Psalm 88/Notes/Verbal.V. 16.9414

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search
  • A nominal clause in v. 16a has the implied semantics in grey (see next line for an explanation of the analysis).
  • The participle גֹוֵעַ indicates an on-going state that started in the past and has been extending continuously until the present point. It is best rendered in English with a present perfect continuos tense, but may be rendered with other tenses in other languages (for example, with a present tense)
  • The lack of movement and an habitual process (indicated by the context) prompts us to render נָשָׂאתִי in English as a present perfect progressive.
  • Formally identical to a cohortative form, we understand אֶפּוֹרָה semantically as a yiqtol one and prefer to take the paragogic ה as a stylistic coloring, rather than a cohortative marker: "... forms chosen merely for euphony... due to considerations of rhythm" (Gesenius §108g); cf. also JM §114c, footnote #3). Similar instances, all from poetry, are Jer 4:21, 6:10, Ps 57:5. ** for emendation see exegetical issue on v. 16d (MT: אָפֽוּנָה)