Psalm 133 Poetic Structure
Dwelling together
Psalm 133
Poetic Structure
In poetic structure, we analyse the structure of the psalm beginning at the most basic level of the structure: the line (also known as the “colon” or “hemistich”). Then, based on the perception of patterned similarities (and on the assumption that the whole psalm is structured hierarchically), we argue for the grouping of lines into verses, verses into strophes, strophes into stanzas, etc. Because patterned similarities might be of various kinds (syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, sonic) the analysis of poetic structure draws on all of the previous layers (especially the Discourse layer).
Poetic Macro-structure
Notes
- This psalm has three sections: a 4-line section in the middle (vv. 2-3a), sandwiched by two 2-line sections (1b-c and 3b-c).
- Verses 2-3a are united as a group for the following reasons:
- Use of nominal clauses (an elided subject and verb) followed by a simile using כְּ and a liquid (either oil or dew)
- The frequent repetition of the key words עַל and יֹרֵ֗ד (in participle form)
- The first section (1b-c) is linked to the last section (3b-c) by the following features:
- Deictic terms (הִנֵּ֣ה and שָׁ֨ם) (Fokkelman 2003, 303)
- Alliteration (אַחִים "brothers" and חַיִּ֗ים "life") followed by an emphatic/intensified expression (גַּם־יָחַד "even together" and עַד־הָעוֹלָם lit. "until forever").
- (Note: both the previous features not only serve as connections between the first and last sections of the psalm, but also as inclusios for the whole psalm as a unit.)
- There is an important repetition of the key word טּוֹב (tov) in 1b and 2a, which could be considered similar beginnings between the first two sections, especially with the two טּוֹב being preceded by an 'ah' sound (mah and ha).
- The last section is linked to the second section by similar beginnings in 2a and 3b: כַּשֶּׁ֤מֶ and כִּ֤י שָׁ֨ם, which have similar sounds (k + sh + m) (van der Lugt 2013, 417).
- There is an additional sound play at work creating a pivot between v. 3a and v. 3b: צִיּ֥וֹן and צִוָּה (see Poetic Feature #3 below for more on this).
Line Divisions
Line division divides the poem into lines and line groupings. We determine line divisions based on a combination of external evidence (Masoretic accents, pausal forms, manuscripts) and internal evidence (syntax, prosodic word counting and patterned relation to other lines). Moreover, we indicate line-groupings by using additional spacing.
When line divisions are uncertain, we consult some of the many psalms manuscripts which lay out the text in lines. Then, if a division attested in one of these manuscripts/versions influences our decision to divide the text at a certain point, we place a green symbol (G, DSS, or MT) to the left of the line in question.
| Poetic line division legend | |
|---|---|
| Pausal form | Pausal forms are highlighted in yellow. |
| Accent which typically corresponds to line division | Accents which typically correspond to line divisions are indicated by red text. |
| | | Clause boundaries are indicated by a light gray vertical line in between clauses. |
| G | Line divisions that follow Greek manuscripts are indicated by a bold green G. |
| DSS | Line divisions that follow the Dead Sea Scrolls are indicated by a bold green DSS. |
| M | Line divisions that follow Masoretic manuscripts are indicated by a bold green M. |
| Number of prosodic words | The number of prosodic words are indicated in blue text. |
| Prosodic words greater than 5 | The number of prosodic words if greater than 5 is indicated by bold blue text. |
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Notes
- v. 1b – This enjambment is supported by the accent on נָּעִ֑ים, and the traditions of the LXX, Codex Sassoon and 11Q5.
- v. 3 – Although five prosodic words to two in vv. 3b-c may seem too imbalanced, כִּ֤י שָׁ֨ם are both monosyllabic. This division is also found in the LXX. Van der Lugt (2013, 416), however, considers כְּטַל־חֶרְמ֗וֹן as a separate line, which would result in 1-3-5-2 words.