Psalm 20 Poetry
May YHWH answer you!
Psalm 20
Guardian: Mari Strube
About the Poetics Layer
Exploring the Psalms as poetry is crucial for understanding and experiencing the psalms and thus for faithfully translating them into another language. This layer is comprised of two main parts: Poetic Structure and Poetic Features.
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 sub-sections, sub-sections into larger sections, 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
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
Psalm 20 consists of two sections (vv. 2-6 // vv. 7-10). These sections are of similar lengths (28 prosodic words // 31 prosodic words).
- First section of Ps 20 (vv. 2-6)
- The first section is bound together by the repetition of 2ms suffix (11x) to refer to YHWH's anointed (i.e., the king).
- Another structural pattern that binds together vv. 2-6 is the proliferation of the piel verb stem. This stem occurs only in vv. 2-6 while the hiphil occurs only in vv. 7-10.
- The repetition of the words יְ֭הוָה and שֵׁ֤ם אֱלֹהֵ֬י in vv. 2 and 6 also mark the beginning and end of this first section.
- vv. 3-6b are bound together by chiastic structures formed by synonymous parallelism
- v. 3: (A) May he send you help (B) from the sanctuary, (B') and from Zion (A') sustain you.
- v. 4: (A) May he remember (B) every offering of yours, (B') and your burnt offering (A') may he accept.
- v. 5: (A) May he give you (B) that which is according to your heart’s desire, (B') and your whole plan (A') may he fulfill.
- v. 6: (A) May we shout for joy (B) over your victory, (B') and in the name of our God (A') may we array ourselves with banners!
- v. 5b and 6c have similar endings:
- v. 5b וְֽכָל־עֲצָתְךָ֥ יְמַלֵּֽא (and may he fulfill your whole plan)
- v. 6c יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ (may he fulfill all your requests)
- Second section of Ps 20 (vv. 7-10)
- The discourse marker עַתָּ֤ה (now) indicates the beginning of a new section.
- vv. 7-9: The verb forms shift from modal verbs (vv. 2-6) to indicative verbs (vv. 7-9). Besides sharing similar syntax, these verses also share similar content (confidence in YHWH's victory).
- Verses 7-9 are similarly bound together into a unit by the similar sounds with which v. 7 begins and v. 9 ends: עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי and וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽד.
- v. 8a: has an instance of verb-gapping ('boast') which link the two lines of the verse.
- vv. 8-9 are bound together as a unit by the occurrence of antithetical parallelism:
- v. 8a mentions those who boast in chariotry and horses.
- v. 8b mentions those who boast in YHWH.
- v. 9a mentions the defeat of those who boast in chariotry and horses.
- v. 9b mentions the victory of those who boast in YHWH.
- vv. 7-10: inclusio delimits the bounds of this section:
- v. 7a - הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ YHWH has granted victory to his anointed
- v. 10a - יְהוָ֥ה הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ YHWH, grant victory to the king!
The repetition of the following terms form a seam binding together different sections of the psalm:
The two sections are bound together as a unit by an inclusion. Verse 10 concludes with a final petition "May he answer us on the day of our calling!" (יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ׃) that corresponds to the introductory petition in verse 2 "May he answer you on the day of trouble" (יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה). Additionally, semantic similarity between the verbs to protect (שׂגב) in v. 2 and to save (ישׁע) in v. 10 bind both sections (cf. Ps 69:30).
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
Poetic Features
In poetic features, we identify and describe the “Top 3 Poetic Features” for each Psalm. Poetic features might include intricate patterns (e.g., chiasms), long range correspondences across the psalm, evocative uses of imagery, sound-plays, allusions to other parts of the Bible, and various other features or combinations of features. For each poetic feature, we describe both the formal aspects of the feature and the poetic effect of the feature. We assume that there is no one-to-one correspondence between a feature’s formal aspects and its effect, and that similar forms might have very different effects depending on their contexts. The effect of a poetic feature is best determined (subjectively) by a thoughtful examination of the feature against the background of the psalm’s overall message and purpose.
YHWH Answer
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. |
Feature
Psalm 20 begins (v. 2) and ends (v. 10) with very similar language:
- v. 2 יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה May YHWH answer you on the day of trouble!
- v. 10 יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ׃ May he answer us on the day of our calling!
The same verb from vv. 2, 10 ("to answer") appears again in v. 7.
- v. 7 יַ֭עֲנֵהוּ He will answer him!
