Property: Discussion
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
P
*רַבּ (v.2ab, 3a)
*שׁ (v.8c)
*a-vowels clustered at beginning of sections 1 (v.2a), 2 (v.4a), 3 (v.6a), and end of psalm (v.9)
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*תְּרֹעֵם (v.8b) – Aramaic (רעע)
*בַר (v.12a) – Aramaic
+
*“sustains me” = God empowers him to overcome this conflict
*“strike against the jaw” = indicates an aggressive action against his enemies; can be stated in a more culturally appropriate manner.
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*“tens of thousands” = hyperbole; can be translated with anything that indicates a large number (against impossible odds)
+
1 מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד בְּבָרְחוֹ מִפְּנֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם בְּנוֹ</br>
2a יְהוָה מָה־רַבּוּ צָרָי
2b רַבִּים קָמִים עָלָי
3a רַבִּים אֹמְרִים לְנַפְשִׁי
3b אֵין יְשׁוּעָתָה לּוֹ בֵֽאלֹהִים סֶלָה
4a וְאַתָּה יְהוָה מָגֵן בַּעֲדִי כְּבוֹדִי וּמֵרִים רֹאשִׁי׃
5a קוֹלִי אֶל־יְהוָה אֶקְרָא
5b וַיַּֽעֲנֵנִי מֵהַר קָדְשׁוֹ סֶלָה
6a אֲנִי שָׁכַבְתִּי וָֽאִישָׁנָה
6b הֱקִיצוֹתִי כִּי יְהוָה יִסְמְכֵנִי
7a לֹֽא־אִירָא מֵרִבְבוֹת עָם
7b אֲשֶׁר סָבִיב שָׁתוּ עָלָי
8a קוּמָה יְהוָה
8b הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי אֱלהַי
8c כִּי־הִכִּיתָ אֶת־כָּל־אֹיְבַי לֶחִי
8d שִׁנֵּי רְשָׁעִים שִׁבַּרְתָּ׃
9a לַיהוָ֥ה הַיְשׁוּעָה
9b עַל־עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָה
The length of lines 8a and 8b is, in this case, admittedly short – 8a would be the shortest in the psalm – yet not much shorter, in terms of syllables, than the lines in v. 9. The short length of v. 8a (4 syllables) falls within the range proposed by Fokkelman.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000B11-QINU`"' +
1a לָמָּה רָגְשׁוּ גוֹיִם
1b וּלְאֻמִּים יֶהְגּוּ־רִיק
2a יִ֥תְיַצְּבוּ מַלְכֵי־אֶרֶץ
2b וְרוֹזְנִים נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָחַד
2c עַל־יְהוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחוֹ
3a נְנַתְּקָה אֶת־מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ
3b וְנַשְׁלִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבֹתֵימוֹ
4a יוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק
4b אֲדֹנָי יִלְעַג־לָמוֹ
5a אָז יְדַבֵּר אֵלֵימוֹ בְאַפּוֹ
5b וּֽבַחֲרוֹנוֹ יְבַהֲלֵמוֹ
6a וַאֲנִי נָסַכְתִּי מַלְכִּי
6b עַל־צִיּוֹן הַר־קָדְשִׁי
7a אֲסַפְּרָה אֶל חֹק
7b יְהוָה אָמַר אֵלַי
7c בְּנִי אַתָּה
7d אֲנִי הַיּוֹם יְלִדְתּֽיךָ
8a שְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי
8b וְאֶתְּנָה גוֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶךָ
8c וַאֲחֻזָּתְךָ אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ
9a תְּרֹעֵם בְּשֵׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל
9b כִּכְלִי יוֹצֵר תְּנַפְּצֵם
10a וְעַתָּה מְלָכִים הַשְׂכִּילוּ
10b הִזָּסְרוּ שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ
11a עִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהוָה בְּיִרְאָה
11b וְגִילוּ בִּרְעָדָה
12a נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר
12b פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ
12c כִּֽי־יִבְעַר כִּמְעַט אַפּוֹ
12d אַשְׁרֵי כָּל־חוֹסֵי בוֹ
The division of lines in v.7 and v.12 is difficult to determine.
