Introduction

The Masoretic Text of Psalm 70's superscription reads as follows:^[1]

לַ֝מְנַצֵּ֗חַ לְדָוִ֥ד לְהַזְכִּֽיר׃

The meaning of the final phrase, לְהַזְכִּֽיר, is unclear and has been interpreted in various ways,^[2] as illustrated by the following translations:^[3]

For the music leader. Of David. For the memorial offering. (CEB)
For the choir director. Of David. To bring remembrance. (CSB)

The interpretive options can be broken down as follows:

Interpreting לְהַזְכִּֽיר as a purpose clause with the nominal "memorial offering" (see the CEB)
Interpreting לְהַזְכִּֽיר as a verbal idea to remind ➞ to bring to remembrance (see the CSB). Within the latter interpretation, however, the entity reminded could plausibly either be:

YHWH as the addressee.
The psalmist's community as the addressee.^[4] In this case, however,

It is possible that the theme of remembrance, that is, what is to be remembered, is YHWH's actions (NBS) or
the psalm itself is to be remembered—in other words, the experiencers would be the Levitical musicians, who receive the liturgical directive to record this Psalm.

We consider these four possibilities in the following argument maps.

Argument Maps

For a memorial offering

Some translations interpret לְהַזְכִּֽיר as a purpose clause with the nominal "memorial offering." See, for example, the CEB: "For the music leader. Of David. For the memorial offering."


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[Memorial offering]: The phrase לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates the liturgical use of Psalm 70 in a "memorial offering" (Delitzsch 1871, 288 :C:; Mowinckel 1962:II, 212 :M:; HALOT, 270 :L:; DCH, 109 :L:).#dispreferred
 + <Targum Psalms>: This interpretation is suggested by Targum Psalms.#dispreferred
  + [Targum Psalms]: "To the singer. By David: to make a memorial over a bunch of frankincense" (Stec 2004, 137).#dispreferred
  <_ <Conflation>: The Targum has conflated two readings, including both the infinitive "to make a memorial" (למדכר) as well as the mention of "a bunch of frankincense."
   <_ <Textual uncertainty>: Some manuscripts lack the infinitive למדכר.#dispreferred
 + <Isa 66:3>: This function of the hiphil verb זכר is a plausible interpretation of Isaiah 66:3.#dispreferred
  + [Isa 66:3]: "he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense (מַזְכִּ֥יר לְבֹנָ֖ה) \[is\] like one who blesses an idol" (ESV).#dispreferred
   <_ <Syntax>: In Isaiah 66:3 the hiphil זכר is explicitly modified by the nominal adverb "frankincense." Without this modification, other senses of the verb are more readily available.
 + <Noun אַזְכָּרָה>: The noun אַזְכָּרָה is a type of (memorial?) offering and shares the root זכר with the infinitive לְהַזְכִּֽיר. The LXX also renders the infinitive with a noun.#dispreferred
  + [LXX]: εἰς ἀνάμνησιν "as a reminder" (NETS).#dispreferred
  <_ <Translation constraints>: The Greek translator could not have translated the word as an infinitive, since, in that case, one would inevitably understand David as the grammatical subject, which was not the translator's intention (Pietersma 2005, 464 :A:).
  <_ <Translation technique>: The Greek translator elsewhere translates infinitives as nouns.
   + [Translation technique]: See, e.g., לְלַמֵּֽד in Psalm 60:1, rendered εἰς διδαχήν "for teaching" (NETS) in the LXX.
  <_ <Infinitive לְהַזְכִּֽיר>: The noun אַזְכָּרָה is a different part of speech than the infinitive לְהַזְכִּֽיר. If a noun were intended, either אַזְכָּרָה, or even זִכָּרוֹן "remembrance," would have been available.

To remind

Some translations interpret לְהַזְכִּֽיר as a verbal idea to remind ➞ to bring to remembrance. The desired recipient of this reminder could be the psalmist's community (NBS) or YHWH (NET, NLT, PDV).

A reminder for YHWH


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[A reminder for YHWH]: The phrase לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates a reminder for YHWH concerning the psalmist's supplications (Hitzig 1863, 104 :C:; Kirkpatrick 1895, 407–408 :C:; Mowinckel 1962:II, 212 :M:). #dispreferred
 + <Literary co-text>: The phrase לְהַזְכִּֽיר occurs only in the superscriptions of Psalm 38 and 70. In both psalms, the psalm's content indicates the urgent appeal for YHWH to act on the psalmist's behalf. Thus, they fit the profile of psalms reminding YHWH to act.#dispreferred
 - <Function of the superscription>: Nowhere else in the Psalms are the superscriptions addressed to YHWH, nor do they contain a rhetorical function of the psalm's message.
  <_ <Syntax>: As apparent in the LXX, the word לְהַזְכִּֽיר actually begins the body of the psalm (Ibn Ezra :C:).#dispreferred
   + [LXX]: εἰς ἀνάμνησιν, 2εἰς τὸ σῶσαί με κύριον "As a reminder, 2(1) for the Lord to save me" (NETS).#dispreferred
    <_ <Textual issues>: It cannot be certain whether the LXX has translated from a slightly different Hebrew text or is the result of translation technique. Either way, there is an important textual difference concerning the placement of the accusative κύριον, which possibly represents the MT's אֱלֹהִ֥ים, though it is placed after the infinitive "to save me" in Greek, whereas the MT uncontroversially places it clause and line-initially.
     + <Psalm 70:2 MT>: אֱלֹהִ֥ים לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי lit. "God, to save me."

