The Grammar and Meaning of Ps. 67:3

Alternate title: "The Translation 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.

Purpose/result clause:

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

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

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

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

Circumstantial clause:

5. Circumstantial
Knowing - your way - on earth

References

67:3