Psalm 89/Notes/Verbal.v. 44.465299

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The verb תָּשִׁיב (v. 44a) stands out as the only yiqtol within this section (vv. 39-46) (Note also the particle אַף which makes this line further stand out.) Most translations render it as a present perfect, just like the surrounding qatal verbs: "you have turned back" (cf. KJV, NIV, NLT, ESV, CEV, GNT, NEB, NJPS, LUT, HFA, ELB, EÜ, GNB, ZÜR; so LXX [ἀπέστρεψας]; cf. Aquila, Symmachus, and Quinta; Jerome iuxta Hebr. [avertisti]). A minority of translations render it as a present-tense, habitual verb: "you turn back" (NET, NASB). The simple past tense interpretation makes sense in the context, but for this interpretation we might have expected either qatal (הֲשִׁיבוֹתָ) or a short yiqtol (תָּשֵׁב, cf. Ps 90:3), not long yiqtol (תָּשִׁיב). The NET offers a helpful explanation: "The use of the imperfect in this one instance may be for rhetorical effect. The psalmist briefly lapses into dramatic mode, describing the king’s military defeat as if it were happening before his very eyes." For this dramatic use of yiqtol to describe some event happening before your eyes, see e.g., Ps 2:4-5.