Introduction

The meaning of צְדָקָה in Ps 98.2.

The traditional MT Hebrew text of Ps 98.2 reads as follows: הוֹדִ֣יעַ יְ֭הוָה יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם גִּלָּ֥ה צִדְקָתֽוֹ׃
Among the key words of Ps 98.2, one may point the hebrew term צְדָקָה. Stigers notes rightfully “the original significance of the root ṣdq to have been ‘to be straight.’” It centers here on keeping an established norm. Nonetheless, interpreters differ in their understanding here as one can see with the renderings in different translations. The ESV, renders our hebrew term as follows:

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations

RSV prefers the following rendering:

he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations

The vast majority of French translations follow the interpretation of CEV. For example, the French TOB reads here:

aux yeux des nations il a révélé sa justice

These different interpretations come from the fact that can צְדָקָה be understood from three major perspectives. How should one therefore understand the meaning of צְדָקָה in the context of Ps 98?

Option 1: צְדָקָה as a divine ethical act, righteousness (ESV, NIV, NABS, NLT, REB)
Option 2: צְדָקָה as a divine legal act, justice (CEV, NFC, PDV, BDS, NBS, TOB, S21, NVSR)
Option 3: צְדָקָה as a divine salvific and redemptive act, vindication (RSV, NRSV)

Argument Map(s)

 
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[צְדָקָה as righteousness]: Divine and ethical act.
 + <Basic meaning of צְדָקָה>: This noun primarily signifies “righteousness” and is not a common way of communicating faith or faithfulness in the Bible, but in some places it does express such concepts. (Chris Kugler 2014 :L:).
 + <Context of general divine judgment>: Tanner and Jacobson see Psalm 98 as portraying the divine judgment as ultimate (Beth Tanner and Rolf A. Jacobson 2014: 727–728 :C:).
 + <Context of covenantal divine deeds >: Brueggemann notes that the praise here is set within the context of Israel’s history, both with the broad reference to salvation and reference to “righteousness, steadfast love, faithfulness” that are central to the covenant tradition (Jer. 9:24). (Beth Tanner and Rolf A. Jacobson 2014: 727 :C:).

 
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[צְדָקָה as justice]: Divine and legal act.
 + <Supporting argument title>: Type supporting argument here (Author Date:Page :C:).
  + <Supporting statement title>: Type supporting statement here (Author Date:Page :G:).
   + [Supporting evidence title]: List supporting evidence here.
  <_ <Undercutting statement title>:Type undercutting statement here (Author Date:Page :C:).#dispreferred
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[צְדָקָה as vindication]: Divine and salvific and redemptive act.
 + <Supporting argument title>: Type supporting argument here (Author Date:Page :C:).
  + <Supporting statement title>: Type supporting statement here (Author Date:Page :G:).
   + [Supporting evidence title]: List supporting evidence here.
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Conclusion

Research

Translations

Ancient

ἀπεκάλυψεν τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ (LXX)
“He revealed his justice/justification/righteousness”

Modern

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations (ESV)
and revealed his righteousness to the nations (NIV)
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations (NABS)
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! (NLT)
he has displayed his saving righteousness to all the nations (REB)
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations (RSV)
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations (NRSV)
he made his saving power known to the nations (GNT)
has displayed His triumph in the sight of the nations (NJPS)
that he has the power to save and to bring justice (CEV)
aux yeux de tous il a révélé sa justice (NFC)
il a fait connaître sa justice (PDV)
aux yeux des autres peuples, ╵il a révélé sa justice (BDS)
il a dévoilé sa justice sous les yeux des nations (NBS)
aux yeux des nations il a révélé sa justice (TOB)
il a révélé sa justice sous les yeux des nations (S21)
Il a révélé sa justice aux yeux des nations (NVSR)

Secondary Literature

References

98:2 (Training page)

Righteousness, justice or vindication: the meaning of צְדָקָה in Ps 98.2 (Ervais)