*'''v.7.''' There are at least two uncertainties in v.7. In the first place, does the divine name conclude the first line (as the free member of the bound phrase חֹק יְהוָה) or begin the second line as fronted subject (יְהוָה אָמַר)? The latter option presents a better parallel in terms of length: each line has three words and six syllables. It also reproduces the pattern of Ps. 2 where an agent in focus (here, ְֽיהָ֗וה) is fronted (cf. v. 4). The second uncertainty concerns whether the following verbless clause (בְּנִי אַתָּה) constitute its own line or is it to be included with the introductory words (אָמַר אֵלַי) (so Fokkelman'"`UNIQ--ref-00000001-QINU`"'). The lineation above has been adopted on the basis of the parallelism: אֲסַפְּרָה אֶל חֹק // יְהוָה אָמַר אֵלַי (note parallel prepositional phrases); בְּנִי אַתָּה // אֲנִי הַיּוֹם יְלִדְתּֽיךָ (note semantic parallelism as well as possible chiasm).
*'''v.12.''' This verse contains 5 clauses. Does each clause constitute its own line or do פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף and וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ constitute a single line? It seems likely that these two clauses form a single line for the following reasons: both are governed by the one particle פֶּן; they are coordinated by ''waw''; פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף, with only three (pre-masoretic) syllables and one accented syllable, is too short to stand on its own.
1a* אַשְׁרֵי־הָאִישׁ
1b אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים
1c וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד
1d וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב
2a כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה חֶפְצוֹ
2b וּֽבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה
3a וְהָיָה כְּעֵץ שָׁתוּל עַל־פַּלְגֵי מָיִם
3b אֲשֶׁר פִּרְיוֹ יִתֵּן בְּעִתּוֹ
3c וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא־יִבּוֹל
3d וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה יַצְלִיחַ
4a לֹא־כֵן הָרְשָׁעִים
4b כִּי אִם־כַּמֹּץ אֲֽשֶׁר־תִּדְּפֶנּוּ רוּחַ
5a עַל־כֵּן לֹא־יָקֻמוּ רְשָׁעִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּט
5b וְחַטָּאִים בַּעֲדַת צַדִּיקִים
6a כִּי־יוֹדֵעַ יְהוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ צַדִּיקִים
6b וְדֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים תֹּאבֵד +
58 words. The middle word is מַיִם. +
:'''2a''' יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי בְּךָ֣ חָסִ֑יתִי
:'''2b''' הוֹשִׁיעֵ֥נִי מִכָּל־רֹ֜דְפַ֗י וְהַצִּילֵֽנִי׃
:'''3a''' פֶּן־יִטְרֹ֣ף כְּאַרְיֵ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י
