The Division of Psalm 20:10

Back to Psalm 20

Introduction

The traditional Hebrew text of Ps. 20:10 reads as follows:

יְהוָ֥ה הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ׃

The Masoretic accentuation includes an athnach below הוֹשִׁיעָה, suggesting a break between יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה and הַמֶּלֶךְ. However, the BHS editors propose that the athnach should be placed under הַמֶּלֶךְ instead. Translations differ based upon whether or not they choose to follow the Masoretic accentuation.

Option 1 - Follows the Masoretic accentuation. E.g.: “O LORD, grant victory! May the King answer us when we call” (JPS, 1985).

Translators who favor the BHS suggestion over the Masoretic accents differ on their rendering of the verb יַעֲנֵנוּ (v. 10b), resulting in the options:

Option 2 - Diverges from the MT in two ways. First, this option follows the BHS editors’ suggestion of relocating the athnach underneath the word הַמֶּלֶךְ. Second, it reads v. 10b with an emendation of the Hebrew verb יַעֲנֵנוּ (third person imperfect) to וַעֲנֵנוּ (waw plus second person imperative). This option is represented by the modern translation REB: “Lord, save the king, and answer us when we call.”

Option 3 - Follows the BHS editors' suggestion of relocating the athnach underneath the word הַמֶּלֶךְ but preserves the MT reading of יַעֲנֵנוּ. E.g.: “O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call” (ESV).

Each option is represented below by an argument map.

Argument Maps

Division of the Verse

Should we follow the Masoretic accentuation in placing the athnach below the word הושיעה? or Should we diverge from the Masoretic accentuation by relocating the athnach underneath the word המלך?

יהוה הושיעה / המלך יעננו ביום־קראנו - Following the Masoretic Accentuation

Some translations read the text יהוה הושיעה / המלך יעננו ביום־קראנו as: “O LORD, grant victory! May the King answer us when we call” (JPS, 1985).

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[“O YHWH, save!”]: The text should be divided as follows: “O YHWH, save! May the king answer us when we call!” #dispreferred
 + <MT accents>: The word הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה has the accent athnach, which marks the major break of the verse. #dispreferred
 + <Hebrew manuscript>: The Babylonian Codex Or 2373 supports this division of the text. #dispreferred
 + <Ancient versions>: The Targum, Jerome’s translation from the Hebrew, Aquila and Symmachus support this division of the text. #dispreferred
  + [Targum and Jerome]: Targum: ייי פרוק לן מליך תקיף קביל צלותן ביום מקרינן "O Lord, deliver us; O Mighty King, accept our prayer in the day when we call" (Stec 2004:56). #dispreferred
Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta Hebr.): Domine salva rex exaudiet nos in die qua invocaverimus. O Lord, save! The king will hear us on the day when we call. #dispreferred
  + [Aquila and Symmachus]: κύριος σώσει ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὁ  βασιλεὺς ἀποκριθήσεται ἡμῖν. The Lord will save us, and the king will answer us. #dispreferred
 + <More emphatic>: The exclamation “O YHWH, save!” is more emphatic than the extended, “O YHWH, save the king!" The terseness of the psalmist's request indicates a sense of urgency (cf. Alexander 1991:102 :C:). #dispreferred
 - <Grammatically awkward>: The text of the MT is grammatically awkward, with no direct object for הוֹשִׁיעָה. 
  - <Used intransitively>: In some cases, הוֹשִׁיעָה does not require a direct object. #dispreferred
   + [Evidence for הוֹשִׁיעָה used intransitively]: E.g., Pss. 12:2, 60:7, 118:25; 2 Sam. 14:4; 2 Kgs 6:26. #dispreferred
 - <Imbalance>: When counting actual words, the MT division leads to an imbalanced division of lines: 2/4 (יהוה הושיעה / המלך יעננו ביום־קראנו).
  <_ <Balance>: An imbalance in the final verse is not out of the ordinary in the book of psalms. E.g.: 2/3 (counting prosodic words) and 2/5 (counting actual words) in Pss. 8:10 and 67:8. (Barthélemy 2005: 123 :M:). #dispreferred

יהוה הושיעה המלך / יעננו ביום־קראנו - Diverging from the Masoretic Accentuation (preferred)

Nearly all modern translations read the text as יהוה הושיעה המלך / יעננו ביום־קראנו: “O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call" (ESV).

