Ps. in

and it is improbable that it was

maisms and late forms and expressions.
in

in

its

QK,

present form could have been

because of the numerous Ara-

It is true that

many

of these are dubi-

PSALM cxxxix.
having other readings

ous, the Vrss.

but a sufficient number remains to

a very late date for the present Ps. imperative,

and Aramaism

a.X.

Aram. n:n; possibly a gl. (5)

more probably error for 'jnTij.
(7)

'\T\v

9",

all

';~\

in another sense.

v.^- 1",

make

usually taken as

pnr

(3)

v.^ in

v.^'.

a sense

niD.
(4) n^D v.*,
interpreted by Vrss. as from nx"";

Probably error for -it

Vrss. differ.

elsw.

(i)

but more probably the usual >n friend, as , 3, U,

(2) >'D1 v.^ for fni; elsw. thrice in

unknown

493

"-jnTi v.^,

(6) Spn v.^, a.X., Aramaism; prob. gl.

v.^ a.X.; error for "^ \nr, (5, F. (8) iJDVi'> v.^^, elsw.Gn. 3^5 Jb.

\'i3r

dub.

Vrss. differ

a.X. forn>'3;

5J,

probably error

otherwise.

(10)

for

as Jb.

su'j

v.i* for na'X

S;;

7*.

'j^;;? v.^^,

(9)

Tcpn

(11)

*?;.

v.^^

probably error for v-rp, as . (12) ?:';' j v.^^, a.X., Aramaism; probably error for 'Snj. (13) npt v.^'^, in the sense generally given,
in a usage a.X.;

a.X.

but probably the vb. has the usual sense

(14) SiDpn v.i^ Aram.

interp. of >n.

Ne.

elsw. in another sense

elsw.

V.24,

these

Ch. 49

all txt. err.

3^1 Jb. 3

or gl.

There

the author.

The

But

it

probable that

is

Am.

9^-3,

This section of the Ps.

has simplicity and parallelism

v.i2"i^,

The

glosses

difference

v.^^-

1^-

between

v.^''^^

^^- 1^''-

Str.

I.

has

whither can

^Oa

seem

two

^^j;

Is.

^re later

syn.
,

cf.

63^-1^ lies

back of

in the
its

order to set forth by

presence.

from Thy

the divine Spirit

is

and probably with them

Maccabean temper.

Davies does not recognise the

still.

an interpolation.

v.^*"^^

couplets.

Am.

9-"^,

A.
7.

Whither

from Thy presettce'].

the divine energy

parting religious enthusiasm to

gifts

and endowments,

men

raised

and moral
In

also in

Is. 6^^^^,

the

presence of the Exodus

in the postexiHc prophets with the divine

guiding Israel at the Restoration.

In the OT.

then later imparting other

physical, intellectual

Spirit is identified with the angel of the

to the

is

in the earhest times im-

Ezekiel the energy of theophanic manifestations.

and

I go?

can

where, however, escape from

negative answer the divine omni-

its

Spirit

context

other parts of the Ps. were later.

divine retribution was thought of ; while here the question

in

it.

mind of

to be later, in the

and B, but thinks

I flee .?]

v.22,

(^^^

independent of

entirely

is

PSALM CXXXIX.

II

p-'^d.-i.

which probably was

apart from glosses, belong together,

the conclusion, v. 23-2*.

(15)

elsw. 94I9.

is

The

period subsequent to Nehemiah.

and

v.2^,

more poetic in style and conception.

of S, fH, and 3^, from the Persian

and

This was probably the original Ps.

V.^"*

^fj;*"!-^

(6) (7) (8) (9) are in v.7-i2, and

doctrine of the divine Spirit in v."-^^ jg jj^ advance

also a similarity with

is

(16)

t.

Of these only

Is. 141^.

of anything in the O.T.

the difference due to different

elsw. Jb. 131^ 24^*.

From

power restoring and

this basis the

supreme height of identifying the divine

poet rises

Spirit with the

PSALMS

494

divine presence, not only in the theophanic, but also in the invisible activities of

God

throughout the universe.

8. If to heavetiy
the
Sheol\
the
underworld,
abode of the
and
9".
Thou
art
there
behold
art there~\.
Thou
Am.
so
dead;
and
the measthey
were
not
needed
as
no
had
vbs.,
original
The
were
later
insertions
They
in the
them.
without
better
ure was

antithesis if to

its

||

text by a prosaic scribe.

Str. II. has syn. couplets.

the

Dawn\

so

(^, cf. 11^

EV., " wings of

whence the

Dawn

dwell

cated by,

the place of the

it

Would I

9.

55^; to

Dawn," a

the

able, especially as

phr.

unknown

more

fi|,

to

followed by

Dawn,

the extreme East

me

as elsewhere indi-

1 1"*.

Thou wouldst cause

10. There\
and
again,
the place
;
Thy hand \ right hand

Dt.

cf.

to rest

upon

me'],

no change in
EV'.,
"lead me,"
followed by

natural explanation of the original (requiring

MT.

the unpointed text), than

which

hand

my wings

OT. and improb-

to

and the West, here

in the uttermost Sea'\ ,

lay hold of

to

obscures the antithesis between the East

springs

of the uttermost Sea, the extreme West.

would

up

lift

be preferred

is

resting upon, laying hold of,

rays of both the

dawning and the

is

Surely my morning

reading,

cf.

Jb.

7^

||

is

11. Have I said\

twilight], the

in reso-

most probable original

daylight about me], for which by early

copyist's mistake a vb.

but twice and

of the

especially appropriate to the

setting sun, cf. Jb. 38^^.

Str. III. also has syn. couplets.

lution.

The conception

of the nature of an anticlimax.

was substituted which

in these cases dubious in

which here gives the Vrss. great

is

elsewhere used

form and meaning, and

difficulty

and

is

variously ren-

dered: PBV., AV., "cover" after 2, 3; RV. "overwhelm," or

more properly after (3, U, " crush me " but none of these give
:

shall be darkness night].

dawning
but the darkness of
be no day with
There
12. Surely darkness
continue
day
night
Thou canst not see
dark for Thee], so
night maketh not
do. with the
where
am and what
a sense suited to the parallelism.
shall

light,

its

shall

long.

all

||

distinctly in

it

shineth as the day].

ment

To

just

antithesis

this

a glossator adds the

summary

" the darkness and the light are alike," which

tutes for the previous lines

it

one

line too short

the

that

too

and so (3^ reduces the

while

lengthens the

&

substi-

making
making it

Str.,

Str.,

state-

PSALM cxxxix.
just

495

This singularly beautiful Ps. comes to a

one line too long.

proper climax and conclusion here

metrical in

and is complete and sym;

needing no introduction and no conclusion.

itself,

PSALM CXXXIX.

B.

Yahweh, Thou dost search me

Str., the measures, and the parallelism require two lines, which an ancient
copyist has reduced to one.
The poet is conscious that the
Str. I. is a syn. tetrastich.

II

And Thou

dost

know

me~\.

1.

The

structure of the

people are searched through and through by their God, and are
thoroughly known,

and
Dt.

that of perception.

14I

Thou knowest

2.

per-

||

my downs ittmg and mine uprising^

cf.

the entire activity of the day, looking backward from the

coming home

to rest to the rising

my

occupation.

friends'], so

the usual mng. of the

text, rather
v.^^,

Je. 17^^ Ps.

cf.

from afar\ both kinds of knowledge, that of conception

ceivest

than "

go forth

to

letters of the unpointed

thoughts " based on a word used possibly

but nowhere else in

The

OT.

the searching of the mind, as the

emphasizes,

latter

complement

life

of which refer to the external

mind were

to

it

be referred

is

to, w^e

out of the four to be given to

followed by

is

one couplet

at least

Moreover, the previous

it.

the couplet referring to the external

This we have,

life

true,

If the internal

life.

would expect

is

it

to the searching of

improbable, as this line

the external
six lines, all

to the day's

word given by the

my

but

up

most probably, in accordance with

suggests that

line of

its

mate

we think of association with

friends during the interval between the rising up and the sitting
down. Since this is sustained by the usual mng. of the original
word, it is surprising that any other mng. should have been
should do so also.

thought

if

of.

Str. II. has

a syn. and a synth. couplet.

resting place\ the path followed

when he

3.

my path and my

rose in the morning and

the resting place to which he returned for the night.

ways'],

between the two.

The

vbs. are unusual

variously rendered

modern

able vb. in the

aside to],

by ancient and
Hne is turn
know ;
Thou art accustomed to.
can only be interpreted in an
||

first

But

and

Vrss.
visit,

||

all

difficult,

my

and

The most probinspect,

and

so

^ gives a rare form, which

unnatural sense

PBV. "art

PSALMS

496
about," AV.

nowest."

compassest," RV., JPSV., " searchest," RV". "win-

'^

For

4.

there is nothing on

spoken but not yet uttered.

meaning

its

But

lo!

my

tongue'],

ready to be

Thou knowest

it altogether],

as well as the expression that will

two syn. couplets.

Str. III. has

5.

be given to

Behind and

it.

on

before],

Thou dost watch me], the probable mng.

round about.
of an original which is dubious.
J^] seems to give a vb. meaning
" beset," " besiege," so AV., RV., JPSV., implying the metaphor
sides

all

would imply hostility, which is

and improbable in this couplet alone.
" fashion," " form," of crea(^, % 5^, J, had another vb. meaning
but this conception belongs to Strs. IV. and V., and
tion, so PBV.
of a siege,

cf.

Jb. 19^"; but this

entire Ps.

to this

alien

would be premature here.

It is just as easy to think of the vb.

"watch," "guard," suited to the context and to the \ put Thy

palm over me]. This phr. has then the usual meaning of protec-

which certainly

tion,

much

suits the entire

course of thought thus

to the influence of

far

hand upon" of EV'., due doubtless

6. Thy knowledge],
of the other Ps.

better than "lay Thine

v.^

interpreting the article, which, according to the original text, be-

longed to
is too

II

this

noun, as possessive, rather than demonstrative.

wonderful for me],

//

is

to

at,

and the second part an

Two

Str. IV.

and not causal

first

earlier Ps.

syn. couplets.

EV.

as

can?iot attain

part of the Ps., between which

was inserted by a

13.

Thou

but not understood.

inaccessible], too high to be reached.

This completes the

to it].

be wondered

later editor.

Verily], asseverative particle,

didst beget

my

reins], implying

a paternal conception of creation, as Gn. 14^^^ Dt. 32^ Pr. 8^,

weakened by JPSV.
" possessed " after
cf.

Ps.

7^^

16^ 26-.

into

(^,

further

by

EV^

into

is

wottib, after I

was begotten

all

so " covered

the most natural interpretation, in accordance

and with the usual meaning of the Heb. word, of which

U, give probably only a paraphrase. JPSV., "weave me," as

with
(S,

This

The

still

" reins " represent the inward man,

Thou screenedst me], protecting me from

harm, in 7ny mother's

me " EV^

U.

"formed," and

22^"",

mode

of creation, a

common

rendering

among modern

scholars,

meaning to the Heb. word unknown elsewhere and while

it gives a good conception of the mode of creation, has really no
proper support in OT.
14. A glossator renews the wonder
gives a

PSALM cxxxix.
expressed already in

I thank

v.^,

497

Thee for {aW) Thifie awe-inspir-

Thou art wonderful : wonderful are Thy

ing works ;

providential care over him.

tion of this difficult

This

although

v.,

"for I
f^, followed by EV.
marvellous are Thy works."
:

given a more prosaic form in

fearfully

The

the

the most probable interpreta-

is

it is

am

works'^

man and

heaping up of terms of admiration of the creation of

and wonderfully made

last clause in J^, J,

followed by

EV^ is " my soul knoweth right

"Thou knowest right well my

well."

as

soul"; which

entire course of thought of the Ps.,

which emphasizes divine know-

ledge and not human.

15.

My frame was

the frame as constituted of bone, in

mother's womb.

it

might well be

because

is

suited to the

not hidfrom Thee'],

formation in the

in a secret place\

in the

He

not so probable

is

earliest

its

Which Thou didst fnake

was not hidden from God, though

womb

This

It

hidden place of the

indeed had made

it.

This

more probable than that

required by '^ followed by AV., RV., JPSV., "when I was made,"
or " though I be made " PBV.
An original marginal note, which
rendering of

(^,

and most other Vrss.

is

eventually crept into the text, has given untold difficulty to Vrss.

and

was an expression of confidence

body suggested by its original formation

It doubtless

interpreters.

in the resurrection of the

certainly shall rise

Heb. word

from

as a noun,

the

my

"

underworld],

substance "

"
||

(,

my

U, interpret the
frame " ; which

then involves either the conception of the creation of the substance of the

human body

in Sheol,

the abode of the dead,

beneath the earth, with the suggestion of preexistence, a thought

elsewhere

unknown

to the

the conception that the

usage to justify

it,

even

OT. and improbable

womb

if

is

in itself; or else

the underworld, which has no

we regard

the conception as virtually a

" I
J^ by dittography gives a vb. with the meaning
embroidered," "wove together of various colors," which gives an

metaphor.

mode of creation, but one which is

not exactly represented in AV., RV., " curiously wrought," still
less in the more general " fashioned " PBV., " wrought " JPSV.
interesting conception of the

and which

in any case does not escape the difficulties attached to

the use of the term " underworld."
Str.

V.

gested by

Two
,S

synth. couplets.

and suited

16.

My

to the context.

lot],

This

is

word sugmore probable

the

PSALMS

498
than the

" embryo," " unformed substance," though sustained

a.X.

by other Vrss.

Thine

eyes did see\ the entire lot in hfe assigned

to

man was

foreseen by the eyes of God.

it

all\

was

It

all

And on

Thy book was

registered and so predetermined before the

man. (@, 3, U, have only "all," which refers to the

antecedent " lot " or " fortune " in life. But J^ interprets by a
pi. sf. " all of them," interpreting the " embryo " in its constituent
birth of

elements.

Days\ of human

syn. with the fortune or lot in

life,

The

ivere inscribed^ in the book, as that was.

pi.

of the

vb., as well as the

measure, requires "days" as the subj.

pre-

ordained\

"formed," "constituted,"

life.

literally

the usage of the vb., which

When
days of

there

human

was
life

is

appropriate to

not one of

took

its

place in

accordance with

divine originations.

before a single one of these

the??i~\,

temporal order.

its

23.

Syn. and synth. couplets.

Str. VI.

all

in

Search me

||

Try

renewing the statement of fact of v.\ in the form of imv.

know\

repeated in

each

line

for

emphasis.

my

thoughts^ the inner man, in addition to the outer

24.

And

of

my

Str. I.

see if there be a?iy wickedness in me']y enlarged

glossator against the metisure

The thought

following line.

by a
by the insertion of " way " from the
is,

God might

that

of which the poet himself was unconscious,

me

mind

man

me\

and

cf.

see wickedness

iq^^"*-.

And lead

way everlasting]^ the way which knows no end, as (,

i^ 25^
not " the way leading to everlasting life," which,

in the

F, J,

cf.

while true enough as a deduction from the statement,

accord with OT. usage of these terms

01s. after 2E,

cf.

Je. 6^^ 18^*,

which

is

Two

here as in

C.

syn. couplets in antithesis.

are Thy friends\ so

v.^ in

all

Vrss.

but

not in

not suited to the context.

PSALM CXXXIX.
Str. I.

is

nor " the way of old," as

EV.

17.

O how

interpret the

precious

Heb. word

the sense of the divine " thoughts," without justi-

OT.
How nu onerous the poor among them^y so J, 0,
which is more probable and better suited to the context than
" their chiefs " of (, U, or " their sum " of EV^
The poor are
such as have become poor through the wickedness of the enemies
Would J
18. Is in the first line a gloss of expansion
of v.^^.
count them ? they are more in number than the sand ; in the
fication in

PSALM cxxxix.

499

second line an expression of faith in the resurrection Have I

wakened^ from the sleep of death, / am still with Thee^ cf. v.^^
^^24-25^
19-20. O that Thou wouldst kill the wicked~\, an impre:

cation on the wicked enemies of the poor friends of

who

God.

Those
who

speak with wicked intent\ slanderous enemies, those

seek to injure by falsehood and misrepresentation, as frequently

in

An ancient

\^.

tive

sf.,

glossator has,

by the insertion of an interpreta-

against the usage of the word, introduced grave difficulty

into the passage,

which

is

then variously rendered by other Vrss.

An earher glossator added

to v.^^

an imprecation

form of

in the

Ye men of blood depart from me, and to v.^ a line who

take Thy name in vain, which interprets the speech of the pre-

a wish

vious line as blasphemy in violation of the Third

Word, Ex.

20^

and concludes with an emphatic restatement of the subject even

Thine adversaries ; so Aq. 2, J, 5E, followed by EV^ But (^, F,
,S, following the most natural interpretation of the text given
:

in J^, render

" in vain they take

Thy

cities,"

so difficult in the present context, that

which, however,

modern

is

make

scholars

various emendations, or else regard the text as hopelessly corrupt.

Two

Str. II.

syn. couplets.

21.

Do 7iot I hate

thein ?

||

loathe

them ?\ implying a positive answer. The temper of the Maccathat hate Thee
rise up
bean wars is unmistakable in this Str.

||

against Thee'], identifying the enemies of the Jews with the ene-

22.

mies of their God.

hate them with the perfection

of

hatred], with such a degree of hatred, with such an intensity, that

no higher degree can be thought

my

of.

They are enemies

to

me],

personal enemies.

CXXXIX.
171+.

B.

>7^i?]] i consec. result: &, 3, sf.

which has two beats and belongs to 1.=^. nnx was used at the end of
each 1., a relic of which is the nnx of v.'^, which makes 1.^ too long.

elsw.

'jnni-in]

1.

i/',

44^^; Je.

^jynni,

2.

nrij3] fully written pf. 2

fiov i>n

^N.

c. a.

'?D,

m.

sg. p::.

'V'}.'"]

^^'^

irdvTas roi/s 5iaXo7t(r/Aoi/s

more prob. and better measure than S of late style for ace, but
T have not iravTes.
t ['CJ n.[m.] purpose, aim, BDB., elsw.

A. R.

longing, striving, Ec. ii4( +

yP',

cf. ni;*-)

this

does not suit the context.

friends, as

, U, S,

path (of Hfe),

20^6,

Hiph. Lv.

cf.

in

yP,

142*.

1919,

piniD]

jjpn]

6t. Ec.)j

in Kxz.m. thoughts, will; but

3 malum meum
Qal

as 38^2,

cf.

inf. \^i'\

but these in another sense.

'^y]

improb.

138^ PD";Dp.

Aram,

for f^i;

Rd.
3.

>>n

"'pN]

my
my

elsw. Lv. iS^^

@ ax^ivov, TB funiculum =

PSALMS

500

n.[m.] resting place, the mat or spread,

X]'2-\_

24^^,

Pr.

cf.

investigasti,

Qal

suits context.

of use or service

be

take

eventilasti, Bu.,

This best

visit.

vb.

Is.

22^5

S; 2 S, 23-; elsw. Ps.

^ji'^V

to r>~'

TO.

in this

name

(34

t.).

too long.

1.

^^^-j

''iT^'^-iiiuatch.

X ['n'^d]

sf.

The

of theophanic angel).

t.

Jb.).

anpi iinx]. (g attaches

5.

^''^"^

"^"'"^'

fas/iion

"^'^^

Neither of these suited

6. hw^d] Qr. nN^';'2;

elsw. only Ju. 13I8 (of

2 sg. full form.

wonderful, incomprehensible

adj.

22-1
(J) Jb.

S-*

dSt/cos,

2> ^ ^>

^}^'^^'\ <^

to

and
Aram, word, cf.
Prob. the word is a gl,, and

X67os

s/uct up.
J iix confine, besiege, enclose,

to context: rd.
n^N"^-?

Pr. 23^ Jb.

eaxa-Ta Ka\ ra apxaia.

but ^DB., Dr.,

Kt.

/p-^

n'^r]

4.

/r aside

(+

15-^

(2) benefit Jb.

I^-*,

^^ixi'taaas,

= mo

written 2 m. J [pD]

pf. fully

do a thing, Nu. 22 'O-

makes the next

It

1.

K.

to

mn> belongs

Hiph.

'"".^^J-rDn]

t Hiph. be used, wont, accustomed

irpdcdes, 3 intellexisti.
here.

Aram, iv

as possible

it

Pi. pf.

n''->T]

and so (2) win-

106-', not suited to context

X nif Piel (i) scatter, disperse, 44^2
now, sift, B\y^., Dr., a ning. not elsw. in Pi. and improb.

-,

n belongs to n^n as

(5.

CXXXIX. A.
Qal impf.

ni^3s]

7.

ni3 yh.

in

elsvA'.

flee, c. |^;

'/'

only

titles 3^ 57^.

Qal impf. pVo Aram., a.X. ascend; prob. late gl., for the
cohort, form could hardly be missing in the first 1. when it appears in the
^"':sn] Hiph., tV^' ^nly Hiph. spread out (as bed), elsw. only Is.
second.
pCN]

8.

p;:ds

Hoph. Is.
These vbs. are
58^,

DK.

SiN-']

phr. a.X.,

cf.

14^^ Est. 4^.

The

interp.

11.

wings of wind

Kar dpdbv,

'-^y^.

iqIg. 19 ii2-2^ 2>^jn

':

Qal impf.

up feet

in the end of days.

^mj

10.

ace.

rest, sq.

1^*

9I", all

2, 3.

passages dub.

'3"";/] a.X. for

,3ny3. _ 12.
DD^^-nr,

(gB-

a. b.

which

said.

is

Rd.

fie.
';*;3,

mg.

ynnsn

^nni not

">?>!;]

V^'^*

my morning

T have

v.^^o^

too long.

Est.

8i<5,

CXXXIX.
nrx t].

can hardly be causal;

by Hi., We., Du., as transposed from

icjd

o^::v-i

Ez.

sea,

pnnN3
||

rd.

Line

coord.

consec. impf., protasis

Gn.

^"'^ "'-'^ '^^'^^^

twilight as Jb.

gl.

fly

hinder

the

1^", vb. as

and <S^

regarded by Ba,, Du., as

to

suited to

Qal impf.

"'Jjnsri]

\r.>r":

c-'H

for the phr.

assimilated to previous vb.

inf. N. R.

3^^;

only here of

r.nnvs:D]

3IS

(S^^)*

Jb.

^^er

7*, cf.

Ps.

( ^v rf? rpvcprj ixov

v.i2 but (gB has only

of interp.

It

makes the

t^-^^N n.i. light, ehvf.

^^;t^_ a.X. variant of r^-^z^r^ n.f. {18^^).

light of joy; Is. 2619 pi. light oHife.

Str.

13.

/le,

d*"

Qal impf. f

"p^n'^u';]

"SU'i

cf.

Gn. 49^

11.

v."^.

"ynv ^p;r]

9.

up tvings

lift

'J

end ;
cf.

Ew., Ba., Dr., Du.,

(3 KarairaTi/jffeL

II9I*'.

miN3

/^rtz'^

Ex. 17^1 (E).

too short; prefix cr, repeated as njs

conditional clause,

29I.

(5 odrjyi^crei

''Jni-i]

-i>

x::'j, cf. D''i3J3

after part,

assonance in

but (3 more prob., rds wT^pvyds

walk Gn.

to

the Western, ^.^. Mediterranean Dt.

''jnjr,

ace. vb. Ba., Dr.

and so of dawn

place, elsw. of time or persons

vbs., but with

sun of righteousness Mai.

18^^ 104^, of

N-;^*s]

lift

S, Quinta, ffrpdxTO).

ace. direction (3 els rbv q-Sriv;

also extremities of the earth

fiov

S 3 jacuero,

Kara/ScD, so

were both without

B.

it is

rather asseverative.

after \}^^.

But

it

is

It is

more

regarded

likely that

PSALM CXXXIX.

vM

is

weave

gl.

@ inserts

but

it

Dr., Ba.,

cf.

lo^i

Jb.

adverbial ptc. Niph. Nn> as 65^;

a.X.; v.g^.

^raj] so 3.

PJ?1>

as rel. time.

F.

in a secret place.

('^'^)

dered of various colours. Qal

Aq, S,

(P).

t.

-lisdittog.; rd.

Ez.

aixbp(po}Tov,
is

1|

informe77i,

"fiDD

''?>]

an interp.

is

ins

Hu., Ba., Du., Aram. np> //ar^,

^''^?]

>

^>

l^^j

TS principatus

from

c^n.

0/Xoi

ot

strong, mighty in

eorum

then a

rare in

\f/

gl.

(v.

is

^jr;

Intr. p. Ixxi.);

Either

makes the

not used with

Aq. dvTiXe^ovai
not imply

sf.

aoi,

is

1.

cjw

'r;']

1.

1,

elsw.,

gl.

15^

is

and

it

contr adicent

is

^^

"''7-\.),

cj^r]

The

correct.

nx^]

c^ij,

suggests

Pu. a.X.

^,'S, d. 49; but Ew., Hi.,

iDxy

n;:]

an^C'N-^]

so

how numerous,
0.I

oi ir^vrjres

dpxal avrQv,
avrQv,

oni^'-)

Tix^pn]
26^^ Jb.
gQ 2, T.

mo]
59^

Gn. 22^7 (J) 32^^ (E).

(cf.

26^

'i:'jn]

20.

6^), or

131^ 24I*.
Pr.

we must

gl.

dvT\d\7]<ydv

(S>

<jol

h^'-'n]

29^''.

rd. niD*" as

rinD^] contr. of qnpx'"';

doubtless a

tibi, 2)

55'^*

is

14^2

only

^,

but

VL.

"\::n

U dicitis

epets,

interpret

">i:x

and do

Hiph., shezu disobedience, Dr. defy (yS^'^- **^- ^^ io6'^- ^^- ^^ 107^1), as
n^rs] wickedness in intention (/o^) as 3
rd. :inD\
but (^'^- ** et's diaXoyKTfidv, @><-c. a.T 5taXo7i(r/ioi5s, i^ ^j/ StaXoYio-yay,

n-\!r,

xiii'j]

T'"^>']

2, 3, ^.

expressing

N.H.

7y^y book of record.

refer to Third Word, Ex. 20^.

U z cogitatione. nvj^S

Vz>j, 7r6Xeis, so U, ^, gives no good sense

"iNtt'j.

or weighty (not elsw. Bibl. Heb.).

o^;2n

gl.

too long.

""nrp.

c.

divine name.

/iiov

v.i^^,

as

gl.

and are doubtless

406-13 5^5^

Je.

Houb., Hu., Dr. Du., who

scelerate ;

weaver in colours Ex. 26^^

embryo, i5DB.

3 pauperes eorum,
fig.

^, 0,
woven, embroi-

(3 V vTroaraals

waking from the sleep of death, Is.

19. SiDpp] t'^'^i"' Aram.; elsw. only Jb.

imv. incongruous.

In any case

but

p^-c Sin:;]

18.

usually taken as a
It is

soBa.; most

6 iTroi-rjcras D-^t";, so

pf. a.X. X^\''^'y

be preciotts,

difficiclt,

38'^'^

Vrss. 2

ptc. as adj.

circumstantial clause.

vh-\'\

o-of.

number, as

Niph.

"'i7"''^DJ]

18-^ 119^^.

should be construed with 'p\

np^]
^x]

gl.

imperfectum. But

Sd

CXXXIX.
17.

sg.

The whole
'n^^] a.X.

0, 3, have only

i^n^"'

nrrn":]] ^^rrwr/^(6y^),asls. 442^

aKar^pyaarbv, U

were preordained.

Pu.

'^nri^n]

j-in

16.

prob. the correct reading.

measure requires that

pf.

3 imaginatus sum.

v.i^.

^rs-pn

requires pi. antecedent.

^oj/j that

vb. a.\.

= screen,
= itTN S^";

d^nVsj] Niph.

freq. in ptc. variegator,

confidence in a resurrection.

which

(J).

i'}^^'^

We.

Ba.,

Pu.

''ri^t*"]

iiroidXdrjp,

Trp

Now.,

32^^-2*; inappropriate here.

262!^

26^ 7321.

"l^D

But context urges

15. ic'n]. All Vrss. refer to ^nx;;

moderns interpret
"*Va^.?]

16'^

elsw.

"i:D

v. 4^^.

be extraordinary, zvonderful, cf. for N^flj Ps.

n'?5 {(f)

but

"ijj3.:>n;

msnij]

pers. Thoti art wonderful, so Hu.,

impf. Oal t

'J;^Di]

hSd Niph. be separate, distinguished, as Ex.

pf.

too long.

1.

