The Syntax and Meaning of Ps 49:16: Difference between revisions

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===''Contra'' the MT (preferred)===
===''Contra'' the MT (preferred)===
Although in v. 16 the MT places ''atnah'' after "Sheol", some scholars and translations divide it after "my soul". For example, Dahood renders this verse as follows, "But God will ransom me, from the power of Sheol Will he surely snatch me". (cf. NLT; GNT; CEV; NEB/REB; etc.)<ref>Dahood 1966, 301.</ref> He explains the significance of this punctuation and the link of  מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל to כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי as follows, "The  correct  stichometric  division  is  owed to  the  Ugaritic  specialists,  who  identified  in  ''ki  yiqqaheni'' the  emphasizing  particle  ''ki''  which  often  causes  the  postposition  of  the  verb.  Thus  in his  Ugaritic  Grammar  (Rome,  1940),  p.  54,  C.  H.  Gordon  listed  the present  passage  among  those  exhibiting  the  syntactic  phenomenon  placed in  such  clear  light  by,  e.g.,  UT,  62:1:14-15,  ''lktp  ‘nt  ktsth'',  “Upon the shoulders  of  Anath  she  surely  puts  him.”  This  usage  is  attested  five times  in  the  Bible  and  not  once  was  it  correctly  understood  by  any  of the  ancient  versions.  Though  widely  accepted  today  for  the  present  passage  (see  Muilenburg, HUCA  32  [1961],  135-60,  especially  p. 143; Brekelmans, Ras  Sjamra  en  het  Oude  Testament,  p.  10),  this  analysis seems  to  have  escaped  J. van  der  Ploeg  in  his  long  study, "Notes  sur  le Psaume  xlix,"  in  Studies  on  Psalms  (Oudtestamentische  Studien,  XIII; Leiden,  1963),  pp.  137-72,  especially  p. 158."
Although the MT places ''atnah'' after "Sheol" in v. 16b, some scholars and translations divide it after "my soul". For example, Dahood renders this verse as "But God will ransom me, from the power of Sheol Will he surely snatch me" (cf. NLT; GNT; CEV; NEB/REB; etc.).<ref>Dahood 1966, 301.</ref> He explains the significance of this punctuation and the link of  מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל to כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי as follows, "The  correct  stichometric  division  is  owed to  the  Ugaritic  specialists,  who  identified  in  ''ki  yiqqaheni'' the  emphasizing  particle  ''ki''  which  often  causes  the  postposition  of  the  verb.  Thus  in his  Ugaritic  Grammar  (Rome,  1940),  p.  54,  C.  H.  Gordon  listed  the present  passage  among  those  exhibiting  the  syntactic  phenomenon  placed in  such  clear  light  by,  e.g.,  UT,  62:1:14-15,  ''lktp  ‘nt  ktsth'',  'Upon the shoulders  of  Anath  she  surely  puts  him.'"<ref>Dahood 1966, 301.</ref> The asseverative use of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew is well established<ref> See Muraoka 1985, 158–64. JM §164, 165a, e; IBHS §39.3.4e.</ref> and is widely accepted for Ps 49:16.<ref>Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343, 521.</ref> 
 
Among recent commentators, Kraus, Psalmen, I, pp. 362 f., gives the correct explanation, but recent translations have not been alive to this syntactic refinement. What the psalmist is professing is his firm conviction that God will take him to himself, just as he took Enoch and Elijah; in other words, he is stating his belief in “assumption.” Most commentators find this meaning in the psalmist’s words; for a full listing, see Van der Ploeg, Studies on Psalms, p. 163.  Consult Robert Martin-Achard, De la mort a la resurrection (Neuchatel, 1956), pp. 56 ff.  
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===

Revision as of 07:17, 16 December 2024

Introduction

The MT of Ps 49:16 reads as follows:[1]

אַךְ־אֱלֹהִ֗ים יִפְדֶּ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃

This verse deals with the posthumous fate of the righteous speaker in contrast to the lot of the foolish, self-reliant rich, and is variously represented among modern translations. For example:

  • But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah (NASB)
  • But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death. (GNT)
  • But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. (NIV)
  • God will ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol when he shall take me. Selah (JUB)

These translations indicate that there are two main difficulties in the interpretation of v. 16.