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[“O YHWH, save the king!”]: The text should be divided as follows: “O YHWH, save the king! May he answer us when we call!” 
 + <Manuscript Evidence>: This division of the text is attested by Sassoon 1053. 
 + <Ancient Support>: The LXX follows this division. 
  + [LXX]: LXX: “Κύριε, σῶσον τὸν βασιλέα σου, / καὶ ἐπάκουσον . . . ” (Κύριε, σῶσον τὸν βασιλέα = יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ). 
 + <Balance>: According to this division, the lines are balanced (3 words/3 words - counting words without regard to the maqqef) (cf. Goldingay 2006: 50 :C:; Van der Lugt 2006: 226). Disregarding this division, the psalm would be imbalanced. 
  <_ <Prosodic words>: Prosodic words consider words joined by a maqqef one word. Therefore, when counting prosodic words, the division of lines would be "imbalanced" regardless of the placement of the athnach: 2/3 (יהוה הושיעה / המלך יעננו ביום־קראנו) or 3/2 
(יהוה הושיעה המלך / יעננו ביום־קראנו). #dispreferred 
 + <Emphasis>: Following this division, the emphasis is on "the people’s prayer to God for the king’s victory in battle" (Waltner 2006: 30 :C:), which fits well with the overall purpose of the psalm.
 + <Poetic correspondence>: In the psalm's poetic structure, v. 7a corresponds with v. 10a (cf. Van der Lugt 2006: 227 :C:). The correspondence is even more striking if הַמֶּלֶךְ is the object of הֹושִׁיעָה in v. 10.
  + [Poetic correspondence]: v.7a הֹושִׁיעַ יְהוָה מְשִׁיחֹו and v. 10a יְהוָה הֹושִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ.
 - <Cacophony>: If we place the athnach after הַמֶּלֶךְ, we obtain a cacophonous sequence -עָה הַ - which a poet could surely have avoided by using הוֹשַׁע or הוֹשִׁיעָה־נָּא instead of הוֹשִׁיעָה and/or הַמֶּלֶךְ.” (Barthélemy 2005: 122 :M:). #dispreferred
 -<Absence of direct object marker>: Following this division, המלך becomes the direct object of הושיעה. We would expect the direct object marker את preceding המלך resulting in את־המלך. However, there is no direct object marker. #dispreferred
  <_ <Object marker infrequency>: The preposition את is most commonly used to mark direct objects of transitive verbs, but its use is not obligatory. In fact, object marking is infrequent with volitional verb forms like imperatives (cf. Bekins 2014: 2, 25, and 130; Sadock and Zwicky 1985: 174). Additionally, object marking is rare in biblical poetry (cf. Longman and Enns 2008: 260-262 :D:)

Emendation

Emending יעננו to ועננו

Most modern translations adopt the emendation, rendering the Hebrew text as יהוה הושיעה המלך / ועננו ביום־קראנו. The emendation is represented in the REB: “Lord, save the king, and answer us when we call.”