@ avreXd^ov fiov U suscepisii me, so ^. 14. o S>']

cover ; so prob.
V^'.

kidneys, reins, as seat of emotions 7^

makes

^DB.,

together,

Du. Sd

my

\~i"''?:i]

Ki5/)tos,

501

So De., Eck.

Modern

Now.,i>V;',but admit that there

is

Bo., Ol., Kau., rd.

;

rd. "jn-i as

scholars suggest various emendations

no usage

to justify this construction

Bo., 01s., Bruston, Gr., Bi., Du., Minocchi.,

-ryr.yj.

21.

nin^j

gl.

Aq.
Hu.,

Hi. T''>

i^c::ipn3i]

PSALMS

502
Du. l^DDipnc.
22.

t n^'?pn]

aa^TN]

Hithp.

word

elsw.

thoughts,

^B.

form

aaS] full

a. b.

N.*

sorrow, as

A
i

Ps.

euphony.

for

^^-

err, for 656s

Ch. 4^

24.

9^-'^.

^-

9^.

cf.

1 1^

3^1 Jb.

2610 288.

B.
jjn^] //, try,

y-ii

@B. n

3Xy Tin].
^- T.

end Ne.

elsw.

CXXXIX.
23.

iigi^^

feel a loathing, as

I2^p

completeness, late

n.f.

^^t

is

and

dvo/ilas

f 2>V n.[m.]

gl.

>^w<?w.

^5^5

^^

'cpntr]

elSes,

/am,

/zr/,

Is. 14^.

PSALM

CXL.,

6'.

3 STR.

Ps. 140 is a prayer for rescue from violent and crafty enemies
(v.^)

for preservation

from the snares they have

laid

(v.^^)

with expression of confidence in Yahweh and a final plea that the

Subsequent
desires of the wicked may not be accomplished (v.^"^).
(i) A Maccabean imprecation (v.^^^^).
additions were
(2) A
:

Yahweh

liturgical gloss expresses confidence in

"D

ESCUE me,
From men

Yahweh, from

(v.^").

men,

evil

me

of violent deeds preserve

Who

have devised evil things in their mind,

All the day stir up wars
Who have sharpened their tongue like a serpent,
Who have the poison of a viper under their lips.
TZEEP me, Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked,

'

From men

of violent deeds preserve

Who have

devised to

From

And

the

trip

up my

proud who have hid traps

SAY

unto

Yahweh

Yahweh,

"

Yahweh,

give ear,

Who

for

me.

cords have spread as a net (for me),

At the side of the track have

T

me

feet

my

set snares.

My God

art

Thou.

to the voice of

my

sovereign Lord,

my head

my

supplications.

my

stronghold,

salvation,

day of weapons.
Do not promote, Yahweh, any of the desires of the wicked:
They have plotted grant not that they lift up the head."
hast screened

in the

DE

is

Ps. 140 was in D and fH, and later in

no reason to doubt these statements, so

are untenable for

(v. Intr.,

far as v."^-^ is

Indeed, the former only was the original

v.^^-i*.

three tetrameter hexastichs, symmetrical and poetical.

ceptions are those of

>nxjn v.2-6 with 128

32"^

cf. 'Jif^n v.-

642; mj>

mm v.^ with 35^ 3612 561*;

31^ 357-8 646;

SjyD

v.'*

27, 31, 33). There

concerned. But they

^::;'3

v.^

with

v.^

iS^'^

34^

Its

ccrn

Ps.,

of

language and conC'-'N

v.^

with 18*^;

with 56^ 59*; v.* with 58^ or 64*;

with c,f 58I1

with 17^ 238 65 12;

p.^-,

and

pto v.^ with 9I6

o^cpD yfi with 18^ 64^ 69^3

PSALM CXL.
vJ with

^junn Sip
are these

ijin

282- 3123 866

mni

v.^,

but "^nN

in the original sense of

"my

nyic>

tj?

v.8

The

with 28^.

only

difficulties

be interpreted, not as a divine name, but

to

is

503

sovereign lord"

ptrj

ovj

phr. a.\., but

v.*^,

of.

Aramaism, vv^as not in (3 which rd. v^ind, which is not

uncommon in early Heb. Rd. msr'. iscr v.^ noun with sf. a.X., not in (S
which rd. irct vb. Gn. ii^ Dt. ipi^ Je. 428 4- r|on Vn v,^, cf. 144^^ though in
The Ps. was composed in the troublous
sense of Aramaic psj is yet in Is. 58^0.
times prior to Nehemiah's reforms. The remainder of the Ps. is composed of
Jb. 3921

\MNc

v.^ a.X.

glosses

v.^0"i2

a Maccabean imprecation.
V.i^-i*

for the Pit in Sheol.

was a

still

nnDn?3

v.^^,

nsmn

v.12

later gloss of confidence in

x^^

terms

Yahweh,

necessary for the liturgical use of the Ps.

Str. I.

Yahweh

me\

cf. iS"*^;

syn. tetrastich.

commit deeds of

practicable,

far as

and a

described in four syn. lines.

3.

mind'], conceived and planned evil.

community

feeble

in Jerusalem

tions against them.

venom

4.

Who

||

All

day

stir

up wars'],

make war upon

the

or to rally the neighbouring na-

have sharpened their tongue

cf.

52*

Syn. to the previous Str. and of the

varying in the use of

the proud.

II

syn. lines

Who

At

the

v.^,

like

55^57^

58^ 64*

same

structure.

the second line being identical, the

Keep me and from

Their

wickedness

is

the

hands of

the

also described in four

have devised] v.^% only here more

,

specifically.

cords have spread as a

hid traps for me
side of the track have set snares], using, instead of the

up my feet

to trip
II

the

3^1

wicked

net

These are then

devised evil things in their

of a serpent, making misrepresentations and slanders of

Str. II.

peril,

violent deeds\

Who

5-6. V.^ a variation only of

first

Rescue me

their character, and, so

violence.

every kind against the people of God,

Rom.

2.

have the poison of a viper under their lips]. They

to accomplish their purpose by craft, with the subtlety and

serpent
strive

men of

||

up the Persian government to

strive to stir

importunate plea of Israel when in

18^ 32^ 34^

from evil men
bitter enemies who are evil in

12^

cf. 6^

syn. couplet

preserve

||

||

||

image of the venomous, crafty serpent, that of the hunter in his

various efforts to ensnare and capture animals, cf. 9^^ 31^ 35''-^ 64^
141^ 142* Mt. 22^^
Str. III.

Yahweh'],

My God

Two
cf.

synth.

and one

syn. couplets.

16^31^^, a profession of faith

art Thou], the personal

God

7-8.

say unto

and confidence.

of Israel His people,

PSALMS

504

belonging to them as they to

Him

unique relation.

in a

lord\ the sovereign lord of Israel.

voice of my stipplications~\^ phr. 28"-^ 31^ 86^
soveretgfi

my

hold,
is

my

|I

give ear to the

130".

f?ty

strong-

salvatioii\ the stronghold or refuge in which salvation

found,

Who

28^

cf.

hast screened

my head

in the

day of

In the battles in which Israel had been engaged in

weapons'].

Yahweh had been

her national history,

head from weapons,

the

pleading.

6o^

cf.

any

9.

Do

as a helmet, protecting the

7iot

promote

grant not],

||

of the desires of the wicked], to be

accomplished \ those expressed in the devisings of v.^- ^
They
have plotted], so (, U, ^ ; to be preferred to the noun " their
final

plot" or "wicked device" of

up

lift

The

v.**^.

line,

J^, followed

the head], by success, in

EV^

that

they
cf.

error of an early copyist, attaching tTi^^ to the next

measure of both and makes the interpretation

injures the

The

difficult.

by

accordance with their pride,

The

Vrss. vary.

glossators enlarge

original Ps.

ends here

but later

it.

The first of these gls., 10-12, is Maccabean in character, and is

an imprecation on the enemies, of an entirely different temper
and language from that of the original Ps.
As

for those

round about me, with the trouble of

their

own

lips

may He overwhelm

them.

May He rain coals of fire upon them.

May He make them fall into the Pit of deep waters, that
Let not the men of tongue be established in the land.
Let

hunt the

evil

This

is

men

10.
with

a syn. pentastich.

in their

As for

those

rain coals of fire

ance with usage,

sition.

based on

own

lips], that

as the subj. of this and

and not " the trouble " as EV.
11. May He
upon them], as most recent scholars in accord-

cf.

n^;

J^,

The author

instead of the expression of J^, though

peculiar and which is rendered in EV.

is

"fall" with "coals " as subj.

is

no more.

speech would bring upon the people of God.

favoured by Vrss., which

EV^,

rise

round about me],

the trouble of their

may He overwhelm them], taking God

the following vbs.,

may

of violence to the Pit of utter banishment.

the enemies of the Ps.

which they

they

"Let them be

cast into the fire,"

which interprets by the insertion of a prepois

thinking of divine retribution through a

theophanic storm coming upon the enemies; possibly such as

PSALM CXL.

505

upon Sodom, but more probably such

that

10^'

May

He

decided the battles

as

also Ps.

18^"^^.

tnake them fall into the Pit of deep waters'].

This

of Beth-horon and the Kishon, Jos.

^-

cf.

Ju.^

Yahweh

the Pit in Sheol, whither the enemies of

is

Is.

cf.

Pss. 9^^

i^^^'"^-

Ez. 26^

SS^^'"^-

;^2^'-^.

may

t/iat they

26^^

no more], have no resurrection, as

Is.

men of

venomous

tongue], graphic phr. for the

are cast,
rise

Let not the

12.

slanderers of v.^

de established in land], gain the supremacy, and so beplace of His people.

the land of Yahweh
come firmly
Let hunt the men of
Evil
personified
a
the

fixed in

in

violence].

evil

who hunted

hunter, hunting those

as

is

the people of God,

v.^

cf.

Pit of utter banishment], a syn. term to the Pit of deep

to the

waters of v.", the Pit of Sheol, as a place whither there

complete, and

utter,

This

is

is

the

of the wicked.
the conception of the Vrss., well paraphrased by ^E " the
final driving, or thrusting forth

The interpretation
angel of death shall drive him down to hell."
of the form as a vb. " to overthrow him," EV^, cannot be sustained.

was

liturgical gloss

added,

finally

appropriate for pubhc worship.

God

confidence in
afflicted, the

14.

ritual

more

the Ps.

know], affirmation of

that Thou maintainest

the cause of the

and not of into Thy

right of the poor], thinking of Israel,

dividuals, as 9^.

name],

as v.^

make

to

v.^^"",

13.

Surely the righteous will give thajtks

worship in the temple,

106'"'

cf.

122^

Thy presence], have a permanent

the temple as the guests of Yahweh, cf. 11^

the upright

will dwell in

right of entrance

into

15^ 23^

2.

for

""Jp^^ri]

necessary.

iraperdaaouTO

thrust

defective

is

mr]

Qal impf.

01s.,

TroXe/xows.
;

dub.

Che. trip up

4.

^'^~^^\^^.

for measure.

"n;'i^i i;?J

"'S

0"N5]
6.

has come

It is superfluous here.

phr. a.X.

up

so (S, but

subj.,
"^r^D

down from
8.

ij;:"j]

not

n^n-!":]

5.

-y/

Qal

142*

two beats are

cf. 56'^

quarrel,

nij stir

f^r^^'Dv]

up wars,
a.X.,

inf. cstr. 7\rv\

but

asp,

push,

['rTi] n.

56^*

needed

pi. D"'nD is

but in apposition with subj.

i;;';']

rots irotrlp fiov ix^fxeva

previous

""JIN n^n^~\

cf. Dv;^^'> ]v;r)

dv'Sd] rd.

3.

35^ nni, Pu. 36^^, also

cf.

^'^-^Zt

11.

strife,

t\T'_

phr. 64*.

ur:']

spider.

subplantare,

my feet.

The

mj! (11.) siir

DJVJ''?

cf. C'^2y;

sf.

Kenn., Street, Che.

Hu., Che., Dr. rd. here

for measure; ira'^iha fioL.

which is in relative clause as other

rpt^ov.

substitute ^'^aj for

^\y]v ttjv ijfjL^pav, as

( VTroa-KeXiaac,

1168

L.

dub.

all

viper, so (&,',

v.s.

nicnSo

59* 94^^ but

measure dv.tSj,

84^

28^

1.,

where

it is

needed

both needed for measure.

;

rd. prob.

ny.

nn"\3p]

PSALMS

506
m.

fully written 2
c.

sg. pf.

S elsw. La. 3**.

"i::D

Qal screen,

Jb. 39-1 tpc'J n.(m.) elsw.

BDB.

[IN^]

rd. niN:^.

so Aq.,

vb. only Hiph.

8^

Pr. 3I3

TaXlirrjs

Dr.,

al.

fx^,

God

as subj.

>iiNp]

9.

also

cstr.

pi.

Ps. 144^^;

Bu.,

cf.

Aram.

(2)

K.

, Aq., 6,

6^9.

KaXuxpei avTo^/s

or poison, S, 3.

5, VL,

Aq. KaraaTpecpbvTiav
Qf-

''^T?']

11.

Str.

^s

to

^7x0-

Du.,

1.,

rN-\]

10.

P^D

cf.

''^p?:]

3 convivarum
S twj' acukXoi);'-

roO KVKXw/xaros avrCov,

(j2^).

grant.

\>i^i

"f

obtain,

elicit,

transposed to next

iDn^^]

dub.;

b^^t

pc.T^N].

37^^.

i::rT, cf.

581*^

Sn.

ptc. Ginsb., cf. Je. 21*.

a.X.,

fie,

be preferred, with

Kt. Hiph. form elsw. 55*

ita'c]

drop ; Qr. Niph. be shaken, overthrown. Dr. dislodged ; but Hu., Dys., Gr.,

Du.

Bi., Ba.,

y ICD,

rd. n^a::\

(5^. Nj

nliDHcn]

a.X.

3 omit
(V^-^)

rcn-i::]

a.X.,

2620.

161^.

13.

has

Qr.

H'dlle.

it is

sq.,

with n^7 maintain the cause

For ordinary usage

Trupi

m::Da

Gr.

</j,

(S has kv ToXanruplats,

also.

without

v. loP.

interpretive.

is

it

Dr. waterfloods ;

pit.

and dub.

a.X.

is

A.R.T ^^

12.

i:^''^'']

which

"^1^

vb. hunt, as

interpret, of f^.
drive, hasten. Est. 3^^ 8'*; Niph. Est. G^

^TjpeiJcret

^DB., " thrust upon

in interitu

nyn""]

a.

BYS^. watery

[t^n^] vb. Qal

z;.

Che., Dr.,

KaTa<f)dopdv,
out.

irecrovvTaL favours f^.

but @x-c.

Du. thinks

in foveas, so S, ^.

2 Ch.

3,

as Is. 5120, but that

La. 3^2 Mi. 72 Je.

"''7

Is.

encompassing me, so Dr.

those

rN3]
3

n"''?i'n

either head,

and

Hiph.

Tcov

let

Ra.

s-'Xin 'rs,

i:2n'

37^"'^

D^2Dr: Jb.
;

plan, device (in bad sense);

(3) promote, so here.

battle ; phr. a.X., cf.

but needed here for measure and to complete the

the obj. of

eorum

8"^

399

i^ovXevcravro,

(i) produce, furnish.

Ki.

fie,

io25 Ez.

a.\.,

Acar' ^/xoO,
:

I2"2 1

K.

of thing covered

c. ^;

desideria impiisy (g d7r6 t^s iTrcOvfiias /xov afiapTu>\<^;

(2-O n.m.

^t^^J]

5t6\o7/(raKro

cover, usually

in the day of equipjnent,

pC'J di''3]

prob. the
t^vtav

is

thrust,'' so Ba.,

'D is local,

Kt. 2

of, v. 9^.

sf.,

sg.

14.

Du., dub.

(5

eh

the place of utter thrusting

Du. changes

to i>n\

""r;

p-t]

lea's inr] of ritual worship, as

106*^ 122*.

PSALM CXLL,

4 STR.

4*.

Ps. 141 is a prayer at the evening sacrifice

would guard the mouth, and prevent

deeds

(v.*^''),

^y4crf.56c^^

and

renouncing

(v.^"^),

that

of

Yahweh

thoughts and wicked

intercourse

with

begging salvation from their snares

There are Maccabean glosses

and other

social

evil

evil

imprecation upon enemies (v.^-^),

glosses, of qualification (v.^"), of expansion (v.*),

harmonistic conclusion

(v.')

YAHWEH, on Thee

call
O make haste to me.
O give ear to my voice, while call to Thee.
My prayer is prepared at the Incense before Thee,
I

The

lifting

doers

(v.****).

up of my hands

at the

evening Minchah.

and of

PSALM CXLI.

507

r\ SET a

guard, Yahweh, to my mouth

keep ('Elyon) the door about my lips.
Incline not my mind to an evil thing,

To

practise practices of wickedness.

AS for men who are workers of trouble,

not eat of their dainties.

1 will

The

oil of the

While

wicked,

my

not grease

let it

my prayer

head.

be against their wickedness.

my words for it will be lovely
For mine eyes are unto Thee, Yahweh.
In Thee I seek refuge do not pour out my life.
Keep me from the power of the snare they have laid for me.
I live,

UEAR

will

was

Ps. 141
(v. Intr.,

in

27, 31).

and fH, but not in any other of the major Psalters

There is no reason to doubt this, as to the original Ps.;

but like others, especially of this group,

and assimilated

has been greatly changed by glosses

it

was a simple and beautiful

In the original
there are rare terms and expressions ""SD nxtt'D v.^ a.X., but the phr. though
original is quite simple and natural
any nnjD v.^ as 2 K. 16^^ Ez. 9*- ^ Dn. 9^1
to them.

In

form

original

its

prayer of four tetrameter tetrastichs, \i-2.

it

&-4b. 4cd. Sbc. &>. s.9a^

implies the fully established sacrifice in the temple at evening prayer

v.s

is

a.X. as pointed

culty,

hi

removed

h';

V.

is

by MT. as a noun, but

improbable, rd.

niS^^* ^'7i;;rn

v.*

"iSy

it is

pSt as

DnVx v.* poetic as Dt. 32^*; on^DyjD

Ps. i66-

11

-lyn

Ss

V.8, cf.

Is. 53I2.

The

Ps.

q^'^^h v.* elsw.

margin.

V.^^

Str. I.

is

a gloss of expansion.

Two

syn. couplets.

The people

call to Thee'].

general statement

"when"

a speedy answer,

cf.

as

V.!*^ is

came

of.

are

from the

a late harmonistic conclusion.

Yahweh, on Thee

22^ 38-^40^*

""Da,

V.6-

into the text

I call

are engaged in prayer.

EV^

is

53^

Is.

but rd. an^Dyj

v.* a.X.,

V.^

1.

diffi-

belongs to the peaceful times of

temple worship in the Persian period subsequent to Nehemiah.

imprecations of the Maccabean times.

mot:'

and without

and the strangeness

(3,

phr. a.X. but not late

Pr. 8^;

prob. a ptc.

O make haste
70^-^ 71'^.

||

It
to

||

while

is

not a

7ne'],

give

give ear to

my

"voice of supplication," as 140^, a true

voice], enlarged in (^ into

2. My prayer ^ The lifting

up of my hands], the gesture of invocation and supphcation, cf.
28^ 63^ La. 3*^ I Tim. 2^
at the Incense
the evening Minchah\
the time of the offering up of incense at the altar of incense in the
temple, and of the grain offering on the altar of burnt offering in

explanation but against the measure.

||

the court, at evening prayer according to the ritual of the temple

worship Ex. 29^^^

actually

engaged

K.

16^^ Ez. 9^-^

Dn.

in prayer in the temple.

of prayer with incense and sacrifice as

EV^

^.
It is

The people

are

not a comparison

PSALMS

508

Str. II.

syn.

and a

synth. couplet.

Z.

set

a guard

||

keep the door], for safety from without, but also and here especially, against that which was within.
to my mouth
about my

A/^-f]

||

The congregation

against the peril of evil speech.

need of protection from themselves from the

evil that

feel the

was within

them, showing the high ethical sense of the late Persian period.
Incline not my mind], going back of the mouth and lips

4 aft.

into the mind, that controls

and directs them.

the divine restraint from evil as well as the

The mind needs

Cf. the

lips.

words of

Mk. f^^.
to an einl thing
To practise practices of wickedness].
The wickedness of external practice originates in the
mind and issues forth from the mouth and lips. The congregation

Jesus

||

pray to be restrained from

of trouble y

all evil,

Synth, couplets.

Str. III.

I will not

tality in social

meals, be their guests.

EV.

phatic position.

The

the feast,

wicked.
difficult

smite

oil

and

external.

As for men

ivho are workers

eat of their dainties], partake of their hospi-

to the previous Str. as

head], the

internal

4 cd.

5.

after

oil

Ji|,

These

lines

but begin this

of the

do not belong
Str. in an em-

icicked, let it not grease

my

with which honoured guests were anointed before

He will not accept such an honour from the

This seems to be the most natural interpretation of a

cf. 23*.

@, U, S.

passage, after

me

and

in kindness,

But the gloss

him

Let

repro-ce me,

the righteous

made

the whole
by a righteous man
would be more acceptable than the hospitality however honourable
difficult.

that the blows given

It asserted

And

of the wicked.

and make

let

so EV*. interpret the

oil after

f^ as

*'

oil for

metaphor of the disciphne ; but interpret

the vb. as " break my head," PBV., AV., which is without justifi" let not my head refuse it," RV., JPSV., which may be
cation
sustained, but is awkward in the context both in grammar and in
sense.
While I live], as JPSV., cf. 104*^ 146^ alone suited to
the head,"

it

the context.

show the

"Yea"

PBV., "For yet" AV., "For even" RV.,

difficulty in the

minds of the translators, and indicate

my prayer will be against their

that they did not see their way.

wickedness], as

it

had been

of themselves, in mind,
Str. IV.

Two

lip,

in the previous Str. against

wickedness

or deed.

stairlike couplets.

6.

newal of the prayer, continued in v.^*.

Hear my
for

it

words], a re-

will be lovely\ so

PSALM

CXLI.

509

to do, as elsewhere other actions are, 133^

which came

tion of an imprecatory gloss,

135^'^

147^

The

inser-

from the

into the text

margin, partly before v.^ and partly after wJ, entirely changed the
interpretation of

The

it.

had

their governors

was Maccabean

gloss

been thrown

down

in origin

that

by the sides of the erag],

cast over a precipice to their destruction,

cf.

C. 25^^ Lk. 4^.

These were doubtless the Syrian governors and oppressors. The

pf. in an optative sense, as Hu., Gr., alone suits the situation

EV^ The result of their

As one splits open and bursts asunder on the
down to the ground, the body bursts asunder,

rather than the statement of the fact as

fall is

then given

ground\

7.

Falling

This simple and natural explanation

as did that of Judas Acts i'^

became confused, when

this line

was separated from

its

mate by

v.^; and that line was interpreted as referring to the wicked gov" And they shall hear my words, that
ernors in the rendering
:

they are lovely "

that

is,

the people will hear the words predict-

ing the downfall of those governors and only then appreciate their

But

loveliness.

and

quent

this

thought

not at

is

a makeshift of interpretation.

is

line difficult,

with v.^\

tation.

and forced

its

all

It

natural to the context,

moreover made the subse-

connection with

% and Lucian alone of Vrss. give the

O that their bones were scattered at the

rather than

v."*

correct interpre-

mouth of Sheol']f

the bones of those governors, their bodies burst asunder and their

bones scattered about

at the entrance to the abode of the dead.

and
most
Vrss.
as
EV*. interpret the bones as the bones of
J^
Israel, which would seem to imply that Israel was practically dead,

But

as in Ez. 37^"^^

needing resurrection to national

certainly against the context,

and preservation of

snares,

to the slaughtered

Ps.

among

But that

life.

is

which implores deliverance from

life.

The

limitation of the reference

the people can hardly be justified in this

But that interpretation forced the interpretation of v/" to the

and accordingly, after |||, EV^ render " like as one

breaketh and heweth (wood) upon the earth " PBV., " as when
one cutteth and cleaveth (wood) upon the earth " AV., thinking
bones

of the chips as a simile of the bones or more correctly " as one

plougheth and cleaveth the earth" RV., JPSV., after Aq., 2, J, S:,
but it is then difficult to see a point of comparison with scattered
:

bones.

8.

For mine

eyes are unto

Thee^

Yahweh

||

In thee

PSALMS

5IO
seek refuge'],

25", the actitude of supplicatory prayer.

cf.

do not

The people are in mortal peril

from enemies, and supplicate Yahweh for the salvatioh of their
life.
9. Keep me from the power of the snare they have laid for
me]. These enemies are crafty and treacherous, cf. 140^.
The
pour out

Is. 53^-.

7ny tife\ as

enlarged by the gloss

V. is

referring

back

to

v.'*^.

The

Ps. received a harmonistic conclusion

in 10. Let the luicked fall into their own

of exact retribution,

tion
/,

my

on

workers of trouble]^

the snares of the

toils],

y^*^-^^ 9^^-^^

cf.

I pass

part, shall rejoice^ while

140^^.

a usual impreca-

In

antithesis:

by an easy emen-

by], so

dation of a difficult text, which varies in |^ and ^, and

variously

is

The variation of EV. " and let me ever

interpreted in Vrss.
escape them " PBV., "whilst I withal escape " AV., " while I pass
by safely " JPSV., " whilst I at the same time pass by " Dr. ; show
:

sufficiently their perplexity.

1.

^V

^rn]

3510-

16

of temple service,

Ez. 20*0.
8.

measure.

4.

rdi

Ec. 12*.

n.f.

2 Ch. 29^^

tnc'c] phr. a.X., but

>si!

Dn.

watch, a.X.

dub. rd.

cf.

921, cf. Pss. 20'^ 40^.

nnDt:*

Qal

ptc.

a. X.

BDB. /rr//j<? /r^c/zV^j',

Poel act severely toward La.

ness, Dr. occupied in deeds.

cf.

TifitJ' ^"^ Kv']

f ["7^] door, a.X., dub.
x^^^V Mo^rd. ti''S;? ; needed for
S;* not used with vb. ;

Hithpo. SSy

':'^^>np]

i6i5 Ezr. 9*- ^

K.
nnnr]

r^'Z\

phr. a.X., but

\'^St5n ^^rn]

2.

2 Ch. S^^ Pr. 1929.

cf.

@ has Qipo.v vepioxv^ "fepl

rd. n^-i, fig. for lips

yjov.

phr. elsw. 2

a-^y Tx^i-f^

cohort, imv.

n.^-'r]

7o6(?); elsw. ^mTyS 2220 3828 401* 702 71 12 (Qr.), so

festina mihi ; (5 da6.Kovabv

in

wicked-

122 220 351.

Hith.

io2 (J.), deal ruthlessly with c. 3 I S. 6^

c^c^'N-rN] c^'^'^x elsw. Is. 538 Pr. 8*, for d^K'jn.

busy, divert one's self with, Ex.

Nu. 2229 QE")

en"'?*]

95 23!-^.

ju^

1925

Qal. impf.

niDpj 16^1.

cniDjrjp]
6.

tt'sn

-i-.

f^nV denom. en''; eat as food, elsw. Dt. 322* Pr.

a.X. two tones, delicacies, dainties, as D^ryj Ps.

iiy

o]

Klais avTuiv Qn"jixi3.

rd.

(rare word), so here be

ySo

>i^]

my

6.

IB^T-'J

of the wicked,
juss. Nij]/tfr-

XtTrafdroj, so

\xt]

5, 3,

after

two accents. @ has h rah evSoNiph. a.X. X'j:::'2f Qal throw doivn 2 K. 9^3

Rd.

1.

is

gl.

'?:wm]

has no appropri-

Hear ! Imv. beginning new Str.

unless we consider them the words

>Tir

dub.

prayer; vb. elsw. Gn. 491^2 S.

l26-f-

adj. (cf. Pss. 1358 147I (of praise)).

sense of optative as Hu., Gr.

Pf. in the

This

by the sides of the crag.

irhs

oil

Hiph.

\t:iV

t:n\-n;n3]

flung dacm.

not used elsw. of words

(5 has

only in P.

^d.

ate connection with foregoing.

i::j,'3]

ya'n

>r Sn]

bid, cf. 33^'^, frustrate elsw. vb.

Arab, be fat.

pc] choice oil '^, Dr.', but

3 oleum amaritudinis.

better suited to context,

4^^
16^,

adapted to previous vb.; rd.

n^^s] Qal
^r:D] full form prep.

pi.