  1. One difficulty is related to the MT's punctuation of v. 16. The difficulty here is that in the second half of this verse (v. 16b), the MT places atnah after "Sheol". Some modern translations follow this punctuation, seeing v. 16a as a case of "enjambment", a device, whereby a poetic thought spills over across two or more lines without a pause. Others, however, ignore atnah, rendering this verse as, "But God will ransom me, from the power of Sheol Will he surely snatch me".[2]
  2. Another challenging point is the function of כי in v. 16b. Some read it as "for/because", thus subordinating v. 16b to v. 16a, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV). Some take it temporally, i.e., as "when" (e.g., JUB; WYC; etc.). Yet others take כי as the emphatic "surely", rendering the verse as, "But God will save me from the place of the dead. He will certainly take me to himself" (NIRV).

Argument Maps

Line Division of v. 16

Following the MT

In the second half of this verse (v. 16b), the MT places atnah after "Sheol". Some modern translations follow this punctuation, seeing v. 16a as a case of "enjambment", a device, whereby a poetic thought spills over across two or more lines without a pause.[3] For example, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me" (NASB; cf. NIV; NET; ESV; JPS 1985; NRSV; WYC; Luther 2017; NGÜ; ELB; EÜ; RVR95; NVI; BTX4; DHH; NBS; S21; PDV; BDS; NVSR; NRT; RST; UKR; BULG; etc.).


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[Following the MT]: "But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me" (NASB).#dispreferred
 + <MT's Punctuation>: The MT places atnah after "Sheol".#dispreferred
  + [Evidence 1]: אַךְ־אֱלֹהִ֗ים יִפְדֶּ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִֽיַּד־שְׁאֹ֑ול כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃.#dispreferred
 + <Enjambment>: MT uses a literary device, whereby a poetic thought spills over across two or more lines without a pause (Raabe 1990, 81 :M:).#dispreferred
 + <Ancient Witnesses>: Some ancient witnesses support the reading of כִּי as temporal, which would support the MT's atnah after "Sheol".#dispreferred 
  + [E.g., LXX]: The LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses. "On the other hand, God will ransom my soul from Hades’ hand, when he receives me. Interlude on strings" (NETS).#dispreferred
  + [E.g., Vulg.]: The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.#dispreferred
 - <Ancient Versions>: Some ancient witnesses appear to support the MT.
  + [Peshitta]: ܐܠܗܐ ܢܦܪܩܝܗܿ ܠܢܦܫܝ ܘܡܢ ܐܝܕܐ ܕܫܝܘܠ ܢܣܩܢܝ܂/"God will save me; he will bring me up from the power of Sheol" (Taylor 2020).   
 + <External Evidence>: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase "the power of Sheol" is used in conjunction with the verb "to redeem"/פדה. #dispreferred
  + [Hos 13:14a]: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave/מִיַּ֤ד שְׁאֹול֙ אֶפְדֵּ֔ם..." #dispreferred


Argument Mapn0Following the MT"But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me" (NASB).n1Evidence 1אַךְ־אֱלֹהִ֗ים יִפְדֶּ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִֽיַּד־שְׁאֹ֑ול כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃.n6MT's PunctuationThe MT places atnah after "Sheol".n1->n6n2E.g., LXXThe LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses. "On the other hand, God will ransom my soul from Hades’ hand, when he receives me. Interlude on strings" (NETS).n8Ancient WitnessesSome ancient witnesses support the reading of כִּי as temporal, which would support the MT's atnah after "Sheol".n2->n8n3E.g., Vulg.The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.n3->n8n4Peshittaܐܠܗܐ ܢܦܪܩܝܗܿ ܠܢܦܫܝ ܘܡܢ ܐܝܕܐ ܕܫܝܘܠ ܢܣܩܢܝ܂/"God will save me; he will bring me up from the power of Sheol" (Taylor 2020). n9Ancient VersionsSome ancient witnesses appear to support the MT.n4->n9n5Hos 13:14a"I will ransom them from the power of the grave/מִיַּ֤ד שְׁאֹול֙ אֶפְדֵּ֔ם..." n10External EvidenceIn the Hebrew Bible, the phrase "the power of Sheol" is used in conjunction with the verb "to redeem"/פדה. n5->n10n6->n0n7EnjambmentMT uses a literary device, whereby a poetic thought spills over across two or more lines without a pause (Raabe 1990, 81 🄼).n7->n0n8->n0n9->n0n10->n0


Contra the MT (preferred)

