Psalm 89/Macrosyntax/Notes

• Selah marks discontinuity in vv. 5, 38, 46, 49.
• The division between vv. 6–19 and vv. 20–38 is based on the frame setter and introduction of direct speech in v. 20. Also note the pervasiveness of marked-focus word order in vv. 10–19, which does not continue into v. 20. The two-fold repetition of כִּי in vv. 18–19 also strengthen the discontinuity.
• The division between vv. 6–15 and vv. 16–19 is based on vocative in v. 16 and the scope of the כִּי in v. 7, which binds vv. 6–15 but probably doesn't extend through vv. 16–19.

• In both clauses in v. 2, temporal adverbials are fronted for marked focus: "forever... for generations to come."
• The first clause in v. 2 begins with the phrase "YHWH's acts of loyalty." The phrase might be fronted as the sentence topic because of its thematic significance to the psalm; the whole psalm is about "YHWH's acts of loyalty" (cf. v. 50). The fronting of this phrase also creates a chiasm in v. 2: A. "YHWH's acts of loyalty" B. "forever I will sing" // B. "for generations to come I will make known" A. "your faithfulness..."
• According to Lunn, the word order in both clauses in v. 2 is purely poetic, marking the beginning of the poem.
• The word order in v. 3a is interesting (adverbial–subject–verb). The adverbial "forever" is probably fronted for marked focus (cf. vv. 2, 5a). The word "loyalty" is also fronted as the second constituent, in this case for marked topic.
• In v. 3b, the word "sky" is left-dislocated and resumed as the last constituent in the clause: "the sky—your reliability will be established in it." Ending v. 3 with the words אֱמוּנָתְךָ בָהֶם makes for a parallel ending with v. 2: אֱמוּנָתְךָ בְּפִי.
• Lunn considers the word order in both clauses of v. 3 poetic (DEF//DEF), marking a peak in the discourse.
• The adverbial "forever" in v. 5 is fronted for marked focus (cf. v. 2). The emphasis is on the permanence of David's dynasty. Lunn considers the word order poetic, marking closure.
• Most of the clauses in vv. 10–19 exhibit marked focus (cf. Ps 74:13–17). Either the independent subject-pronoun "you" is fronted (vv. 10c, 11a, 12c, 13a), the prepositional phrase "yours" is fronted (vv. 12ab, 14a), a nominal reference to YHWH is fronted (vv. 19ab), or some other phrase with a pronominal reference to YHWH is fronted (vv. 11b, 13b, 16b, 17ab, 18b). In all of these instances, the purpose is to assert YHWH's superiority to all other gods (cf. v. 7). He is the one who controls the sea, who crushed Rahab, who owns heaven and earth, who gives his people victory, etc.—he and no one else.
• The two clauses in vv. 12c–13a exhibit left-dislocation. In each clause, the object is fronted for marked topic and resumed as a pronominal element at the end of the clause. In v. 13b, the subject "Tabor and Hermon" is also fronted for marked topic. The psalmist is listing off noteworthy areas that belong to YHWH.
• If "righteousness and justice" in v. 15 are the predicate complement and not the subject (see grammatical diagram), then the phrase is fronted, probably for marked focus: "your kingdom is not based on unrighteousness and injustice, but on righteousness and justice." The phrase "loyalty and faithfulness" is fronted in the next clause for similar effect. YHWH's court servants are none other than loyalty and faithfulness.
• In v. 18a, the predicate complement is fronted for marked focus: "for you are the strength in which they glory." The point of the clause is what YHWH does for his people. He gives them strength that leads to victory, enabling them to boast gloriously over their enemies. For that reason, they are to be considered "happy" (v. 16a).
• The fronting of the PP "with my holy oil" in v. 21 creates an inclusio with the previous line, with verbs occurring at the beginning and end of the verse: "I found... I anointed." The phrase "with my holy oil" could also be fronted for marked focus.
• The subjects "hand" and "arm" in v. 22 are fronted in their respective clauses, creating an ABAB structure. The fronting in v. 22a might have been motivated by the desire to end the clause with the resumptive pronoun on עִמּוֹ. Hence: יָדִי תִּכּוֹן עִמּוֹ instead of תִּכּוֹן עִמּוֹ יָדִי. (Note also that every clause in vv. 21b–24a ends with a 3ms suffix.
• In terms of word order, vv. 23–24 have ABBA structures.
• In v. 25b, the PP "because of my name" is fronted as a parallel to the clause-initial noun phrases "my reliability and my loyalty" in the previous line, creating an ABAB structure.
• The pronoun "he" in v. 27 is explicit and fronted for marked topic. It contrasts with the fronted pronoun "I" in the following verse. Lunn considers this an example of "expanding focus."
• The phrase "my father" in v. 27 is fronted for marked focus, as is the phrase "firstborn" in v. 28.
• The adverbial "forever" is fronted in v. 29 for marked focus (cf. vv. 2–5).
• The word order in v. 31 creates an ABBA structure, while the word order in v. 32ab repeats the word order in v. 31b, creating an ABABAB structure and binding the two "if" clauses into a unit.
• The phrase "my loyalty" in v. 34 is fronted for marked topic. Compare 2 Sam 7:15, to which this verse probably alludes—וְחַסְדִּ֖י לֹא־יָס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ.
• The word order in v. 35 creates an ABBA structure (cf. v. 31).
• The adverbial "once and for all" in v. 36 is probably fronted for marked focus, underscoring the definite character of YHWH's oath.
• Verse 36b is, literally, "If I lie to David..." The apodosis is implied, as is normal in Hebrew oaths (cf. BHRG §45): "If I lie to David (then may I be cursed)" >> "I will not lie to David."
• The double fronting in v. 37a probably marks a topic-focus structure: "As for his descendants, they will be forever."
• The adverbial in v. 38a, "like the moon," is fronted, which creates an ABAB pattern with the following line: "moon – will be established// "witness – [will be] reliable"
• The phrase וְאַתָּה marks a strong break in the discourse (cf. Ps 3:4). Here, it introduces the second main part of the psalm (vv. 39–53), as a response to the first main part (vv. 2–38). Usually in the Psalter, וְאַתָּה marks a turn from despair to hope (e.g., Pss 3:4; 22:4, 20; 41:11; 55:24; 59:6, 9; 86:15; 102:13; 109:21). In this case, perhaps ironically, it marks the very opposite movement.
• In terms of syntax and word order, vv. 39–46 are relatively straightforward, even monotonous. Almost every clause begins with a verb. The monotony and simplicity have a poetic effect. The psalmist is angrily bringing a list of accusations without much poetic embellishment. He gets right to the point. And the monotony of the syntax makes the list of charges feel especially long.
• The word order in v. 45 creates an ABBA structure.
• The adverbial phrase "for what futility" in v. 48c is fronted for marked focus. The point of the clause is not that YHWH "created all people"—that is assumed—but that he created them for futility. The exclamatory particle מָה gives further emphasis to the phrase.
• In blessings such as "blessed be YHWH!" in v. 53, the predicate בָּרוּךְ is fronted (cf. Pss 28:6, 118:26; etc.).