:'''3b''' פֹּ֜רֵ֗ק וְאֵ֣ין מַצִּֽיל׃
:'''4a''' יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהַי אִם־עָשִׂ֣יתִי זֹ֑את
:'''4b''' אִֽם־יֶשׁ־עָ֥וֶל בְּכַפָּֽי׃
:'''5a''' אִם־גָּ֭מַלְתִּי שֽׁוֹלְמִ֥י רָ֑ע
:'''5b''' וָאֲחַלְּצָ֖ה צוֹרְרִ֣י רֵיקָֽם׃
:'''6a''' יִֽרַדֹּ֥ף אוֹיֵ֙ב׀ נַפְשִׁ֡י
:'''6b''' וְיַשֵּׂ֗ג וְיִרְמֹ֣ס לָאָ֣רֶץ חַיָּ֑י
:'''6c''' וּכְבוֹדִ֓י׀ לֶעָפָ֖ר יַשְׁכֵּ֣ן סֶֽלָה׃
:'''7a''' ק֨וּמָ֤ה יְהוָ֙ה׀ בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ
:'''7b''' הִ֭נָּשֵׂא בְּעַבְר֣וֹת צוֹרְרָ֑י
:'''7c''' וְע֥וּרָה אֵ֜לַ֗י מִשְׁפָּ֥ט צִוִּֽיתָ׃
:'''8a''' וַעֲדַ֣ת לְ֭אֻמִּים תְּסוֹבְבֶ֑ךָּ
:'''8b''' וְ֜עָלֶ֗יהָ לַמָּר֥וֹם שֽׁוּבָה׃
:'''9a''' יְהוָה֘ יָדִ֪ין עַ֫מִּ֥ים
:'''9b''' שָׁפְטֵ֥נִי יְהוָ֑ה
:'''9c''' כְּצִדְקִ֖י וּכְתֻמִּ֣י עָלָֽי׃
:'''10a''' יִגְמָר־נָ֬א רַ֙ע׀ רְשָׁעִים֘
:'''10b '''וּתְכוֹנֵ֪ן צַ֫דִּ֥יק
:'''10c''' וּבֹחֵ֣ן לִ֭בּ֗וֹת וּכְלָי֗וֹת
:'''10d''' אֱלֹהִ֥ים צַדִּֽיק׃
:'''11a'''מָֽגִנִּ֥י עַל־אֱלֹהִ֑ים
:'''11b'''מ֜וֹשִׁ֗יעַ יִשְׁרֵי־לֵֽב׃
:'''12a'''אֱ֭לֹהִים שׁוֹפֵ֣ט צַדִּ֑יק
:'''12b'''וְ֜אֵ֗ל זֹעֵ֥ם בְּכָל־יֽוֹם׃
:'''13a''' אִם־לֹ֣א יָ֭שׁוּב חַרְבּ֣וֹ יִלְט֑וֹשׁ
:'''13b''' קַשְׁתּ֥וֹ דָ֜רַ֗ךְ וַֽיְכוֹנְנֶֽהָ׃
:'''14a''' וְ֭לוֹ הֵכִ֣ין כְּלֵי־מָ֑וֶת
:'''14b''' חִ֜צָּ֗יו לְֽדֹלְקִ֥ים יִפְעָֽל׃
:'''15a''' הִנֵּ֥ה יְחַבֶּל־אָ֑וֶן
:'''15b''' וְהָרָ֥ה עָ֜מָ֗ל וְיָ֣לַד שָֽׁקֶר׃
:'''16a''' בּ֣וֹר כָּ֭רָֽה וַֽיַּחְפְּרֵ֑הוּ
:'''16b''' וַ֜יִּפֹּ֗ל בְּשַׁ֣חַת יִפְעָֽל׃
:'''17a''' יָשׁ֣וּב עֲמָל֣וֹ בְרֹאשׁ֑וֹ
:'''17b''' וְעַ֥ל קָ֜דְקֳד֗וֹ חֲמָס֥וֹ יֵרֵֽד׃
:'''18a''' אוֹדֶ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה כְּצִדְק֑וֹ
:'''18b''' וַ֜אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה עֶלְיֽוֹן׃
*'''v.7c'''
Do these two clauses (וְע֥וּרָה אֵ֜לַ֗י / מִשְׁפָּ֥ט צִוִּֽיתָ׃) make up one line or two lines? Both the Aleppo Codex and the Leningrad Codex have a space between these clauses, suggesting a line division. Alternatively, the Greek codices, Siniaticus and Vaticanus, present these clauses as one line, which corresponds to the translation: מִשְׁפָּ֥ט is translated as an adjunct in the dative case and צִוִּֽיתָ as a relative clause (ἐξεγέρθητι... ἐν προστάγματι ᾧ ἐνετείλω).
*'''v.9bc'''
Should this line be divided after יְהוָ֑ה or after כְּצִדְקִ֖י? The accentuation (''athnah'') suggests the former; attention to parallelism (כצדקי // כתמי; possible [[#Elision|ellipsis]] of verb in v.9c: שׁפטני // [שׁוב] עלי) suggests the latter. Siniaticus and Vaticanus break after κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου (כְּצִדְקִי). But the fact that צדק appears in the b-line of the two following bicola (10b, 10d) may support grouping it with the b-line in this bicolon as well.
