Psalm 89/Notes/Grammar.v. 2.138915

• There is a textual issue in the first line of the poem. Consider the differences between the ESV and the NRSV:

1. "I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever" (ESV) (see v. 2 preferred diagram).
2. "I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever" (NRSV, cf. NEB) (see v. 2 alternative diagram).

• The ESV follows the MT, which reads חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה (a construct chain): "YHWH's acts of loyalty" (cf. Symmachus, Aquila, Jerome, Peshitta, Targum). Instead of חַסְדֵּי, the NRSV is reading חֲסָדֶיךָ (with a 2ms suffix), which requires interpreting יְהוָה as a vocative. The NRSV claims to be following the Septuagint (footnote: "Gk"). According to Rahlfs' 1931 edition, the Septuagint says: "Of your mercies, O Lord (τὰ ἐλέη σου, κύριε), I will sing forever" (NETS; cf. Theodotion). It is likely, however, that the Septuagint originally agreed with the MT and read "the Lord's mercies" (τὰ ἐλέη τοῦ κυρίου, so Ra 2110 [unknown to Rahlfs]) and that the reading "your mercies, O Lord" (τὰ ἐλέη σου, κύριε) is an inner-Greek corruption (see Barthélemy 2005, 614). This reading probably represents an attempt to smooth out the text—to make the otherwise third-person reference to YHWH in the a-line match the second person reference in the b-line (cf. Barthélemy 2005, 612–614). Some idiomatic modern translations do the same: "O LORD, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever" (GNT, cf. CEV, HFA, GNB). The person-shifting in the MT (third person in the a-line --> second person in the b-line), although unusual in English, is a characteristic feature of Hebrew poetry and happens sometimes at the beginnings of psalms (see e.g., Pss 9:2; 92:2).