Psalm 44/Notes/Verbal.V. 2.710582
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- Most modern translations render the verb שָׁמַעְנוּ as a present perfect ("we have heard"; so NIV, ESV, NASB, CSB, NET), which would highlight the resultant state of the action. This fits the context of the psalm, in light of its theme of appealing to past events for present circumstances (Craigie 2004, 333). As a present perfect, no reference point movement is expected.
- Most modern translations render the verb סִפְּרוּ as a present perfect ("our ancestors have recounted"; so NIV, ESV, NASB, CSB, NET), which would highlight the resultant state of the action. This fits the context of the psalm, in light of its theme of appealing to past events for present circumstances (Craigie 2004, 333). As a present perfect, no reference point movement is expected.
- The verb פָּעַלְתָּ introduces an asyndetic relative clause that qualifies פֹּעַל (i.e., "the deeds [which] you did..."). The reference time of פָּעַלְתָּ is established by the relative clause, as well as the adverbial modifiers בִימֵיהֶם and בִּימֵי קֶדֶם. Thus פָּעַלְתָּ denotes a simple past action within the newly established reference time, and reference point movement is expected.