Psalm 1/Notes/Lexical.V. 1.284988

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The verb stand (עָמַד) appears to be telic ("stand" = "take a stand") rather than a telic ("stand" = "stand around"). Similarly, Wilson 2002, 94, "the verb עָמָד has more the sense of 'take a stand' than simply 'stand still.' There is volition (and therefore responsibility) assumed in this action." Cf. BDB 764.3f: "persist"; HALOT 840.1: "to become involved with, or to persist in" (בדבר רע) Qoh 8:3"; DCH עָמַד (entry 8).</ref> Compare Ps 36:5bc where standing "on a path that is not good" (36:5b) is paired with the refusal to reject wickedness (36:5c).[1] Cf. Seow: "seems at first blush to be out of place in the second line. One expects 'walked in the way,' an exceedingly common biblical idiom for moral conduct.[2] Yet one may take the Hebrew to mean not just 'stand'... but also 'persist,' as Jerome and Radaq recognized."[3]

  1. ↑ Though the word for "stand" in this passage is not עמד but התיצב.
  2. ↑ Cf. NEB: "walk the road that sinners tread." Similarly, the ancient Syriac translation has "walk in the way."
  3. ↑ Seow 2013. Cf. Pss 33:11; 102:27; Eccl 1:4; 8:3; Lev 13:5; Jer 32:14; 48:11.