7.

cleave, elsw. Pi. cleave open, cut open, split, Jb.

animals bringing forth young Jb. 39^.

yiNa

>jS3i]

16^3 Pr, ^23 2

cleave the

K.

of

D^y^

ptc.

4'^^

earth,

of

ypJ

PSALM

CXLII.

511

(J4^). There is no Biblical usage to justify our thinking oi ploughing here.

Vb. means burst opeuy in Niph., cf. 2 Ch. 25I2, of men hurled from a rock.
nrsj] Niph. s^q only here; rd. vdxj; hh
This best suits the context here.

Qal

bones.

divine names.

impf. juss.

Pi.

50^^

Je.

10.

1.

pour out my

Ps. i$f,cf.jy^^.
18^.

makes

""J^n

Ps.

Pi.

riDDp]

too long.
life,

a.X. unless

as

pi.

n^c-p*.]

9.

53+,

v. 14^.

nD3]

Hiph.

Is.

fem. a.X.

8.

""Jin

conflation of

nin>]

prep, with fuller

53I2,
pi.

with Gr., Che., for

Niph.

in

"^yn

Vn]

32!^ lay bare^

Is.

64^

D"i

140*5, cstr. >typiD

140II,

nnnnD

sf.

which

is

expl.

word by another of the same kind cf. "iiCDp Is. 51^^ The v. is
nn;;] BDB. at the same time ; but dub. Karh. ixbvas =
however a late gl.
Tin"' solitary.
3 simul, attached to the previous clause. But none of these
give good sense. A vb. is required ; rd. nnN Qal impf. i S. rnn, / shall rejoicCy
of one dub.

cf.

8611 ((g) jb. 36.

PSALM

CXLII.,

2 STR.

lol

Ps. 142 is a prayer of the congregation to

trouble

out

Yahweh knows

(v.^"^").

any way

their

life,

(v.^'^"^).

He

(v.'^)

and

save

may

(v.''''"^"-^'^).

voice.

pour out before

spirit.

But Thou knowest my path

Lookest and seest on my right hand,
That there is none that recogniseth me;
Escape fails me,
There is none that careth for me.
JJNTO Thee, Yahweh, do / cry,
;

say

"

Thou

art

my

There are

liturgical expression (v.*).

Him 7ny plaint

I declare before Him my trouble
Because that within me fainteth my

Him

to

TJ NTO Yahweh I cry with my voice

Unto Yahweh I make supplication with my
I

great

prison, that the righteous

does good to His people

glosses of explanation

in

only refuge in

is their

they implore

Therefore

them from

delivering

recognize that

Yahweh

of escape (v.^''^).

their extremity

Yahweh

that they are friendless and with-

refuge

In the land of the Hving iny portion."

O attend unto my yell.

For very low am / brought.

me from them that pursue {my life).
For they are too strong for itie.
O bring forth from prison 7ny person
That the righteous may recognise with me.
That Thou doest good to me.
Deliver

PSALMS

512

was in TB, of the class S-'i'^':: like the group 52-55. But the origwas doubtless n'^Dr^ {v. Intr. i, 26, 27). The Ps. shares with the
group 51-63 in historical references, which in all cases are conjectural of
appropriate situations for the thought of the Ps. nnyn^ inrnj, cf. 57I
whether the cave of Adullam (i S. 22), or of Engedi (i S. 24), is difficult
Ps. 142

inal title

The

to determine.

ing in assonance in
V.8 nnD-",

^nn

>hy,

is

composed of two trimeter

There

is

a dubious form, which

as 143*,

TiiSi

52'^.

Ps.
"_.

cf.

v.'^,

used Jon.

is

is

probably a

phr. v.* p|c:ynn:3

38II 53^
27I8
Je. ii^^ Pss.

Is.

-iJDD V.8 cf. Is. 2422 42'^.

798 116.

late date, except

The

txt. err.

D>-nn ynN v.^

2^.

decastichs, each line end-

nothing in Ps. to suggest a

V.4<^- ^^

are glosses in-

The

juring the measure, the former expansive, the latter liturgical.

composed during the early exile at Babylon, when the

in peril and the people were prisoners v.'-^^.

Str. I.

I cry

it

7tiy

||

and

syn. couplet

weh']^ repeated for emphasis;

emphasis.

was

Ps.

of the nation was

pentastich of four syn. lines followed by a synth. one,

and a pentastich of

with

life

I make

||

triplet.

before

2-3.

Him\

Unto Yah-

also repeated for

supplication^ of importunate prayer.

voice\ repeated to emphasize the fact that

was

it

oral

could not be restrained within the secret breast, but burst forth

in loud cries.

my

I pour

out'], in

a stream of words

spirit],
143'*

Jon.

my path]
go

2^.

way

in the

way

in

7ny

and no

cf.

77* 107'*

knowest

other.

which the people have been compelled to

A glossator in
I walk they hid a

that

4.

extremity of weakness,

But Thou], emphatic

the

in their exile.

in the

discouraged and

declare.

1|

Because~\y \hQ reason,

within me fainteth

plain t~\j defined by 7?iy trouble.

" when " as EV\

and not temporal

a different situation explains

trap for me],

140^, suiting

cf.

the situation of the congregation of the Restoration, but not that

Moreover, the measure of the

of the Exile.
it

makes the

so

(^, ,S,

by

gloss,

Str. just this

much

too long.

5.

sf.

right

is

different,

Lookest

and

and seest],

U, or, as inf. abs., carrying on previous pf. interrupted

and thus in MT., followed by EV^, rendered as imv.
;

" look and see," as a renewal of the petition.

the

line

required for assonance and by the

hand

is

the place of the advocate,

This missing advocate

carethfor

7fie],

is

defined

cf.

That

||

071

my

my

right ha?id],

path,

The

v.'^.

16^ 109^^ iio^ 121^.

7'ecogniseth

me,

||

that

and intermediate Escape, which cannot, therefore,

be interpreted as the act of escaping, or the place of escape, but

as the person to

whom

they would escape as a refuge.

Such an

PSALM
advocate

and

CXLII.

513

emphatically denied in the repeated

is

There

is

none,

hterally "is perished,"

also in the intermediate fails me'],

away from me.

pentastich, composed of a syn. couplet preceded by
an introductory line and followed by a synth. couplet ; and also a
Unto
6.
pentastich, composed of synth. couplet and triplet.
Thee, Yahweh, do I cry\, a renewal of the petition of v.^"^.
Thou art my refuge], Yahweh, and no one else in antith. v.^''
7ny portion, cf. 16^, as the share or allotted section In the land
of the living], cf. 27^^ 52^ Even in the holy land, where each
one of the congregation had his portion, Yahweh was yet the
O attend unto my yell], renewing
supreme portion, cf. 73^^^
utterly lost

Str. II.

II

v.^,

the loud, importunate pleading.

cf.

79^ 116^,

me

Deliver

reduced

For very low

to the lowest

fro7n them that pursue

a?n

I drought],

degree of misery;

my

life],

cf.

reduced to "

v.'*'*.

me

" in

text at the expense of the measure,

and

peril to the life of the nation.

they are too strong for 7ne],

For

to the ignoring of the

the Babylonians have overcome them, and they are helpless captives in their hands.

The

captives were at

first

least

were kept in prisons.

to preservation of

That

8.

bring forth from prison 7ny person].

and many of them at

What was immediately needed, next

prisoners of war,

righteous 7nay recog7iise with 7ne], the

the

rendering of a

was deliverance from imprisonment.

life,

difficult passage,

most probable

where J^ and Vrss. greatly vary.

" the righteous

chief Vrss. with (, after Aramaic, render
"
AV., RV., compass me about," has no support
will wait for me."

The

RV.'" " crown themselves because of me," JPSV. " will

glory in me," Dr. " shall put out crowns because of me," are based

in Vrss.

on

and ancient Jewish

2, 2r,

the text be correct.

change of a single

Thou

doest

good

letter gives the

to

throughout the Ps.

may give

78*^

1.

n6^;

poral,

cf.

most probable,

is

me

in both instances

if

That

the deliverance implored

glossator inserts a liturgical gloss

Thy

that

7ia7ne], in public worship.

changed

as assonance required.

originally at close of

774 1075 143* Jon. 2^.

2L

and

probably corrupt, and the

is

reading followed above.

me], in giving

tha7iks U7ito

^'^'p]

2.

close of

authorities,

But the text

1.

for

emph. from the original order

3.

''n^i:'

4.

"'nn

''i:9''nj]

"jd'^'n]
''^v

cf.

102I.

']'3';'nr\:i']

n.f. sf.,

causal

as iiqI'^s

'''^'Xil

cf.

at

22^2

and not tem-

3,-,^

^50 hqSS^

PSALMS

514

rel.

ir]

a pentameter

is

1.

Hiph. imv., as 3
so nxn for nxi.

also ^h of next
Is.

1.

i-in^]

63I6, cf. 61^;

2^* Je. 25^^ Jb.

"i^Sn.

at the

7.

dungeon, elsw.

pf.

SSi

stroying measure.
Ju. 20^3.

6.

^a^
for

'o'j"^]

5.

t3''2n]

and so

with

sf.

Ps. 103^^.

Dijo
1.

z.%

so

Dt. 21^^ 33^

i2n] phr. elsw.

assonance

for

sg.;

assonance

for

recognise, acknowledge,

">3J

assonance requires

r|-n;

cf. r">jJD?

Ps. /5^.

Hiph. impf.

Hiph. elsw. Pr. 14^^ (dub.),

and

1.

fully written

for pf.

Am.

so also

dozun, be brought low, as 79^ 116^; should be

""w'sj

''3]

i"'.'?^!

140^.

Ba., inf. abs.

goes to end of

v"'P>t]

24^2 42^,

Is.

ptc.

acquainted with

1.

Hiph.

"^"'t'?]

be

ijd*j]

V,

(3, <S,

should be at the end of

I i^o.

"T'^Vl]

end of

no

gl.

but better as

ins vb.

Hb.

ptc.

and

i::'^

sf.

surround

8.

t"^.^'-'?]

is

surround,

Pi.

i*

sg.

tn nnin'^]

gl.,

The

ace.

c.

de-

ace. 22^^

c.

by any
ancient Vrs. (S ^/-i^ virop-evovaLv, "5 me expectant justi ; so &, 5J, Aq.
all
But 2, ^, Ra., AE., and
derive from nro Aram, wait, hope for, cf. Jb. 36^.
prob. MT.,regarded it asdenom. of I';;'? crotvn; soThes.,De.,Dr.,JPSV., which,
construction with

>3 a.X.

difficult,

this derivation not sustained

however,
is

is

only used in Est.

doubtless a

so connected with
n>2^

so Aq.

see v.^.
;

but

i^^ q}-' 6^

and prob.

There
end of 1. and
The original vb. was prob.

as Persian loan word.

o, as assonance requires, should be

txt. err.
D''i"'^"<x

rather than with the vb.

S3; ^:dj.~].

^ws ov di^aTroSys

&ra.v evepyer-qcris

but assonance requires sg.

sf.

fie.

The

">^v

[loi,

at

% cum

retribueris mihi,

has been assimilated to

original

PSALM CXLIIL,

was doubtless

116'^

STR. 5

Ps. 143 is an importunate prayer of the congregation to

in great peril for speedy deliverance, pleading

righteousness, and kindness

from enemies, teach,

chiefly citations,

erances

(v.^),

lead,

^""-

^)

that

and quicken them

emphasize the perils (v.*^

'"'),

(v.-),

Yahweh

His faithfulness,

He would

(v.^^^).

dogma that no

express the

righteous in Yahweh's sight

mies

'*''

(v.^

^^9^^i

""S.

deliver

Many glosses,

recall

former deliv-

living being can be

and imprecate ruin upon ene-

(v.^-).

yT^F prayer, O hear, in Thy faithfulness; O give ear to fny supplication.

Answer me in Thy righteousness within me is bewildered f/iy heart.
;

/ spread out unto Thee, as a weary land, fny soul.

Answer ffie speedily (in Thy righteousness) pine doth my spirit.
Make me hear in the morning 'Thy kindness; for in Thee do /trust.
TV/TAKE me know 7hy way; for unto Thee I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, Yahweh, from Thine enemies for unto Thee / (flee).
Teach me to do Thy will for Thou art my God.
Lead me for Thy name's sake in uprightness, my God.
Quicken me in Thy righteousness bring out of trouble my soul.
:

PSALM
Ps. 143

was

tion.

It is

and

in IB

vlbs /caraSici/cet,

the

which
last

is

CXLIII.

M,

In (g it has also 8t avrbv 6

v. Intr., 27, 31.
a late conjecture of an appropriate historical illustra-

of the Penitential Pss. of the Church.

of this group, has been greatly changed from

a prayer of two pentameter pentastichs,

to the troublous times before

The

515

its

v.i- ^^- ^^-

like all others

It,

original form, in
'^-

^-^i.

It

The language and

Nehemiah.

which

it

was

doubtless belonged
style are those

was ornate, with threefold assonance in every line in

This has been obscured by transpositions in some cases by late
^_, r], and *_.
copyists ; but it is evident in most lines and easily restored in others. There
are many glosses, which lack this assonance and are chiefly citations or adapof J3.

original

V.^ reminds of Jb. 9^2 22* in

tations of older Pss.

God

versal lack of righteousness before

V.^^

Y4a.5 are adaptations to

776.12.13,

mon

in

M.

from Ne.

V.12

V.''^ is

V.^o^

n^ia

a gloss

is

'\r\)'\

All evidences of late date are in the glosses.

9-*^.

Syn. pentastich.

Str. I.

and tetrameter
was derived from La. 3^.
from 28^, and v.^ is a phr. comspirit,

V.^c

a Maccabean imprecation.

is

recognition of uni-

its

dogmatic in

is

from 7^^

in form, if not prosaic.

is

1.

My

prayer

my

||

supplication],

I spread out unto Thee], v.^'*, defined by

expressed by
"
really my soul, as La. 3*^, the heart into
my
hands,"
but
as
gloss
the gesture,

and so lift up my soul], wF*. This atti;

compared to a weary land], thirsting for refreshing
and is interpreted as pine doth my spirit], v.''", cf.

the outspread hands

tude of soul

is

rain, cf. 63^

71^ 73"^

and

||

qualified

by in Thee do I trust],

ing the desperate situation, described as

v.^*.

Notwithstand-

bewildered

(stupefied by the extreme peril from which there

v.'**

unless divinely given),

trust in

Yahweh

is

my

is

and the importunity of the prayer

O hear

firmly maintained.

||

divine attributes are the sanctions of the pleading

His covenant and people

against their enemies, repeated

earlier literature

is

||

their
||

an-

make

The

faithfulness],

righteousness], in their vindication

v.^'';

and kindness],

v.^",

which in

the nearest syn. to the divine love rather than

"mercy," the usual mistaken

greatly enlarged

O give ear

swer me], repeated in v.''" with the adv. speedily] and the
me hear in the morning], after the night of trial, cf. 30^
to

heart],

no escape

translation.

by glosses of various kinds.

This

2.

Str.

has

been

And], an addi-

homogeneous with the original Ps.

enter not
judgment with Thy servant]. Israel as the servant of Yahweh is here conscious of sin and guilt, that makes him dread the
tional petition, not

into

divine judgment, which the previous context has implored.

no living

bei?ig is righteous before

for

Thee], a dogmatic statement

PSALMS

5l6
corresponding with Jb.
Gal. 2^^
justifies

4''-^^

9- 25^, as

15^^^^

regards man, and extended even

v. is cited by St. Paul, Rom.

f^
adds the penitential element to the pleading, and

to the angels Jb.

It

This

the use of the Ps. as the seventh of the Penitential Pss.

of the Church.

Doubtless the Ps. thereby became more suited

pubhc worship, notwithstanding inconsistency with the context,

to

which pleads

for divine interposition in righteousness

eous judgment on enemies.

life\ a gloss from
for the first in v.^

For

a.

The enemies

7^.

He

and a

right-

pursue my

the etiemy doth

are mentioned in the original

hath crushed

7?iy life to

the

The

earthy

people are utterly crushed and prostrate on the ground before

their enemies.

made me dwell as
is

no good reason

The people

In

c.

the region

of dense darkness he hath

from La. 3^. There

those long dead'], a citation

to think of a different

meaning here from

there.

after the destruction of Jerusalem, in exile, are con-

ceived as having died and descended into Sheol, which

is

a region

of dense darkness and gloom, where the shades of the dead dwell,

even those dead from ancient times.

It is possible to interpret

the term as " dead forever," having no hope of resurrection, in

accordance with the denial of resurrection to the wicked Is. 26".

But it is not probable that the question of a resurrection was in
the

mind of

La.

this glossator

any more than

in that of the author of

or that he was thinking even of a long-continued, indefinite

period for the continuation of the dead in Sheol.

natural with

EV^

after

had been long dead

so that the glossator

is

5.

upon

I reme?nber
Thy work,

all

common

from

77^^

in

77^^.

Pss.,

4.

142*.

old\ adapted from 77^ I meditate on

from 77^^
/ muse on the work of Thy
"Tb. Do not hide Thy face from me'], a
ij^ 22^ 27^ 69^^ 8S^^ 102^; indifferent

||

||

de-

28^

by

measure from the context, and a gloss of intensification.

come like them that go down to the Pit\ derived from
glossator
tion.

me

"

and tacked on without care

It really
;

for

implies the protasis " lest

but there

is

no

sufificient

whose reconstruction of

most

And my

adapted to

the days of

hands variation of
phr.

me~\, is a gloss

citation

is

complaining here of

the long continuance of the death of the nation.

spirit fainteth

It

most ancient Vrss. to think of those who

grammatical construcif

Thou be

reason for inserting

this Ps. is of the

most

it

silent

unto

with Che.,

arbitrary character.

PSALM

CXLIII.

517

This glossator conceives of the nation as in extreme peril of death

and of descending to the Pit of Sheol and is accordingly at
;

variance with the glossator of

v.^'',

Such

already for a long time dead.

not

uncommon

who thought

of the nation as

view are

different points of

and do not

in such mosaics of religious phrases,

really disturb their liturgical use.

Syn. pentastich.

Str. II.
II

frequently

Thy

wherein
of

is

human

copyist,

should go."

me

teach

||

and guidance quite

deliverance, cf. 25^.

Law;

the course of Hfe prescribed by the divine

by a
I

Make me know

intermingled with petitions for

7c/ay],

enlarged

86-11.

Petition for divine instruction

lead me'].

by assimilation to 32^, into "the way

Thy will\ the divine will as the norm

conduct, elsw. 40^; even of angels 103-^

in upright-

ness], interpreted and enlarged into "in a land of uprightness";

probably an error for "path of uprightness " as

tainly

These

better suited to the context.

is

27^^,

which cer-

petitions are

with

||

petitions for deliverance, resuming those of the previous Str.

from Thine

Deliver me, Yahweh,

people of

Yahweh

later scribe

for " Thine."

trouble

my

in their

in

life,

soul],

my

climax,

Thy

v.^^,

two petitions appear

righteousness, as

person, me, myself.

v."*^-

usual.

troduced by "for":

Thee

unto

lift

up

unto Thee

the attitude of soul of

v.^

by an early error of a

single letter in J^

into a vb.

meaning

jj

quicken

bring out of

^"
||

Three

complementary parts assign reasons

changed

of the

"
destroyed the assonance by substituting " mine

In the

my

me, revive

The enemies
Yahweh Himself, as

enemies].

are the enemies of

of the lines

for the petition in-

my

soul], resuming

This
so @.
and most Vrss. was
flee],

to cover, conceal,

overwhelm

but

having no meaning suited to the preposition used here or to the

The

context.

Vrss.

resort to paraphrases

and
;

where, or unsuited to

modern

critics

remedies.

interpreters

it,

simplest

is

inspires

Most

that given above.

is

Israel to

For Thou art my

Yahweh as their own

them with confidence and the

expect guidance and the

name's sake],

else-

EV^

recognise an error in the text and propose various

The

God

|^, therefore

unknown

such as "flee to hide me,"

God], the personal relationship of

national

dependent on

or seek meanings for the vb.

obligation

of obedience.

right

for

to

Thy

a syn. thought, though varied in expression.

PSALMS

5l8

The name,

and honour of Yahweh

reputation,

guidance of His people, and that

it.

A glossator

Ne.

inserts in

expense of the measure, from

at the

v.'*,

involved in the

is

a reason for their petition for

is

Thy good Spirit\ which represents the divine

g'^,

Spirit as hav-

ing the attribute of goodness, in being good, benignant, and the

and also that the divine Spirit is the teacher

and guide, a doctrine which appears also in the " holy Spirit
of Ps. 51^^ Is. 63^^".
12. A Maccabean glossator appended this
And in Thy kindness^,
prosaic v. of imprecation on enemies.
mayest Thou exterminate mine enemies, and
that is, to Israel.
It is difficult for a modern
destroy all the adversaries of my life'].
benefactor of the nation

to reconcile the divine attribute of kindness with the extermination

But even to the author of the original

of the enemies of Israel.

enemies of

Ps. the

Maccabean times

were the enemies of Yahweh

Israel

servant].

1.

is

r\\ry'''\

gl.,

making

too long.

1.

*?] as

39!^ with
txt.

The

njMNH, but by

as

to

^:y;\

|t?

makes

it

>'r}r].

too long.

1.

116^^ 136^.

The

usual order

imv. should be cohor.,

elsw. ace. 5^ 17I 552

this vb.;

err.,

cf. v.^ 86^^

TiSon

assonance of Ps. requires transposition.

prob. prep.

It

the

all

was in a special relation to Yahweh

His own servant and worshipper,

as

in the

to Israel to

a sufficient reason for this imprecation, as indeed for

petitions of the Ps., that Israel

am Thy

for I

exterminate their implacable foes.

is

and

was indeed a kindness of Yahweh

it

86*^ 140'^

inj::Na]

141I.

but

has ace;

attached by

Assonance and

the latter destroys parall.

nriN.-^.

||

to

require

1|

2. '0D'.r':D3 ni2-] judicial phr. of Jb. q^'^ 22*,

should go with n;'3r.
mind of the author, as well as the doctrine
been
in
the
seems
have
which
to
that no creature can be regarded as righteous in God's sight. This late dog-

that

it

matic statement
3.

vvDj 3,1s

from
DD-1.

7^.

sSiy

>3].

This

vn-in ^'ns'? n^-"]

"TrriJ

The v. is a prosaic gl.

not in , but in (gB. ab.(mg). n. r.t. a

contrary to the tone of the Ps.

is

t\^^-\

1.

is

from 7^ save that the vb. N3"i is substituted for

4. -iSy fi'-^/'"^'"^^
pentameter gl. from La. 3^

vnn] from 77*^ adapted to 142*.

the

but improb.

more usual

all pi.;

\-inDT.

5.

"i^yo

nnv^'.s]

gesture of prayer

but

"i"'

mpD

1.

too long.

from original order.

assonance in

r\_;

>jn'

D^::^]

Polel

makes

C'dj]

Hithp.

3?:\-ic*:]

from

a::::'

1.

2'-'.

n'-K'

6^;

r^~\

first

@, 3, &,

is

unnecessary

1.

for assonance.

doubtless rinpix as v.^^

nin>

vn^'J'n to

IB,

n>

6.

Aq., E,
\n'^-(i3]

better think

an unnecessary pedantic

belongs to end of

came

with o'^ a.X.; be-

variation of 77^2^

too long and

40^*^,

Vb. changed from

77^.

Sd3 \n>jn] phr. from 77^^

with La. 3*1 of attitude of the

making

D'rJ'n?:^ "j^-'^nn] a

longs to the original Ps.

gl.

insertion,

transposed

7.

''^p.V.

"^^r]

word

is

missing with

later

insertion.

was a

PSALM CXLIV.

here there

but

a.X.,

\-;Sccji]

C-;

y:D -iron Sn] phr. 51"; but gl.

cf. 71^ 'jf^.
from 28^, where it is apodosis of ""jm r\'i'n-^ ]', But
no proper grammatical connection. The does not admit (;f the

>nn nnVj] phr.

-\u ni"!

519

gl.

is

translation " lest " of EV^.

expressing result

but

with Dr. to regard

It is possible

it

as

consec.

pf.

was tacked on by the glossator without regard

it

to

8. ]>>* if'T'.^.] makes 1. too long; amplification

grammatical connection.
mn^ has been transposed.
9. ois::] assonance requires -i::\\::.
of ^311.
a.T^ but @B. .N. A. 11 has oTi = >-, and that is doubtless
^rDpTS"*]- So "@^'-c.
This vb. is not
11.
correct, as it is more euphonic and harmonious with

||

suited to the prep,

and none of

Dy., after AE., would rd.

"T.iip.

assonance.
article
nisy-'D

with

^^r}^-^^

gl.

suited to context.

is

Du., Valeton.

but that would require

v-^'Dn,

protectus siim

nvsi

f-iNO]

meanings

v^Dj, i3 KaTi(pvyov, as Street,

less error for

Gr.

its

Pu.

'^r^v^

from Ne.

10.

for

S, 3, (5^- ^-

a.X., so

'i'

cf. nvi'>D

required for

"17N,

27II, so

nnsa

<3^- ^ ev rrj evdeiq. favours the latter.

Ba., -w^-'cn 261^.

word in assonance in v
"Vn instead of nini \M".
12. m^sni]
a prosaic Maccabean gloss.
too long; for a

01s.,
'7\:n^

by careless scribe, who omitted the

9^0

which the original had and Ileb. grammar

adj.,

doubt-

Bach., Ba.,

3.

"'7''^^;]

It is

Now.,

IIu.,

is

requires.

here ace. Hu.,

The

others

make

1.

needed, which was prob. as above

consec. pf. after

This

n-iDxri.

v. is

PSALM CXLIV.
Ps. 144 is composite.

I.

prayer for deliverance from treach-

erous foreigners, repeated in Rfs.

blessing

Yahweh

as Kindness in
is

introduced

(v.''* ^ ^^),

for warlike skill

whom

by a vow

they have taken refuge

Yahweh

man

(v.^)

introduced by-

(v.-").

is their

petition for theophanic interposition (v.^

ment

first

of public praise for the victory

Glosses emphasize the fact that

nificance of

the

and recognition

(v.^),

'^)

and his transitory

Him

of

The second
given

refuge

(v.^-^).

(v.^*),

and

represent the insig-

life

(v."*).

II.

frag-

of a Ps. representing the blessedness of the people in their

children

(v.^^),

their stores

(v.^'^"),

dom from war (v."^), with a Rf.

in having Yahweh for their God
A.

Y}-^<'c.7b.&-ll^

their cattle (v.^^^-"), and free-

declaring their supreme happiness

(v.^^).

^3^

S^j,^

j,p^

^3^

gLESSED be Yahweh, my Rock

Who traineth my hands for battle,
!

My
My

fingers for war.

Kindness, and
Deliver

me

Him

in

frofn the

whom

have taken refuge.

hand of foreigners.

Whose mouth doth speak

insincerity,

And whose right hand is

a right hand offalsehood.

520

PSALMS
J^

NEW song will

With a

Who giveth
To

sing unlo

Thee

lyre of ten strings will

make melody

to

Thee,

victory to (His) king,

His servant from the hurtful sword.

me from the hand offoreigners,

Whose mouth doth speak insincerity.
And whose right hand is a right hand offalsehood.
Deliver

B,

V.12-15^

64^

Rp^

24^

fHE sons are in youthful vigour, as established towers.

The daughters are as corner pillars, hewn out as figures.
The garners are full, affording all kinds of store.
The sheep are bringing forth thousands, ten thousands in the
The kine are great with young there are no miscarriages.

fields.

And

Ps.

144 was

no goings forth to war, or cries of alarm

Happy the people when they have it so !
Happy the people, when Yahiveh is their God!

there are

in

trimeter

poem

The

D.

the contents, and

v.^-n,

addition of (5 7rp6s rhv ToXidd was suggested hj

a late conjecture.

is

in the squares.

and a tetrameter

The

v.i2-i5^

Ps.

is

which

really composite:

of a

a fragment of a lost Ps.

is

The Psalm has many glosses, so that in its present form it is a mosaic.
But
v."'>-8 = 11^ enables us to find two
Strs., v.i- 2ac^ v.^-w 4..
Even these vs.

the Rf.,

are dependent, the former on iS<7. 35^ the latter on

sf-^, and the Rf. on iS^^-J*-.;
so the Ps. must be regarded as essentially an adaptation of earlier
material to

a later situation, which on account of v.^- nf>c ^^^y be regarded as the

troublous times at the beginning of the work of Nehemiah, when
the people were
called to arms against thei.- treacherous neighbours.
The dependence of the
Ps. on Ps. 18 doubtless suggested the many other glosses from
that Ps.: w.^^'^

from i8-", y.^ from

were inserted:
v.12-16 is

and

v.^

i8>o, v.

from

8, v.*

from

18^5, v.^

from

39'-

a tetrameter octastich in

its

',

from

v."*

present form.

and unusual words and constructions. It

of assonance, in which six lines have four words,
late

nance

in

3v

i8i"-i8.

from

10482.

