Psalm 20 Exegetical Issues

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May YHWH answer you!

Psalm 20

Please note: Resources for Psalm 20 are in the process of being reformatted for visual consistency and improved functionality.

Guardian: Mari Strube

Introduction to Exegetical Issues

Presented here are the top three Exegetical Issues that any interpreter of the psalm—whether they’re reading the text in Hebrew or looking at a number of translations—are likely to encounter. These issues usually involve textual criticism, grammar, lexical semantics, verbal semantics, and/or phrase-level semantics, though they sometimes involve higher-level layers as well.

Exegetical Issues for Psalm 20

• The Division of Psalm 20:10

The traditional Hebrew text of Ps 20:10 reads as follows:

יְהוָ֥ה הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ׃

The Masoretic accentuation includes an athnach below הוֹשִׁיעָה, suggesting a break between יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה and הַמֶּלֶךְ. However, the BHS editors propose that the athnach should be placed under הַמֶּלֶךְ instead. Translations differ based upon whether or not they choose to follow the Masoretic accentuation.

• The Text of Psalm 20:6b

The traditional Hebrew text of Ps 20:6b reads as follows:

וּבְשֵֽׁם־אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּ נִדְגֹּ֑ל

The MT reading נִדְגֹּל is disputed, however. Translations have read the text in three different ways.

1. Read the text as נִדְגֹּל (so MT; Qal verb from the root דגל - "to set up standard, banner"). This option is represented by the modern translation ESV: ". . . and in the name of our God set up our banners!"

2. Read the text as נִגְדַּל (so probably LXX, μεγαλυνθησόμεθα: future passive indicative of μεγαλύνω - "to exalt, glorify, magnify." This option is represented by the LXX: καὶ ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα ("and in our God's name we shall glory").

3. Read the text as נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice"). This option is represented by the NET's translation: "Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God!"

• The Verbal Semantics of הֹושִׁיעַ in Psalm 20:7

The Hebrew text of Ps 20:7 reads as follows:

עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ

יַ֭עֲנֵהוּ מִשְּׁמֵ֣י קָדְשׁ֑וֹ

בִּ֝גְבֻר֗וֹת יֵ֣שַׁע יְמִינֽוֹ

Modern translations diverge on their rendering of the qatal verb הֹושִׁיעַ.

1.Some translations render it as present perfect: "Now I know that the Lord has given victory to his anointed one: he will answer him from his holy heaven with the victorious might of his right hand" (REB).

2.Others as a present verb: "Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand" (NIV).

3.Still others as a simple future: "Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king; he will intervene for him from his holy heavenly temple, and display his mighty ability to deliver" (NET).