Although the MT places atnah after "Sheol" in v. 16b, some scholars and translations divide it after "my soul". For example, Dahood renders this verse as "But God will ransom me, from the power of Sheol Will he surely snatch me" (cf. NLT; GNT; CEV; NEB/REB; etc.).[4] He explains the significance of this punctuation and the link of מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל to כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי as follows, "The correct stichometric division is owed to the Ugaritic specialists, who identified in ki yiqqaheni the emphasizing particle ki which often causes the postposition of the verb. Thus in his Ugaritic Grammar (Rome, 1940), p. 54, C. H. Gordon listed the present passage among those exhibiting the syntactic phenomenon placed in such clear light by, e.g., UT, 62:1:14-15, lktp ‘nt ktsth, 'Upon the shoulders of Anath she surely puts him.'"[5] The asseverative use of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew is well established[6] and is widely accepted for Ps 49:16.[7]


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[''Contra'' the MT]: But God will save my life and will take me from the grave (NCV). 
 - <Ancient Witnesses>: Give reasoning here.#dispreferred
  + [Evidence 1a]: Cite evidence here.#dispreferred
 + <LXX?>: Give reasoning here.
  + [Evidence 1ab]: Cite evidence here.
 + <Biblical Usage of "To Take">: In the Hebrew Bible, the verb לקח represents divinely-assisted transition from this life to the afterlife.
  + [Evidence 1]: Gen v 24; II Kings ii 3, 5, 9; Sirach xiii 15, xlviii 9; as well as in Ps lxxiii 24.
 + <Ugaritic Usage>: In Ugaritic texts, the verb lqh appears in a similar death-related context (Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:).
  + [UT, 2059:21-22]: wklhm bd rb tmtt lqht/“And I snatched all of them from the hand(s) of the Master of Death (= Mot)” (Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:).
 + <Placement of כי>: A similar syntax is found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible (Krause 1984, 480 :C:; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 :M:). 
  + [Ps 128:2a]: "You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB). 


Argument Mapn0''Contra'' the MTBut God will save my life and will take me from the grave (NCV). n1Evidence 1aCite evidence here.n6Ancient WitnessesGive reasoning here.n1->n6n2Evidence 1abCite evidence here.n7LXX?Give reasoning here.n2->n7n3Evidence 1Gen v 24; II Kings ii 3, 5, 9; Sirach xiii 15, xlviii 9; as well as in Ps lxxiii 24.n8Biblical Usage of "To Take"In the Hebrew Bible, the verb לקח represents divinely-assisted transition from this life to the afterlife.n3->n8n4UT, 2059:21-22wklhm bd rb tmtt lqht/“And I snatched all of them from the hand(s) of the Master of Death (= Mot)” (Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲).n9Ugaritic UsageIn Ugaritic texts, the verb lqh appears in a similar death-related context (Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲).n4->n9n5Ps 128:2a"You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB). n10Placement of כיA similar syntax is found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible (Krause 1984, 480 🄲; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 🄼). n5->n10n6->n0n7->n0n8->n0n9->n0n10->n0


The Meaning and Function of כִּי

"Because"

Some modern translations read the conjunction כִּי as "for" or "because", thus subordinating v. 16b to v. 16a. For example, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV; cf. ESV; JPS 1985; NRSV; RVR95; BTX4; NBS; BDS; UKR; BULG; etc.).


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[כִּי as "because"]: "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV).#dispreferred
 + <The Function of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew>: The particle may be used with a meaning "because", introducing causal clauses (HALOT, 470 :L:) and makes sense contextually.#dispreferred
  + [Ps 49:16]: "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV; cf. ESV; JPS 1985; NRSV; RVR95; BTX4; NBS; BDS; UKR; BULG; etc.).#dispreferred
 - <Ancient Versions>: VSS do not support the reading of כִּי as because.#dispreferred 
  + [E.g., LXX]: The LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.#dispreferred
  + [E.g., Vulg.]: The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.#dispreferred
 - <Other Uses of כִּי>: The particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 :M:; JM §164, 165a, e :G:; IBHS §39.3.4e :G:).
  + [Asseverative Use of כִּי]: Gen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19;
Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 :M:; Muilenburg 1961, 143 :A:; Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:).
   + [Asseverative כִּי]: It is widely accepted for Ps 49:16 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 :M:; Muilenburg 1961, 143 :A:; Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:; Krause 1988, 480 :C:).
 - <The Placement of כִּי>: For the emphasizing purpose, in poetic texts, the particle can be directly fixed to the predicate (e.g., Ps 77:12; Isa 32:13) (Muraoka 1985, 163 :M:). 
  + [Ps 128:2a]: "You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1988, 480 :C:; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 :M:).
 - <Syntax>: Clause initial אַךְ in v. 16a and מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל in v. 16b are also emphatic.