:2a אֲמָרַ֖י הַאֲזִ֥ינָה׀ יְהוָ֗ה
:2b בִּ֣ינָה הֲגִֽיגִי׃
:3a הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה׀ לְק֬וֹל שַׁוְעִ֗י מַלְכִּ֥י וֵאלֹהָ֑י
:3b כִּֽי־אֵ֜לֶ֗יךָ אֶתְפַּלָּֽל׃
:4a יְֽהוָ֗ה בֹּ֭קֶר תִּשְׁמַ֣ע קוֹלִ֑י
:4b בֹּ֥קֶר אֶֽעֱרָךְ־לְ֜ךָ֗ וַאֲצַפֶּֽה׃
:5a כִּ֤י׀ לֹ֤א אֵֽל־חָפֵ֨ץ רֶ֥שַׁע׀ אָ֑תָּה
:5b לֹ֖א יְגֻרְךָ֣ רָֽע׃
:6a לֹֽא־יִתְיַצְּב֣וּ הֽ֭וֹלְלִים לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑יךָ
:6b שָׂ֜נֵ֗אתָ כָּל־פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃
:7a תְּאַבֵּד֘ דֹּבְרֵ֪י כָ֫זָ֥ב
:7b אִישׁ־דָּמִ֥ים וּמִרְמָ֗ה יְתָ֨עֵ֥ב׀ יְהוָֽה׃
:8a וַאֲנִ֗י בְּרֹ֣ב חַ֭סְדְּךָ אָב֣וֹא בֵיתֶ֑ךָ
:8b אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥ה אֶל־הֵֽיכַל־קָ֜דְשְׁךָ֗ בְּיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃
:9a יְהוָ֤ה׀ נְחֵ֬נִי בְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָ
:9b לְמַ֥עַן שׁוֹרְרָ֑י
:9c הַושַׁ֖ר לְפָנַ֣י דַּרְכֶּֽךָ׃
:10a כִּ֤י אֵ֪ין בְּפִ֡יהוּ נְכוֹנָה֘
:10b קִרְבָּ֪ם הַ֫וּ֥וֹת
:10c קֶֽבֶר־פָּת֥וּחַ גְּרוֹנָ֑ם
:10d לְ֜שׁוֹנָ֗ם יַחֲלִֽיקוּן׃
:11a הַֽאֲשִׁימֵ֙ם׀ אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
:11b יִפְּלוּ֘ מִֽמֹּעֲצ֪וֹתֵ֫יהֶ֥ם
:11c בְּרֹ֣ב פִּ֭שְׁעֵיהֶם הַדִּיחֵ֑מוֹ
:11d כִּי־מָ֥רוּ בָֽךְ׃
:12a וְיִשְׂמְח֙וּ כָל־ח֪וֹסֵי בָ֡ךְ
:12b לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְ֭רַנֵּנוּ
:12c וְתָסֵ֣ךְ עָלֵ֑ימוֹ
:12d וְֽיַעְלְצ֥וּ בְ֜ךָ֗ אֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁמֶֽךָ׃
:13a כִּֽי־אַתָּה֘ תְּבָרֵ֪ךְ צַ֫דִּ֥יק
:13b יְהוָ֑ה כַּ֜צִּנָּ֗ה רָצ֥וֹן תַּעְטְרֶֽנּוּ׃
As Fokkelman notes, the lineation of this psalm varies significantly among various commentaries and translations. "The allotted number of cola ranges from 20 to 38: a shocking divergence of almost a hundred percent!"'"`UNIQ--ref-00000C3D-QINU`"' The above lineation is based primarily on syntax (1 colon = 1 clause). One exception to this rule is v.4b where וַאֲצַפֶּֽה is included with the previous clause since (1) it is only one word, (2) it is a ''weyiqtol'' form and so is closely connected to the previous clause, (3) there is neither a strong disjunctive accent nor a pause with לְךָ. The other exception is v.9, in which the first clause divides into two cola. The three-fold division of this verse is marked by three pausal forms.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000C3E-QINU`"' Fokkelman arrives at the same conclusion for v.9, though by reasons of length rather than pausal forms. "In v.9, the A-colon, consisting of ten-syllables, is already so long that the next two words (five syllables) cannot be added on."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000C3F-QINU`"' The result is a 31 line poem. Fokkelman himself comes out with 32 lines, since he proceeds to divide v.6 also into a tricolon "for the sake of consistency."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000C40-QINU`"' However, his decision to divide v.9 into three lines is not well founded. It is based on length, whereas the length of lines in this psalm is far from uniform (4-14/15 syllables).