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[Emendation]: יַעֲנֵנוּ should be emended to וַעֲנֵנוּ #dispreferred
 + <LXX and Targum>: The LXX and the Targum support the emendation. #dispreferred
  + [LXX]: Κύριε, σῶσον τὸν βασιλέα σου, καὶ ἐπάκουσον (=וַעֲנֵנוּ) ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπικαλεσώμεθά σε. "O Lord, save your king, and hearken to us in the day we call upon you"(NETS). #dispreferred
   <_ <Assimilation>: Emending to וַעֲנֵנוּ is an unlikely explanation for the LXX reading. More likely the imperative ἐπάκουσον reflects only assimilation to the preceding imperative σῶσον (from הושׁיע) (Briggs 1906: 182 :C:).
  + [Targum]: ייי פרוק לן מליך תקיף קביל צלותן ביום מקרינן *"O Lord, deliver us; O Mighty King, accept our prayer in the day when we call" (Stec 2004:56). #dispreferred
 -<Ancient versions>: The Peshitta, Jerome, Aquila and Symmachus do not support the emendation.
  +[Peshitta and Jerome]: ܡܪܝܐ ܢܦܪܩܢ ܘܡܠܟܢ ܢܥܢܝܢ ܒܝܘܡܐ ܕܢܩܪܝܘܗܝ܂ "The Lord will save us and our king; he will answer us on the day that we call on him" (Taylor 2021:69). 
Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta Hebr.): Domine salva rex exaudiet nos in die qua invocaverimus. O Lord, save! The king will hear us in the day when we call.
  +[Aquila and Symmachus]: κύριος σώσει ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀποκριθήσεται ἡμῖν. The Lord will save us, and the king will answer us.
 - <Manuscript evidence>: No extant Hebrew manuscript supports this emendation.
 - <Verbal repetitions>: The yiqtol verb יַעֲנֵנוּ (v.10) parallels the yiqtol verbs יַעַנְךָ (v.2) and יַעֲנֵה (v.7). These three verbs are part of a pattern of verbal repetitions (cf. Van der Lugt 2006: 228, 230 :C:).

Conclusion

Nearly all modern translations read Ps. 20:10 as יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ / וַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵנוּ (“YHWH, save the king, and answer us when we call”). This reading diverges from the MT and follows the LXX both by relocating the athnach underneath the word הַמֶּלֶךְ and by reading v. 10b with an emendation of the Hebrew verb (וַעֲנֵנוּ instead of יַעֲנֵנוּ). We oppose the emendation because it is likely the result of assimilation of the LXX verb ἐπάκουσον (answer) with the preceding imperative verb σῶσον (save). In addition, the emendation is not supported by Hebrew manuscripts, nor by the Peshitta, Jerome, Aquila or Symmachus. Moreover, adopting the emendation וַעֲנֵנוּ (qal imperative 2ms) would disrupt the syntactical pattern of the 3ms qal yiqtol verbs יַעַנְךָ (v.2), יַעֲנֵה (v.7) and יַעֲנֵנוּ (v.10). These three verbs are part of a pattern of verbal repetitions. However, we do prefer dividing the text according to the LXX and not the Masoretic accentuation.

Although both readings have supporting evidence, the LXX division fits better. According to the Masoretic accentuation, הַמֶּלֶךְ is the subject of the verb יַעֲנֵנוּ. This reading is supported by several ancient versions and has the added benefit of sharpening the tone of the Psalmist's request. On the other hand, it creates an imbalance in the verse and leaves the verb הוֹשִׁיעָה without a direct object. If we instead place the division after הַמֶּלֶךְ, the verse will be balanced (3//3 counting actual words), and הַמֶּלֶךְ will be the direct object of הוֹשִׁיעָה. Particularly if Ps. 20 is a prayer for God to grant victory to Israel's king, the reading "God save the king" makes the most sense. Furthermore, v. 10a corresponds to v. 7a, where מְשִׁיחוֹ is clearly the direct object of הוֹשִׁיעַ. If הַמֶּלֶךְ were the subject of יַעֲנֵנוּ, as the Masoretic accentuation demands, then this poetic correspondence would be weakened. For these reasons, we have translated the verse as, "O YHWH, save the king! May he answer us when we call.”