Argument Mapn0כִּי as "because""But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV).n1Ps 49:16"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me" (NKJV; cf. ESV; JPS 1985; NRSV; RVR95; BTX4; NBS; BDS; UKR; BULG; etc.).n7The Function of כִּי in Biblical HebrewThe particle may be used with a meaning "because", introducing causal clauses (HALOT, 470 🄻) and makes sense contextually.n1->n7n2E.g., LXXThe LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.n8Ancient VersionsVSS do not support the reading of כִּי as because.n2->n8n3E.g., Vulg.The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.n3->n8n4Asseverative Use of כִּיGen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19; Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 🄼; Muilenburg 1961, 143 🄰; Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲).n9Other Uses of כִּיThe particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 🄼; JM §164, 165a, e 🄶; IBHS §39.3.4e 🄶).n4->n9n5Asseverative כִּיIt is widely accepted for Ps 49:16 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 🄼; Muilenburg 1961, 143 🄰; Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲; Krause 1988, 480 🄲).n5->n4n6Ps 128:2a"You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1988, 480 🄲; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 🄼).n10The Placement of כִּיFor the emphasizing purpose, in poetic texts, the particle can be directly fixed to the predicate (e.g., Ps 77:12; Isa 32:13) (Muraoka 1985, 163 🄼). n6->n10n7->n0n8->n0n9->n0n10->n0n11SyntaxClause initial אַךְ in v. 16a and מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל in v. 16b are also emphatic.n11->n0


"When"

Some modern translations read כִּי as "when", as for example WYC, which renders v. 16 as "Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me" (cf. JUB; NRT; RST; etc.).


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[כִּי as "when"]: "Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me" (WYC).#dispreferred
 + <The Function of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew>: The particle may be used temporally (JM §166o :G:) and makes sense contextually.#dispreferred
  + [Ps 49:16]: "Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me" (cf. JUB; NRT; RST; etc.).#dispreferred
 - <Other Uses of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew>: The particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 :M:; JM §164, 165a, e :G:; IBHS §39.3.4e :G:).
  + [Asseverative Use of כִּי]: Gen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19;
Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 :M:; Muilenburg 1961, 143 :A:; Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:).
  + [Ps 128:2a]: "You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1984, 480 :C:; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 :M:).
 + <Ancient Versions>: Some versions support the reading of כִּי as "when".#dispreferred
  + [E.g., LXX]: The LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.#dispreferred
  + [E.g., Vulg.]: The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0כִּי as "when""Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me" (WYC).n1Ps 49:16"Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me" (cf. JUB; NRT; RST; etc.).n6The Function of כִּי in Biblical HebrewThe particle may be used temporally (JM §166o 🄶) and makes sense contextually.n1->n6n2Asseverative Use of כִּיGen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19; Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 🄼; Muilenburg 1961, 143 🄰; Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲).n7Other Uses of כִּי in Biblical HebrewThe particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 🄼; JM §164, 165a, e 🄶; IBHS §39.3.4e 🄶).n2->n7n3Ps 128:2a"You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1984, 480 🄲; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 🄼).n3->n7n4E.g., LXXThe LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.n8Ancient VersionsSome versions support the reading of כִּי as "when".n4->n8n5E.g., Vulg.The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.n5->n8n6->n0n7->n0n8->n0


"Surely" (preferred)

Others take כִּי as the emphatic "surely", rendering the verse as, "But God will save me from the place of the dead. He will certainly take me to himself" (NIRV; cf. NIV; NET; EÜ; S21; NFC; PDV; etc.). The asseverative כִּי has received much attention[8] and is widely accepted for Ps 49:16.[9].


