Psalm 3/Notes/Grammar.v. 9.194900

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  • The lamed preposition in the phrase לַיהוָה indicates possession (Jenni 2000, rubric 227; cf. Jon 2:10): "victory is YHWH's" (cf. NJPS, NRSV), i.e, YHWH has the ability to grant victory to whomever he wants (cf. Ibn Ezra: כי הוא יושיע מי שיחפוץ בו): "Victory comes [only] from the LORD" (GNT, cf. NLT, HFA, NGÜ; Targum: מִן קֳדָם יְיָ פּוּרְקָנָא). The idea is captured nicely in a story from 1 Samuel: "Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, 'Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ), whether by many or by few'" (1 Sam 14:6, NIV).