Research

The verb הוֹשִׁיעָה

The verb הוֹשִׁיעָה (Hiphil, imperative, 2MS) occurs nine other times in the Hebrew Bible (Josh. 10:6; 2 Sam. 14:4; 2 Kings 6:26; Ps 12:2, 28:9, 60:7, 86:16, 108:7, and 118:25). The verb can be used either transitively or intransitively. When the verb is used transitively, it is followed by the preposition lamed or the direct object marker such as in Ps. 28:9 (הֹושִׁ֤יעָה‏׀ אֶת־עַמֶּ֗ךָ), Josh 10:6 (וְהֹושִׁ֤יעָה לָּ֨נוּ֙), and Ps. 86:16 (וְ֝הֹושִׁ֗יעָה לְבֶן־אֲמָתֶֽךָ). Alternatively, when the verb is used intransitively, it has no complement such as in 2 Sam. 14:4 (וַתֹּ֖אמֶר הֹושִׁ֥עָה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃) and 2 Kig. 6:26 (לֵאמֹ֔ר הֹושִׁ֖יעָה אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ). In Ps. 20:10, הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה is used intransitively, therefore it does not require הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ as its object.

Translations

Ancient

• LXX: Κύριε, σῶσον τὸν βασιλέα σου, καὶ ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπικαλεσώμεθά σε
  • "O Lord, save your king, and hearken to us in the day we call upon you."
• Aquila: κύριος σώσει ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀποκριθήσεται ἡμῖν.
  • The Lord will save us, and the king will answer us.
• Symmachus: κύριος σώσει ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀποκριθήσεται ἡμῖν.
  • The Lord will save us, and the king will answer us.
• Peshitta: ܡܪܝܐ ܢܦܪܩܢ ܘܡܠܟܢ ܢܥܢܝܢ ܒܝܘܡܐ ܕܢܩܪܝܘܗܝ܂
  • "The Lord will save us and our king; he will answer us on the day that we call on him."
• Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta LXX): Domine salvum fac regem et exaudi nos in die qua invocaverimus te.
  • O Lord save the king and hear us on the day when we call you.
• Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta Hebr.): Domine salva rex exaudiet nos in die qua invocaverimus.
  • O Lord, save! The king will hear us on the day when we call.
• Targum: ייי פרוק לן מליך תקיף קביל צלותן ביום מקרינן
  • "O Lord, deliver us; O Mighty King, accept our prayer in the day when we call."

Modern

Following the Masoretic Accentuation

יהוה הושיעה / המלך יעננו ביום־קראנו

• English
  • O LORD, grant victory! May the King answer us when we call." (JPS1985)
• Spanish
  • Salva, Jehová; que el Rey nos oiga en el día que lo invoquemos. (RVR95)
  • ¡Salva, oh YHVH!¡ Que el Rey nos responda el día que lo invoquemos! (BTX4)
• French
  • Seigneur, donne la victoire! Le roi nous répondra le jour où nous l'appellerons. (TOB)
• German
  • Hilf, HERR! Der König erhöre uns, wenn wir rufen. (Luther 2017)
  • HERR, hilf! Der König erhöre uns am Tage unseres Rufens! (ELB)
  • Schaff doch Rettung, HERR! Der König antworte uns am Tag, da wir rufen. (EÜ)

