Psalm 20 Poetics
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. (For more information, click 'Expand' to the right.)
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 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.
Poetics Visuals for Psalm 20
Poetic Structure
Poetic Macro-structure
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 fulfil.
- 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 fulfil your whole plan)
- v. 6c יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ (may he fulfil 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 Division
Notes
- v. 7. Some manuscripts suggest a division between כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ and עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי (cf. Or 2373 and Sassoon Codex). Other ancient witnesses, however, present עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ as a single line (cf. LXX Rahlfs and the old Babylonian manuscript Berlin Qu. 680). We have opted for this latter division because (1) it is supported by the oldest manuscript traditions as well as the Masoretic accentuation, (2) it is supported by the syntax (the clause כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ is embedded in the clause עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי - together they convey a complete thought), and (3) the long line marks the beginning of a new section in the psalm (cf. the discourse marker [עַתָּ֤ה - now] in v.7, the shift from a series of modal verbs [vv. 2-6] to indicative statements [vv. 7-9], and the shift from 2ms to 3ms pronoun suffix [מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ ,קָדְשׁ֑וֹ ,יְמִינֽוֹ]).
- v. 10. The Masoretic accentuation includes an athnach below הוֹשִׁיעָה (Grant victory!), suggesting a break between יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה (YHWH, grant victory!) and הַמֶּלֶךְ (the king). The BHS editors propose that the athnach should be placed under הַמֶּלֶךְ (the king) instead. Although both readings have supporting evidence, we have opted to place the division after הַמֶּלֶךְ (the king). As a result הַמֶּלֶךְ (the king) is the direct object of הוֹשִׁיעָה (YHWH, grant victory to the king!). Please see the exegetical issue "The Division of Psalm 20:10" for detailed information.
Poetic Features
1. YHWH Answer
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" (cf. Jacobson and Tanner 2014:219). 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.
2. Dependence on YHWH
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 fulfil.
- 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 fulfil your whole plan)
- v. 6c יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ (may he fulfil 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 fulfil 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.
3. Confidence at the Core
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 posture of the psalmist which is confidence in YHWH. The psalmist has moved from hopeful requests (vv. 2–6, using modal verbs) to an expression of certain 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.
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