Psalm 89/Notes/Grammar.v. 20.559180

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  • Most translations follow the Hebrew text attested by all of our witnesses (שִׁוִּיתִי עֵזֶר) and say "I have granted help to a warrior" (REB, cf. ESV, CSB, GNT, NET, LUT, NGÜ, ELB, EÜ, ZÜR) or "I have bestowed strength on a warrior" (NIV, cf. NJPS) (here preferred). Compare the similar expression ה֥וֹד וְ֝הָדָר תְּשַׁוֶּ֥ה עָלָֽיו in Ps 21:6. Some translations, however, emend עֵזֶר ("help") to נֵזֶר ("crown") and say, "I have set the crown on one who is mighty" (NRSV). The emendation requires the change of one letter (נ vs ע) and fits well in the context of the psalm (see esp. v. 40: "you have defiled his crown [נִזְרוֹ] in the dust." But, as mentioned above, the Hebrew text עֵזֶר is supported by all of our witnesses (see Barthélemy 2005, 623–5, who gives it an "A" rating; cf. the idiosyncratic manuscript 4QPs89: שת עו[זר על]).