It
is

is

full

Other glosses

The fragment
of Aramaisms

a remarkable specimen

in alternate lines, in asso-

aiid r'i_.

PSALM CXLIV.

A.

Str. I. A tetrastich with introverted parallelism, and a tristich

of Rf. whose second and third lines are syn.
1. Blessed be Yahweh, my Rock'], an adaptation from i^^'.who travieth my hands

battle, My fingers for war], enlargement of iS^; the

hands
probably to wield sword and spear, the fingers to grasp the bow

for

that

is,

for

warlike

skill

Kindness], as epithet of

and vigour against enemies.

God

elsw.

Jon. 2^

cf.

2.

My

Ps. 59^^; as the

PSALM CXLIV.
source and giver of kindness.
refuge~\,

same

from the enemies.

521

and Him

This

whom I have

in

phrase above; but a glossator inserted from 18^

line as the

a number of additional terms, emphasizing the

was the refuge of His people

mine own

down

deliverer,

my

knowledge of him ?

His purpose was to

and

3.

from

also

39^-

immediate deliverance

Mankind

days like a shadow pass away.

inserted

adds a petition

v.^'',

jgio.15.17.18

^^^

bringeth

Yahweh, what is ??ian, that Thou takest

The son of man, that Thou considerest him?
deepen the humility of the congregation and

states the transitoriness of

'^

who

18^^:

Yahweh

tower and

glossator inserts from 8^

later

sense of unworthiness in the sight of God.

from

gloss
for

that

f.ict

7ny fastness, viy high

shield;

peoples under me.

with slight modification

their

taken

was originally part of the

latter

jQ^32^

5-7
for

human

is like

a.

life

4.

Another

as a reason

unto a breath.

The same

glossator

His

who

theophanic interposition from

changing descriptive impfs. into imvs.

Bow Thy heavens and come down.

Touch the mountains that they may smoke.
Flash forth hghtnings and scatter them.

Send

Thine arrows and discomfort them.

on high
Rescue me from mighty waters.
forth

Stretch forth Thine hands from

Rf.

76-8

= 11.

comes from

peril

Deliver

me frorn

the

hand of foreigners']. The

foreign enemies, probably the confederates allied

by Sanballat in the time of Nehemiah, when the congregation took

up arms to defend themselves, while rebuilding the walls of Jerusa-

Whose mouth doth

lem, Ne. 4.

speak insincerity].

They were

treacherous foes, misrepresenting the congregation to the Persians,

and seeking

And whose
right

and

hand

make a party for themselves in Jerusalem itself.

hand is a right hand of falsehood], probably the

to

right

lifted in

taking oaths

so that they were false witnesses

perjurers.

Str. II.

Two

syn. couplets,

and Rf

^.

new song

will

1 7nake melody to
of
Thee].
A vow of public worship and praise with song and musical instruments
an adaptation of 33^.
10. Who giveth victory

sing unto Thee

With a

lyre

ten strings will

His king His servant], doubtless referring to the Davidic

monarchy; but it has been made more definite by a glossator,
to

||

PSALMS

522

who inserted at the expense of the measure IV/io snatched away

David^ " His King " was generalised into " kings " in the first
line.
from the hurtful sword\ a phr. A., but poetical and
:

graphic.

PSALM CXLIV.

B.

Six syn. lines, with syn. couplet of Rf.

daughters'].

and Vrss.

differ in sfs. here,

12. The sons

the
and throughout the
||

Ps.; an evidence here as elsewhere that such

tions.

m youthful

allow of them.

poem does

vigour, as established to7vers~\.

suggests that imagery suited to a building

The

sons as with daughters.

are interpreta-

sfs.

Besides the assonance characteristic of this

is

not

Ehr.

here required with

" are
Jt] and Vrss.

usual interp. after

young plants made to grow up strong in youth," in youthful

and vigour, straight, tall, and full of vital energy
and beauty, while in some respects appropriate, is rather tame in
as

strength, freshness

this context.

as

corner pillars], JPSV., as ornamental supports

not " corner stones " AV., RV.,
;

used in temples and palaces

which would hardly be considered from an

hewn

aesthetic point of view.

out as figures], as the caryatides of ancient

comparison of a beautiful

woman

in the story of the creation of

the generalised

"made"

also Ct. 4* 6^ 8^^.

is

art.

Heb. "builded"

The

found already

Eve, Gn. 2", obscured in

for the

By an

with a building

EV^

as RV."",

early misinterpretation of the

by
cf.

word

it had the other and later mng. of " simil"

model," the word " palace " was supplied against measitude,"

rendered " figures," that

ure and assonance; and accordingly "after the similitude" AV.,

" fashion " RV., " device " JPSV., " of a palace."
13-14. The

are full], because of

and abundant crops. affording
The
kinds of
every kind of harvest has been

garners], storehouses where the harvests were stored away.

rich

all

store],

plentiful.

sheep are bringing forth thousands, amplified to ten thousands],

wonderful
tures "

of the flocks.
in the fields], RV., or "pasnot " streets " PBV., AV., where such a thing

fertility

JPSV.

could not be.

The

kine], the larger cattle.

young], as most moderns

in

are great with

accordance with context, the herds

having the same fertility as the flocks

but most Vrss. render
" fat " or " strong " and so " strong to labour " PBV., AV., which
;

PSALM CXLIV.
seems rather weak

523

comparison with the other strong hnes.

in

RV., JPSV., render "well laden," thinking of the abundant

But that has been sufficiently menharvests laden upon them.
tioned in v.^^% and a return to

This phr.

miscarriages'].

it

improbable.

is

previous sentence, both for measure and assonance.

we must think

that the sing,

an error for an

is

no

there are

complement of the

the necessary

is

Therefore

due

earlier pi.,

to

a mistaken view of the connection of the clauses, as if this clause

were in antithesis with the next " no breaking in and no going
:

out "

AV., RV.,

should be in different
that

is,

to war,

in

due

to assault

a condition of peace with

Happy

And

lines.

there are no goings

and so suited to the next clause

in the squares'],
is

But the measure requires that these

JPSV.

upon the

city;

forth\

or cries of alar7n

and so the chmax

15. The
when have

neighbours.

all their

the people], repeated for emphasis.

they

Rf.

it so],

accordance with the description of peace and prosperity given

above.

when

Yahweh

from Yahweh.

It is

is

their

God],

come

these blessings

all

appropriate that the Ps. should conclude

with this recognition.

CXLIV. A.

m^

1.

i835;

2.

but

ni,-T

^-ji")

""IDn]

inn]

battle,

cf. 18^'^,

after

which

encounter, 551^-2^

modelled.

it is

OS'^i 78^.

as divine epithet, elsw. Jon. 2;

tn^pn]

cf.

has two tones,' cf.

8^.

a-^pS >T'

iiDn \"tSN 59!^.

cf.

suited to the following words derived from

\ni;-^i;N]

18^^

that

It is so

many think

it

un-

an error

"':Dn Gr,, "'prn Dy., Valeton, ^Dn:^ Street, Ehr.

But these
and the complementary part of 1. is '<nDn 13% well suited to
non.
\-^nn ^:d;; tnnn] from 18^8
only ^p'; |^, , but c^c>' Aq., Jf, ^, %, as
i8^s, so Street, Ehr., Valeton.
3. Gl. from 8^ only nin> is prefixed and id
subord. changed into consec. MT., prob. error of pointing for subord. (5,
2, 6rt
U, 3, qiiia. The vl)S. are also changed from mjir, ijnpo."', to in;'nn
and in^'^'n.-.
4. Gl. from 39^- 7- 12 with various changes that do not alter the

Du., or

either for

i>'^D

are really

all gls.,

essential mng., but rather simplify

impf. nSn.-^% but , F, prob. rd.

pf.

it

63.

as

n?:-i

Ss for c^;(;

17"*;

Change of

impf. of

18^*^

~\-zy)

ptc. for

into imv.,

and

prefixing of mn;

so in second half corresponding change of

104^^2^

ation of 18^^, also

changed to imvs.
and insertion of

with omission of

second vb.

'jnn*,

73.

Variation of

18^"^

imv. with sf. i sg. from

snatch away, (5 i^eXov, so v.n in reversed order
obj. -in\

t nxo Aramaism, elsw. v.^'^- ^^

of vbs.; but r\)s^sr\ v.^'^ t^j Xvrpovfihi^.

\3xs]

This variation of order in (^ suggests

and the variant vb. in

The three uses are all Aramaic gls.

insertions in the text,

gl.

Vari-

v.^*^

a variant verbal explanatory

0^:31 o-idd]

a late

gl.

from

18^^;

PSALMS

524
not in

v.ii,

and interposing between the vb. ^i^^sn and n^j >J3 n^n. njj >J3
= 2 S. 22t6-46 + ._8. =llz,c. ^^tn] prosaic gl. ->pa' ?>2^] phr.
D\nSN] a late insertion, making 1. too long. The v. is based
on 332-8,

elsw. i8-46

only
are transposed,
3sg.
o.\.

9.

11.

sg. cohort,

10. n;'irn r-^^:n]

ijVn

but -in rx

^'^2';,
II

of vbs.

used for imv., and

is

simplification of iS^i; therefore d^d^d

an explanatory

is

gl.

n;n

sf.

of 2 sg. for

improb.; rd.

is

phr. a.\.

2-in::]

CXLIV. B.
12.

n-^N]

&S)v; 3

_3,p,]

irn]

sf.

when

x.; but cf. ^\_rq^\

plant Jb. i49._D>^T,r;] Pu.
so , but sf. improb. here alone

c^'^U'J:?]

fragment was pieced on.

x.R. o.{nwv

this

interp., not in (gB.

pi.

pi, j.^^

Is. 17I1,

planting

strong.

inserted as a connective

after Aq., 2.

uty

s.c.a.A.T
X']^'^,

rel.,

three words are in assonance in

dv

n.

[m.] plantation

ptc. a.X.
it is

made

interp.

Is.

5^

grow up
The other

to

so doubtless this.

This v. with this

harmonise with the next. Ehr. suggests the reading c^'^ua
t^j
"neuen Thurmpfeilern gleichen," giving r^j the mng. of " fixed " Ec. 12"!
;

interp. does not

This
51I6

We

an admirable suggestion.

is

Je. iio i89 3i2',

word of

1.

and make

assonance of

this

1.

and regard Vnjc as

second.

it

->m-]

might use the mng. "establish" Is.

We must transpose the last

Ct. 4*.

ij"'7''^j3].

pi. f

[n>r]

(5 a.^roiv,

n.f.

so here ornamental corners, anguli ornati, as

of a palace.

viai; or pillars

&

But

thinking of vt Aram.

?'3~v, all

gather wood Dt. ic/

Je.

after

p>

interp.

Aq.

KCKaWojirtafx^vai,

n^^-onn]

46- +, but

sfs.

is

the

elsw. Zc. 9^^ of corners of altar

iirtyu}vt.a,

yca-

compositae, Si N.nSS^,

Pu. ptc. a.X. J [3:3n] Qal cut ox

doubtless

3xn, as Is. 51I

hewn

out, cf.

Qal hew pillars Pr. 9^

'?^rT n^jnn] improb., as we should have but a single
word ending in ni_. Jr^nn n.f. (i) construction Jos. 22-8 (P); (2) /a/tern, of tabernacle Ex.
2S11- 12;
cf.

25^ its furniture v.^- ^o, altar 2 K. 16^^, temple i Ch.

4I6. n. i7. is. is
pg, io6-2o. ^'^n ^^:27^ Is. 4413,
(3) /^Mr<f of animals Dt.

The

Ez. 83 1; T.

of figures of

most prob. in the context, and we are to think

out of stone, as the caryatides of ancient art.

latter is

women hewn

Although the pi. does not occur elsw., there is no reason why it should not
have been used here in assonance. Then So^n is an explanatory addition.
13. irnc]

sf.,

?!

rafieia.
!;?

in

aurtDv

D>n-?r;]

Ut] phr.

both interp.;

Iliph. ptc.

a.X.

rd. cn:: pi. [ire] a.X.

[pic] produce, as

^k tovtov cts tovto, as

Is.

58''^;

cf.

Aramaic form

if

140^

garner,

nr

Ps.
;

store,

but really

from t|r n.[m.], elsw. c^:t 2 Ch. i6^* kinds, sorts, so prob. here, as measure
and assonance in c>_ require.
1:2:1x3] Kt.
Qr. without 1. Assonance requires ryi^i, which is unknown elsw.
but as referring here to the females,

the ewes, there

denom.

n|^(s'

is

no

thousand,

(S irX-qdivovra.

sufficient

irnsin^].

(5

herey?^/^j, as Jb. 510 iS^" Pr.

terp.; rd, c^Di^N pi. qi^s

xnwg. friends Ps.

reason against

2n\].

55^*+

is

,-^23-17]

sf.

8''6.

it.

Pu.
avrdv; both
irsi^s].

TroKvTOKa.

14.

tame animal

Hiph. ptc. P[^h

denom. i3-\ myriad,
interp. as usual,
nixm

."iiij^'^Kp]

ptc. 22-\
sfs.

ol

/36ej

ai/Tdv,

improb. here.

2^^:ipr]

Pu. ptc. a.X. J

in-

sfs.

as Je. iii^, cattle as d^d^n Ps. 8".

The

S:?D vb.

PSALM CXLV.
Qal bear a heavy load Gn. 491^ (J)
preted, usually laden with

young

refer to bursting forth

in walls Ps. 106'^

Am.

The

The

Assonance

ps].

Pu.

is

variously inter-

but Ba. after ST laden

Traxc's, "S crassae,

so Aq., 2, %.

773

complementary words.

may

fat

53*

Ges., Hi., t^w., Hu.'^;

with burdens of heavy harvest.

animals as large, strong,

Is. 46'^

525

TJ"''^>,

think of the

decision remains with the

requires

which

D^sis,

pi.

from womb, as Gn. 38^9 (J), or the usual bj-eack

9^1

rxx^"'] ptc. f. NX^

+, as <& KaraTTTCj/jia <ppayfxoO.
Assonance requires pi. r^_, goings forth to battle; cf.
pxi] makes 1. too long,
t carries
on the negative suffi-

with C3j understood.

I

S. 172 Ps. 68^.

ciently.

''v'J^]

"^

rel.

outcry, as

n.f.

^a\n(hv;

irnbri-i3].

and njo

24I1

Is.

interp.;

sfs.

Je. 142

46^''^.

righteousness

might

Yahweh

He

of

He

up the

praise
J

will be praised

by

all

(v.^^),

(v.^"^,

for the glory

and

(v."'*).

fallen (v."'), supplieth all creatures (v.^^'^), is

(v.^^),

to help

The whole concludes with a summons

(v.^^-'^).

King

His steadfast kindness

(v.^^'^^),

nigh to His worshippers

all (v.^'),

the

(v.^),

His kingdom

permanence

serve

pi,

HDsa'] =

wondrous deeds (v.*-^), and saving

His grace and compassion extend to all His

(v.'').

(v.*-^).

raiseth

i^.

3 &TR. f, RF. i^

Ps. 145 is an acrostic song of praise to

for His greatness,

kind to

"""iC"?*]

partic. so, thus.

PSALM CXLV.,

works

Assonance requires

15.

rd. rinm::.

and pre-

to universal

(v.^^).

WILL

exalt

Alway

Thee,

will

King! and

bless Thee,

and

Thy name forever and ever.

Thy name forever and ever.

will bless

will praise

is Yahweh and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation to another will laud Thy works Thy mighty deeds declare.
The splendour of the glory of Thy majesty they will speak on Thy wonders

Great

muse.

And

the strength of

greatness

Thy

awe-inspiring acts they will say

The commemoration of the abundance of Thy goodness

and Thy saving righteousness ring out.

(^RACIOUS

and Thy deeds of

tell.

and compassionate

is

Yahweh, slow

to

they will pour forth;

anger and of great kindness.

Yahweh is good to all, and His compassion is over all His works.
All Thy works will praise Thee, Yahweh and (all) Thy favoured ones
;

will

bless Thee.

The glory of Thy kingdom they will say and Thy might they will speak
To make known to the sons of men Thy might, and the glory of the splendour
;

of (Thy) kingdom.

Thy kingdom

is

a kingdom of

all

ages,

and Thy dominion

will

generations.

(Yahweh

is

steadfast in

His words, and kind

in all

His works.)

continue in

all

PSALMS

526

YAHWEH

upholdeth them that

fall,

and

raiseth

up

them

all

that are

bowed

down.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest to them.
Thou openest Thy hand and satisfiest all living things with good will.
Righteous is Yahweh in His ways and kind in all His works,
Yahweh is nigh to them that call on Him, to all that call on Him truly.
The good pleasure of them that fear Him He doeth and their cry for help He
;

and saveth them,

Yahweh preserveth all them that love Him, but the wicked He destroyeth.
A song ofpraise to Yahweh my mouth will speak, and allfiesh will bless
His holy name,
heareth,

Ps. 145 bears the title

Ps.

nnS

rhr\ri

can hardly have been written

but

acrostic of 22 hexameters, although in

in (B.

it is

|i? j is

omitted.

There are several connections with other poems

V.13 = Dn. 3'^ 4^1 in Aramaic, quoted from

v.i* o^D^f53.i f\p^^ Ps. 1468; v.i^

nxo SSnci

v.^

Ps.,

probable that in

is

doubtful whether this gives evidence of late date.

these cases our Ps.

an

nirr*

Snj

not the reverse as

a conflation of 1042^ with

is

It is

has been preserved

It

= 48^ 96*;
Du.;

The

probably a later addition.

than the Greek period.

earlier

original.

its

It

seems to be a late
word. Din->1 |ijn v.^ gives the order of these words, subsequent to Chronicler ;
but in this case the change was necessary on account of acrostic. Therefore it
all

the change of order

and

if so, is

Str. I.

Is

Is.^,

earlier;

ripir

v.^*

may be

It

certainly prior to Ch., Jo.,

The

are no other evidences of late date.

universalism of

is

the origin of

and Jon.

universalism of the Ps.

is

There
not the

but the larger universalism of the Greek period.

a syn. heptastich of praise.

1-2.

I will exalt

Thee

Thy na??ie'], the latter repeated, in order to the final;

praise Thy name. The name sums up in itself all the renown
that Yahweh has won in the esteem of His people, all that they
know of Him.
O King], vocative. The context shows sufficiently that it refers to God as the King of Israel
but a glossator
would make it more definite, and so at the expense of the measII

bless

ure inserts

The

my God.

forever and ever\ repeated

praise of the congregation goes

for emphasis.

on from generation

to genera-

tion without cessation in the worship of the temple

Great Yahweh and highly

and His greatness

unsearchable^
96^

gogue.

3.

is

to

is

bounds of human research

in sacred

will laud, declare ;

song

||

||

speak,

the cominonoration

stream of celebration

extends beyond the

4-7.

in special relations.

eration to afiother'], each generation in

praise.

and the synabe praised\ as 48*

its

O fie gen-

turn transmitting the

muse v.^ say, tell v.^] all

pour forth\ in a perpetual
;

ring out], in jubilant shouts v.^

The

PSALM CXLV.

527

theme of unceasing praise are the wondrous deeds of Yahweh

in

the dehverance of His people, usually expressed in varied terms

referring
II

the

to

wonders

intermingled

with

the

works,

mighty deeds

v.*

divine

which urge

attributes

those

to

splendour of the glory of Thy majesty'],

shewn by the King in His majestic manifestations.

and
abundance of Thy goodness], in benefactions to His people

Thy

II

the

The

deeds such as
as

deeds themselves

awe-i?ispiring acts, deeds of greatness^ v.^; but

v.^;

righteousness],

savi?ig

in

their vindication

stairlike tetrastich

against

their

enemies.
Str. II. has a syn. couplet,
line.

8.

kindness Ex. 34^,

second

Str.

of the

citation

revelation of the divine

in*
Yahweh is

112*, as a basis for the

Ps. 86^^ 103^

cf.

of the Ps.

9.

and a synth.

primitive

good, as benignant

bestowing benefactions; explained hy His compassion

He

is

and

over].

has a tender, fatherly sympathy with and a paternal care over.

not to be limited as PBV., to " every man," but extending

all],

His creatures

His works.

10-13.

Accordingly, on
Thy works, and especially
Thy favoured ones], the people of God, the special objects of His
kindness they all take up the praise of Israel of the first part of
to all

||

all

the basis of these divine attributes

the Ps.

will praise

known

to the

Thee,

||

bless v.^

say, speak

sons of men], to mankind in general.

v."

make

The theme

Thy itiight], w}^, repeated in v.^^ ; but especially

of Thy kingdom v.", the glory of the splendour of Thy
kingdom v}" ; and above all its perpetuity Thy kingdom is a kingis

the attribute

the glory

dom of all ages, and Thy dominion will continue in all generations
v}^.
The kingdom is here conceived as universal, not only in
time but as extending over
in

Dn.

3'^^ 4'^^,

all

m^en and

in antithesis with the

ably also was in the

the missing hne in

all

creatures.

V.^^

kingdom of Babylon

is

cited

and prob-

mind of the author of i Tim. i^''.

(^ gives
which is needed not only to complete the

3,

complete the second part of the Ps. It was

probably omitted by an early scribe, because he found the climax

acrostic, but also to

in v.^^

But

really,

while the Ps. sings of the glory of the divine

King, His kindness

is the main theme to which it ever recurs.

ought not to be surprised therefore that the second part of the
Ps. concludes with that thought in the words of (^
Yahweh is

We

PSALMS

528

His words, and kind

steadfast in

in ail

His

The words

works'].

of such a king are steadfast, and always firm and rehable

works of such a king are ahvays kind,

Str. III.

now

the

v.^^

cf.

unfolds the divine kindness in a progressive hep-

Yahweh upholdeth them thatfall\ unable to stand

Yahweh holds them up.
andraiseth up all them that are bowed down\ when with bowed
head and body ready to bend down to the earth. He raiseth
tastich in

14.

upright themselves because of weakness,

them up
as 104^.

This

to an upright posture.

His goodness to the weak.

wait upon

15.

a graphic description of

is

The

eyes

of all\

Thee], for their sustenance.

creatures,

all

and

givest to them], what they have need of; enlarged after

Thou
104% at

by supplying the object " their food in

Thou ope nest Thy hand], conceived as full of

the expense of the measure

and
man. with good
but the good
give them
divine
so acceptable.
kind
redemptive
its

season."

16.

animal world as

satisfiest all living things], the entire

gifts.

will], not only the things they need,

well as

will to

sense, as

that

Righteous], in the vindicatory,

in

||

His ways

His royal government,

in all

is,

such things, which makes the

all

17.

gift

||

in all

His works],

He

does in His

in all that

administration of the affairs of the world for

all

creation.

34^^

cf.

call

limited

Him

on

truly], sincerely, with

therefore the insincere, those

to

Him.

19.

who

confidence in

Him

excluding

The good pleasure of them that fear Him], what

complementary clause
pleases them, which is

help.

The cHmax is reached in the antithesis between them

Him]. His fiiithful and favoured ones, who are in the

Him

of loving children to a father

have no such relation to Him,

hitter

21.

He

The

and

former

the wicked],

He

that
rela-

who

prescrveth, the

destroyeth.

The

flesh, all

is

defined by

He doeth], what
for
He heareth and saveth them.

as their cfj
in this case

20.

tion to

is

are not in a relation of fidelity

pleasing to them, acceptable unto them, their desire

love

18.

Him], near at hand ready to respond,

however in the complementary clause.
that

nigh to them that call on

Ps. concludes with a Rf. a universal

mankind,

to bless

of the beneficent King

tion itself:

His holy name],

introduced by the

song of praise

to

Yahweh

fny

summons

as the majestic

vow of

to all

name

the congrega-

mouth will speak], the

PSALM CXLV.
and music

oral praise with song

adds

and

forever

ever'],

962ioo4. 2.

Pi.cohort.,cf.

om.

in

by

err.;

sing, here

and

but

966 104I

cf. v.12

na^s

and

also v.^^^

so

1 1 1^.

Qr. 6>

prob.

nn^]

1 1 1*.

7.

"I?;]

:3^]

4.

0B.

\.

6.

nnv^r^x]

commemoration of

non Vu]

cf. i

"'s

K.

preserves
;

it

had 3

run]

but

long.

2 Ch. 30^ Ne.

9I7. si

full

form

sf.

f.

9.

SuS] but

Ba., (njvTraaip

SjSd:2S

12.

rnxn

>J3S]

no good reason

for taking

"'DiD^n-SD'^] CfliSD ptc. pass,

which

this

it

is

omitted in some codd. of

it

al.

r?:x3]

9^^ Je.
dSi;;^]

26^^
is

32*1.

certainly

3 in
19.

a late

as late

bowed downed, ^'f

15. "inat:';']
is assimilated by adding ir>':3 dSdx,
measure requires another word: rd.

as

it

makes

1.

17.

v.^^

veritate ; so %-,

nxi] nx prosaic

gl.,

The

[IPO ^b. raise

found in As.
word

^ti":)

1.

and thought

c^':!::n-VD'^].

P^^- t

Hi^'^O

kv dX-nOeig.,

28^

style,

14.

-y^s

The

has the earlier oiKrip-

admirably with the context in measure,

21.

5z^,

pi.

86i3 loS^.

18.

in"'"J'">

is pi.

change of order due to the

making it too long.

16. "i"T'"pn nniij]
nnx as @ for nx so Bi., Ba., Che., Valeton, cf. 10428.
an assimilation it makes 1. too long so with vxnp"'?:)'?
as Ju.

3 pi.

v. cited in

Pi. impf. wait, cf. 1042', to

V.2''.

5,

Che.

V, S, and prob. 3, although

so

It fits

up, elsw. 146^

@ XaXi^-

Bi.,

prob. an assimilation to Vj with last word.

zakapu.

10527.

cf.

57"

3 2 Ch. i^ Ps.

so Grotius, Cap., Ew., Or., Bi., Oort, Kirk., Che.,

is

phr. a.X.,

so f^ ^^^'^o, (& "in^^r, prob. both sfs. interpreDn. 3^^ 4*^^ in Aramaic. J^ omits the 1. with J,
Tria-rbs K6pi.os iv rois \6yois avrov Kal 6<rios iv iraai rott

( "innnj

epyoLS aiiTov

Vd

has

nn3 -nn]

the measure requires that the two words should have but one

vrnna]
13. This

the latter.

6j4.

which is more
character and works 6^ 30^

Dinni

8.

article err.;

but

T^in

5.

96*.

as

But

has two beats and

n:-)2Dx]

N substitutes rots virofx^vovcnv

vip
(gN.c.a.R.T _io. n^iDn^^] Pi. impf. with

tations.

nyi Si;?^]

=482

Aramaism

n'^'t;^''^

with ,

rd.

^ri'^'^^Ji]

nn so Ba., Du.

A.

accent.

1485.
Vnj]

phr. a.X. improb.,

Ps. Ill* 112* Jo. 2^^ Jon. 4^ later order of words ;

The
ixuv Kal iXeTfjfiojv as Ex. 34^ Ps. 86^^ 103^.

acrostic form.

hdiiix]

Ps. 20^ 7ii<5 106^ 1502.

f^

not suited to context.

is

p"i3D\

9712 10213

so Street,

^i.ov,

original.

69^1 7421

cf.

"ind S'^hdi nin^

Z.

prob. correct.

:i\inSdj

and

Hare, Kenn., Street, Horsley, Che., Ba., Du., Ehr.,

i^,

S',

is

most prob, as it is more suited to

tnuse^ so Kenn., Street, Horsley.
sg.

Dt.

7)iighty deeds v.12

pi.

ri^-i-inj]

(j-ouo-if

nS'7nN] Pi. cohort.,

^^^-^'^.

in

is

it

(^ 6 /SacriXei/s

"iSon is vocative

is gl.

elsw. Is. 40^8 Jb. 5^ 9^^ p^, 25^.

f npn tn]

"mSx

cf. hSni ""oSa 5^.

later scribe

concluded a psalm.

^Sdh hiSn] a.\.,3 deus mens rex; but

1.

in the temple.

preparatory to the Benediction, which,

in the final Psalter at least, always

Che.

