Psalm 12 Poetics
Poetic Structure[ ]
- vv. 2-3. The first section of the psalm (vv. 2-3) is bound together by the fact that both v. 2 and v. 3 describe and the present state of faithlessness. Verse 2 describes the situation negatively ("faithful ones have vanished...") and v. 3 describes it positively ("they speak falsely..."). Together, vv. 2aβ-3ab give reasons for why YHWH should "help" (v. 2aα).
- vv. 4-5. The second section of the psalm (vv. 4-5) is bound together syntactically. Vv. 4b-5 are in apposition to the construct phrase in v. 5a. The section is also bound together by a chiasm ("lips, tongue // tongue, lips"). This second section is also set off from the first section by the shift in person ("may YHWH exterminate" [3rd person]).
- vv. 6-7. The third section of the psalm (vv. 6-7) is bound together by the theme of YHWH's speech and by the fact that these are the only tricola in the psalm. Verse 6 reports YHWH's speech, while v. 7 reflects on it. Further, the phrase 'root-אמר + YHWH' occurs in both verses (v. 6 – יֹאמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה; v. 7 – אִֽמֲר֣וֹת יְהוָה֮). Also, these are the two longest verses in the psalm (12 words // 10 words; 3 lines each). Together, they contain 22 words, the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, which symbolizes completion. YHWH's words are תמים.
- vv. 8-9. The final section of the psalm (vv. 8-9) is like the first in that YHWH's addressed in the second person (v. 8a) and the phrase בני אדם recurs (v. 9b). The two verses are bound together by alliteration (note repetition of zul in vv. 8b, 9b) as well as by the fact that v. 9 describes the "generation" in v. 8b.
- Seams. The transition to each new section is accompanied by a seam which ties the new section to the previous section.
- vv. 3b-4a. The phrase שְׂפַ֥ת חֲלָק֑וֹת / שִׂפְתֵ֣י חֲלָק֑וֹת occurs in v. 3b and v. 4a.
- vv. 5b-6a. The first words of v. 6 sound like the last words of v. 5: מִ֖י אָד֣וֹן and מִשֹּׁ֥ד עֲנִיִּים֮. Also, v. 6 introduces the אדון.
- vv. 7b-8a. Both lines contain only two prosodic words, and both have similar sounds; the consonantal sounds in שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם are echoed in אַתָּֽה...תִּשְׁמְרֵ֑ם
Top Poetic Features[ ]
1. Their Word vs His[ ]
Feature[ ]
Psalm 12 is arranged as a chiasm (ABC//CBA):
- A//A' - Vocative יְהוָה; second person address to the Lord; phrase בְּנֵי אָדָם.
- B//B' - 3rd person references to the Lord; both about speech (v. 4 about the wicked's speech, v. 7 about YHWH's speech); similar sounds in v. 4 and v. 7 יַכְרֵ֣ת יְ֭הוָה // אִֽמֲר֣וֹת יְהוָה֮; both 4a and 7a end in ות.
- C//C' - Direct speech, indicated by אמר.
Effect[ ]
The structure of the psalm highlights the central theme of the psalm: speech. At the centre of the chiastic structure, the speech of YHWH is juxtaposed with the speech of the wicked. This reinforces a strong contrast between the two speeches. Whereas the wicked's words are untrustworthy, YHWH's words are pure and without any mixture of falsehood.
2. Perfect Words Never Expire[ ]
Feature[ ]
There are a number of poetic features which make the third section (vv. 6-7) stand out:
- Verse 6 and v. 7 are the two longest verses in the psalm (12 words, 10 words); both are tricola (three-line verses).
- The total number of words in this section (with or without maqqef) is 22, the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, a symbol of completion.
- This is the only section in which YHWH's name appears twice, both times preceded by a word from the root אמר (a key word in this psalm)
- The section begins with the ambiguity of who is speaking.
- Verse 7 uses extended imagery, comparing YHWH's words to silver refined seven times in a furnace.
- The first line of v. 6 and the last line of v. 7 both begin with mem. Similarly, the last line v. 6 and the first line of v. 7 begin with alef.
Effect[ ]
The clustering of features draws attention to the thematic significance of this third section which reports and reflects on YHWH's words. The number 22 may suggest that YHWH's words are "complete" (תָּמִים), not lacking in integrity.
3. Keeping People and Promises[ ]
Feature[ ]
Verse 8 says, "You will guard them (תִּשְׁמְרֵם)." The antecedent of "them" (3mp pronominal suffix) may be either the "afflicted ones" and "poor ones" from v. 6a or to the "words" from v. 7a (so Aquila, Theodotion, and Jerome; see notes on Psalm 12 Participant analysis).
Effect[ ]
The use of the word שמר ("guard") with the ambiguous 3mp suffix creates a potential double-meaning. One can keep a person (e.g., Ps. 16:1) or a promise (e.g., Deut. 7:8). While the primary antecedent of the suffix are the noun phrases in v. 6 (which, like the suffix, are masculine), the poet may have deliberately chosen a word (שמר) that can allow for a secondary meaning. YHWH will keep his promise, and he will keep his people.
Line Divisions[ ]
- The abbreviation "DSS" (Dead Sea Scrolls) cited above refers in this case to the manuscript 5/6Hev. Pss, which preserves part of Ps. 12:6-9.
- The divisions provisionally suggested by the Tiberian Masoretic accents are followed in every case except v. 3 and v. 5.
- v. 3. The preferred division was chosen on the basis of syntax, pausal/contextual forms (יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮), prosodic word count, and the evidence of the LXX (G).
- v. 5. The preferred division does not follow the MT accentuation (breaking at the dechi instead of atnach). The preferred division is balanced prosodically (4 words // 5 words) and syntactically (2 clauses // 2 clauses). The division of the first line is also supported by the evidence of the LXX.
Line Length[ ]
Repeated Roots[ ]
- Most of the repeated roots/words are related to speech
- say/sayings(אמר) (4x)
- speak (דבר) (3x)
- lips (שפה) (3x)
- tongue (לשון) (2x)
- smoothness>flattery (חלקות) (x2)
- Chiasm in vv. 4-5: (a) lips (b) tongue // (b) tongue (a) lips
- Inclusion at the psalm level: בני אדם (vv. 2, 9)
- YHWH's name appears 5 times, the same number of times as in the previous psalm (Ps. 11)