The Grammar and Meaning of Ps. 67:3

Introduction

Translators and interpreters have differed in their understanding of the syntax and semantics of Psalm 67:3, especially the first word לָדַ֣עַת. These differences change how one understands the relationship between verses 2-4, with implications for how we understand the Psalm as a whole.

The text is as follows:

2 ‏ אֱלֹהִ֗ים יְחָנֵּ֥נוּ וִֽיבָרְכֵ֑נוּ| May God be gracious to us and bless us.
יָ֤אֵ֥ר פָּנָ֖יו אִתָּ֣נוּ סֶֽלָה׃ | May he make his face shine on us {selah},

3 לָדַ֣עַת בָּאָ֣רֶץ דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ | ? to know ? your way on earth,
בְּכָל־גּ֝וֹיִ֗ם יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ׃ | your salvation among all nations.

4 יוֹד֖וּךָ עַמִּ֥ים ׀ אֱלֹהִ֑ים | Let the peoples praise you, O God.
י֝וֹד֗וּךָ עַמִּ֥ים כֻּלָּֽם׃ | Let the peoples praise you, all of them.

Five Options:

There are five main options for rendering this verse. Four of them read לָדַ֣עַת as introducing a purpose/result clause continuing v.2, and one of them as a circumstantial clause prefacing v.4.

These options, illustrated by modern translations, are as follows:

Purpose/result clause:

1. “Us” as subject
We will know - your way - on earth

• Douay: That we may know thy way upon earth, thy salvation in all nations.

2. “Way” as subject
Your way - be made known - on earth

• ESV: that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

3. “Earth” as subject
The earth - will know - your way

• NJB: Then the earth will acknowledge your ways, and all nations your power to save.

4. Preserve ambiguity
To know - your way - on earth

• Robert Alter: to know on the earth Your way, among all the nations Your rescue

Circumstantial clause:

5. Circumstantial
Knowing - your way - on earth

• Marvin Tate (WBC): Knowing your way on the earth, your saving-work among all the nations,
  

In the following argument maps we will first address the issue of whether לָדַעַת here should be read as a introducing a purpose/result clause or as a circumstantial clause. Then we will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the four purpose/result clause options.

References

67:3