529

but

gl.

just

vd-j-i-Sd^]

and
it

Sd

is

D''ytr-in-'?3"n
is

^^v. truly

here and

v.20.

these words too

PSALMS

530

PSALM CXLVL,

str. 61

Ps. 146 is a resolution of lifelong praise in the temple (v.^,

with a warning to put no trust in princes (v.^) ; pronounces happy

those whose hope

and just (y.^^

is

*^'"),

in Yahweh, the creator, who is also faithful

whose kindness to various classes of need is

There are expansive glosses (v.^^), and intro-

specified (v."^*).

ductory and concluding liturgical phrases

T

WILL praise Yahweh

I

will

make melody

Trust not

while
to

(v.^^'').

live;

my God

while

have being.

in princes,

who can have no

In a son of mankind

victory;

(For) he returneth to the ground

(All) his thoughts perish.

IJAPPY

he whose

Whose hope

is

the

God

of Jacob,

upon Yahweh
Maker of heaven and earth
rests

his

God,

Who keepeth
Worketh

faithfulness forever,

justice for the oppressed,

Giveth bread to the hungry:

YAHWEH, who

looseth them that are bound;

Yahweh, who openeth the eyes of the blind;
Yahweh, who lifteth up the bowed down
Yahweh, who loveth the righteous;
Yahweh, who preserveth the sojourners;
The orphan and widow restoreth.
;

Ps. 146 is a Hallel, with

in

adds to the

has

n^'^'^n at
title

n^i'^'^n

the end, which

It

depends on Gn.
v.*

1052'' in v.'^^

(i) the relative

It

':!'

is

The

Ps. has the

Mac.

v.^-^, (2) the

Str. I.

v.^*^

Three

and aWrjXovid
it is

same

It also

V. Intr. 35.

2*^6.

The

Ps.

structure as the other

v."^",

on 145^*

and (3)

nar

v.^''

expansive

v.'^*,

on

v.^^ to

v.^, as 119^16^

There are several glosses:

103^ 104I;

in

has three Aramaisms

v.i

an intro-

get in the fate

conflation of Ex. 15^^ with Ps. 147^26.

syn. couplets.

1-2.

will praise

||

I will make

while I
A

melody\ resolution of public worship in the temple.

while I have beius^\ cf. 104'''^; lifelong worship.
II

prefixed the liturgical phrase:

3.

in (S.

not in @.

Ps. 103 in

a.X. vnj.-tc;? v.*,

belongs to the late Greek period.

cf.

on

3^^ in v.<,

cited in

ductory liturgical phrase,

of the wicked

dittog., for

'Ayyalov Kal Saxap^ot, which was mere conjecture without

external or internal support.

Hallels.

prefixed in
is

Trust not in princes

|1

Praise YaJnveh,

live

later editor

O my

soul!

a son of mankind^ the former the

PSALM CXLVI.

531

nobles, the latter their sovereign, although the term might as else-

where be interpreted as collective. These were probably the

Egyptian king and his nobles, who showed themselves not altowho can have no victory'], over the
gether worthy of confidence.

pressed upon the Jews from the north. The

specific reference is more probable than the more general " salva4. For he retiirfielh to the ground],
tion " or " help " of EV^
Syrian kings,

who

mere man, in accordance with the primitive doom of the hurace, Gn. 3^^ This is the citation of i Mac. 2^, and is more
probable in itself and gives better measure than J^ and Vrss.,
which prefix "his breath departeth" to this line and "in that
as

man

day"

to the next line at the expense of the measure.

thoughts perish], so

(,

All

accordance with the measure.

in

his

The

thoughts to gain a victory on behalf of Judah are transient and

unreliable.

They

perish as inevitably as one

monarch

departs from hfe.

Str. II.

and a

syn. couplet

synth. tetrastich.

he], exclamation of congratulation,

Jacob],

cf.

20^ 33^^

144^^'

cf. i^.

whose

after another

is

5.

Happy

the

God 0/

by inserting

glossator specifies

"whose help" against the measure Whose hope, ^'hich rests upon
Yahweh his God.
6. Maker of heaven a?id earth], a common
1|

phr. for the creation,

cf.

121^ 124^, which a glossator expands at

the expense of the structure of the Str. by adding from Ex. 20^^
" the sea, and all that in them is."
The remainder of the Ps.
specifies the constant

people.

Who

and varied kindness of Yahweh toward His

keepeth faithfulness fo?'ever], ever faithful to His

covenant and His promises.

pressed], as 103^

Giveth

1 ab.
bread

Worketh justice for

to

the op-

the hungry], cf. 33^^ 37^^

104^' 107^ 136^.

Str. III.

repeated

Synth, hexastich.

five

where the construction

Dt. 28^

7c.

changed

is

divine kindness are specified

oners of war as 105^

cf.

YaJnveh], resuming the subj.

times followed by ptcs., in every line but the

Is. 59^^*^"

Is. 42^^

for a climax.

Six

looseth thejn that are

8.

last,

acts of

bound],

pris-

openeth the eyes of the blind],

probably not in the physical sense by miracle,

but in the intellectual and moral sense, from the darkness, gloom,

and despair of

captivity.

lifteth

up

the

bowed down],

loveth the righteous], as the context indicates,

as Ps. 145^*.

by acting

in love

PSALMS

532
toward them.

sojourners^

9. preserveth the

The term

not limited to proselytes as ^.

H, of Hexateuch, which emphasize

them on the part of Yahweh and His people.
sense of D,

widow

restore th^

It is characteristic

and kindness

love

The orphan

of

These were

cf. 94*.

used in the general

is

to

and

that these are asso-

ciated with the sojourners as especial objects of divine protection

Br.^"- ^)

{v.

This brings the

Ps. to a proper conclusion

but

a glossator wishes to exclude the wicked from the divine benefac-

and so he adds

tion,

crooked^ depending

appends a

editor

late

Ex. 15^^:

Yahweh

10.

upon

Ps. i^

rsr]

3.

Aram.;

ure.

5.

thoughts,

'"IIV'?^]*

nrr^] interp.

gl.

cf.

D"'Di93

round, 1196I.
1.

is

cf.

j,

gl.

li'^f]

12^

Hiph.

on

Ps.

rv;"]

10.

This

9.

Pi.
1.

2.

m;'2]

gl.,

^n^; cf. 104^^ Je.

||

not in

Mac.

v-^jhr;*]

o.X.

2^8.

go

[njnrv]

t\%\\\

divine name.

"?

119"^

7.

D^7VJ;]

Qal

ptc. nrj loosen, set free, as 105^^ Is. 58^.

"'TV^j

Is. 42'^

Polel

"^r;,

Hithp. 20^.

Polel restore elsw. 147^

83.

based on

S3 of , 5, 3, required for meas-

f [""^t'] n.m. hope,

<"'n?]

Nxn]

late rel., cf. v.'\ with

'^??V'']

as 145^*.

of addition.

La. 388 Jb.

^.

as Bi., Du.

nps] Qal ptc. Jnpo vb. open, eyes as

8.

42^0.

"'nn

4.

prefix

11.;

'"2tr]

ptc. as 103^ oppressed.

ninrj; n.f. Jb.

V' J^'

in part

shall reign forever, and in part

late rel. with pw.

Ninn 0V3, both excessive

n.f.

liturgical conclusion

1 is a gl., a liturgical phrase, cf. 103^ 104^-

15^

the

O Zion, for all generations.

Thy God,

147^-:

wicked He ?naketh
and Ec. 7^^ Jb. 8^ 34^^.

way of

but the

in part

Gn.

K.

21^^ 2

d^'-'^^, cf. Is.

Qal not used.

ni;^

q^;;'^-)

Pi.

T"'i].

sur-

This

impf. X [ni;*] vb. make crooked, elsw. ^, 119^^

a liturgical addition.

is

PSALM CXLVII.
Ps. 147 has three parts
praise

Yahweh

I. is

salem and restoring her people

names the
His

is

summons

(v.^"^).

stars as their sovereign Lord,

afflicted people

gation

of the congregation to

for His goodness and sweetness in rebuilding Jeru-

against their enemies

summoned

upon the earth

Though He numbers and

He interposes on behalf of

to sing

(v.'^').

II.

and play to

Him who

man

who

for the service of

(v.^'^),

provideth for the

animals, but especially delights in those that fear

III.

Him

(v.^").

summoned to laud Yahweh, who hath restored

(v.^^"), whose word governs snow and frost and hail

Jerusalem

her prosperity

The congre-

sends the rain

is

PSALM CXLVII.
(y}5^i7y

533

His word at the same time directs winds and waters, and

gives to Israel a Law, thereby distinguishing

them from other

nations (v.^^^).
y}-^,

A.

pRAISE ye

STR.

6^

He is good.
our God, for He
Yahweh, Rebuilder of Jerusalem,
Yah,

Make melody
The

for

to

outcasts of Israel gathereth

Who

is

sweet,

healeth the broken hearted,

And who bindeth up their wounds;

"YU'HO counteth the number of the stars,
Giving names to all of them.
Great is our sovereign Lord and abundant
His understanding has no number
Yahweh,

in

power;

restorer of the afflicted.

Who casteth down

the wicked unto the earth.

V/

B.

2 STR. 6

C ING to Yahweh with

a song of thanks
our God with the lyre.
covereth the heavens with clouds,

Make melody

to

Who
Who prepareth

for the earth rain.

And maketh the mountains to put forth verdure,

And green herbs for the service of man.
"IXTHO

giveth to cattle their bread,

To young
Not
Not

ravens

when

in the strength of

in the legs of a

they cry.

a horse,

man.

But Yahweh delighteth in them that fear Him,

Them that wait for His kindness.

C.

V.l-'-20,

3 STR. 6\

AUD Yahweh, O Jerusalem

Praise thy God,

For

Zion

He

hath strengthened the bars of thy gates.

Hath blessed thy children in thy midst

He who

maketh thy border, Peace

Satisfying thee with the fat of wheat.

"YY^O

sendeth forth His saying to the earth,

His word very

Who giveth

swiftly

snow

running;

like wool,

Scattering hoar frost like dust

Who

casteth

down His hail like morsels.

who can stand ?

Before His cold

PSALMS

534
I-IE sendeth

He

forth

He

His word, and

causeth them to melt away;

causeth liis wind to blow, and they flow away.

Who

word to Jacob,
and His judgments to Israel.
Not so hath He done to any nation;
And His judgments they know not.
His

Ps. 147

is

a Hallel, with the

The same

(v. Intr., 35).

separate Ps.
to the

first

declareth His

statutes

|E?

has no

title for

As

line of the Ps.

Du. suggests that

of 147.

aWriXovid

title in

title

147, for the

it

v.12-20^

which

and vj-^ were also

and resemble 146,

The

4o28;

Is.

Is.^

cf. Is.

v."-*,

v.i*, cf. Is. 6oi';

Ps.

147^"^ has

number of

v.i^ft

".

in explanatory

V.2
v."-ii

words

cf. Is.

v.'*'',

v.i

Cf.

with 14610.

is

Ps.

147

is

40^6; v.^,

cf.

with Ps. 1358,

v.s

used in BS. 512 (Heb.

two; but

as

liturgical

from 150 to 153 in

Pss.

61^;

v.*, cf. Is.

two trimeter hexastichs,

There are no glosses except

146 and

parts of 147 are so loosely con-

V.15. 18, cf. Is. ssi*^-

with 104I*, v.io-n with 33^^"^^ and

text).

56^;

These
coming from the same

all

accordance with the three years' readings of the Pentateuch.

dependent upon

is

originally separate.

might be used as one, two, or three Pss. according to

circumstances, possibly to vary the total

in

beginning belongs

at the

in other cases nii"^Sn is at the close of

author or at least the same situation.

nected that

r^''^^in

v.^-*

parts are all similar in style

'Ayyalov Kal Zaxaplov

'

head of

at the

is

v.^<^

from

v.12-20

33I.

three.

The

Ps.

belongs to the late Maccabean period.

PSALM
Str. I.

Three

syn. couplets.

God\ in

CXLVII.

1.

A.

Praise ye

for He

Yahweh

||

Make

for He
This is the most
is sweetly as 135^, on which this v. is based.
probable rendering of a difficult passage, where J^ and Vrss.
The EV. all miss the sense by too
differ
so JPSV. essentially.
praise is co7nely\.
This is a gloss from
slavish adherence to J^.
Thus the measure and parallelism of the couplet are com33^.
2. Rebuilder of
plete, and they are also harmonious with v.^-^l
melody

to

our

public worship.

is

good

||

Jerusalem^ implying

at least a partial

probably in the early Maccabean times.

gathereth\ as

Is. 56^,

not, however,

but from the Syrian oppression, as

broken hearted, as
those

Str. II.

the

Is.

6i\

||

Two

number of

interest in

syn.

and an

the stars

||

||

The

146^"^.

Who

3.

captivity,

healeth the

bindeth up their

wounds\

the early Syrian oppression.

antith. couplet.

Giving names

each one of these to

outcasts of Israel

from the Babylonian

And who

wounded and discouraged by

destruction of the city,

to all

4.

Who

counteth

of them\ taking an

men innumerable

lights of heaven,

PSALM
knowing them

CXLVII.

535

individually, assigning each a

name and

a place in

and also upon

the naming of the created objects, organized as an army under the
abundant in power],
supreme commander Gn. i.
5. Great
is our
having so great and powerful a control over these stars.
This conception

the heavens.

is

based on

sovereign Lord],

of

EV^

His

The

Is, 40^^,

||

emphatic and not simply "our Lord"

pi. abstr.

sovereignty

of His people as well as of the stars.

is

understanding], as expressed in numbering and naming

has

the stars.

no

7iu7?iber\

extends beyond the numbers of

it

the stars, in numbers that cannot be numbered ; so that virThis is a varitually the " infinite " of EV^ is practically correct.
ation of the

*'

unsearchable " of the original passage

146^

40^^.

Is.

Yahweh, restorer], as
the afflicted], the people who
In antithesis Who
had been oppressed by the Syrians, as v.^.
casteth down the wicked unto the earth], especially the Syrian op6.

pressors, in the humiliation of utter defeat.

PSALM CXLVII.

B.

to

Three syn. couplets.

our God], resuming the call

Str. I.
to

a song of thanks

combine

||

with the

7.

Sing

Yahweh

||

Make melody

with

to public worship of v.\

lyre], vocal

in the temple worship.

and instrumental music

Who

8.

covereth the heavens

with clouds], the clouds are under His sovereign control, and they

move

have a beneficent purpose.

The

verdure].

vegetation of

followed by

niaketh

and so

in AV.,

relative

mountains

earth, causes

RV.

when
is

to
it

Who

||

put forth

to

produce

and herbage.

but

is

given in #, F,

the service of

Three syn. couplets.

9. Who
To young ravens], providing for

the animals, represented

ravens.

man]

Both

from 104^^

Str. II.
||

the

And green herbs for

lines of this couplet are

bread

direction.

of rain, for the earth], they

kinds, especially fresh grass

all

PBV.

full

coming upon the

rain,

line is missing in J^,

by the domestic

giveth to cattle their

the nourishment
cattle

||

not in the

means of gaining a

victory

of

and the wild

The

they cry], in the expression of their need.

Not
33^^^^
the
of a man],
over enemies. This couplet

temporal and not pronominal as

strength of a horse

chief

by His

to their place in the heavens

prepareth rain, the clouds are

legs

EV.

10.

cf.

in the

as

is

PSALMS

536

enlarged by glosses inserting at the expense of the measure the

"He delighteth" "hath pleasure": whereas the original

vbs.

||

reserves the vb. for the antithetical line

them that fear Him

depending upon Him alone
eth

171

Them

||

11.

weh,

II

I.

syn. couplet

and a

especial appeal to

delight-

kindness'],

C.

syn. tetrastich.

Praise thy God], resuming the

summons

His

to give the victory as 33^^

PSALM CXLVIL
Str.

But Yahweh

that wait for

Jerusalem

to the congregation in

\\

call

Zion\
^

v.^

12.

Laud Yah-

of v.^-^; but with an

in place of the general

13.

For He hath

strength-

ened the bars of thy gates], making the city more defensible
against the enemy, cf. Ne. 3.
Hath blessed thy children in thy
midst].
Zion as in the exilic Isaiah is the mother of her in-

The

habitants.

blessing, as the context suggests,

is safety from
maketh thy border, Peace], cf. Is. 60".
Peace with neighbours is a boundary of protection.
Satisfying
thee with the fat of wheat], as Dt. 32^^ Ps. 81^'
providing richly

enemies.

14.

He who

for the

wants of the people.

Str. II.

Who

15.

syn. couplet,

a syn.

triplet,

sendeth forth to the earth].

earth issues His

expeditious

hoarfrost

casteth

\\

This goes very

messenger. 16-17. IVho

Ps.

line.

as sovereign of the

commands, which are here conceived as the primiHis sayi?ig His word (v. Br.^^PP-"*-"!),

tive prophetic laws, as

cf.

and a synth.

Yahweh

swiftly running], as a faithful,

19, p. 415.

down His

giveth

snow

jj

scattering

These various forms of cold,

especially connected with a storm, and compared respectively to
wool {or whiteness, to dust for quantity, and to morsels for a com||

hail]

paratively large size, are not given here merely as specimens of the

divine sovereignty over nature

but because they were unusual in

and only connected with extraordinary storms, which

were greatly feared, and which were also associated with theoPalestine,

phanic manifestations of Yahweh

and the destruction of

And

His people
10" Jb. 38^--^.

for the deliverance of

their enemies, cf. Jos.

accordingly the Str. ends with propriety in the challenge

Before His cold

when,

who can

stand?].

No enemy

in accordance with His command, snow,

descend in the face of His enemies.

can

resist

Him

and

frost

hail,

PSALM CXLVII.
Three

Str. III.

away

He

whom

The wind

blow'].

His

sendeth forth

the object to

||

not unfrequently used in

also

18.

couplets.

syn.

word\ resuming v.^^, and giving

He cause th His wind to
in the

537

theophanies,

it

of

Yahweh

is

and He

i8^^

cf.

was sent

and

they flow away].

J^ and Vrss.
and think of the snow, frost, and
hail, which are melted by a warm wind and flow away as water.
This interpretation indeed was put into the text by the insertion
But the fact that this couplet
of " waters " before the last vb.
begins a new Str. in which Israel is contrasted with other nations,

causeth them

melt

to

||

connect with the previous

and that the previous

lines,

to the theophanic use of hail,

Str. refers

we should here

urges that

think of a theophanic use of wind to

19. Who declareth

cause the enemies to melt and flow away.
His word], the original prophetic type of Law as contained in the
Ten Words, and so in the His statutes and His judgments],
||

Law

other primitive types of

people, Jacob
tithesis

command

nature used in theophanies

laws by other nations
II

And His judgments

and

and are here in anand powers of

to the forces

also with the ignorance of such

Not so hath He done

know not.

20.

they

the

were made known to His

Israel], in ancient times,

with the words of

Book of

as contained in the

These

(Bn^^^PP-^^^^'J ).

Covenant

any nation

to

CXLVII. A.

and improb.

Street, 01s., Dys., Gr.

an

hmSSh] ace. to

1.

a.X.

was

original

Ez. 3928, for r^p

cbn;:]

cf.

33I.

ptc.

2.

568. 3.

Pi. ptc. J

con

3^

\>^.

6.

without

Is. i^.

ptc.

7.

ijy]

Imv. Qal

plete the Str.

prosaic

gls.,

ry
It is

making

njj;

tQv

omitted by
11.

too long.

rel.,

Pi. inf. in |^,

nSnn

based.

is

n3'^'

but

from

ncD::

5.

art.

px]

is

then

with sonn; the

for

Is.

Hare,

as

nixj

restoration, as

61I,

cf.

There

is

Ps.

in

1/'.

6921.
Pi.

no number,

1^^'^] ptc. Polel as 1469.

B.
88I.

which

is

sing, as 119172, cf.

dovXelg.

n-jpr]

bind on, bind up, Qal, not

CXLVII.

104I* KoX x^btiv

requires nar

||

(jj") gather together

^n^3-^']

vb. (i) bind,

Pu. Ez. 3021

4013 Ps. 1453 -ipn

to the text.

improb.

also

135^ on which the v.

Pi.

Is.

here and Jb. 28".

cf. Is.

nnrrr

nij]
uniform. DiT^

from

expl. gl.

and f^ belongs

\f/a\/j.6s

avdpdjirwv,
(g-^.

9.

8.

(gB.x.R.T add from

indeed needed to com-

i'^n] rel. gl.

10.

I'dh^]

||

nxn%

PSALMS

538

CXLVII.

12 begins a new Ps. with

C.

o^an 2^n] as Ps. 8i",

14.

15. nnn:: -ly] n.f. as adv.,

5, i;':3-'^.
Hiph.elsw. Gn. 15II.
<^^7f;/ Qal Is. 40'.

:iV^3'^'^]

t[3tt':]

Ex.

(5.

(5,

\^ Jlow.

en]

Ps. 148 is a

is

gl.

j/^.

z/.

iSp]

cf.

Dt. 32^*
18.

Qal

3t:-:]

^rj,

Is. 34".

Hiph.

as yS^*-

of interp., not needed for measure.

PSALM

CXLVIII., 4

summons

to praise

STR. 6^.

Yahweh

(i)

heavens, especially angels and heavenly lights

to all in the

(v.^"^),

also the

heavenly waters, to praise the name of their creator and sovereign

(v.*^)

(2) to all in the earth, especially the great deep, the storm,

the trees

which
adds

(v.' ''''),

is also

men

also the animals, to praise the glorious

the praise of all the pious

{y\^.\i.\\h^^

and adds

of all classes (v."'^-),

to the

name,

glossator

ground

of praise

the exaltation of His people (v.""').

p RAISE ye Yah from the heavens;

Him in the heights;
Him all His angels;
Praise Him all His hosts;
Praise Him sun and moon;
Praise Him all ye stars of light.
pRAISE Him heaven of heavens,
And ye waters above the heavens.
Praise

Praise

Let them praise the

name

of Yahweh,

He commanded and they were created;

And He made them stand firm forever and ever;
A decree He gave not to be transgressed.
For

pRAISE ye

Yah from the earth.

Ye dragons, and all ye deeps

Fire, hail,

snow, vapour,

Storm, doing His word;

Ye mountains and
Fruit tree

and

all

all hills,

cedars.

YE wild animals and

all cattle.

Creeping things and winged bird.

Let them praise the name of Yahweh;
For His name alone is exalted,
His majesty is above earth and heaven,
The praise of all His favoured ones.
Ps. 148

end.

is

a Hallel, having n^SSn at the beginning in |^ as well as at the

'Ayyaiov Kal Zaxap^ov. This

has also as in previous Pss. aW-nXovid

Ps. has five trimeter hexastichs

but inasmuch as there are two parts balanced

PSALM

CXLVIII.

539

and the first part has but two Strs., it is probable that v.^^-i^- i^ac ^rg glosses,
and that the second part had originally two Strs. also, v.^-^- ^- ^^- "*, the
other verses being liturgical ones. This Ps. is dependent on Gn. i'^ in v.*^,
Gn. l24-25 in v.io, upon Dt. lo^* in v.4, upon Ps. 33^'' in v.^^- 6, upon 104* in
The origin and date of the Ps. were doubtless the same as those of the
v.^^
others of the group.

Praise ye
so probably
the subsedemands resumed
Praise Him. from
heavens
quent
the
sounding
from
the inhabitants of heaven
the
His
give the
earth beneath. The other
and then sun
His
the heavenly
ye
the heavenly
and moon
of
Praise
A
couplet and a
A

Str. I.

syn. hexastich.

13.

in all

lines as

the

praise

forth

i|

all
||

to

subjects

Him],

is

stars

luminaries.

light],

synth. tetrastich.

yn.

Str. II.

resumed

then abandoned.

to

all

intelligences

hosts'],

all

in the heights'],

||

all

four lines

angels

in

Yak'],

the original as the measure

connect

The subject

given

is

4.

with the previous one, and

this Str.

heaven of heavens], the

highest heavens, conceived as in an indefinite ascending series

II

And ye

waters above the heavens], the source of the

the lower heavens

the

and

Heb. conception,

cf.

104^ Gn.

i^

rains,

above

accordance with

in the higher heavens, in

Let them praise the

5.

The jussive takes the place of the imv. in

order to emphasize the name of Yahweh as the object of praise.
The reason is now given for the praise of the
v.^^
So in the
heavenly beings. They were creatures of Yahweh For He commanded and they were created]. The creation is here conceived as
name of Yahweh].

|1

by command of the speaking God, as

fnade them stand firm forever and

He

in

Ps. 33^ 6. And

He estabHshed them

Gn.

ever].

at their creation in such a firm, abiding position, that they will re-

main

stable

and immovable

forever.

He

decree

gave].

He

and these heavenly beings,

angels and the great luminaries, the ascents of heaven and the
established His law in the heavens,

not

rain clouds, all have to submit to

it.

The decree

immutable.

est

given to the heaven

is

approach to immutable laws of nature that

Literature.
Str. III. Synth, lines.
antithesis to v.^

the praise

7.

Praise ye Yah

transgressed].

to be

This
is

is

the near-

known

from

to

the earth], in

the praise from the earth ascending to

coming down from heaven.

The

imv.

is

Heb.

meet

not repeated,

PSALMS

540

although implied, because the poet needs his space to mention

who

the various creatures

the great sea monsters,

are to share in this praise.

Gen.

cf.

The mention

i^.

Ye

dragons'],

of dragons here

with the elements of nature and apart from the other animals of
\}^
p.

is

singular.

i6i),that they

W. R. Smith's suggestion {Religion of SemiteSy

may be a personification of the water spirit, cer-

meaning better suited

tainly gives a

to the context.

hensive " seas."

The

8.

It is quite

more than the compre-

possible that the original was nothing

various elements of the thunderstorm

are mentioned in heaped-up terms

Fire, of Hghtning, hail, snow,

as doing His word], obeying
vapour ; summed up in the Storm
for the " word " here is the word of
the law imposed upon them
:

command,
Fruit

and

tree

the land.

mals and all

way

begins

Str. II., its

and a

all

syn. triplet.

10.

Ye wild ani-

Creeping things

These begin

kinds of animals.

Him, implied,

all kills,

specimens of creatures of

domestic animals,

cattle],

with the imv. praise

jussive v.^^

Mountains and

praise Yah.

synth. triplet

winged bird], including

Str.

9.

all cedars] are given as

All in their

Str. IV.

with "decree."

syn.

and
this

just as a similar couplet

counterpart, followed by the

same

line with the

But a glossator, noting the omission of any

v.***.

reference to mankind, supplied

entirely out of proportion in

its

by inserting a

it

tetrastich,

which

is

comprehensiveness to the mention

11-12. Mankind is comprehended

and all peoples, princes and all governors of the
young men and also maidens, old men together with chil-

of other creatures in the Ps.

in

kings of earth

earth,

reason

is

assigned here, as in the counterpart v.*

For His name

alone

is

exalted

dren.

13.

heaven],

cf. 8^

104^

The

||

His majesty

above earth

is

divine glory as manifested

is

and

the theme

and sovereign was

14. The praise of all His favoured ones].

for praise of the earthly beings, as the creator

of the heavenly beings.

This line

is

syn. with the previous couplet, only in the climax

unites the pious people of

universal nature.

God

in the praise

glossator was not satisfied with this

reference to Israel, and so he prefixes to this line

the

horn of His people ; and appended

people near to

mouth of
of Yah by

it

which sounds through

modest

And He exalted

of the sons of Israel, a

Him], which, while appropriate enough

in the

the congregation, was not so well suited to the worship

all

nature.

PSALM CXLIX.
mn-i-ns hhnl

1.

cna^n

precede.

and

2.

the

prob.

541

here and

original

was

v."

riMSSn;

because

have each two beats, and only a single accent should

1N3X Kt. is
VN^-i-^o] as Qr., 0, Aq., S, J, 5, E, and 10 f^.

y-\i<n

too short for measure.

(3 prefixes Kal, but with

i^n].

3.

an

interp. of

it

as

5. Nin 13]
an additional object to the "stars."
4. t^I'n] is unnecessary gl.
cited from ^2^, to which prefixes from the same passage 6ti avrb^ eiirev Kal
iyev^drjaai^, making the Str. overfull.
1>\")33] Niph. pf. X Nno Qal (i) s/iape,
:

fashion, create, Ps. Sq^^-^^;

(2) transforin 511^.

as 1043O;

iqqP^

Tov
cf.

(2) be born

making the

ttitDj'os,

Jb.

14^

22-^2

7.

D''j"'jr!]

Str. overfull.

