Psalm 37/Notes/Phrasal.v. 3.736197

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v. 3b: There are five different ways of understanding the meaning of רעה אמונה.

  • Option 1: root רעה I, transitive, "graze on faithfulness >> be busy with faithfulness" (cf. HALOT, Gesenius 2013, 1254), on analogy with Prov 15:14—"the fool feeds on trash" (NLT; Hebrew: וּפִי כְסִילִים יִרְעֶה אִוֶּלֶת). So Targum: "be occupied with (עסוק) faithfulness" (Stec 2004, 79).
  • Option 2: root רעה I, transitive, "graze on faithfulness >> graze on a reliable food supply" (see Kselman 1997, 252). The following verb ענג in v. 4 is also associated with food (cf. Isa 55:2; 58:14; 66:11).
  • Option 3: root רעה I, transitive, "shepherd faithfulness >> guard faithfulness", i.e., "maintain your integrity" (NET, cf. NJPS: "remain loyal")
  • Option 4: root רעה I, intransitive, "graze securely >> "Live securely" (CSB; so Baethgen 1904, 104; Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 234). Cf. Symmachus (also Jerome): ποιμαίνου διηνεκῶς. 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). The syntax is similar to Isa 30:23, where intransitive רעה is modified by an adverbial accusative—יִרְעֶ֥ה מִקְנֶ֛יךָ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא כַּ֥ר נִרְחָֽב, "In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows" (NIV). According to this view, אמונה does not refer to the virtue of "faithfulness" but to "security" or "stability" (cf. Isa 33:6—"He is your constant source of stability [אֱמוּנַ֣ת עִתֶּ֔יךָ]," NET) and functions as an adverbial accusative (CSB: "securely").
  • Option 5: root רעה II, transitive, "befriend faithfulness" (ESV). Cf. SDBH: "literally: to associate (with an event); hence: = process by which humans undergo a certain condition"; cf. BDB: "cherish faithfulness".