Psalm 89/Notes/Grammar.v. 52.664625

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  • The two relative particles (אֲשֶׁר) in v. 52 might have as their antecedent the phrase חֶרְפַּת עֲבָדֶיךָ. Cf. Ps 79:12—חֶרְפָּתָם אֲשֶׁר חֵרְפוּנִי. (Cf. LXX trans. NETS: "the reproach (τοῦ ὀνειδισμοῦ)... with which (οὗ) your enemies reproached, O Lord, with which (οὗ) they reproached..." See v. 52 alternative diagram and the similar discussion on the relative particle in v. 22). In this case, however, it seems more likely that the verb "remember" is elided and the two אֲשֶׁר particles are functioning as complementizers ("[remember] that..."), similar to כִּי (so e.g., Holmstedt 2016, 341; see v. 52 preferred diagram). Cf. Rabbi Sforno: ׳.זכור׳ מה ש׳חרפו אויביך. This use of אֲשֶׁר is common with verbs of perception (seeing, knowing, remembering). Compare e.g., Deut 1:31—רָאִ֔יתָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נְשָׂאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ. For an example with זכר, see Deut 25:17-18.