Niph. {i) be created, here

(5 adds to this v. koX els rhv ai'cDm

6.

lOy"' n^i] subord.

the sea monsters, dragons

with indef. subj.;

strange here at the begin-

ning with mnnp.

di):> would be more in accordance with the context.

smoke connected with earthquake, cf. 18^ 119^^ Gn. 1928 (J).
n-iyo m^"] prob. nn is explan. gl.
The is not in (3 and prob. not original.
11-12. These verses are a late gl, to introduce manIt spoils the measure.
14. oy]']
kind of all classes. The symmetry of the Ps. is destroyed thereby.

8.

Tt3"'i7]

is

consec. Hiph. impf. on.

of the people
(Qi<.

A. R. T_

This

is

so also the last

It is

a proper

1|

to

summons

1.

gl.

to bring into the Ps. a glorification

rn^Dn

v.^^*^,

PSALM
Ps. 149 is a

a late

Vd^ n'^nr]

and gives a

CXLIX., 3

not in (3^; but in

is

suitable conclusion to the Ps.

STR.

6\

to the congregation of the afflicted but

favoured people of God to sing in fresh outburst of song with music

and dancing in celebration

of a recent victory

(v.^"^).

Yahweh has

adorned them with a glorious victory, which they celebrate with

songs in their mouths and swords in their hands (v.^). Vengeance
their kings and nobles are to be

is to

be taken on the nations

made

prisoners in accordance with a written judgment, a splendid

thing to the favoured ones

CING to Yahweh

(v.^"^).

new song:

Let His praise (resound) in the congregation of the favoured:

Let Israel be glad

in his great

Let the sons of Zion exult

Maker

in their

King.

name in the dance,

and lyre make melody to Him.

Let them praise His

With

timbrel

CINCE Yahweh
Adorns the

delighteth in His people,

afflicted with victory

Let the favoured exult with glory

Let them jubilate at (their great tabernacle)

Let exaltations of 'El be in their throat.

And

a two-edged sword

in their

hand.

PSALMS

542
'pO

execute vengeance on the nations

(To execute) chastisements on the peoples;

To bind their kings with chains,

Their nobles with fetters of iron;
To
Is

execute the judgment written

a splendour for

Ps. 149 is a Hallel, with

beginning in (5. & omits

structure as other Hallels

n>i^S.-i at

the beginning and close in

both at beginning and end.

it
;

His favoured ones.

all

but

is

more warlike, and

Maccabean wars.

is

of the vengeful military spirit of the

^, and

at the

has the same

It

doubtless expressive

There are only verbal

glosses.

1-3. Sing Yahweh a new song],

outburst of
celebration of the recent
a
Let His praise resound],
based on
33^ 96^
AV., RV., JPSV., which regard
PBV.,
be preferred
U,
"
" His
be glad exult
the object of the
make melody
praise His name
Him. Those who
Let
Str. I.

syn. hexastich.

to

praise in

fresh

Ba.,

3,

victory, as

Is. 42^.

98^,

is

as (,

||

to

to

praise " as

sing."

vb.

thetn

II

||

1|

to

||

pubHc celebration of the victory

are to participate in this

congregation of the favoured], phr. a.X., those

who

objects of the divine kindness, the pious people of Yahweh,

also

22^^

107^^

same

cf.

Is.

54^ not

sg.

||

Israel.

"maker"

people of

They were
They are

/;/

Ids great

of

EV'.

v.*.

jj

Maker], emphatic

celebration

is

not merely with song

usual in religious festivals,

cf.

it is

King], the

their

||

usual recognition of the supreme kingship of Yahweh,

The

cf.

Ex. 15^ Ps. 87^ 118-^ 150*, and with

cf. iso'"^*.

Two

syn.

and an

146^^.

also in the dance,

musical instruments, of which are mentioned timbrel

Str. II.

"

constituted a party in Israel, and

as the afflicted

with the sons of Zion v.^

pi.,

who

therefore would hardly appear in a national Ps.

evidently the

cf. v.*,

not with a specific reference to the "Chasedim

of the Maccabean period,

who

are the

are the special

4-6.
Yahweh

antith. couplet.

signing the reason of the celebration.

and

lyre,

Since], as-

delighteth

in

good pleasure

His people]. They

He adonis with victory]. The vicand His favour, cf. 147".
tory which Yahweh hath bestowed covers them with splendour and
Let the favoured exult
glory, and has become their ornament.
are the special objects of His

with glory], with

glorification, as 29^.

Jubilate

of 'El be in their throat], songs exalting God,

\\

Let exaltations

as 66^^;

all

resum-

PSALM CXLIX.
ing the call to celebrate of

His people

the afflicted

||

v.^"^.

543

Those

called to celebrate are

||

celebration can be no other than the temple.

and

their beds," J^

The place of
The mention of "on

the favoured, cf. v.^^

Vrss.,

therefore striking and improbable.

is

from an ancient textual error of a single

It doubtless originated

and we should read at their great tabernacle\ cf. 43^ 84^

And a two-edged sword in their hand\ The dance in
the temple is a sword dance of the victorious warriors, who shout
the praise of Yahweh, their victorious king, and wave their swords
above their heads.
letter,

I32^

A syn.

Str. III.

7-9. To
chas-

pentastich and a synth. conclusion.

execute vengeance on the nations'], in victorious battle.

||

tisements on the peoples'], in retribution for the affliction they

brought upon the people of God.

To bind

||

their kings

had

Their

||

an overwhelming victory, taking

them to the humiliation and shame

nobles], in the completeness of

them

prisoners and putting

all

as common criminals
zvith chains
with fetters
summed up in To execute the judgment written],

bound

of being

of iron], all

||

recorded in the sacred writings against the nations, as in Dt.

as have
v.'*^,

is

3^-'i-

Ez. 38, 39 Jo.

Is. 4i^^'"i-

4^" Zc. 14.

Mi.

To do

for

all

His favoured

God

a glorious work, a splendid thing that their

to

32*^'^-

such things

been mentioned Is a splendour], resuming the thought of

the adornment of victory,

them

all

do

ence more distinct

but

it

cannot refer

to

agreeing with splendour, as

EV.

but

is

glossator

make

the referas JPSV., " He is

God,

His pious servants " or be

all

It

has given

in this victory that they are celebrating.

inserted the demonstrative against the measure to

the glory of

ones].

demonstrative

adj.

summing up

neuter,

the

actions previously described.

1.

2.

inSnp] not ace. but nom., as

vii7]
3.

sf.

V^n^o]

2 m. with

pi.

emph.

dance, as 30^^,

n.m. timbrel, as Si^ 150*.

favourite

U, 3,

improb.

6.

word of

Is.^,

exaltabit, interp.
;

rd. dpud'^'o

n^DDi'^] pi.

vi/'c6o-ets, cf.

Ne.

f.

*?>'

%.

sn^pn Snp]

150* Ex. 1520

cf.

4.

55^ 6o"-

"'^*?'J
^-

1^

Pi.

(g iv

JnsD

Ezr. 72^.

of unusual phr.

phr. a.X. v. 22^^.

5.

xopv,
vb.

Pi.

in choro.

Mace.

S>']

v-'pthaei,

ni''0>s]

n'-^]

as v.^",

^ their bed;

exalted words, songs, hymns, elsw.

1527.

228.

beautify, glorify;

however

cnnDrc

La. 42 Jo.

at their great tabernacle, the temple, as 43^ 842

farn;

4^1 II.

(5,

Jb. 3510 Is. 545._jv:f ^j^]

double edged,

^^X.

661'^.

132'^.

intensive

aX
n?;,

PSALMS

544
Is.

41I5

mc;'\

9.

Pr. 5*.

cf.

7.

pi. as

r."'n3'"n]

summons

Ps. 150 is a

CL.,

3^'^

Is.

45I*.

U as Jb.

1.

is

defective

Srni

31I1,

jg,

^sj^]

however,

to praise 'El for His sanctity

accompanying musical instruments

cf.

prefix
105I8.

gl.

STR. 61

with musical instruments

(v.^-),

The

iXeyfwi/s,

PSALM
ness

X^'^l^ fetters, cf. Jb. 36*^ Na.

Nin] dem. neuter
cnjj] interp. gl.
8.

(v.^),

(v.*"^)

and great-

with dancing and

also

that hath breath

all

is

to take part (v.^).

pRAISE 'El

for

His sanctity

Him for the spreading out of His strength

Praise Him for His great might:
Praise Him for the abundance of His greatness:
Praise Him with the blast of the horn
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
pRAISE Him with timbrel and dance:
Praise Him with strings and pipe:
Praise Him with sounding cymbals:
Praise Him with clashing cymbals
Praise

Praise
Praise
Ps. 150

is

Ps. has

ye that have breath

all

Yah

(Praise

Praise

Yah !)

a Hallel, preceded and concluded by n^S^n; but the

to the text as 147^,

the Str.

Yah
Yah

In

and should be

also aWTjXovLo.

remained

is

in other respects

A syn.

last

belongs

thrice repeated as the concluding line of

at the

beginning and end of the Ps.

The

unchanged.

1-2. Praise *^/],

and a syn. couplet.
Yah v.^ the two enclosing Praise Him
of every intervening line. The change of J^ and Vrss. to 3 sg.
" let praise Him " v.^ is altogether improbable.
for His sanctity'],
spreading out of
giving the special theme of the praise,
the
for
His strength for His great might for the abundance of His
Str. I.

tetrastich

instead of the usual Praise

||

||

||

greatness].
praise in

v.^

J^ is usually interpreted as giving the locality of the

" in His holy place," which, if
with the usual in||

terpretation of v.^^"in
refer to heaven.

There

the firmament
is

no reference

of His

strength," must

in the Ps.

to heavenly

beings or things, but to all that have breath on the earth.

inconsistency

makes the reference

This

to place in v.^ improbable.

3 mentions instruments of music, which are to accompany the

song of praise

the blast of the horn, the harp,

and the

lyre.

PSALM

Str. II.

timbrel

ments of

and

syn. tetrastich

and dance\
this

The

545

4-6.

a stairlike couplet.

With

timbrel and the other musical instru-

are those

and

strings

Str.

clashing cymbals

CL.

that

pipe, sounding

concludes with the thrice-repeated

and

cymbals,

The

accompany the dance.

Ps.

Praise Yah'], which the meas-

ure requires, though in J^ and Vrss. only a single one remains.

1.

but

So

'ii^'ni^a].

'i^V 3^^'?'??]

P^'^'

in sancto eius

o-'^-'f

PP~l

is

in fortitudine potentiae eius,

so Ba. " in seiner starken Vested

simpler to give

it is

then

'^'C-^J\

213.

4.

is

h-]}
D-'jr:]

lit.

the

same mng.

"il-?

n-m.

blowing,

reed pipe oxjlute,

bagpipe.

5.

T^o?,?,\h\y

lET

f^^i^V

6^, cf,

ii-f-

K.

1529.

y;:tj'

Ch.

13^.

(2) of

a.X.

''';;x'7>"J

6.

ci.

n; SSnn] 3

f.

and

2.

3^3] improb.; rd.

from

jjpn

t^Ji']

vb.

blow.

(:3 3u;

Gn.

clear sounding cymbals,

Ch. 15^^

2 Ch.

13^''^.

16^.

7\';^-\r}

^'''^''i'^i]

"Ss^x]

n.m.

pi.

nrr:n Sr] better as vocative than

man, here as

should be thrice repeated for measure.

2N

a.X.;

breath (i) of God, as destroying wind, Ps. iS^^

22^6^ cf. Jb. 4^ Is. 30^^;

I

v.^"",

Pan's pipe (organ of several reeds),

castanets, cL

cymbals for giving an alarm, clanging,

cymbals, elsw. 2 S.

the nouns of

all

a.X. n.m. siring, of harp, cf. 45^.

pi. t [?:?]

Benzinger,

Jos. iiii-i*

precedes

sacredness, as Ex. 15II Ps. 68^^ 77^*.

3.

avrov, less prob.

as indicating the object of praise

^'^73.

a-yioL^

ev r(^ (jTepeihfxaTi t<^ aKadaiperi^ avrov,

But

for

cymbals for hearing,

as subj.

h rots

His

421 Jb. 2ii2) 3o3i.

Now.,

them

but ( has

usually taken after (^ as 79^ expanse of heaven ;

Jos. lo^o,

Pi. impf.

cf. nD'^*J

2 S.

Vd vq: Dt. 20^^

improb.; rd. n^iSVn.

n^iVSn]

INDEXES.
The

Hebrew Index, and

references are usually in the

sionally in the other Indexes, to the verses of the

the words are most fully discussed.

all

uses in the

OT.

are given,

The

that

all

prefix

-f

occa-

Psalms where
indicates that

uses in the Psalter are

In the other Indexes, and occasionally in the Hebrew

Index, the Roman numerals refer to the Introduction, the Arabic

given.

numerals to the pages of the Commentary in Vol.

numerals to the pages of the Commentary in Vol.

I.,

II.

the italicised

INDEXES.

HEBREW

I.

n3N,

pON,
ION,

dSx, 582.

I niTx, 3735.

I.

t rn:jN, 8812.
X

INDEX.

9!^.

22I3.

I nrnx,

D^X, 38I*.

22'-^3^

J nx,

2^

'''?nx,

nD'?x, 126*.

fpa, 14413.

195.

35I*.
X S^x,

I inx, 40^8^

t -^^x, 557.

t^D^S

t nn^x, 6814.

nnnx,

J DJN, IO78S.

itox, 5810.

trnx,82.
inx, 82.

t3:2x, 586.

px,

t ^x, 7210.

|r:x, Ixxxiii.

it

d^dVx, 88.

6*.

njicx, 33*.

37S7.

DTX,

II7I.

SSdx, 63.
198.

t onx, 85.

J ^:ix, Ixxi.

Snx,

2f

mSnx,

JTX,

18I9.

DJDN, 582.

tl^x, III.

1 63.

f-nx,

78^1.

"'^x,

"S

6615.

IDX,

22'->D

33.

nrx, 45.
15

459.

tS;X,422.

132I3.
X nix,

t^\!!?,

885.

fn^x, 120^.

fnS^N, i834.

n::x, 135I1.

t ^mS-ix, 2220.

nnx,

X HD^X, 555.
px adv., 121I.

njx, 901,

S-iix, 107!'^.
'^'i^,

73*.

J.nSlX, 386.

"^^^> 5

19

ninx,

12'^.

152.

C'UX, 85 26.

nnjx,

6'^.

f]W^H, if.

ojx,

22'^.

t n^flix, 4510.

74I5.
X in^x,

1JX, 25.

J -1XIX, 337.

1:':'3N,

144.

npii<, 12^.

Jn^x,47.

t JDX, 3l28.

^jx, 6921.

r^^ n., 33.

n"^i><,

139^.

t nix, 8313.
X n^x, 659.

Sx

n., Ixx.

X n^x, 5913,

X TX, 2^.

JmSx,

Ixxi,

t^lTX, 5l9.

tni':'^,

55"-

nx, 124^.

ITX, l838.

i^Dx, 687.

D^nSx, Ixx-lxxii,
1

832.

nx, 25.
1 816.

P^CX,

DDX, 122.

t nSx, 143.

DflX, 23.

t :ipp ^n^x, 2o2.

nox,

t S^^x, 965.

nmsx,

Jd'7N,3i^^.

nanx, 78^.

549

85.

1326 46

INDEX

550

tp-^3 n., i8i^

n>3, 238.

J ins, 1328.
X nnK, 89.
X

ns, 2217.
nnN, 78.

X
J-^ns, 21^.

J ]1D-IN, 48*.
t ntt'"iN, 21*.

JK'N, 116.

X ND3, 84^
J nD3, 69".

Jnni,

827.

4!^

J ii:'3 vb.,

0:3, 69.

jS2, 39I*.

22I8.
J jrr,

nS:3, 328.

1 69.

-^t'? n.,

rrj, 3528.

nnSa, 73i.
^''3,

t HKJ, 942.

I9.

^>'^V:j, 1 85.

X mi^'N, 46.
t"i3rN, 72i<'.

s^ 2, 92'^

J Snm, 1915.

dS:d, 328.

X2\

5I1.
J DC-s vb.,

y^::, 2110.

t pbj adj.,

loi^

X ^23 n., 10*.

T t'

>-!;^3,

1298.

niir-^'N, 637.

882.

nr.2, i83*.

7864.

'^^23,

nSnj, 786*.

fncrs, 127^

1C3, Il2.

J 112,5, 198.

X^D^a,

onK

^J3, 48.

J nni3J, 2o7.

IT'S

"p, 48.

t':':>J,838.

113"^.

J -irs, 418.
17II.

t-'fx,

fnu-N,

ii.

noj >J3, 18**.

t IJ2J, 6818.

nnp

X n;'3J, 728.

>J3, Ixv.

6* 6882.
J npN,

""J-^,

t 'JICPN, 90*.

D\ni;'3, 8817.

Jni3j, 1232.

3*.

Jl2J},

12^

^%'3, 78*8.

J jj, 1028.

JnN3,5524.

'\v;d S;'3, io628.

J VH2,

ry3, i8^

X 'itj n.m., 18*.

65II.

38^

t-nj,
ViJ,

t "IJ3, 258.

18".

nx3, 76I8.

nnxa, 318.

jVna,

2^.

t nSn3, 7838.
J ncn3, 88.

fro,
t

3119.

-^13, 7i.

>'P2,

V2,

27*.

^i?.2,

5* 27*.

DMJ, 2I.
fn^ij, 1108.

^27651*.
-\2

t niro, 89*.

n3, 212.

Jnn,

N-)3,

Jrri, 109II.

J nn-tj, 62*.
nj, 90I0.

6616.

^1^3,

X Ch3, 6".

154.

1 1-^;, 62*.

74I6.

(Aram.),

n.

51I2 1485.

-in3, 7847.

104I7.

2I2.

5'.

: ^^^,

I.,

Jnn,

III., 222*.

t^-^ij, 166.

^Jj

72^-

fnrj, 716.

nna, 1397.

X Stj vb. and n.,

X iTJ vb., 886.
n., 136I8.

7I0.
t ?n3,

N>-^3, 73*.

trVm,

tnn3,

n>-\3, 107I8.

X 'J 23*.

-^T^,

6881.

788I.
X -iin3,

-\^n3, 89*.

2512.

t Ni:3, 10688.

rn3,
nn3,

6922.

n>n2, 2510.

nt03, 4.

noa, 4*.

f'\n

S"j

i89.

vb.

and

JSjSj,7719.
l-na,

i8.

35IO.

18I8.
X nSj,

n., 2II.

INDEX

551

t n^n, loio.
^3", 93^-

foSj, 139!^

DJ, 88 143 I9I2. 14 234.

t^7

28*.

'^IDJ,

n., i4i.

t nin, 62*.

|^Tadj.,4i2.

t^3^1,58.

tJ^-^, 18^0.

t HD^Vn, 6825.
t VVn, XX, 56.

tn':'-,30^-.
ij:

Vol.

-\i;j,

II., viii.

18I6.

1 1 6*5.

1^*?^

tnSn,

746.

tir;j, 188.

tnSii9-^.
JpS7'*.

tnon,

X I3J. 78*'.

X nS^, 7823.

JnDi,

t ri^^, 37^-

tnn;j,

n>->i3J, 1 1^.

I.,

17*.

^-^D^II.,49^'.

tnj,

31''.

mm,

58^.

t=-VL',73i''.
i63.

^-'' 39^.

:3r.M8i5.

IP,

51'-

tD-.J, II92O.

t ^01,832.

X K'nj, 3i28.
6810.
I DB^J,

tr'2M7^'.

30^2.
t ID-,

t3'::^4'.

fncD--, 10729.

t:isn, 8810.
38i.
JN-^,

tP-,8311.
tn>-,73".

X no:, 4.

t HNt, 1811.

tir, "812.
try%i9'.

tn-113^

1 1

812.

282.
X ^>:n,
t "".^^ 33*-

>D-^,

5020.

18*3.
t PP-,

nm,

588.

in, 2^.

li'-ip

Dnr,

18.

t^3:, 4915.

:"^M9^*.
1912.

-inr,

tv,9i.
X 3ir, 7820.

tn>iT, 144^2.

^rViT, i882.
tn-,3-<,

Sj-f, 20<.

n-i-.,

42^.

1245.

tinn,

no*,
9II.
J C^nn,

sr-, 232.

f'T,

50II.

tnjr, 5i.
85.
t nor,

tTi^8i7.

]B'-',

20*.

t ^n, 41*-

Wl,

36.

t nDi"*, 94".

tl^n,2230.

tSSM2.

tJJI", 221".

t nxn, 3521.

fnS,

10^.

1^-',

62II.
t Von,

140I2.

t n^-, 6815.
J

r^

"T'CT,

xxi.

tscr, 173.

t^n^56i4.
tnn"',

12^.

|nrT, 173.

84I1.
t nr,

'i.'.^j

90^-

t mjn, 49*.

t luT, xxi.
t

nnn,

xxi.

t n, 144^3.

7'-

19I5.
t ivjn,

tnjr,7327.

J njn, 837.

tnr.43'.

fann, no*.

I ayr, 7^^

t N3-, 72*

86.
I n-!n,

tNpiadj., 34,1^

J n-nn, 292.

t njpT, 7i9.

tnin,82.

tnpr, 145^*-

tr;i,686.
t

"I-",

t ?1

9-

n., 908.

pr,

149.

INDEX

552
ipr, 12I

fnrr,
t^:, 48'^84 J22'.
t^Sn, 1 7 10.

t-rrv, 726.

tnSp,35i8.

nnup,

38".

t=^n, 73^.

7^^

t':':'n,

I ^^n, 41*.

^^n

n., 6927.

X SSi, 106.

820.

X Y?^, 5^'
X ^iJn, 346.
X tDr^, 647.

Jd'^p,

Jr^n,

tw'^c^n, 1148.

647.

''^'P.r!,

-rcn, 886.

3:f.~,

126I.

t-^fin, 586.

1473.

X Ys:n,

17I*.

tnSn,

68*.

:r>n,3i28.

297.

t Jjn, 426.

t ^Sn, 90^.

tnsp,

t-T, 57^
tnnp, 2i7,

X r^-, 66.

trxn, 129".

X -\xp, I., 655.

t mp^p^n, 35.

Xrr^l2\

J ^;v. 33^.

on, 78^1.

J ncn,

jS^n,

78--'7.

X -ncn, io62*.

J Vip,

I.,

J'^m,

II., 106.

jDir, 72 '3.

22-\

X CMP,

Jnrr, II*.

-^'?r,

80".

T'i^, 77^^'

tP^n, 166.
fnpSp, 128.

t'">1-, 19^.

298.

II 962.

nrn

9^1.

n., 62.

: T>n, II., 108.

X ppr^, 6o9.
t 3np, 10619.

: njpp, 97.

t innp, 32*,

tn.'^n, 197.

X 2cn,

39^

Dcn, 7".

: nsn, 26 188.
:

rnp,

25.

tr-n,I.,732i.

rnn,

6814.

tr::n,III., 71*

89I'*
1333
t rranp, 42^

t ncn, 46*.

t T>n, 74^'.

tnjn, 18-^

t-^^n, 759.

tnonp,

X NtDn, 46.

t ri3i-np, 73*.

t5<?:, 51".

X njp, 145.
run, 8615.

t nsjr>, 32.

X ^'i^, 35^-

Jchp,

: -i^* 35^-

t ^Djn, 78*7.

tpn,42.

tT^-M9".

Jovs-jn,

ii.

J PN'jr, 25 '8.
J

3::.-,

144I2.

35I6 io63

t^L^-, 10^.

X n^n,

27I8.
X ^n, iS47

X n^n, 35^^-

m-r, 495.

nop, 4*.

J HN-, 22^'.

: ^pp, 4*.

tn;:,68'i.

2I2.
t rop,

J D-r, 7\
*?'-,

49" 6oi4 13615.

JP'n,35^'.

35I6.
t P"^n,

I.,

1298.

rnp,

II., 28^.

::*:>-,

38^*.

n-

n, 299.

I :lu^p, io2.
28I.
X ^'^'n,

:T^^^6924.
tn3rp,i8i2.

J n'DP, 4*.

fm^DP,

104!'^

t S^on, 78^.

X c^n, 198.

153.

tprp, 9 1 14.
t

'"^--n,

52^.

r-DP, 899.

tlDH, 899.

t n33, 37-*.

f nsn

9i.
J ;?3B,

n., 196.

INDEX
J

X nin^,

2^.

adj., 258.

i-'io

257.

n:3ViO,

frn'?'',

Jnc%59.
X 12'^, 711.

2^.
1

10^.

1712.
83.

t n'/s 2521.
ioi4.
X 2ins
79II.
J nns

1^,871.

16^.

843.
ftD^'^, 1

62.

-'':'%

Jnr,
t ^D%

X T'^ n., 4^.

:iir,

n^S

|S^,, 135.

t ^n^, 8945.

553

n-\>o, 6926.

210.
X -\o\

t 2ND, 6930.

104I8.
t hp,

1 3Np, 39^.

16^.

trr,

79I.
X Ncjo,

109I6.
t nxr,

^r, 299.

t nur, 396.

27I2.
t ns%

t ii^r, 76 86.
45I*.
t mn-,

tVD:o, ii9<59.

t n^D^s% 453.

jDor, 51*.

n*s', 126.

J ^12, 5523.

D;?t3,

t'kJ'iJto,

tns;,483.

34^-

119'^".

3X%

i?ix% 637.

tr^s

22.

139^.

jD^r

n.f., 116.

tD^:D

n.[m.],

nr,

t 3N', 1191-^1.
t ns% 78*4.

ti-'i-%4i^
103I*.
J n]{"',

t nn-^iD, 687.

tSn%677.

t i^ip% 91^.

t r.\yT, 95^-

trp%786^

22I6.
J nj,
40II.
"inr,
X

X >'^J% 78^^.

t ^iT' 49^^.

t'^n.^ 18*5.

t>'A67.
fnr, 1 1 939.

tT%49'.

trp>,9i7.

: rn^-, 353.

pr, 13^.

m%

Ixxix, 6.

t T'T', 6o".
>-T, 16

n%

:]:

9".

I l2.

35I.

t:3^^ n., 5523.

t P'1% 37'-

Ixx, 72.

t CDV,

n%

y^'^

21^,

l2.

40^-

t
t
t

p-^P'^-',

6814.

rv, 2513.
nch% 616.

tpni:-, 1059.

3r%

8611.

t
X ^^n^, 4^.

t n^n% 2221.
X

^ns

3125.

t 3t2% 333.

838.

^^r, 29.

trr^r,7io.
J ^^^r, 5121.

:=^r, 35*.
J nc^r, 4^.

nn%

JnSr,

sfs., 83,

Sn-iu", Ixxi.

: ^^1% 55'rpjv. 80I2.

t

rn-, 5913.

b2 X with
40I0.
X nSd,
22I7.
t 2^r,

m%

: T^p-^^, 1042.

ni,"T,

4'.

t moS-':, 746,

29I.
t 2n>,

ov, 2^

^Ih

HNi^

t^ns

Ixx.

I 3r.^ 7836.

Nn, 37 455.
211.

102'^.

6832.

2*.

^>'">-^% 33.

HDD

Vb., 632.

fn^^, 80I6.
|-\ijd, Ixxviii.

tn-r%55i6.

10531.
X c':r,

tpc-jS688.

tD^^,33^-

|ss;cr',83-.

:yj-, 8ii5.

ti::N3^-

X iyJ3,

105",

J >^t^% 3^-

t np3

n., 81*.

INDEX

554
32I.
X '^DD vb.,

t no^, 80".

t^ir,588.

t ^D.^ 388.

7858.

1 1

9^9.

-^Di::, 2^.

X ^0^, 21.

-^i-i^,

J nxjr^, Ixxii.

5I1.
t n]f;ir,

X y;^, 2* 228.

t np;ir, 554 6611.

tn^D^85.
tnD.M7i2.
D>'D,

25*

-idS,

5528.

o'^r,

74*.

68.
X Dvr,

114I.

trS,

147^.

-^"133,

JTDD,

t Nxir, 197.

I7I2.

t P^-, 73*-

tl03, 577.

t tap^, 10428.

fnpir, 102*.

X -103, 78^8.

t^rS32*.

t-Tir,

t ir-, 1016.

t nir, 15*.

3nD, 18".

t N-n::, 9^^ 7612.

t :D-^r, 80".

t ^isr, 1409.

j7->3, 17I8.

74I6.
X ^iNr,

Jri:,
t

186.

12*.

"y^t^, 74.

t n7;r, 84?.

X ITNr, 6210.

t:rir,II., 1157.

t ]^^* 77*-

: DNc,

t mjtt'ir, 6821,

I.,

i4.

att'ir, ii.