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[כִּי as "surely"]: "But God will save me from the place of the dead. He will certainly take me to himself" (NIRV).
 - <Ancient Versions>: VSS do not support the reading of כִּי as emphatic.#dispreferred 
  + [E.g., LXX]: The LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.#dispreferred
  + [E.g., Vulg.]: The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.#dispreferred
 + <Comparative Evidence>: In Ugaritic, this particle can also be used emphatically (Gordon 1940, 54 :G:).
  + [UT,  62:1:14-15]: "Upon  the shoulders  of  Anath  she  surely  puts  him"/''lktp  ‘nt  ktsth'' (Gordon 1940, 54 :G:).
 + <The Function of כִּי in Biblical Hebrew>: The particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 :M:; JM §164, 165a, e :G:; IBHS §39.3.4e :G:).
  + [Asseverative Use of כִּי]: Gen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19;
Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 :M:; Muilenburg 1961, 143 :A:; Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:).
   + [Asseverative כִּי]: It is widely accepted for Ps 49:16 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 :M:; Muilenburg 1961, 143 :A:; Dahood 1966, 301-302 :C:; Krause 1988, 480 :C:).
 + <The Placement of כִּי>: For the emphasizing purpose, in poetic texts, the particle can be directly fixed to the predicate (e.g., Ps 77:12; Isa 32:13) (Muraoka 1985, 163 :M:). 
  + [Ps 128:2a]: "You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1988, 480 :C:; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 :M:).
 + <Syntax>: Clause initial אַךְ in v. 16a and מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל in v. 16b are also emphatic.


Argument Mapn0כִּי as "surely""But God will save me from the place of the dead. He will certainly take me to himself" (NIRV).n1E.g., LXXThe LXX uses όταν/when/whenever used to introduce conditional or temporal clauses.n7Ancient VersionsVSS do not support the reading of כִּי as emphatic.n1->n7n2E.g., Vulg.The Vulg. uses cum/when/since/while.n2->n7n3UT,  62:1:14-15"Upon  the shoulders  of  Anath  she surely  puts  him"/''lktp  ‘nt ktsth'' (Gordon 1940, 54 🄶).n8Comparative EvidenceIn Ugaritic, this particle can also be used emphatically (Gordon 1940, 54 🄶).n3->n8n4Asseverative Use of כִּיGen 22:17; Deut 2:7; 1 Sam 26:16; Isa 1:27, 29–30; 7:15–16; Jer 22:5, 24; 31:18–19; Amos 4:2; 77:12; Lam 3:22 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 🄼; Muilenburg 1961, 143 🄰; Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲).n9The Function of כִּי in Biblical HebrewThe particle may have a asseverative-emphatic use; "it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” (Muraoka 1985, 158–64 🄼; JM §164, 165a, e 🄶; IBHS §39.3.4e 🄶).n4->n9n5Asseverative כִּיIt is widely accepted for Ps 49:16 (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343 🄼; Muilenburg 1961, 143 🄰; Dahood 1966, 301-302 🄲; Krause 1988, 480 🄲).n5->n4n6Ps 128:2a"You will surely eat what your hands have worked for/יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל..." (HCSB; cf. CSB; Krause 1988, 480 🄲; vad der Lugt 2007, 70 🄼).n10The Placement of כִּיFor the emphasizing purpose, in poetic texts, the particle can be directly fixed to the predicate (e.g., Ps 77:12; Isa 32:13) (Muraoka 1985, 163 🄼). n6->n10n7->n0n8->n0n9->n0n10->n0n11SyntaxClause initial אַךְ in v. 16a and מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל in v. 16b are also emphatic.n11->n0


Conclusion (B)

On balance, reading "from the power of Sheol" with v. 16b and כִּי as representing emphasis, e.g., "surely" is preferable. Such line division a.) makes most sense contextually; b.) has version support (Syr.); c.) reflects the usage of לקח elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Gen 5:24; 2 Kgs 2:3, 5, 9, 10) and in extrabiblical sources (...); and d.) is well presented among modern translations. The asseverative use of כִּי/"surely" has good support from a.) internal and external biblical evidence; and b.) context. At this juncture in the psalm, the psalmist seems to be indicating that he will be like one of those privileged individuals whom God "took" from life—e.g., Enoch and Elijah (Gen 5:24; 2 Kgs 2:3, 5, 9, 10). "In light of broader OT usage, this 'taking' will be a rescuing from this-worldly trouble (cf. Ps. 18:16 [17]; Ezek. 36:24; 37:21), a rescuing from the threat of Sheol or from the way death can get its clutches on us in life (cf. 16:10; 18:5 [6]; 30:3 [4])."[10]

