Psalm 44/Notes/Verbal.V. 3.592152
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- הוֹרַשְׁתָּ ("dispossessed"): Paired qatal and yiqtol constructions can denote a general truth. The typically habitual value of the yiqtol can be viewed as providing an overlapping circumstantial description to the qatal (Niccacci 2006, 257–58). Here in v. 3a, the qatal הוֹרַשְׁתָּ is likely a summary statement that encompasses a dispossession which, historically, occurred in stages. The habitual yiqtol תָּרַע in v. 3c clarifies that this was not a one-time occurrence—a dynamic that is also implied by the plural objects גּוֹיִם (v. 3a) and לְאֻמִּים (v. 3c).
- וַתִּטָּעֵם ("you planted them"): While the wayyiqtol does not necessarily denote temporal succession, its association with narrative texts can be used in poetry to mark departures from typical parallelistic structure (BHRG §21.2.3). Here, it likely denotes that the planting of Israel temporally followed the dispossession of the nations.
- תָּרַע ("you would afflict"): Paired qatal and yiqtol constructions can denote a general truth. The typically habitual value of the yiqtol can be viewed as providing an overlapping circumstantial description to the qatal (Niccacci 2006, 257–58). Previously in v. 3a, the qatal הוֹרַשְׁתָּ was likely a summary statement that encompasses a dispossession which, historically, occurred in stages. The habitual yiqtol תָּרַע here in v. 3c clarifies that this was not a one-time occurrence—a dynamic that is also implied by the plural objects גּוֹיִם (v. 3a) and לְאֻמִּים (v. 3c).
- וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽם ("you would set them free"): While the wayyiqtol does not necessarily denote temporal succession, its association with narrative texts can be used in poetry to mark departures from typical parallelistic structure (BHRG §21.2.3). Here, it likely denotes that the setting free of Israel temporally followed the affliction of the nations. As it follows upon the habitual yiqtol תָּרַע, the wayyiqtol וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽם also denotes habitual occurrences. The piel of שׁלח can mean "to set free" or "to expel," depending on the context (TWOT, 928). Based on the parallel with וַתִּטָּעֵם in v. 3b, the verb likely denotes, "you would set [Israel] free." For further discussion, see Participant Analysis.