Diverging from the Masoretic Accentuation

יהוה הושיעה המלך / ועננו ביום־קראנו

• English
  • O Lord, save the king, and answer us in the hour of our calling. (NEB)
  • Lord, save the king, and answer us when we call. (REB)
  • Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call. (NRSV)
  • Yahweh, save the king, answer us when we call. (NJB)
  • Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV)
  • Give the king victory, LORD, and answer our prayers. (CEV)
  • Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call. (GNT)
• Spanish
  • ¡Concede, Señor, la victoria al rey! ¡Respóndenos cuando te llamemos! (NVI)
  • Señor, ¡dale la victoria al rey! ¡Respóndenos cuando te llamemos! (DHH)
• French
  • Eternel, sauve le roi! Réponds-nous, quand nous faisons appel à toi! (S21)
• Portuguese
  • Senhor concede vitória ao rei! Responde-nos quando clamamos! (NVI)
  • Ó Senhor, dá vitória ao rei; responde-nos, quando clamarmos. (ARA)
  • Ó Senhor Deus, dá a vitória ao rei! Responde-nos quando pedirmos a tua ajuda. (NTLH)
• German
  • HERR, hilf dem König! Erhöre uns, wenn wir zu dir rufen! (HFA)
  • HERR, hilf dem König! Erhöre uns, wenn wir zu dir beten! (GNB)
  • HERR, hilf dem König und erhöre uns an dem Tag, da wir rufen. (ZÜR)

Diverging from the Masoretic Accentuation

יהוה הושיעה המלך / יעננו ביום־קראנו

• English
  • O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. (ESV)
• French
  • Seigneur, sauve le roi! Qu'il nous réponde, le jour où nous l'invoquons! (NBS)
  • Éternel, sauve le roi! Qu'il nous réponde, quand nous l'invoquons! (NVSR)
  • Seigneur, sauve le roi! Qu’il nous réponde quand nous l’appelons! (PDV)

Secondary Literature

Article [A]

Revell, E. J. “Pausal Forms and the Structure of Biblical Hebrew Poetry”. Vetus Testamentum 31, no. 2: 1981.

Monograph [M]

Barthélemy, Dominique (2005). Critique textuelle de l'Ancien Testament: Tome 4. Psaumes. Göttingen, Germany: Academic Press Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2005.

Cacophony: “Si l'on place l'atnaq apres הַמֶּלֶךְ, on obtient une sequence cacophonique -עָה הַ - qu'un poète aurait sûrement pu éviter en faisant usage de הוֹשַׁע ou הוֹשִׁיעָה־נָּא au lieu de הוֹשִׁיעָה et/ou de הַמֶּלֶךְ” (Barthélemy 2005: 122).

Balance: "Certains ont été gênés par le déséquilibre apparent de ce dernier verset du Psaume: 2/3. Mais on trouve des déséquilibres identiques (2/3 en 8,10 et 67,8) ou même plus marqués (2/5 en 66,20) en d'autres finales psalmiques” (Barthélemy 2005: 123).

Bekins, Peter. Transitivity and Object Marking in Biblical Hebrew: An Investigation of the Object Preposition 'Et. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2014.

Sadock, Jerrold M., and Arnold M. Zwicky. "Speech Act Distinctions in Syntax." In Language Typology and Syntactic Description: Vol. 1, Clause Structure, edited by Timothy Shopen, 155-96. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985.

Commentary [C]

Alexander, Joseph Addison. Commentary on Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1991.

Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Grace Briggs. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Book of Psalms. Vol. I. New York, NY: C. Scribner’s sons, 1906.

Craigie, Peter C. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1–50. 2nd ed. Vol. 19. Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2004.

Dahood, Mitchell J. The Anchor Bible: Psalms I, 1-50. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1966.

DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth Tanner. “Book One of the Psalter: Psalms 1–41,” in The Book of Psalms, ed. E. J. Young, R. K. Harrison, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr.. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014.

Delitzsch, Franz Julius. A Commentary on the Psalms. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1883.

Mays, James L. Psalms. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.

Goldingay, John. Psalms: Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2006.

Perowne, J. J. Stewart. The Book of Psalms: A New Translation with Introductions and Notes, Explanatory and Critical. Vol. I. London: Bell and Daldy, 1870.

Ross, Allen P. A Commentary on the Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2011.

Van der Lugt, Pieter. Cantos And Strophes in Biblical Hebrew Poetry: With Special Reference to the First Book of the Psalter. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2006.

Waltner, James H. Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2006.

Dictionary [D]

Longman, Tremper, III and Peter Enns. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. Downers Grove, III.: Nottingham, England, IVP Academic, 2008.

References

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