:2a יְהוָ֤ה אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ
:2b מָֽה־אַדִּ֣יר שִׁ֭מְךָ בְּכָל־הָאָ֑רֶץ
:2c אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּנָ֥ה ה֜וֹדְךָ֗ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
:3a מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘
:3b יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ
:3c לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֜וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃
:4a כִּֽי־אֶרְאֶ֣ה שָׁ֭מֶיךָ מַעֲשֵׂ֣י אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ
:4b יָרֵ֥חַ וְ֜כוֹכָבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה׃
:5a מָֽה־אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי־תִזְכְּרֶ֑נּוּ
:5b וּבֶן־אָ֜דָ֗ם כִּ֣י תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ׃
:6a וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ מְּ֭עַט מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים
:6b וְכָב֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ׃
:7a תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָדֶ֑יךָ
:7b כֹּ֜ל שַׁ֣תָּה תַֽחַת־רַגְלָֽיו׃
:8a צֹנֶ֣ה וַאֲלָפִ֣ים כֻּלָּ֑ם
:8b וְ֜גַ֗ם בַּהֲמ֥וֹת שָׂדָֽי׃
:9a צִפּ֣וֹר שָׁ֭מַיִם וּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם
:9b עֹ֜בֵ֗ר אָרְח֥וֹת יַמִּֽים׃
:10a יְהוָ֥ה אֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ
:10b מָֽה־אַדִּ֥יר שִׁ֜מְךָ֗ בְּכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
*'''v.3.''' The Masoretic accents suggest a line division after יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז (note עולה ויורד, which is "used to mark the main verse division").'"`UNIQ--ref-00000EBF-QINU`"' This division appears to be followed by the ancient versions.</br>
:However, there is a strong argument to be made for dividing the first line of v.3 after וְֽיֹנְקִים֘ (as above) rather than after עֹז. The first line of argument is prosodic. The MT division leaves v.3a as the longest line in the psalm (14 syllables, 5 words, 5 stress units), more than twice as long as v.3b (6/2/2) and significantly longer than v.3c (9/3/3). If, however, the division is placed after ינקים, then a balanced rhythm is achieved (v.3a: 9/3/3, v.3b: 10/4/4, v.3c: 9/3/3). Note that v.3a and v.3c are identical in length (9 syllables, 3 words, 3 stress-units). This prosodic identity is reinforced by a number of other correspondences, both [[#Phonology|phonological]] ('''a''' פִּי '''b''' עוֹ '''c''' ינקים // '''a'''' בִּית '''b'''' אוֹ '''c'''' ומתנקם) and [[#Verb forms|morphological]] (participles: עֽוֹלְלִ֙ים׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֘ // א֜וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם). These parallels are brought into sharp focus when the line is divided as above (note especially the similar endings [''epiphora'']: v.3a: וְֽיֹנְקִים֘; v.3c: וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם). Similarly, there are correspondences between v.2c and v.3b. The words הוֹד (v.2c) and עז (v.3b) are connected [[#Phonology|phonologically]] as well as [[#Semantically/thematically related words|lexically]]. The two lines, furthermore, are similar in length (v.2c: 11/5/4; v.3b: 10/4/4), each having 4 stress-units. The number of correspondences among vv.2c-3c (v.2c-->v.3b; v.3a-->v.3c) suggest that these four lines together [[#Section divisions|form a section]], each half [[#Cola distribution|forming a bicolon]]. This is the way in which the rest of the psalm is structured as well (see [[#Section divisions|Section divisions]] and [[#Cohesion|Cohesion]]); lines are paired into [[#Cola distribution|bicola]], which are paired into [[#Section divisions|sections]] (quatrains). The lines of the first section (quatrain) are thus divided as follows:
{|style="text-align:right;"
|-
| מפי עוללים וינקים || // || אשׁר תנה הודך על השׁמים
|-
| להשׁבית אויב ומתנקם || // || יסדת עז למען צורריך
|}
:"The B-cola now have a word pair each; although one is in the plural and the other in the singular, together they are four collectives. Syntactically, these half-verses are no more than complements. The core clauses to which they form explanations are in the A-cola, with perfect forms in front positions [Fokkelman reads תנה as תֻּנָּה, ''pual'' perfect of תנה]. Immediately following there the subject/object, with the monosyllables הוֹד and עֹז, which correspond in sound and meaning and both honour the deity, and finally a prepositional word group."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000EC0-QINU`"'
:A significant number of modern translations have adopted this same division (AT, NEB, JB, RSV, TEV).'"`UNIQ--ref-00000EC1-QINU`"' This division between v.3a and v.3b is also presented in the Leningrad Codex (by a space in the manuscript).
:Prelude (v.2ab): Admiration
:Section 1 (vv.2c-3c): Admiration + Surprise
:Section 2 (vv.4-5): Admiration + Awe + Amazement
:Section 3 (vv.6-7): Admiration + Amazement
:Section 4 (vv.8-9): Admiration + Amazement
:Postlude (v.10): Admiration
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:Section 1 (v.2)
:Section 2 (v. 3)
:Section 3 (vv.4-5)
:Section 4 (v.6)
:Section 5 (vv.7-8)
:Section 6 (v. 9)
Key to the structure of the psalm is the recognition of the inclusions that form section 3 (vv.4-5, וּדְעוּ / וְדֹמּוּ) and section 4 (vv.7-8, רַבִּים / רַבּוּ). The latter is more obvious and has been noticed by a number of commentators. The former requires explanation. וּדעוּ is the first word of v.4, and וְדֹמּוּ is the last word of v.5. The two words are connected in the following ways.
#Morphological: ''Qal'' 2mp imperatives beginning with ''waw''; furthermore, both are irregular verbs in which one letter has been omitted.