Effect
The repetition forms an inclusio that binds the psalm together into a whole (a closed figure) and gives prominence to its message: YHWH answers.
In addition to the similarities between the psalm's beginning (v. 2) and its end (v. 10), there are also meaningful differences. The prayer that God would answer "you" (v. 2) becomes a prayer that God would answer "us" (v. 10). Moreover, "the day of trouble," is now, "the day of our calling".[1] The effect is that the people join together with the anointed in his need and express a prayer in solidarity. The anointed does not face his trouble alone, and through the community's dependence upon YHWH, their victory is assured.
Dependence on YHWH
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. |
Feature
There are two features which characterise vv. 3-6b and vv. 8-9 respectively:
- 1. vv. 3-6b are characterized by chiastic structures and synonymous parallelism:
- v. 3: (A) May he send you help (B) from the sanctuary, (B') and from Zion (A') sustain you.
- v. 4: (A) May he remember (B) every offering of yours, (B') and your burnt offering (A') may he accept.
- v. 5: (A) May he give you (B) that which is according to your heart’s desire, (B') and your whole plan (A') may he fulfill.
- v. 6: (A) May we shout for joy (B) over your victory, (B') and in the name of our God (A') may we array ourselves with banners!
- v. 5b and 6c have similar endings:
- v. 5b וְֽכָל־עֲצָתְךָ֥ יְמַלֵּֽא (and may he fulfill your whole plan)
- v. 6c יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ (may he fulfill all your requests)
- 2. vv. 8-9 are characterized by an alternating ABAB structure and antithetical parallelism:
- v. 8a mentions those who boast in chariotry and horses.
- v. 8b mentions those who boast in YHWH.
- v. 9a mentions the defeat of those who boast in chariotry and horses.
- v. 9b mentions the victory of those who boast in YHWH.
Effect
The theme of dependence upon YHWH is portrayed by two different kinds of parallelism: synonymous (structured as ABBA) and antithetical (structured as ABAB). This poetic device creates two distinct units of structure within the psalm (vv. 2-6, vv. 8-9, see poetic structure).
The first unit (vv. 3-6) communicates the ways in which the addressee (the king) is dependent upon God. For instance, he depends upon God for help, sustenance, etc. The chiastic structure concludes in v. 6b, and all of the requests are summarized in v. 6c, "May YHWH fulfill all your requests." The poetry suggests that in everything one should depend on YHWH who answers prayer.
The other unit (vv. 8-9) communicates the results of dependence upon YHWH. Those who do not depend upon YHWH, but trust instead in their own might or armaments, will suffer defeat. Meanwhile, those who depend upon YHWH will experience victory.
Confidence at the Core
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. |
Feature
There are a number of features that cluster in v. 7:
- Verses 6 and 7 are the only tricola in the psalm.
- Verses 6 and 7 present the repetition of the verb root ישע
- These two verses are the only place in the psalm where YHWH's name appears back to back in adjacent lines.
- Verse 7 is characterized by the repetition of similar sounds (ש - מ). Notice how v. 6 starts introducing some of these letters (ש - מ).
- Verse 7 contains the only occurrence of a 1st singular verb in the psalm (יָדַ֗עְתִּי - I know). Notice how v. 6 introduces the first occurrence of a 1st plural verb (נְרַנְּנָ֤ה - May we shout for joy).
- Verse 7a is the longest line in the psalm (6 words).
- Verse 7 begins with the discourse marker עַתָּ֤ה (now), and it introduces the shift from a series of modal verbs (vv. 2-6) to indicative statements (vv. 7-9).
- The three words "Now I know that" represent the middle words of the psalm (28 prosodic words before and 28 prosodic words after).
- The verse also introduces a shift in addressee: from 2ms (vv. 2-6) to 3ms pronoun suffix (מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ, קָדְשׁ֑וֹ, יְמִינֽוֹ).
Effect
The prominence of v. 7 captures the emotional tone of the psalm which is confidence in YHWH. The psalm has moved from hopeful requests (vv. 2–6, using modal verbs) to an expression of confidence that YHWH will answer those who seek him (v. 7, introducing indicative verbs). This confidence is reinforced by the centrality of the three words "now I know" (v. 7a) as the middle point of the psalm.