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX
    • πλὴν ὁ θεὸς λυτρώσεται τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐκ χειρὸς ᾅδου, ὅταν λαμβάνῃ με. διάψαλμα[11]
      • On the other hand, God will ransom my soul from Hades’ hand, when he receives me. Interlude on strings. (NETS)
  • Peshitta
    • ܐܠܗܐ ܢܦܪܩܝܗܿ ܠܢܦܫܝ ܘܡܢ ܐܝܕܐ ܕܫܝܘܠ ܢܣܩܢܝ܂[12]
      • God will save me[13]; he will bring me up from the power[14] of Sheol.[15]
  • Jerome (Iuxta LXX)
    • verumtamen Deus redimet animam meam de manu inferi cum acceperit me DIAPSALMA[16]
  • Jerome (Iuxta Hebr)
    • verumtamen Deus redimet animam meam de manu inferi cum adsumpserit me SEMPER[17]
  • Targum
    • אמר דוד ברוח נבואה ברם אלהא יפרוק נפשי מן דין גהנם ארום ילפינני אוריתיה לעלמין \/ודברינני לחולקיה לעלמא דאתי#1#/׃ [18]
      • David said through the spirit of prophecy[19] “But God will redeem[20] my soul from the judgment of Gehenna,[21] for he will teach me his Law.” For ever.[22]

Modern

Following the MT

  • But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. (NIV)
  • But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah) (NET)
  • But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (ESV)
  • But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah (JPS 1985)
  • But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (NRSV)
  • Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me.[23] (WYC)
  • Aber Gott wird mich erlösen aus des Todes Gewalt; denn er nimmt mich auf. Sela (Luther 2017)
  • Mich aber wird Gott erlösen und den Klauen des Todes entreißen, er wird mich zu sich holen und bei sich aufnehmen.[24] (NGÜ)
  • Gott aber wird mein Leben [25] erlösen von der Gewalt des Scheols; denn er wird mich aufnehmen[26]. (ELB)
  • Doch Gott wird mich auslösen aus der Gewalt der Unterwelt, ja, er nimmt mich auf. [Sela] (EÜ)
  • Pero Dios redimirá mi vida del poder del seol, porque él me tomará consigo. Selah (RVR95)
  • Pero Dios me rescatará de las garras de la muerte[27] y con él me llevará. Selah (NVI)
  • Pero Elohim redimirá mi alma de la mano del Seol, Porque me llevará consigo. Selah (BTX4)
  • Pero Dios me salvará del poder de la muerte, pues me llevará con él. (DHH)
  • [28]Mais Dieu me libérera du séjour des morts, car il me prendra. Pause (NBS)
  • Mais Dieu rachètera mon âme du séjour des morts, oui, il me prendra. – Pause. (S21)
  • Mais Dieu rachètera ma vie au pouvoir de la mort, oui, il me délivrera. (PDV)
  • Mais Dieu me délivrera ╵du séjour des morts, car il me prendra. Pause (BDS)
  • Mais Dieu libérera mon âme du séjour des morts, Car il me prendra[29]. Pause. (NVSR)
  • Но мою жизнь[30] искупит Бог от власти мира мертвых, когда примет меня к Себе. Пауза (NRT)
  • Но Бог избавит душу мою от власти преисподней, когда примет меня. (RST)
  • Та визволить Бог мою душу із влади шеолу, бо Він мене візьме! Села. (UKR)
  • Но Бог ще изкупи душата ми от силата на преизподнята. Защото ще ме приеме. (Села) (BULG)

TOB

Contra the MT

  • But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude (NLT)
  • But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death. (GNT)
  • But God will rescue me from the power of death. (CEV)
  • But God will ransom my life, he will take me from the power of Sheol. (NEB)
  • But God will ransom my life and take me from the power of Sheol. [Selah (REB)
  • (But God shall redeem my soul; and he shall take me away from the power of Sheol, or the power of death. (WYC)
  • Ich bin gewiss: Gott wird mich erlösen, er wird mich den Klauen des Todes entreißen. (HFA)
  • Mein Leben aber – Gott selbst kauft es frei; aus den Krallen des Todes reißt er mich heraus! (GNB)
  • Gott aber wird mein Leben loskaufen, aus der Gewalt des Totenreichs nimmt er mich auf. Sela (ZÜR)
  • Mais Dieu me délivrera ! Oui, il m'arrache aux griffes de la mort ! Pause (NFC)

"Because"

