Psalm 3/Lexical Semantics
Lexical Semantics
References to God
| Definition Feature being studied | Occurrences Sections where this feature is present or absent | Clustering | Intersection | Connections | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֱלֹהִים | vv. 3b, 8b | absent in sections 2-3 | end of first section (v.3b); beginning of fourth section (v.8b) | The two occurrences are connected; both occur alongside references to "deliverance" (ישׁועתה/הושׁיעני). Whereas the psalmist's enemies say there is "no deliverance for him with God" (v.3b), the psalmist cries out to "my God" for "deliverance" (v.8b). | This feature forms/reinforces a (chiastic) correspondence between sections 1 and 4. |
| יהוה | vv. 2a, 4a, 5a, 6b, 8a, 9a | beginning of sections 1 (v.2a), 2 (v.4a), and 4 (v.8a); end of psalm (v.9a) | Initiates new sections (structural anaphora), especially when used in direct address (vv. 2a, 4a, 8a) |
The repeated divine name acts as the precatory backbone throughout the text (יהוה–x6, אלהי–v. 7a). The use of the divine name may form a pattern:
- יהוה / אלהים / יהוה
- יהוה / יהוה
- יהוה / אלהים / יהוה
This feature is considered relevant for this psalm.,
Tetragrammaton
The tetragrammaton, when used in direct address (v.2a, 4a, 8a), is used to initiate new sections (anaphora). The other divine epithet (אלהים) is used less frequently to perform a distinct function, i.e., to forge a connection between v.3b and v.8b.,
Repeated words
| Definition Feature being studied | Occurrences Sections where this feature is present or absent | Clustering | Intersection | Connections | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| רבב | רַבּוּ (v.2a), רַבִּים (v.2b), רַבִּים (v.3a), רִבְבוֹת (v.7a) | vv.2-3 | The initial cluster occurs at the beginning of the Psalm. | The occurrence at v.7a forms a connection with the cluster in vv.2-3. The fear which the Psalmist felt (vv. 2-3) is now dissipated (v. 7). | |
| קום | קָמִים (v.2b), קוּמָה (v.8a) | absent in sections 2-3 | קוּמָה (v.8a) is the first word of the fourth section | The Psalmist calls on Yahweh to rise up (קום) because his enemies are rising up (קום) around him. | This feature forms/reinfornces a contrastive correspondence between the first and fourth sections. |
| עם | רִבְבוֹת עָם (v.7a), עַמְךָ (v.9b) | absent in sections 1-2 | Both occurrences are in the second half of the Psalm. The final occurrence (v.9b) coincides with the conclusion of the Psalm. | The two occurrences may be connected and implicitly contrasted: the thousands of people surrounding the Psalmist vs. Yahweh's people. | |
| ישׁע | יְשׁוּעָתָה (v.3b), הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי (v.8b), הַיְשׁוּעָה (v.9a) | absent in sections 2-3 | end of first section (v.3b), beginning of fourth/final section (v.8b), conclusion of Psalm (v.9a) | Repetition of ישׁע in v.8b forms a connection with v.3b. This connection is reinforced by the recurrence of אלהים within these same lines. | Recurrence of this feature forms/reinforces a contrastive correspondence between the first and fourth/final sections. |
The noun יְשׁוּעָה is highlighted, not only by its repetition (vv. 3b, 9a; verbal form in 8b) but by its morphology. The first occurrence of the word (v. 3b) has a unique ending (תָה- cf. Ps. 80:3; Jon. 2:10). This is a remain of an earlier case ending which is, according to GKC, "used merely for the sake of poetical emphasis."[1]. Perhaps it is used here to mark the thematic importance of this word, "deliverance," which is "the key motif in the psalm."[2] The second occurrence of the word (v. 9a) is the only word in the psalm to have the definite article (ה).
| 1 | |||||||
| 2a | יהוה | רבב | |||||
| 2b | רבב | קום | |||||
| 3a | רבב | ||||||
| 3b | ישׁע | אלהים | |||||
| 4a | יהוה | ||||||
| 4b | |||||||
| 5a | יהוה | ||||||
| 5b | |||||||
| 6a | |||||||
| 6b | יהוה | ||||||
| 7a | רבב | עם | |||||
| 7b | |||||||
| 8a | יהוה | קום | אלהים | ||||
| 8b | ישׁע | ||||||
| 8c | |||||||
| 8d | |||||||
| 9a | יהוה | ישׁע | |||||
| 9b | עם |
This feature is considered relevant for this psalm.,
| Definition Feature being studied | Occurrences Sections where this feature is present or absent | Clustering | Intersection | Connections | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| words associated with warfare[3] | יְֽשׁוּעָתָה/הַיְשׁוּעָ֑ה (vv.3b, 9a); מָגֵן (v.4a); עַם (vv.7a, 9b; cf. Num. 20:20; Ps. 18:44); שָׁתוּ (v.7b; cf. Isa. 22:7); הִכִּ֣יתָ (v.8c); שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ (v.8d) | ||||
| words for enemies/wicked | צָרָי (v.2a), קָמִים (v.2b), אֹיְבַי (v.8c), רְשָׁעִים (v.8d) | v.2ab and v.8cd | The small cluster at v.2ab is in the opening line of the Psalm (the lament/complaint). | In v.2ab, the enemies are rising against the Psalmist; in 8cd, Yahweh is rising against the enemies. | This feature reinforces the contrastive correspondence between sections 1 and 4. |
This feature is considered relevant for this psalm.,
Other
Semantic Density
This refers to lexical or syntactic elements that have two (or more) possible senses, both of which could apply in the context of occurrence, e.g., “my glory”—objective and/or subjective pronoun (4b); “lift head” in deliverance and/or judicial vindication (4b); “holy hill”—reference to Temple Mount and/or God’s heavenly sanctuary (5b); verb tenses in vv. 6-7, narrative sequence (NET) and/or habitual state (NIV); כִּי explanatory and/or emphatic (8c); “blessing” of deliverance, answered prayer, and/or general well-being (shalom) (9b).