J an^, 408.

tDsr,II.,588.

t:'-r,45^^

X rsr, 2226.

Jm:;,

X ''or, 2910.

t na?-, 266,

J n-jar, 22^0^
60II.
X -^xa-,

tnrr, 109I.

22I8.

-i.-r,

X ^rD,

.-in'-,

89'-**.

6810.

3^48 92 ii2
t-??% 57^t:^:'^4^

JS-,jc,
19I5,

t -ncTr, Ixviii.

t Nnc, 988.
t nnr, 96.

t i^jr, 3ii*.

mnr, 34^

fnnr, 107^.

X n^Jr, 408.
t

pn^, 29^

t ^JT, 89*6.

r:''^N57'.

: --iS

83^

t in^i% 74^*.
t

^^1^, 2713.

^^^ 729.
:3nM.,35i.
t 2n% II., 1414.
t

t hdj::, io629.

T,

t PNcnr, 5522.
t nonr, 2^2 i4,

IO9I8.

t oiDnr, 392.

: -nr, 608.

t n>Dnr, 341^.

X ^-"-y 39^.

Xrnr:, 18-^.

inr, 8o7.

t ^pni:, 954.

t "Dn-T, 140I2.
:

33IO.
X rMtn::,

r^-, 83''.
nr, 2I 32 48 iqI-

mS

562.

X nns,

rnS

4210.

1960.

nncnr, 140".

t K'nV, 4i.

l-^n::, i64.

7I8.
t tr^s,

:n-ir, III., i6^

nS>S, 67.

trS25i3.

t^mr, 3012.
44I8.
X ^^yn^,

:?^-.3*.

X '-'^\ 35^".
29T.
J nan"',

1714.

X ncTC, io2.

861.

tnijr,55i3.

r"<r, 66.

t^Tr, 144I8

1 8*1.

f^njr,

2I.
t 3N^,

13 3517,

tirnr,

7420.

--ipn::,

89*1.

tn-^r,67.
jTiOr, 116.
t C'n-r, 6615.
: niu-c, 2612.

tOID, 10^.

n^T,

99.

INDEX
liSDC, 40I3.

nnDc, 108.

TiDr, 8816.

n;'D, i837.

t n^DCT, 737.

pvr, 359.
n;;r, 22^^

fi^rr,

176.

1411^.

-1D3?:,

27I.

DPD?:, Ix.

?i>'c,

nSc, 24I.

lUT, 268.

Jir-

nijiSc, 2229.

r>n

n., 74I5.

X '\VC, I09.

nnSr, 107^.

Ss;r, 284.
69^.

2DV-,

45.

pCT,

268.

it

ri^p n., 26 53.

nj>T, 1293.

t^rr,I.,

nn-T, 757.

nr;r,

t hSn^t, 206.

io62.

hhr., I.,

hhi:, iv, 588.

8*.

tirirr, 7831.

n-Tixc, 18^.

noVcr,

m^isr,' 6611.
T

nSc-'Dt:, 1 142.

nix?:, 199.

?P n., 459.

pnt:, 326.

r^ n., 782*.

npixc,

njr, 618.

-i;7XC,

mjc,

nxD,

J >re, 6*.

t njnc, 6819.
6611.
X ounc,

1 1

63.

iripD, 683.

nnjc, 20*.

Vnpc, 2612.

6832.

INJ, 569.

njp::, 78*8.

PP-, 38.

33I.
t ^iNj,

n?:,

644.

^b, 45^-

nor,

n-^?:, 5I1.

75^

38*.

55I6.
t pric,

-np?:, 3610.

n-^jD::, 18*6.

"iDD vb.,

t J'^-, 32^19II.
X pinir,

837.

Due, 59I

6"^.

819.

torr,

onxD,

18*6 142^

njyrc, 23*.

25!'^.

nnur, 232.

2 1 3.

t nn'-rr, 78*9.

tpc'c,

nxc, 759.

116"^.

nc,

78.

"ipp n., 75^.

2nn?:, 1820

'^DD n., 105^'.

pn-\D, 138^.

^i<i,

93^.

t DXJ, 362.
X yi<:t io3.

-^n:,

8940.

X N>a:, 749.
t

S.2.J,

Ixxviii.

n^DiD, 846.
dot:, 2215.

nfsDD, 3012.

281.

III., 87.

nS^Dj:, 459.

Dv;r\hv, 58^.
22.

hrv,

^39?:, 9*.

mpVr, 22^^

;-iJD!:,

'

tl^'r, 1266.

>pc>'r, 693.

"'cyjc, 141*.

n. pr., I20.

22^

t*jc,

t"in;:'c, iio3.

tn^rr,22.

r, 119103.

73I8.
t mxirr,

vb., 10788.

dSd^, 559.

85.

817.

t3;'o

toSr,

hdnS;:, 7328.

^r:';^.,

'

S-'DE'C, bci.

tnc*r,

"InSd, 348.

t NET, 385.
1 3Jt:T, 9I0.

njc, 648.

Sj;;;:,

555

n^;nD, 74I.

J;?:ij, 193.

INDEX

556
X Z3: n. pr.

fnjj,

1 813.

tmj,

26*

813.

X nuj, 7613.
nj>jj, Ixxvii.

3812.

tPJ,
t

-^JJ,

-^J,

63I1.

33^.

t n^nj, 548.

mj, 64 6818

t^.-:, 10525.

3\-:, 7850.

t IDJ, IO3I6.

.I2\nj, 142*.

J naj n., i8*5.

rrj, 52'.

t>nDj,

i8

pnj, 28.

t DJ, 606.

nnj, 10520.

X HDJ, 262.

t HDJ,

N3D, 72IO.

52^^.

"I'DJ, 26.

3^D, I7II.

X id:, I., vb.

and

tiDj, III., vb.,

n., 16*.

26.

t>D:,7823.

120, 745.
^3D, I44I4.
'^?P, 8l7.

tnnj,5ii.

t anii'j, 257.

njD, 358.

tn-^j, I*.

Jd^;'j, 16^.

n'-jD, 135*.

t -nj, 2226.

tn::nj,389.
34^-

>'"iJ,

N1J, 33^''.

a)J,

Jnu
t

62".

141^

t c>'J vb.,

2n

n.,

ID

n^D, io67.

t ^v:, 8816.

rilD,

t''o:,58.

nsiD, 559.

t rcj,

2^.
l61'>

179 422.

n-inD, 91*.
CD,

1018.

rD, 119I19.

t 3x:, 22.
X nx:, 96.

and

I'D, I.,

t a>^ 99^.
t DU, 76*.

73I9.

-^>D, 69.

TDJ, 33 65

n^j n., 569.

Jmj,

n., 25I*.

X -^h, 10928.

vb., iji.

J nij, 232.
17I*.

ro, 148.

27^

II., 5810.

ID, 425.
19I8.
X ^pj,

lb, io9.

D1J,

6o.

71J,

228.

X rvpj, 26.

nirD n. pr., 608.

X n^J, 6810.

t0PJ,88.

1-D,

tl^:,48.

t=i-;^58".
X^r:p:, i8.

1:d, II., 139I8.

tnpj, 17^-

irD, 6312.

iri:,

6921.

t'?rj,78i.

89*0.

-iTj,

108.

\-':,

X -^PJ,

Jn:,

jSnj, 186.

HDD, I09.

9".

i8-'9.

Nt':, 7' 158.

I., 5I2.

?-D, 139^.

n^D, 119II8.

n^p, Ixxxv.
nSo, 25II.

fn'j'm, 124*.

J Jir:, 76.
55I6.
tN-^^',

n-D, 865.

J cnj, 23*.
107I*.
X nrnj,

t^rj, 147^^

^^D, 685.

nr-'^'D,

130*.

109II.
J nr:,

yi-D, 188.

t n>rj, 8818.

p'-D,

1398.

t T'^:, 144^^^

JnsB'j, 1506.

I^D,

36.

1-D, II9I2O.

Jrnj,

1835.

t icj, 689.

tnrj, 119147.

t :, 1039.

t prj,

J c*o:, 279.

tP^'J,II., 78-

r^j,

74*.

t r:, 72".

prj
-lE^j,

I.,

2^^

n., 1408.

1035.

lyD, 41*.

n;D, 559.
n;D, 119II8.
^;-D,

55'.

INDEX
I n-i;D,

tn:o;, 7113.

84II.
t 120,

X nsD, 40^.

t n'j>, III-, 6i3.

tn-i3p, 56^.

tTj;,

6514.

ntoy, II.,

3>',

ii.

ni;;',

loio.
X oix>,

tDX}',3820.
1068O.
$ nxy,

t tId, 66^.
1 0.-0,518.

5I8.

fn-jcp, 7 1 15.

16*.

fn^xy,

0725^

40!^.
X ncD,

J n-D,

557

812.

812.

^;',

79^.

19^'.

I ^P",

1:1^,632.

J opr, 49^.

t ^^>, 39^.

t^p;-, 55*.

140*.

i-\t'y;,

2II.
t n^;,
104I*.
J m::;',
78^1.
->:'>%
t

J n^2>',

tr^>,287.

f.

10739.

-yiy,

t-^NT rr, 8311.

tS->^p>, 125^.

1:nS",i3.

f^?>%

J n^;, 20*.

t 2^V

89*6.

o^'::!*?;',

niS;*,

i82^.

n., 78*5.

io635 119I22.

J3-^;',

X n^ny, 685.

1043.

t3on>M372.

X n^y, 23.

:}:

t3j;, 150*.

1 vS;, Ixxi.

tJ-^;%422.

X n^j;, 4610.

t^^^;, 12^.

t nn;, 3735.

:.>:,27i2.

t^S;,I., 141*.

X X'-^-y

t SSy, III., 127.

trr,5*-

X ny,

9*^

21^.

J NjN-i;", 132.

my,

t^:^>,55^*.

t"^;%83*.

i5.

Jnn;-, 198, lyj, IL,

X n;, 329.

tn>,

36^.

viii.

X nic>', 75*.

tSc7,
t

Sd>-,

"\yny, 102I8.

18*1.

715.

tT^>,

1271.

tSfl-.;, 1810.

10I8.

X ^n>, 7852.

tp':'ny,83.

X r-iy,

lU', 2o9.

6820.
J Day,

J t:ny,

tni>,38^.

tP=",647.

nf

tVu-, L,

t-icy, 1297.

78'V

t
t ^v, 71*-

t^u:,37'.

JJJ?,

836.

tmjy,

1:r>M82*.

t rijy, 2225.

ni;;,

146^.

TV, 83.

2232.

74^-

?i^>%

146*.

njnu';*,

ny,

13

io5.

210.
t nn;,

68.
t pny,

tPr>3ii^.

tnuMSii.
:'^i>%7^.

6'^.

t irry, 68.

147^

X dSi;, (f 2l5.

;,

+ v-;, 6^.

37*-

J nj;% L, 3^.
njy, iii, 35i3
r\y;, iv,

37^-

X VV,

9^^

tP>,78i^
t

P-3>

73^.

t nxs, 1494.
85I1.
t ^Jo,

JUMSis.

fO'^NDJ?,

me,

t m^,, 248.

tn>'o>', II*.

nno, iii^,

J 3Xy, I0636.

tJic, 38^.

T'lTy,

78*.

X ^t;% 2o3.

:ii->,

IO4I2

566.

mc,

2522.

12^.

trie, 18^^

INDEX

558
t

I40.

pi3,

Jrs, 19^^

146.

->?D,

J nc,

tD^S>fS:f, Ixxviii, 150*.

^'^c,

t riN-x, 10783.

-^^i:, I..

33^'-

trno, 6816.

118.

J -IDC, 22^.
^<^??,

7.

t^^D,II., 74I8.

16.

^n3, 146.

fano,

t y-yp, 144^*.

92 7712.

fnDx, i8.
tn:?.5^.

tn^x,88.

64^

t nnc, 7836.

t ^^c, i39.

tnnc,

119I8O.

t nui-, 428.

Jn>., 1837.
X -i^vx, 68^8.

t '-^mnc, 5522.

tiy^,78i'.

1417.

tv-c, 198.

tP>%34^.

1713.

1*7^0,1827.

X ^P';h 9^.

tpfi,58^

t ^s^, 5*-

fj^'o, i.

JdSd,

Inc.,6511.

J DNPD,

t nirc, 746.

n':'c,

-IDX, 50I9.

tJ?e^c,5''-

X nSc, 9'.

tt3Se,32^

jSScxxi,

58.

X PD2f, 1073.

241^

tD'^cses.

: N^x,

t mxVc, 55.
t rr^D, 838.

t ^ux, 397.

2I2.

i^

: p^-^x,

trox,

171*.

t>T^D]f, 78*6.
:-^>-.i.,4^.

:p^3f, 1910.

:-^?.ii.,32.

25i.
J njE,

:P7.?.4^.

t ni n. pr., 838,

JnjD, 118^.

X ID,

D^'jD,

479*1011 172 10226.

J r^^^lD,

45".

npM,

59.

t n-ix, 202.

tSnx, 104I6.

tnnx,

X =^-^'^^, 37'.

:n-^i-, 127.

48I*.
t JDD,

72I6.
t HDD,

:ni.,77.

t^'Di:,78^.

-11X,

loio 14012.

687.

1 1-^^,68.

144I*.
t nnix,

tnNp, I027.

'^DD, 97^.

jDix, 35I8.

: ^:3P, 510.

Tl ^'r?e, 5.

tnix, 19".

X c^np, 168.

72i.

JnS'c, 17*.

J r^x,

t opc, 77^-

t ^Pix, 55*-

fnyc, 119I8I.

X nix,

Jo-^P, 17''.

fn-v, 129^

83.

: ^p^p, 7".

49I5.

:^T,35^*.

t n^D, 98*.

t nn^nx, 68^.

Jn-jp, 1206.

t CXD, 60*.

t^J,72-

t nxD, 1447.

X -^pc,

Ji^x, 132I''.

8^

tampc,

n-M3(,

c'7;p, 26.

X V2P^, 298.

tnT.,7826.

2228.
t Snp,

X npD, 1468.

tn%632.

: ip,

IO4II.
J N-ID,

26.
t iv>f,

: nip, 258.

t->^^,49^^

toip,95^''-

J TIC,

i9.

22^^

19^

X ^^D, 1052*.

tS., 178.

:np,ii8".

J n-iD, 72^.

JnS,,i8.

t 3ap, 9i.

tr^-ic, 17*.

Jd'?, 39^.

tS:op,

J D-^D, 6982.

nn^x,

6816.

139W

6616.
t nnop,

119^.

Jny-ic, 1359.

J niD^x, 23*.

t-ii:2T,

jnfi.6o.

tP'^^,35".

JrPfj*-

INDEX

559

tn^4^

1121,5522.

tSjMsB.

tnni,

fnhp,3S^.

t HDJ^, 6828.

: n>Di, 322.

X]^'yp,3^'t nSSp, 10917.

tin

X DD1, 7.

t;^j>35'''-

jTp,62*.
t

m^p,

8310.

n'^>6ii.

X NJi% 37^t HNjp, 6910.

1:

I0625.

njr, 74^-

2I.

i^^Jn,

ti^V.>55''.

t Vip, 10424.

643.

r\v^-y,

49'^

789.

t tTDI, 6986.

tJ'pi,

10426,

tP,32^.
Jnji, 17I.

11^5^'.
t njn, 636.

X pp, 10417.

t n-n,

tW,

77'.

t DTI, 76".

t ipn, 329.

Jnxp,

19S.

1:n^^7'.

1:>-,5'.

X ^^^, 138^.

tp,48".
t

40^

t Hi;,

r\)piip, 459.

3n->, 90IO.

tr,

28*.

tr.i39''.

t n^xp, 8012.

: n^p, I0632.

t2n-.,87*.

t-^n, 55*.

:n?^.,382.

t^1^55^.
t nn, 369.

t n^n, 235.

X snp, L, 35.
25I8,
t NT, II..

::3V^34".

myi, 2II.
nn, 29.
nn, 158 21I2.

t ^^'7, 55'^.

nn, 18163163225112.13.

:d/i, 181*.

t na-^r, 73''.

on, 3*

1 0^,7719.

18^7.

t 3nnp, 745.

tDDn,66i7.

t n^r, 104^.

tin,

83.
X]-)P.> 1

U-i^4i'2.

t l^P, 6932.

t^Dnp,

Vn,

-^'P,

tin,

35^^-

np,

3E^p.,

106I6.

J 3n-^,

loi^

3in->, 144I*.

1302.

t Dim*, 7888.

60S.
X ^'^p,

-Jc'p,

toni,

606.

HNI t Niph.,
X DN^, 2222.

22.

vn,

831*.

: 3c^p, 5.

830.

34I1.
X K^n,

l837.

t y^r, 35^^:

78^5.

82.

J D^Dnn, 258.
18I6.

X Yn'\, 266.
60IO.

rn^.,

X ?JJ?^

37^-

t>7M.,22".
tP;i,II.,29.

tn;?^65i2.
1

K^;7i,

188.

t ND1, 63.

t D^NiJl, 8811.

nsi, 60* 1388.

tDDn,683i.
1 1x1, 6817.
40I*.
X ns-i,

X ?i, 513.
42II.
t nxi,

1^74'*.

2212.
t pn-^,

f^xn,6922.

tpn-j, 7327.

X ipi, 296.

X ]wn-y,

79^

J n^E^Nn, 78^1.

452.

'^r\->,

t:jn,35i.

1:3:.n,I., 32.

1:331, II., i8i&.

tnn,

t ^331, 37.

|Pn,35'-

tDn"'::^,

65^

:i^-:,

1:^p^

19^.

1 Dpi, I39I5.

i84*.

t^t^l^-

156.

X VW^.> 5^-

2I.

Pn,
pn

P^ 32^

tj?3-i, 1398.

JP^232.

J 301, 18".

7^-

Jyiri,

822.

t IB'I, 76*.

tDni, 120*.

INDEX

56o
X

nsf, 625.

tn3r,63^

t;:^^-, 1611.

: -jr^S 2^.

t-|3f, II9II6.

t ^0^,7720.

: 2r^', 202.
73I2.

tSiS^r, 589.

fnjf,

JHTJ-, 78I2.

J3itr,

40^.

IfK-,

196.

Jn^uMix.
r-r, 2i7.
X n-r, 736.
J 23r, 36.

rS^r, 693.

t^ir^',35^'^.

:>':j^M5*.

J -ii3r, 10727.

tv?:f, 12^.

9i.
X n.r,

19I3.

Jrj-,

tD:r, 1272.
69I8.
t HDr,

tnnu-, 6'.

tnjjr,

Jpnf,

tpn-f, 1262.

19I8.
X n.ir,
tniN^jr, 19I8.

fnVr,

ts^jf,

tnjr,33i*.

pWn.

tVjr,p.384.
tnr, 126.
tnnr, 17^
: nr, 6815.

ti'l'^SSo'.

2*.

55^

trot-, 3821.
J lar, 1096.
Jn3-J-, 71I8.
nvj-,

67 69I8.

tonr,

tnT,55'.
J

^Df ,

jS.-r,

X Nic% 128.

iiiw

tHNVJ*, 358.

tP^t-, 7821.
net-, 512.

tnnrt:-,4.

air, 7I' 9* 147

JnrjM.,

1312.

pr., 7800

ti^-^S73^'.

t3^uS28.
t2^^VS6923.
t

:
1

821 ,98^

235.

r-'^'^S

tr^r,

119I88.

r>^r, 8o.

X ^V^^, 766.

:=^r,

2226.

t=hS76'.

tpr.

tn^r,

53.

fnpu-, i87.

Kjf, 56.

t':'>'vj',63ii.

2519.

1226.

t nir, II., 168.

nScf, 1042.

.-iNjr,

tjSr, 6815.

I0637.

2IO.

t ncStr, 1042.

191^.

tn<

139"-

noir, Ixxviii.

f^>t:-, 503.

i29.

or, 145.
='^S 5^' 238.

:^nr,37^.
:

n-r, 469.

4oi8
J ni>'f ,

tpv.^65io.

Jnprr,

X ptr, 3012.

t nir, 59.

t.3cr, 1416.

t ]vntr, 296.
D^D>ntr, 94I9.

t^v^,

nnr,

8-^.

jNir, 3517.

t njsr, 222.
t SiNr, 66.

pNr, 408.

tn'ncS687.
t^nr,9ii8.

tpnr.

1812.

pnr,

1812.

:cr.r,4oi.

ncr,

58.

nnr, 42*.

112^.

i822.

t^-?S75'fnncr, 1418.
X c'cr, 195.

t?Njr,68i8.
: njr, 766.

106I6.
X hSnu',

:->n-.57'.

t DDr, 89*2.

Jp^r,

t inc' vb., 632.

X n>r,

123*.

tnsr,!.,

II9181.

rnr,

39".

14I.

t>>r,94^^.

7I6.

tnncr,

tnNuMI.,562.

Jpnr,

tnNr,7326.

trcr,88io.

76I1.
J n>nNC',

r^^, 698.

1232.

oc'^^, 79.

t V-\N ^tOOr, 22.

X N3r, 7210.
t nar, 681^.

tn::r, 326.

t-wS683o.

t^cr,

J n;i3r, 1059.

tnn-r, 11 986.

104I8.
t lor,

tV^M36^.
i38.

INDEX
f iCkT vb. and

n.,

i6^

S6i

39^^.

^"^J'^,

t D^nsr, 68".
t npr, 369.
t

ipc*,

tc^cr,

nSnn, xxi.

fnjip,

102^0.

tniP, 78

tD^rpr,

t np^s 14^.
yp^', 222s.

IIP,

Jiijp, 2110.
94I9.
t ainjp,

I07.

t ?^jr, 74^'.

I nnoip, 1497.

38^^

X PHDIP,

t ppi^s 1079.

npr, 8934.

t'7'?ir,

64'^.

589.

t n::ijp, 132*.

398.

'"'^nip,

152.

16S.

DDP, 19"

tDDP,

26'^.

t:opr, 769.
78*'.

X "lap,

1928.

mip,

i6^

Ji-'CP,

t Dinr, 337.

J r\2';^r, 889.

1373.

J pySip, 22^.

t33S^i;p,95^.

t nnnu', Si^^.

t nD';yr, 95*.

t ntDxyp, 68^6.

J c^nr, 52^.

6821.
X nxi-ip,

tni:S>v,4422.

t TIP, 7419.

fS^nc', 1283.

t^r,8i3.

fDiN^np, 1038.

X r^^or, xxi.
t ']or, 6826.

I nir\r,

6^

t nnr, 4915.

t pjnp, 282.
63I0.
X ^-np,

1 3xn,

119^''.

t n^xp,

:}:

1 1

J nnNSP,

107^''.

tpnc',

X nnip, i2.
3iriP, 39I3.

:fDP,7iii.
+ 1^-7,

II., viii.

1996.

t>p-, 150'276.

niNr, 2i3 7829.

t p^Sdp, 13922.

HNur, 107^^

tpr,75*.

t P-^D^P, II9II8.

-ii^r, 8913.

J 6.^,79.

3:

t^2r,9.

t =? 37^^-

10620.
t n>j2P,

t njiDP, 17!^

tSiDjn, 11612

t nniDP, 79!^

II.

l^^l^hp,
i^^'^trp,

xxix.

Albertus Mag., cv.

476, 480.

Alcuin, cv.

Ezra, cv.

Abiram, J50.

Alexander, A.,

Abraham,

Alexander the Great,

399, 344, 348.

Agellius, A., cvii.

AUioli,

Aglen, A.

Ambrose,

S., cviii.

cviii.

cviii.
J. F.,

civ.

Ahithophel, 361, 21.

Ammonius,

ciii.

Aigner,

Amyraldus,

cvi.

cviii.

Ainsworth, H.,

7210.

3317.

INDEX OF PERSONS.

Aaron, 176, jog, 346, 330, 395, 40s, Akiba,

Aben

n';)-^r,

t n^ynp, 6o5.

X n:)nr, 49*.
:t

9^^

t ncipr, 19^.

p>P, 7826.

fnop,

920.

71^

cvii.

Anonymous,

ciii.

xcii.

INDEX

562
Anselm,

Buxtorf, XV.

cv.

Antiochus,

Bythner,

xcii.

cvii.

Anton, C. G., xxxix.

Antonius, Pat., cv.

Cajetan, Thos.,

Aphraates, xxx.

Calmet, A.,

ApoUinarius,

Calvin,

ciii.

Ivi,

xcvi, cvi.

Canipcnsis, cvi.

Aquila, xxix.

Aquinas, Thos., cv.

Camponi,

Arnobius,

Cappellus, XV.

Asaph,

civ.

C,

Athanasius,

cvi.

Casaubon, Isaac,

ciii.

Augustine,

cvii.

Carlov, A.

Ixvi.

Asterius,

cvi.

cvii.

Cassiodorus,

ciii.

cv.

Ivi, civ,

Ivi.

civ.

Castalio, cvi.

Ceriani, A. M., xxvi, xxx.

Backer, W., xxxiii.

Bachmann, J., cviii.

Charles, R. H., 411, 413.

Baer, S., xxiv.

Chrysostom,

Bathgen, F., xxxi,

Bakius,

Cheyne, T. K.,

cviii.

Clericus,

cviii.

W.

Cobb,

Basilius,

Cocceius,

Baumgartner, Ant.,

li.

cv.

H.,

Condamin, xlviii.
Cook, cviii.

Beer, G., xv.

Corderius, B.,

Comely,

Bellermann,

Cornill, C.

J. J.,

xxxix.

xxiv, xxxiii.

xli.

J., cvii.

Bellarmin, R., cvii.

Ben Asher,

ciii.

J., cvii.

Barnes, VV. E., xxxi.

ciii.

ciii, cvii.

R., cviii.

H., xv,

Coverdale, M.,

Cowles,

Berthier, cvii.

Cozza,

Bianchini, xxvii.

Crelier, cviii.

Bickell, G., xxxix.

Cyril, Alex., civ.

Bottcher, F.,

Cyrus, Ixxxix.

Bossuet,

cviii.

J.,

xxvi.

cvii.

Bridge, xxvii.

Dathan, JJO.

Brightman, F. E., xxviL

Dathe, xxxi,

Brown,

David,

F., xv, xl.

cviii.

Davidson, A.

Bruno, Ilerh.. rv.

Davison, \V. T.,

Bucer, Martin, cvi.

Delitzsch, Franz,

Budde, K.,

De
De
De

xl.

Bugenhagen,
F., XV.

Burgess,

cviii.

cvi.

44g, 468

Iv, Ixi sq.,

Bruce, 375.
Bruno, Carth., cv.

Buhl,

xxvii.

cix.

Benzinger, 5^5.

cviii.

ex.

Clarius, cvi.

Clement, Alex.,

cvi.

Barnes, Alb.,

Beda,

xl, Iviii, cviii,

civ.

Davies, T. VV., Vol.

Rossi,

^22.

II., viii,

^9J.

cix.
cviii.

xv.
J. B.,

Wette,
Witt,

sg.y

411.

B.,

W. M.

J.,

L., xlvii, cviii.

ex.

Dionysius Areopag.,

ciii.

INDEX
Dorotheus,
Drexelius,

Grimme, H., xxiv, xl,

Hugo, cvii.

ciii.

Grotius,

cvii.

Driver, S. R., xv, cix,

Drusius,

Duhni,

Du

cxr>

B., xl, cviii.

Pin, L. E.,

Guieysse, P.,

Ivi.

Dyserinck, xv.

Hales, Alex.,
Halevy,

Earle,
Ecker,

Hare,

xxxix.

cv.

310,

J.,

Hammond,

cix.
J.,

xl.

Gunkel, H., 164.

Guthe, H., 369.

XV.

J.,

563

H.,

W.

Ehrlich, cix.

Harper,

Ephraem

Hatch, E., 202.

Erman,

Syrus, xv.

Haye,

A., xl.

cvii.

F., xxxix, cvii.

de

J.

R., xl.

la, cvii.

Erpenius, xxxi.

Haymo,

Ethan,

Heinrici, C. F., xxvii.

Ixvii.

Eusebius,

C?es., xxxviii, ciii, civ.

Eusebius, Verc,

civ.

cv.

Heman,

Ixvii.

Hengstenberg, E. W., cviii

Euthymius,

Zig., cv.

Henry, Matth.,

Ewald, H.,

cviii.

Herenthal, cv.
Heser,

cvii.

Fa-ber, Stap., cvii.

Hesychius, xxvi,

Ferrandus,

Hilary, civ.

cvii.

cviii.

ciii.

Field, Fred., xxx.

Hincmar,

Flaminius, cvi.

Hippolytus,

Fry, cix.

Hirsch,

Furness, ex.