  • But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (ESV)
  • But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah (JPS 1985)
  • But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (NRSV)
  • Pero Dios redimirá mi vida del poder del seol, porque él me tomará consigo. Selah (RVR95)
  • Pero Elohim redimirá mi alma de la mano del Seol, Porque me llevará consigo. Selah (BTX4)
  • Mais Dieu me libérera du séjour des morts, car il me prendra. Pause (NBS)
  • Mais Dieu me délivrera ╵du séjour des morts, car il me prendra. Pause (BDS)
  • Та визволить Бог мою душу із влади шеолу, бо Він мене візьме! Села. (UKR)
  • Но Бог ще изкупи душата ми от силата на преизподнята. Защото ще ме приеме. (Села) (BULG)

"When"

  • Surely God will ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol when he shall take me. Selah. (JUB)
  • Nevertheless God shall again-buy my soul from the power of hell; when he shall take me.[31] (WYC)
  • Но мою жизнь[32] искупит Бог от власти мира мертвых, когда примет меня к Себе. Пауза (NRT)
  • Но Бог избавит душу мою от власти преисподней, когда примет меня. (RST)

"Surely"

  • But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. (NIV)
  • But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah) (NET)
  • Doch Gott wird mich auslösen aus der Gewalt der Unterwelt, ja, er nimmt mich auf. [Sela] (EÜ)
  • Mais Dieu rachètera mon âme du séjour des morts, oui, il me prendra. – Pause. (S21)
  • Mais Dieu me délivrera ! Oui, il m'arrache aux griffes de la mort ! Pause (NFC)
  • Mais Dieu rachètera ma vie au pouvoir de la mort, oui, il me délivrera. (PDV)

Secondary Literature

Barthélemy, Dominique. 2005. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. vol. 4: Psaumes. Fribourg, Switzerland: Academic Press.
Briggs, Charles Augustus and Emilie Grace Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. vol. 2. ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
Clifford, Richard. 2002. Psalm 1-72. Abingdon Old Testament commentaries Nashville, TN: Abington Press.
Craigie, Peter C., and Marvin E. Tate. 1983. 2nd ed. Psalms 1–50. vol. 19. WBC. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Dahood, Mitchell. 1966. Psalms. Vol. 1. Anchor Bible Commentary. New York: Doubleday.
DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner. 2014. The Book of Psalms. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Delitzsch, Franz. 1883. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms. vol. 1. Translated by Eaton David. New York, NY: Funk and Wagnalls.
Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. 2015. On Biblical Poetry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ewald, Heinrich. 1866. Die Dichter des Alten Bundes. Göttingen : Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
Fohrer, G. 1993. Psalmen. Berlin: De Gruyter.
Goldingay, John. 2007. Psalms 42–89. vol. 2. BCOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Goulder, Michael D. 1982. The Psalms of the Sons of Korah. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
Gross, H. 1972. “Self-oder Fremderlösung.” Pages 65–70 in Wort, Lied und Gottesspruch: Beiträge zu Psalmen und Propheten.ed. J. Schreiner. (J. Ziegler FS). Würzburg: Echter.
Hengstenberg, Ernst Wilhelm. 1863. Commentary on the Psalms. vol. 2. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
Hitzig, Ferdinand. 1863-1865. Die Psalmen, 2 vols. Leipzig: C.F. Winter.
Kissane, Edward. 1953. The Book of Psalms. vol. 1, Westminster, MD: The Newman Press.
Koehler, Ludwig, Walter Baumgartner, and Johann J. Stamm. 2001. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Translated and edited under the supervision of Mervyn E. J. Richardson. Leiden: Brill.
Kraus, Hans-Joachim. 1972. Psalmen 1–63. BKT XV/1. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag.
Muraoka, J. 1985. Emphatic Words and Structures in Biblical Hebrew. Leiden: Brill.
Sundermeier, Th. 1993. “Erlösung oder Versöhnung: Religionsgeschichtliche Anstöße.” EvT 53: 124-146.
Taylor, Richard A. trans., 2020. The Syriac Peshitta Bible with English Translation: Psalms. ed. by George A. Kiraz and Joseph Bali. The Antioch Bible/ṢṢurath Kthobh. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias.
VanGemeren, Willem A. 1997. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Volz, Paul. 1937. “Psalm 49.” ZAW 55: 235–64.
Weiser, Artur. 1962. The Psalms. OTL. Trans. by Herbert Hartwell. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press.
Witte, Markus. 2000. "‘Aber Gott wird meine Seele erlösen.’: Tod und Leben nach Psalm XLIX.” VT 50: 540–60.

