Psalm 37/Notes/Grammar.v. 3.130058

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The word אֱמוּנָה could be either the direct object of רְעֵה or an adverbial modifier. The issue depends on the meaning of the verb רְעֵה (see lexical semantics).

  • Option 1: Direct object.
    • Option 1a: "shepherd/graze upon>>be busy with faithfulness" (cf. HALOT, on analogy with Prov 15:14 וּפִי כְסִילִים יִרְעֶה אִוֶּלֶת). So Targum: "be occupied with (עסוק) faithfulness" (Stec 2004, 79).
    • Option 1b: "graze on faithfulness>>a reliable food supply" (see Kselman 1997, 252). The following verb ענג in v. 4 is also associated with food (cf. Isa 55:3; 58:14; 66:11).
    • Option 1c: "befriend faithfulness" (ESV). According to this view, the verb רעה is from a different root.
    • Option 1d: "shepherd>>guard faithfulness", i.e., "maintain your integrity" (NET, cf. NJPS: "remain loyal").
  • Option 2: Adverbial. "Live securely" (CSB; so Baethgen 1904, 104; Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 234). Cf. Symmachus and Jerome (who was probably influenced by Symmachus): διηνεκῶς (adverbial -ως ending), fide (ablative case). The image is similar to that in Isa 14:30: "The poorest of the poor will find pasture (וְרָעוּ), and the needy will lie down in safety" (NIV; cf. Ezek 34:14, 18f; Isa 33:6). On nominals which function adverbially, see GKC 118m-q.