Psalm 16/Notes/Grammar.v. 11.269667

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  • Most modern translations analyze v. 11 as three separate clauses (see the alternative diagram for v. 11bc). E.g., ESV: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (cf. NJPS, NRSVue, CSB, KJV, NET, REB, LUT, ZÜR). According to this interpretation, the first clause is verbal, and the second and third clauses are verbless.
  • Others interpret v. 11 as one long clause. E.g., Craigie (1983, 154): "You make me to know the path of life, the full rejoicing of your presence, the perpetual pleasantness by your right hand" (so also Jerome [Hebr.]: ostendes mihi semitam vitae, plenitudinem..., decores... aeternos). According to this interpretation, the noun phrases in v. 11bc are in apposition to "the way to life" in v. 11a. YHWH will show the psalmist the way to life, i.e., fullness of joy in his presence and delights in his right hand. The word "forever" could either modify "delights" (so Jerome) or modify the clause as a whole: "You will show me... forever."
  • The second of these two interpretations makes for stronger cohesion within the verse and fits better in the context.