• The vocative in v. 6a is clause final, perhaps by default or by attraction to the 2ms pronominal suffix: "your wonders." Or perhaps its clause-final position helps to mark the end of the poetic line.
• The vocatives in v. 9 are clause-initial, marking the beginning of a conversational turn. In vv. 6–8, YHWH is third person. Beginning in v. 9, he is addressed in the second person.
• The vocative in v. 16 introduces vv. 16–19 as a new unit. In vv. 6–19, vocatives occur at significant macrostructural junctures, marking the beginning of the unit (v. 6a), the beginning of the address to YHWH (v. 9), and the beginning of a sub-unit (v. 16b). (The כִּי's in vv. 7, 18, 19 also support this macrosyntactic division.) The vocative is line initial, perhaps as a parallel to v. 9. It also helps to differentiate the clauses.
• In v. 47, the position of the vocative after the interrogative "how long?" brings the question into sharper focus.
• The position of the vocatives in v. 48 and v. 51 as the second constituent in their clauses focuses the preceding verbs: "Remember!"
• The vocatives in v. 50 and v. 52 are clause final, perhaps marking the end of their respective lines.

• The כִּי in v. 3 is a speech act causal כִּי, introducing the reason for the psalmist's commitment in v. 2: "I will sing about YHWH's loyalty forever, because [I became convinced that] YHWH's loyalty will last forever." The psalmist is committed (v. 2), because he is convinced (v. 3).
• The כִּי in v. 7 is a speech act causal כִּי, introducing the reason why the heavenly beings should praise YHWH. Similar calls to praise in the Psalter (often with the verb ידה hiphil) are followed by כִּי introducing reasons for praise.
• The word אַף in v. 12b marks the clause as a "noteworthy addition" (see BHRG §40.1.4; cf. Ps 74:16a).
• The כִּי clauses in vv. 18–19 ground the אַשְׁרֵי speech act in v. 16. The reason why the psalmist declares YHWH's people "happy" (v. 16), is because YHWH gives them victory (v. 18) and ensures their protection (v. 19).
• In v. 20, the discourse marker אז is a temporal frame setter.
• The word אַף in v. 22b marks the clause as a "noteworthy addition" (see BHRG §40.1.4; cf. vv. 6, 12, 28, 44).
• The word אַף in v. 28 marks the clause as a "noteworthy addition" (see BHRG §40.1.4).
• The word אַף in v. 44a marks the clause as a "noteworthy addition" (see BHRG §40.14). It depicts YHWH actively thwarting the attempt of his anointed to defend himself. (Note that this clause is also marked by the use of a yiqtol.)

• The waw in v. 6, which occurs at the beginning of a major poetic section (see Poetic Structure), functions at a high level of the discourse, joining vv. 6–19 to vv. 2–5 and marking a poetic turn.
• The subordinate clause in v. 10a, "when its waves rise up," is fronted as a frame setter.
• The clauses in vv. 23-26 are coordinated by a string of waw conjunctions.
• The waw in v. 33 marks the apodosis (the "then" clause) of the conditional sentence (cf. GKC §112ff).