References

49:16

  1. The Hebrew text comes from OSHB.
  2. Dahood 1966, 301.
  3. Raabe 1990, 81.
  4. Dahood 1966, 301.
  5. Dahood 1966, 301.
  6. See Muraoka 1985, 158–64. JM §164, 165a, e; IBHS §39.3.4e.
  7. Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 343, 521.
  8. For bibliography, see Muraoka 1985, 158–64; JM §164, 165a, e; IBHS §39.3.4e.
  9. Cf. Muraoka’s discussion on the asseverative use of this particle כִּי: “The etymologically deducible original demonstrative force of the particle ki was still alive alongside its later specializations, and this demonstrative function is the source of its occasional asseverative-emphatic use... It is used particularly when it appears in oath formulas, and closely related to that in the apodosis of conditional sentences. Beyond these uses, it may be used for the emphasizing purpose when directly fixed to the predicate, and that almost exclusively in poetic context.” Muraoka also notes the use of the asseverative כִּי in “a climatic construction” (e.g., Ps 77:12; Isa 32:13) (Muraoka, Emphatic Words 1985, 163). In all cases, emphasis is a consequence of contextual considerations (Dobbs-Allsopp 2015, 521).
  10. Goldingay 2007, 105-106. Cf. H.W. Wolff, who states: “The overcoming of death’s agony is not manifested in any elaborate hope of the beyond, but in the calm certainty that the communion with Yahweh cannot be ended by death, because of his faithfulness" (Wolff, Anthropology of the OT [1974], 109).
  11. Rahlfs 1931.
  12. CAL.
  13. Translation note: "'me': lit. 'my soul'." (Taylor 2020, 191).
  14. Translation note: "'power': lit. 'hand'." (Taylor 2020, 191).
  15. Taylor 2020, 191.
  16. Footnote: "16 diapsalma om. RHWc." Weber-Gryson 5th edition.
  17. Footnote: "16 semper om. I". Weber-Gryson 5th edition.
  18. CAL.
  19. A note to see Introduction III.3 (Stec 2004, 103), which reads, "TgPss takes an interest in prophecy. In particular, the “spirit of prophecy” is a means of revelation associated with David (14:1; 49:16; 51:13,14; and probably also 22:27; 45:3), the sons of Korah (45:l[mss]; 46:1), Asaph (77:3; 79:1), and the prophets (68:34). Moreover, David is said to have sung a psalm in prophecy (18:1), to have spoken one in prophecy (103:1), and to have prophesied (49:17), and Solomon is said to have spoken in prophecy (72:1). Psalm 98 is described as a psalm of prophecy (98:1). The verb nb’, “prophesy” is found five times in TgPss (107:4, 10, 17, 23, 33), but not at all in the MT of the Psalms. Moreover, whereas the Hebrew noun nby’, “prophet” occurs only three times in the MT of the Psalter (51:2; 74:9; 105:15), its Aramaic equivalent is found an additional nine times in TgPss. As well as referring to prophets in general (18:17; 68:34; 74:9) or unnamed prophets (90:12; 110:7), TgPss also uses the word “prophet” in connection with particular prophets of the Bible: Moses (68:19; 90:1), Samuel (118:27), and Joel (107:33)" (Stec 2004, 5-6).
  20. "Crn, with B M Pm P 110; C P17 + yty, 'me.' This is perhaps an alternative translation to npšy, 'my soul,' which has entered the text" (Stec 2004, 103).
  21. "MT 'the power {lit. hand} of Sheol'” (Stec 2004, 103).
  22. "Following 'his Law,' and in place of 'For ever,' M P110 read 'and he will lead me to his portion in the world to come.'" (Stec 2004, 103).
  23. (But God shall redeem my soul; and he shall take me away from the power of Sheol, or the power of death.)
  24. Translation note: "Wörtlich: 'denn er wird mich wegnehmen' (od 'zu sich nehmen')."
  25. Translation note: "o. meine Seele."
  26. Translation note: "o. er wird mich ⟨dem Scheol⟩ entreißen."
  27. Translation note: "49:15 de la muerte. Lit. del Seol."
  28. Footnote:...
  29. Translation note: "prendra. On pourrait traduire aussi: car il me prendra de la main du séjour des morts."
  30. Translation note: "Или: «душу»."
  31. (But God shall redeem my soul; and he shall take me away from the power of Sheol, or the power of death.)
  32. Translation note: "Или: «душу»."