Psalm 88/Notes/Grammar.V. 9.493102
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
- v. 9b תּוֹעֵבוֹת The noun תּוֹעֵבוֹת in our verse is in plural of abstraction: "An abstract noun is quite often expressed by a plural, which properly speaking aims at the various concrete manifestations of a quality or of a state" (JM §136g-h). LXX has a singular noun for תּוֹעֵבוֹת, perhaps so as to bring about agreement between the subject of the verbal notion of the noun תּוֹעֵבָה and the psalmist (singular).
- v. 9c The last clause (starting with כָּלֻא) is elliptical in terms of subject and verb. The preferred interpretation considers שַׁתַּנִי as the underlying verb, with כָּלֻא an object complement. This interpretation was chosen for the sake of harmony with the first part of the verse, with YHWH serving as subject and active agent of all three actions (cf. also the refuting argument for the alternative just below).
- v. 9c alt The alternative reading assumes a nominal clause with an underlying pronominal subject אֲנִי understood. Although supported by most modern translations (+LXX) it seems less desirable, as a nominal clause with an elided subject is rare when not preceded by הנה and not in third person (JM §154c). This is enhanced by the fact that such a reading would entail a change of subject that would have been expected to be overtly marked (YHWH --> I)