Hitzig, F.,

Fiirst, J., XV.

Holmes and Parsons,

Home,

cv.
civ.

cviii.
cviii.

Geier, M.,

cvi.

Horsley,

Gennadius,

ciii.

Houbigant, C.

Gennebradus,

Hugo,

cvi.

Georgius, Alex.,

Gesner,

Ivii, cviii.

F., xv.

Caro, cv.

S.

Hulsius,

ciii.

Gesenius, W., xv.

xiii.

cviii.

cvii,

Hupfeld, H.,

cviii.

cvi.

Gill, cviii.

Ignatius,

Ginsburg, C. D., xv, xxiv.

Innocent

Gomarus,

Isaaki, cv.

F., xxxviii.

Gouge, W.,
Gratz, H.,

Isidorus, civ.

cvii.

li,

xciii.

III., cv.

cviii.

Gregorius Naz.,

ciii.

Gregorius Nys.,

ciii.

Gregory, Bar Heb.,

JABIN, 221.
Jacob, 177.
civ.

Jacob ben Chayim, xxiv.

Gregory, C. R., xxvi.

Jansenius, cvi.

Gregory the Great,

Janvier, P., cv.

Grave, E.

J.,

xxxix.

cv.

Jebb, XXXV.

INDEX

564
Jeduthun,

Maibon,

Ixxvi.

Jehoiachin,

xxxviii.

Jehoshaphat, Ixxxix.

Margoliouth, G., J7-^

Mariana, cvii.

Jehu, 384.

Marloratus, cvi.

Ixviii,

2^^.

Jennings,

cviii.

Marti, 24.

Jeremiali,

Ixviii.

Maximus,

Jerome,

xxvii, xxxi, xxxviii,lvi, xciii,civ.

Jones, W., xxxix.

civ.

Meier, E., xxxix.

Joseph, 203.

Melchizedek, J7^, ^yS.

Menzel, cvi.

Joseph us,

Mercati, G., xxx.

xxxviii.

Judas, 361.

Merrick,

Justinianus, xxix.

Michaelis,

cviii, ex.

Kautzsch,
Kay,

MoUer,

cviii.

Kennicott, B.,

Kihn, M.,

ciii.

Kimchi, D.,

cv.

IL,

cix.

Morin,

civ.

Moses,

Ixviii,

lyb, jog, 346, 3^0,

Kirkpatrick, A. F., cix.

Mozley, F. W., xxix.

Kittel, R., XXV.

Muis, de,

Konig, F, E.,

Miiller,

xvi.

cvii.

D. H.,

xlvii,

Koster,

xlvii, cviii.

MUnster,

S., cvi.

Korah,

Ixv.

Murphy,

cviii.

Musculus,

Lagarde,
Lanier,

Le

164.

cvi.

p., xxvi, xxvii, xxxii, civ.

Neale, J. M., xciv, cviii.

Nehemiah, Ixxxix, ^oy, ^21,

S., xli.

Blanc,

viii.

cviii.

cvi.

Montefiore,

cviii.

cvii.

S., Vol.

Moll, C. B.,

E., xvi.

H.,

J.

Minocchi,

cvii.

Lee, W., xxxi.

Nestle, E., xxvi, xxix, xxxii.

Leutwein, xxxix.

Nicephorus,

Levi, 480.

Nicolaus de Lyra, cv.

Levy,

Nowack, W.,

XV.

Obed Edom,

470.

Ley,

J.,

J.,

XV, xvi.

cv.

xxxviii, xxxix.

Lietzmann,

civ.

Og, 480.

Littledale, xciv.

Littmann, 41^.

Oliver, A., xxxi.

Lorinus,

Olshausen,

cvii.

Lot, 221.

Low,

cviii.

Lowth, XXXV, XXXIX,

Lucian, xxvi,

Luther,

J., cviii.

Oreb, 221.

xxviii, ciii.

cvi.

Luzzato, S. D-. xvi.

Origen, xxvi,

xxviii, xxxviii, ciii, civ.

Pachymera,

civ.

cvii.

Palisse, cvi.

Pantaenus,

ciii.

Paschasius Radb., cv.

Maclaren, cix.
Mai Angelo, xxvi.

Pellican, cvi.

Perowne,

J. J. S.,

cviiL

INDEX
Peters, J. P., ^79.
Pharaoh, 4yg.
Philo, xxxviii,

565

Selnecker,

cvi.

Sennacherib, 401.
Sforno, O., cvi.

ciii.

Phillips, cviii.

Sievers, E.,

Phinehas, j^^.

Sihon, 480, 481, 483.

Pierce, 358.

Sionita, G., xxxi.

Pierson, T., cvii.

Sisera, 221.

xli.

Piscator, cvi.

Smend,

Pitra, civ, cv.

Smith, Thos.,

Plummer, A., 3^6,

Smith,

Poole, M.,

R., xvi.

W.

cvii.

R., xvi, 135,5^0.

Socrates,

xciii.

Prudentius, cv.

Solomon,

Ixvii.

Psellus, civ.

Spurgeon, C. H.,

Purvey,

Stade, B., xvi.

cvii.

J., cix.

cviii.

Sternhold and Hopkins, ex.

QuiSTORP,

Rahlfs,

cvi.

Street, cviii.

Swete, H. B., xxvi,

Symmachus, xxix.

84,

Raschi, cv.

Remigius, cv.

Tate and Brady,

Resch, A., 201.

Reuchlin,
Reuss, E.,

Thalhofer,

J., cvi.

Riehm,

Theodoret,
cv.

Rivet us. A.,

Tholuck, A.,
xvi, 373.

Rodiger, E., xvi.

C,

Tischendorf,

xxvi.

cviii.

cvii.

cv.

H.

Tristram,
Rosenmiiller, C. F. K.,

Rouse,

cviii.

Thomson, 209.
Torinus,

Romualdus,

ciii, civ.

Theodotion, xxix.

Ivi.

Rohling, A.,

ciii.

Theodorus, Herak.,

E., xvi.

cviii.

B., xvi, 208, /^j, jjj.

Turrecremata, cv.

F., ex.

Tyndale,

cLx.

Riidinger, cvi.

Saadia,

Ugolino,

B., xxxix.

cv.

Saalschiitz, J. L., xxxix.

Salmond,

S. F. B.,

411.

Vaihinger,
Valeton,

J., cviii.

cviii.

Samuel, J09.

Van

Sanballat, 361, 5^/.

Vatablus, F.,

Schechter, xxx.

Venema,

Schegg,

cviii.

Ess, L., xxvi.

cvi.

cvii.

Vercellone, K., xxvi.

Schiller-Szinissy, xciii, cvi.

Schottgen, xxxv.

Walafrid Strabo,

Schultz,

Watts, ex.

cviii.

Seidemann,

Ivi, ciii.

ciii.

Theodorus, Ant.,

St. Victor, cv.

Robinson, Edw.,

ex.

cviii.

Theodore of Mopsuestia,

cviii.

Rhabanus Maurus,
Richard

xxix,

cvi.

Wellhausen,

cv.

J., cviii.

INDEX

566
Westcott, B. F.,

Wordsworth,

ZALMUNNA, 222,

cix.

Zeba, 222.

cviii.

Zechariah,

Wyclif, cix.

Ixviil.

Zeeb, 221.

XlMENES,

Zenner,

xxiv.

INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

III.

Abaddon,

88^2 ,22, 247.

Absoluteness of

Bethlehem, 473,
Blot out sin, 3.

147.

",

Book, 355, 120, 4gS.

Branch of ", 472.

Accents, xxxviii.

Acceptance, 171, 17S.

Acquittal of sin, 170.

414

Acrostics, xliv,

Adonay,

xlvii, xlviii.

Brevity of Life, 346 sq., 273,

Brokenhearted, 299, jo.

sq.

bcxi.

Gf:suRA,

Afflicted, 84, ijdy 167, 367.

Alphabetic

Pss., xliv,

1,

68, 70,

414

sij.

xlii-xliii.

Canonicity,

xciii sq.

Altar, 233, 371, 10, 226, 407.

Chasiiiitii,

Angel of

Chastisement,

'",

296, 303.

468, 471.
2^'^

47, 348, 261, 406,

Angels, 348 64, 252, 254, 300,^55, jV7,

Cherubim, 143, 153, 193,

332, 48S, S39Anger of \ 2 49, 142, 259, 1^2, 167,

Choirs, 235, 103.

174, 184

sq.,

iQg, 204, 232,

274

353-

Anointed King,

2"^

179, 249, 386,

sq.y

xlviii,

Compassion"",

446,

Arm

of \

378,

17s,

200, 2^7, 2jg,

i8''^

1 16,

3 4g,

j/j, ^20.

xliv,

sq.,

Contrition, 48, 340, 10.

Conversion of nations, 103, 240.

Awe-inspiring

',

398, Sg, /oj, 167,

Covenant, 25^' 224, 228, 355, 3S0, 417,

419, 1S3, 1 86, 23g

235^308,383Azkarah, 178.

Covering

327, 344, 334,

242,

184, 330, 3gg,

427.
Ixxxiii,

sin,

277, 81, 186, igg, 231.

Creation, 63, 165, 215, 287

sq.

Belial, 142, 152.

198,

sq.,

383* 47 1'

Babylon, 23g, 483

Benedictions,

Israel, 205, 307, 355,

152. 383^ 542.

371, 233, 237.

in,

25^ 212, 222, 227,

422.

Congregation of

Attributes ", xcvi, 212, 226, 317

Believe

48, 50, 259, 302,320,

3gg, 427, 4S0, 327.

Confession of sin, 279, 340, 362, 3,

sq.

307.

Assonance,

168, 173,^/5.

3, J 17, 174, 186, 323, 320, 326,383,

xliv.

Ark, 214, 470

sin, 7.

4S0, 326.

Apostasy, 119.

Archaisms,

sin, 171.

Cleanse from

Commandments,
22S, Commemoration,

262, 26s, 47^y 472.

Antiphonal singing,

Clear from

.?cj.

235, 24S.

sq.,

133,

237y 272, 2g4, 304, 310, 322, 331 sq.,

3g6, 428, 447, 432, 477, 4S3, 4g6,

53 ^y 539^ 542.
Cymbals, Ixxviii.

INDEX

567

Dances, 261, 241, 304, 542, S45'

Falsehood, 60, bg^ 521.

Death, 74, 136,410,599,

Debir, 234, 247, 249.

Fasting, 305, 118.

Decalogue, 113,420.

Favour % 259.
Fear of \ 114, 198, 224, 300, j^j, j.^j',

Decastichs,

xlvii.

Deceit, 278, 298, 316, i2y 366.

Deliverance \ 136, 141, 145, 151, 267,

Father % 260.

3gS, 423^ 426-7, 460, S36'

Feasts, 134, 167, 210, 408.

281, 284, 295, 296, 305, 347, 351, 357,

Fidelity, 114, 115, 129.

362, 37i> 5^ 6^ ^^7. ^^6 ^99* 27 9>

Flattery, 95.

282, 3S9, j6<?, 3gg, 5/j, 5/7, 5^/.

Denial of God, 86, 105.

Depart from
Director,

evil,

298, 329.

419, Sg, 2Sg, 2go, 427.

279,

20, 400.

of God, 137.

Frailty of

man, 264, 326^ ^21.

GiLEAD, 59.
'\

73, 127,

2j8t 486.

8^ 66, 67, 165, 253, 37,

166, igg, 233, 304, 320^

337, 388, 393, 489^ 527-

'El, Ixx.

Glosses, xlix sq.

Elegies, xcvi, 344.

*

Eloah,

'

Elohiin, Ixix.

Gnomes, 146.
God, names of,

Elyon,

God

Ixxi.

Ixxi.

Ephraim, 59, 79/, ig2, 203.

Ephrathah, 470.

Errors of

text,

li

'/',

Everlasting

xcvii.
cf>
",

82,

45I'

Grain offering, 177, 353507Greatness \ 236, 2g4,33i, 47g, 526-7,,

Eternal, 82, 83.

Ethics of

Good, of man, 106, 300, 325, 329.

Goodness of \ 4'^ 25^- 223, 227, 270^
404, 426, 4jS, 482, 527, 534Graciousness % 38, 186, 326, 383, 3gg,

sq.

Errors of conduct, 170, 174, 421,

Everlasting,

Ixix sq.

of heaven, 484.

84, 142, 236, 311, 348, 3S8, 368,

Epithalamium, 384.
Equity of % 9^.

2>^.

273, 28j, 322.

Evil, 42, 116,566.

535^ 544Guest of % 42, 66.

Guest Pss., 88, 112, 207, 236.

Guide % 209, 265.

Face

231^

Fortress '\ 141, 27g.

Glory of

'

277,

Ixxxiii.

offerings,

Edom, 59,

229,

310.

Freewill offering, 431.

Distichs, xlvi.

Drink

Forgiveness,

Form

Ixxii.

Discipline, 89, 96, 278, 337, 343, 348,

Doxologies,

Flood, 254.

of \ 36, 92, 127, 133, 216, 241,

298, 364, yi^y 204, 2^7, 274.

of ^ 15^ 33* 115, 223,

Halacha,

232, 261, 266, 273, 286, 292, 318,

Hallelujah, Ixxviii.

356, 371, 18, 38, 40, 67, 116, 233,

Hand

of %

237, 247, 254, 2S7, 260, 261, 26s,

280, 284, 307, 31 J, 383, 3g4, 402,

Harp,

Ixxviii.

Faithfulness

42g, 434, 488, 515^

53 1'

Iv.

Hallels, Ixxviii.

Harvest

Heart

in

79,

368.

Pss., 83, 84,

OT.,

a,^-

22.

92

n2

1915.

INDEX

568
Help

',

8i, 261,

Heptastichs,

Jacob, hi.
44^- Jerusalem, 216, 395, 399, 401,

291, 332, 394, 18,

igg, 238,368, jgsy 405-^y 43^y

Hermon, 369, 2^j, 476.

Hexameters,

Holiness

Judah, 403,59, 72, 103, 120, 166, igi,

306, 3gi.

xxxiii.

xlvi.

% 16^ 123, 307, 308, 310,

325 343'
Holy of Holies, 234, 247.
in

i^ 4,

'>,

304

21s, 2S8,

\ 340, 347, 369, 69, 126,

10,

54,

58,

231,

sq., 46,

161

sq.,

[67,

sq.,

Justice,

Ixxviii.

32s, 343* 480,

537-

Judgments of Law,

424-j, 46s, 467.

Horeb, jjo.

Horn,

Judgments

308, 371, 416

Hope

34,

460, 480, 486, J34, J36.

Jordan, 369, 3g/.

xlii.

Hexapla, xxvi,
Hexastichs,

10,

J 04, 166, igS, 401, 406, 44g, 4^4^

xlvi.

i5

156, 168, 173,^/5'.

287, 318, 132, 2S7, 3/4,

3^3,53^-

Horn of David,
Horn % 151^

472,

Kedah,

444.

Host % 210.

Keihib, xxiv.

Hours of Prayer, 41, 2_$,

Hymns, xix sq., 61, 251.

Kindness

'-,

4* 33, 222, 232, 266, 287,

291, 317. 319. 356, 403 J. ^-^J'5',

40,53* ^7y 70, 73* 9^. ^^^* n4* 233,

Idols, 3g4, 480.
Ignoring God, 106, 316, 144^ 28g.
Immovability of righteous, 185, 260.
Imprecations, xcix

sq.,

53, 133, 247,

-^'/m

54^ ro4, i ig,

^^

304, 309. ^9

127, igg, 221, 337, 367, 3bg, 3g4,

486, 304, 5og,

J 18.

sin,

354* 358* 3(^7* 394* 402 sq., 423,

426-7, 46s, 482, 488, 4go, j/j, J20,
52S,53(>-

King

200,

',

/jj

Impudent, 105, ij6.

Imputation of

236, 247, 234, 2J7, 260, 276, 284,

29^* 307* 3^^* 3^4* 325* 327* 34^%

sq.,

217,

7*532*542.
King, Davidic,

277.

Incense, 507.

255,

227, 2g4, 301

15,

378,

sq.,

398,

3ig, ^26-

180, 184, 385, 66,

74* ^32* 2jg, 321.

Incomparableness

147,

128, 236,

^55, 3Sg.

Kirjath Jearim, 470.

Knowledge

-,

328, 28g, 4g3 sq.

Indignation % 59, 82, 337, /20, 3/g.

Inheritance,

16,

249, 289, 327, 331,

399, /8g, /g8, 217, 28g, 348, 37g,

289, 20b, 321, 38gt 4gj.

",

Instruments of music,
115,

Ixxvii sq.

335.
8,

113,

168, 355, 183,

3 TO, 348,

413.

superfluous, xxiv.

Life, 122, 206.

132, 302, j(J.

Light \ 236, 319, 371, 433.

424, 307.
'-,

Intimacy with

in.

5,

Lifting hands in prayer, 247, 381, 73,

Interpretation of ^, ci sq.

Israel,

*,

226,231,234,364,77,

22g, 314.
Interposition

of

Letters suspended, xxiv.

Iniquity, 157.

Integrity,

Law

261, 2go,303,

383, 431, 438.

Inspection

Lamentation,

"t,

224.

Litany, 176.
Liturgical use, Ixxxii.

Living % 161.

INDEX

569

Longsuffering '',J26,

Oracle, jg.

Love of Law, 434, 430.

Love % 45, 399.
Love to ', 141, 151, 229,

Organ,

Ixxviii.

Ornaments, 252.
272, 282,

306, 3g8, 433, ^28.

Loveliness \ 239.

Orphan

Pss., Iviii, Ixxii.

Parallelisms, xxxiv

Pardon of

Lying, 95 400.
Lyre, Ixxviii.

sin,

sq.

224, 228, 280, 236, 463.

Paseq, xxiv.

Peace, 250, 233.

Maccabean

Peace offerings, 353, 418,

Pss., xcii.

Majesty \ 62, 19Z* ^o^y 276, 304,331,

3S3, 527 540.

Penitential

Manasseh, 59, 203.

Pentameters,

Maskil,

Pentastichs, xlvi.

Ix.

Massah, 2g^.
Massora,

Pss.,

xcvi,

9,

iig.

45

sq.,

276,

335' 4^4, 515xlii.

Persecution, 376, 433.

Pilgrim Pss., xcvii, 444 sq.

xxiii.

Measures of Poetry,

Pilgrims, 368, 227, 44g.

xxxviii.

Melodies, Ixxiv sq.

Pious, 34, 121, 280,330,417,^00,^7/.

Meribah, 2g^.
Meshek, 44^.

Pit of Sheol, 60,

Messianic

384

sq.,

Pipes, Ixxvii,

Pss.,

xcvii,

132

sq.,

394

13,
sq.,

191

sq.,

207, 281,

373y 407, 472.

Might \ 187, 217, 77, 82, 127, 203,

Plagues, 183, 187

Poetry,

sq., 346 sq., 47g, 483.

Hebrew, xxxiv sq.

Points, extraordinary, xxiv sq.

Polyglot ts, xxiv, xxix.

349, 527 y 544-

Miktam,
Mincha,

121, 246, 258, 261,

408, 23, 117, 244, 246, 361, 303, 316.

Poor, 84, 472.

Ix.

181, 353, 304, 507.

Miracles, 184,

346

Portion % 120, 147, 426,313.

Power

Minstrels, Ixxviii.
sq.,

3g2, 47g, 483.

",

Praise,

82, 333.

xxi,

141,

198, 248, 295, 352,

Mizmor, Ixviii.
Moab, 60, 220.

88, gi, 117, 127, 128, 137, ibi, 200,

Monostichs,

308, 321, 334, 384, 388, 402, 426,

369* 371, 378, 401, 40,

xlvi.

Monotheism, 147.

478, 328,

334

sq.,

(>S*

73* <?A

342, 344.

Prayer, xxi, 24, 29, 41, 305, 370, 21,

Name

^ 512 23^ 291,

17, 166, igg,

260, 308, 32s, 343, 3^3, 3S8, 3g3,

Precepts, 168, 413.

Presence \ 4g3, 303.

3gg, 478, 318, 326, 528, 340.

Names of \ Ixx sq.

Presumptuous

Names

Priest king, 378.

of ^, xx.

sins, 170.

Pride, 320, 143, 288, 313.

Negeb, 4^6.

Priests, igo,

New moon, 210.

Nun inverted, xxiv.

Processions, 233, 368, 399, 103, 241.

3og, 470.

Proselytes, j^j.

Proud, 422, 428, 432, 431, 503.

OCTASTICHS,
Odes,

lix,

xlvi.

137, 9^.

Psalter of Asaph, Ixvi.

,

Davidic,

Ixi sq.

INDEX

570
Psalter, Evolution of, Ixxxix sq.
,

Rightminded,

Rock \

Director's, Ixxii sq.

59, 320, 433.

i83 141, 147, 150, 151, 171,

Elohistic, Ixix sq.

246, 6g, 147, 162, 186, 260, 286, 2gif

Gallican, xxvii.

2g3, 2g4, 320.

Korahite, Ixv sq.

Alozmorim,

Pilgrim, Ixxix.

Sabaoth,

Roman,

Sabbath, 2S3.

Ruler \ 34, 88, 236.

Ixviii sq.

xxvii.

Purifications, 233.

Purify from sin,

217, 218.

Sacrifices, 35,

176, 240, 354, 418-19,

9. ^8, 37.

j:.

Sacrificial meals, 200.

Saints, 123.

Qri, xxiv.
Quinta, xxx.

Ransom,

Salvation

226, 229, 299, 382, 408, 26,

117, i2g, 383, 411, 46J.

Redemption

xcvi,

">,

175, 234, 266,

xlvii, xlviii.

Refuge \

27, 28, 141, 222, 236, 296,

126, 131, J67, igg, 204, 232, 237,

260, 282, 2g4, 307, 348-g, 368, 371,

3gg, 400, 428, 436, 4go, 304, 328,

Saying of Law, 168, 413,

J7S* ^S6, 34g, 338, 433.

Refrains,

*,

303, 3i^S oZ^, 341, 356, 357. 378-9,

S, 17* 23, 3S, 31, 6g, 82, 102, 1 13-16,

24, 89, 117, 119, 130, 141,

Scorners,

5,

423.

147, 226, 236, 248, 265, 270, 297,

Seeking -,241, 296-7, 73, 116,343.

299, 3i9 332, 37i 394, J7 66, 70,

27 g, 28 1 y 2gi, 403^313.

Self-righteousness, xcviii.

7g, 126, 147,

Septuagint, xxv.

Religion of ^, xciv.

Remember sin, 222,

Remove sin, 326.
Renewal of

Servant

799.

Shadow

heart, 8.

7, 118.

132-3, 247, 327, 330, 18, 32, 44, 78,

102 sq,y /6j, 200t 28 If 28S, 2gi, 444y

of wings, 130.

Shemesh, 163,
Sheol, (P

48

66-7.

sq.,

74

sq., 121, 142,

200,

258, 270, 410, 24, 74, 237, 244, 246,

263, 2gi, 3g6, 3gg, 4g4, 4g7, 3og,

462, 486.
xliv,

Right hand

174, 190 sq., 194 sq., 118.

Shechem, 3g.
Shedim, 333.

Retribution, 75, 76, 80, 81, 91, 108,

Rhyme,

',

Sexta, xxx.

Repentance, /o, 426.

Resurrection,

Selah, Ixxxiv sq.

413.

J/6.

'\ 148, 180, 185,

378, 403,

62, 147, JJ4, 17 4y iSg, 206, 237,307,

Shepherd

'",

208, 249, 187, 200, 203,

2g4, 310.

376, 406, 4go.

Righteous, 10, 307, 433Righteousness, 32, 43, 92, 145, 348,

Shield \ 141, 248, 291, 34, 22g, 238,

352Righteousness

Sin offering, 354.

",

201, 216, 265, 287,

309. 318, 320, 355 403, 417,

126

sq.,

82,

132, 233, 2S7, 306, 32s, 327,

3S3* 399* 423* 434* 47'y 5'5>

327,328.

SH*

395*431*521Sin, 8, 106, 6, 43, 313.

Sleep of death, loi, 136.

Son of % 15, 260.

Son of man, 63, 207.
Song,

lix.

Soul, 33 6^ ii5

610 179
49^ 126, 372.

INDEX
Spirit of

>,

8,

Translation at death, 411, 147,

337, 332, 4^3, si8.

Trimeters,

Spirit of life, 33b.

Spirit of

man,

571

18^^ 31^ 511^ 266, 273,

Trumpet,

283.

Spread palms in prayer, 24^, j/j.

Statutes of

Law,

",

Ixxviii.

Trust in

", 4^

35, 220, 221, 231, 239,

248, 267, 326, 352, 31, 70, 126, 184,

156, 41^.

Strength \ 217, 248, jj, 70, 73, 8g,

103, 175^ 304, 343^ 39S, 489, 544-

Stronghold

xli.

Tristichs, xlvi.

279, 395, 424, 454^ 515-

Unity of

265, /^6, 228^ ^04.

Israel, 475.
7I1

Strophes, xlv.

Upright,

Succoth, 59.

Uprightness % 223, 226, 286,

59.

Supplication, 246, 249, 261, 237, 436,

Vengeance %

464, S04.
Synagogues, /j/.

288, 310, 543,

Version, Aramaic, xxxii.

,

Armenian,

Authorized,

Bohairic, xxvii.

Coptic, xxvii.

Douay,

Temple, 39, 90, 113, 142, 211, 234,

Ethiopic, xxviii.

236, 238, 254, 271, 319, 368, 371,

Genevan,

Gothic, xxvii.

Jerome, xxxi.

Jewish Pub. Soc, ex.

Peshitto, XXX.

Revised,

Sahidic, xxvii.

Septuagint, xxv.

Targum,

xxxii.

Teacher \ 222, 224, 28gy 420^ 430,

517-

Te Deum,

183.

395. 399. ^2, IS, 73^ 81, go, g7, loi,

103, 118, 146, 133, igi, jg8, 226,

285^ 303-4, 311, 401, 407, 449, 477>

47g, 488,543Testimonies, 168, 173, 413, 471.

Testing men, 90, 106, 129, 231, 235,

8g.

Tetrameters,

xlii.

Tetrastichs, xlvi.

Thanksgiving, 236, 262, 286, 307, 9J,

117, 128, j6i, 284, 2g4, 311, 343,
offering, 199, 240, 419, 33, 361,

400.
sq.,

416

sq.,

96

sq.,

174-3, 212, 303, 310, 320, 3gi.

237,

302

'\ 90,
sq.,

255, 289, 387, 399, 26,

303, 327, 38g, 431, 472.

Ixxviii.

Titles Pss., Ivii sq.

Tones,

Tower

cix.

cix.

Slavonic, xxvii.

Zurich, cix.

Latin, xxvii.

Metrical, ex.
178,

180, 240, 249,

290, 378, 399, ^7, 60, 63, 155,307*

4o(>,

Theophanies, 142

Timbrel,

cix.

Victory, 148 sq.,

348, 371, 449, 482, 502, 515.

Throne of

cix.

Versions, Greek, xxix,

Text, xxii sq.

Thank

xxviii.

531, 542.

Violence, 143, 157,

Voice

',

252-3.

Voices, singing, Ixxvi sq.

Votive offerings, 206, 419, JJ, 5/, 90,

400.

Vows,

66, 67, 168.

xxxviii, xliii, Ixxiv sq.

-,

395, 402, 33, 6g, 321.

Transgression, 44, 315.

Wait on

% 242, 272, 291, 326, 352,

12, 15, 1 15-16, 465.

INDEX

572

Walk, 231, 234, jj, 213, 22g, 314, 3gg,

4ig, 460.

Wash from

Way

of %

Wrath
sin, 5.

8, 156,

Whole burnt

275*319-

offerings, 177,

353,418,

Wicked, 39, 42, 130.

Wisdom, 4, 334, 407, 33b, 383, 46S.
82, 128, 161,

//j-,

183,

186, 236, 24s, 303, 307, 343, 34g,

351^ 359* 3S3* 479* 482, 326,
Word of Law, 413.

Words

',

75".

34, 186, 188, igg, 246, 264,

241, 213, 419^517-

9,90.

Wonders \

Worship, 252,

292, 420, 212.

Yah,

Ixx.

Yahwehy

Ixx.

Zedek,

406.

Zion, 26 15, 21, 74, 108, 179,401, 416,

loi, i20y 132, 166, igi, 23g sq., 306,

308, 320, 377, 38g, 407, 434, 436,

462, 472, 476, 477, 480, 483, 332,

53(^*542.

Briggs, C. A.
Book of Psalms.

BS
if91

.16

V.15
Pt.II