Psalm 111/Notes/Lexical.V. 10.978733
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- HALOT notes that the phrase שֵׂכֶל טוֹב can mean either "insight" (e.g., Prov. 13:15) or "success" (e.g., Prov. 3:4). The lexicon then has a lengthy discussion about the use of the phrase in Psalm 111: "שֵׂכֶל טוֹב לְ Ps 111:10 could belong to either meaning; if it belongs to the first it means good understanding for those who practice it, so KBL, NRSV, REB, and also the versions; Sept. σὺνεσις ἀγαθὴ; similarly Vulg. and Pesh., on which see also e.g. Gunkel Psalmen 488; ZürBib.; TOB; somewhat different is Dahood Psalms 3:121, 125: the understanding of the good, namely of Yahweh (in the sense of a general object, human insight is meant); if the second meaning is accepted the expression means a beautiful reward (reward as the fruit or result of success), thus Kraus BK 155:939."
- Most translations render תְּהִלָּה here as "praise" (KJV, ESV, NLT, NIV, NET), but SDBH defines it as a "state in which humans or deities are considered worthy of praise" (i.e., "praiseworthiness") (cf. Pss. 35:28; 79:3; 102:22; 106:2), and this makes good sense in the context: YHWH will be forever worthy of praise. Cf. Ges–18 ("Ruhm").
- The word can sometimes mean "song of praise" (cf. Pss. 145:1; 149:1), and, as HALOT and DCH, note, it is often difficult to distinguish this meaning from the meaning "praise."