Psalm 44/Notes/Verbal.V. 25.412199
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- לָֽמָּה־פָנֶיךָ תַסְתִּיר ("Why are you hiding your countenance?"): Without reference point movement, the yiqtol typically denotes habitual action. The nature of hiding, however, suggests continual action. Furthermore, the yiqtol form can denote continuous action when used in questions. In these cases, they communicate an "actual present," i.e., the action in question is assumed to continue up until the moment of speaking (JM, §113d).
- תִּשְׁכַּח עָנְיֵנוּ וְֽלַחֲצֵֽנוּ׃ ("Why are you neglecting our affliction and oppression?"): Without reference point movement, the yiqtol typically denotes habitual action. The nature of neglect, however, suggests continual action. Furthermore, the yiqtol form can denote continuous action when used in questions. In these cases, they communicate an "actual present," i.e., the action in question is assumed to continue up until the moment of speaking (JM, §113d).