#Phonological: both begin and end with ''waw''; both have the consonant ד
#Semantic: both are stative verbs
#Orthographic: there is only one letter difference between the two (ודעו / ודמו); the two words share 3/4 letters in common.
The binding together of vv.4-5 by inclusion is further supported by an analysis of line length (see above on [[#Other observations|Rhythm and Line Length]]), imagery (see below on [[#Figures of Speech|Figures of Speech]]), and the occurrence of ''selah'' (see [[#Selah|above]]).
The [[#Other observations|terse]] bicolon of v.6, sandwiched between the two inclusions (vv.4-5; vv.7-8), is distinguished as the center of the psalm by [[#Repeated words|lexical recursion]]. The word צדק (v.6a) appears in the first line of the psalm (v.2a), and the word בטח (v.6b) appears in the final line of the psalm (v.9c). This centrality of v.6 would appear to confirm the structure outlined above.
Once these inclusions are recognized, the rest of the sectional boundaries become apparent. The only remaining question is whether or not there is a sectional division between v.2 and v.3. The absence of a division here would lend greater symmetry to the structure of the psalm (the sections would form a chiasm with v.6 at the center). On the other hand, [[#Discontinuity & boundaries|other features]] strongly suggest a division at v.3.
The above division complements the concentric [[#Addressee change|dialogic structure]] of the psalm.
'''I.''' ADDRESS TO YAHWEH
:::'''A''' Section 1 (v.2)
'''II.''' ADDRESS TO HUMANS
::::'''B''' Section 2 (v.3)
:::::'''C''' Section 3 (vv.4-5)
::::::'''D''' Section 4 (v.6)
'''III.''' ADDRESS TO YAHWEH
:::::'''C'''' Section 5 (vv.7-8)
:::'''A''''Section 6 (v.9)
:Section 1 (vv.2-3)
:Section 2 (vv.4-5)
:Section 3 (vv.6-7)
:Section 4 (vv.8-9)
:Section 5 (vv.10-11)
:Section 6 (vv.12-13)
:Section 7 (vv.14-15)
:Section 8 (vv.16-17)
:Section 9 (vv.18-19)
:Section 10 (vv.20-21)
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:Section 1 (vv.2-3): '''Praise'''
:Section 2 (vv.4-5): '''Profession'''
:Section 3 (vv.6-7): '''Profession'''
:Section 4 (vv.8-9): '''Profession'''
:Section 5 (vv.10-11): '''Profession'''
:Section 6 (vv.12-13): '''Exhortation'''
:Section 7 (vv.14-15): '''Petition'''
:Section 8 (vv.16-17): '''Profession'''
:Section 9 (vv.18-19): '''Profession'''
:Section 10 (vv.20-21): '''Petition'''
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:Total lines: 44
:Middle lines: v.12ab.
::זַמְּר֗וּ לַ֭יהוָה יֹשֵׁ֣ב צִיּ֑וֹן // הַגִּ֥ידוּ בָ֝עַמִּ֗ים עֲלִֽילוֹתָֽיו׃
This line is marked by several features:
*2mp Imperatives (זַמְּר֗וּ // הַגִּ֥ידוּ)
*non-''qal'' verbal stems (''piel'' // ''hiphil'')
*tetragrammaton (לַיהוָה)
*cluster of repeated words in the a-line: זמר (cf. 3ab), ישׁב (cf. 8a), צִיּוֹן (cf. 15b)
*thematically important proper nouns, Yahweh and Zion.
*only unique words (not repeated) in the b-line
*alliteration in the b-line: הַ'''גִּ֥'''ידוּ בָ֝'''עַ'''מִּ֗ים '''עֲ'''לִֽילוֹתָֽיו
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:Total number of lines: 20
:Middle lines:
::וּבֶן־אָ֝דָ֗ם כִּ֣י תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ׃ (v.5b)
::וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ מְּ֭עַט מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים (v.6a)
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:Total number of words (ss excluded): 62
:Middle words: כִּ֣י תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ (v.5b)
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:Total number of words (ss excluded): 72
:Middle words: וּבֶן־אָ֜דָ֗ם
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:Total words: 142
::Total words w/''selah'': 145
:Middle words (71-72): צִיּ֑וֹן // הַגִּ֥ידוּ (v.12ab)
::Middle word w/''selah'' (73): בָ֝עַמִּ֗ים (v.12b)
The two middle words (צִיּ֑וֹן // הַגִּ֥ידוּ) correspond exactly with the psalm's [[#Middle line|middle lines]].
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