Repeated Roots
The repeated roots table is intended to identify the roots which are repeated in the psalm.
| Repeated Roots legend | |
|---|---|
| Divine name | The divine name is indicated by bold purple text. |
| Roots bounding a section | Roots bounding a section, appearing in the first and last verse of a section, are indicated by bold red text. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the first section are indicated in a yellow box. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the third section are indicated in a blue box. |
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Roots connected across sections are indicated by a vertical gray line connecting the roots. |
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Section boundaries are indicated by a horizontal black line across the chart. |
Bibliography
- Alexander, Joseph Addison. 1991. Commentary on Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
- Barnes, Albert. 1869. Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Practical, On the Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. New York.
- Brannan, Rick. 2011. The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Bellingham: Lexham Press.
- Bratcher, Robert G., and William D. Reyburn. 1991. A Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms. UBS Handbook Series. New York.
- Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Grace Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Book of Psalms. Vol. I. New York: C. Scribner’s sons.
- Brotzman, Ellis R., and Eric J. Tully. 2016. Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction. Grand Rapids: BakerAcademic.
- Bullock, C. Hassell. 2015. Psalms. Volume 1: Psalms 1-72. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Edited by Mark Strauss and John Walton. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.
- Cheyne, Thomas Kelly. 1884. The Book of Psalms. London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co.
- Cook, John A. 2005. Genericity, Tense, and Verbal Patterns in the Sentence Literature of Proverbs. University of Wisconsin.
- Craigie, Peter C. 2004. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1–50. 2nd ed. Vol. 19. Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic.
- Dahood, Mitchell J. 1966. The Anchor Bible: Psalms I, 1-50. Garden City: Doubleday.
- DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy L., Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth Tanner. 2014. “Book One of the Psalter: Psalms 1–41,” in The Book of Psalms, ed. E. J. Young, R. K. Harrison, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr.. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
- Delitzsch, Franz Julius. 1883. A Commentary on the Psalms. New York: Funk and Wagnalls.
- Fokkelman, J. P. 2000. Major Poems of the Hebrew Bible: At the Interface of Hermeneutics and Structural Analysis. Studia Semitica Neerlandica. Assen, The Netherlands: Van Gorcum.
- Goldingay, John. 2006. Psalms: Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids,MI: Baker Academic.
- Hatch, Edwin, and Henry A. Redpath. 1897. A Concordance to the Septuagint and the Other Greek Versions of the Old Testament: Including the Apocryphal Books. Volume II. Oxford: Clarendon Press.[2]
- Hengstenberg, Ernst W. 1869. Commentary on Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
- Hoogendyk, Isaiah, ed. 2017. The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible. Bellingham: Lexham Press.
- Keel, Othmar. 1997. The Symbolism of the Biblical World: Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Book of Psalms. Translated by Timothy J. Hallett. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns.
- Kidner, Derek. 2008. Psalms 1-72 : An Introduction and Commentary. Nottingham: InterVarsity Press.
- Kirkpatrick, Alexander F. 1916. The Book of Psalms. London: Cambridge University Press.
- Jenni, Ernst. 1992. Die Hebräischen Präpositionen Band 1: Die Präposition Beth. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer.
- Longman, Tremper, III and Peter Enns. 2008. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. Downers Grove, III.: Nottingham, England, IVP Academic.
- Mays, James L. 2011. Psalms. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
- Oliver, Andrew. 1861. A Translation of the Syriac Peshito Version of the Psalms of David; With Notes Critical and Explanatory. London: E.P. Dutton & Co.[3]
- Perowne, J. J. Stewart. 1870. The Book of Psalms: A New Translation with Introductions and Notes, Explanatory and Critical. Vol. I. London: Bell and Daldy.
- Rogerson, J.w., and J. W. McKay. 1977. The Cambridge Bible Commentary on the New English Bible: Psalms 1-50. London.
- Ross, Allen P. 2006. A Commentary on the Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2011.
- Van der Lugt, Pieter. 2013. Cantos And Strophes in Biblical Hebrew Poetry: With Special Reference to the First Book of the Psalter. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill.
- Villanueva, Federico G. 2016. Psalms 1-72. Asia Bible Commentary. Cumbria, UK: Langham Global Library.
- Waltner, James H. 2006. Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.
- Wilson, Gerald H. 2002. The NIV Application Commentary: Psalms. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Footnotes
- ↑ Cf. Jacobson and Tanner 2014, 219.
- ↑ Available at archive.
- ↑ Oliver added the following translation footnote for Ps 20:5: "Ver. 5. Shall we be exalted, ܢܬܬܪܝܡ. A.V. We will set up our banners, נִדְגֹּל. The translator probably read נִגְדַּל and also the LXX, who have μεγαλυνθησόμεθα" (Oliver 1861, 32). Available at archive.