A reminder for the community/Levites (preferred)

Even as a reminder for community/Levites, it is possible that what is to be remembered is YHWH (NBS) or the Psalm itself.

A reminder of YHWH


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[A reminder of YHWH]: The phrase לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates a reminder for the psalmist's community to remember YHWH (Meiri :C:).#dispreferred
 + <Literary co-text>: The hiphil זכר is used only a few verses later with the sense of reminding the community.#dispreferred
  + [Psalm 71:16]: "With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them (אַזְכִּ֖יר) of your righteousness, yours alone" (ESV).#dispreferred
 - <Function of the superscription>: Nowhere else in the Psalms do the superscriptions contain intended perlocutionary effects for the psalmist's community.

A reminder of the Psalm (preferred)


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[A reminder of the Psalm]: The phrase לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates a directive towards the Levitical musicians to record the Psalm. 
 + <Function of superscriptions>: Notes on the liturgical and functional intention of the psalm are commonly found in the superscriptions. Here, לְהַזְכִּֽיר functions as a reminder of the psalm's content, that is, in order to record it.
  + [Other directives in the superscriptions]: See, e.g., אַל תַּשְׁחֵת ("do not destroy"?) in Psalms 57–59, 75 and לְלַמֵּֽד "to teach" in Psalm 60.
   + <Psalm 60:1>: "The sense of 'to teach' is that he commanded that the poets would teach it" (Ibn Ezra :C:; וטעם ללמד – שצווה שילמדוהו המשוררים). See also the similar sense in Deuteronomy 31:19, 30; 2 Sam 1:18.
    + [Other songs to be taught]: "Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel ... Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel" (Deut 31:19, 30, ESV); "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar" (2 Sam 1:17–18, ESV).
 + <Canonical development>: As argued in the exegetical issue "The Relationship Between Psalm 40:14–18 and Psalm 70," Psalm 70 was an earlier composition adapted and added to Psalm 40:1–13. Thus, it fits the profile of a psalm to be recorded for future use by other scribes and poets.
 + <Participle מַזְכִּיר >: The participle of the same verb and binyan, hiphil זכר, exclusively functions as the office of a "recorder" (see 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8).

Conclusion (B+)

In the same manner as all of the directions offered in the superscriptions of the Psalms, the infinitive לְהַזְכִּֽיר is best considered part of the liturgical or scribal function of the psalm, rather than a directive towards YHWH as the addressee, as if it belonged to the body of the psalm. In this sense, the interpretation of memorial offering is attractive, though there are semantic issues with the infinitive, since the noun אַזְכָּרָה would make this sense unambiguous.

On the other hand, as a poem composed to be used and adapted in other contexts, such as Psalm 40:14–18,^[5] it makes perfect sense that Levitical scribes would be directed to record Psalm 70 for future use. Other liturgical-functional directives are offered in the superscriptions of the Psalms, such as אַל תַּשְׁחֵת ("do not destroy"?) in Psalms 57–59, 75 and לְלַמֵּֽד "to teach" in Psalm 60.^[6] Further, the participle of the same verb in the same binyan is well-attested with the sense of recorder.^[7] Thus, we conclude that the sense to record fits the profile of the psalm well, as well as the clearer instances of infinitives in the superscriptions.^[8]

Research

Translations

Ancient

LXX: Εἰς τὸ τέλος· τῷ Δαυιδ εἰς ἀνάμνησιν, 2εἰς τὸ σῶσαί με κύριον.^[9]
- "Regarding completion. Pertaining to Dauid. As a reminder, 2(1) for the Lord to save me.'"^[10]
Jerome (Hebr.): Victori david ad recordandum
- "For victory of David. For remembering."
Targum: לשבחא על יד דוד למדכר על צריר לבונתא׃^[11]
- "To the singer. By David: to make a memorial^[12] over a bunch of frankincense^[13]

Modern

For the memorial offering

For the music leader. Of David. For the memorial offering. (CEB; cf. ESV)
For the music director. A Psalm of David; for a memorial. (NASB)
Von David, vorzusingen, zum Gedenkopfer. (LUT 2017; cf. EÜ)

To bring to remembrance

For the leader: for David: for commemoration (REB; cf. NABRE)
For the choir director. Of David. To bring remembrance. (CSB)
For the leader. By David. As a reminder (CJB)
For the music director, by David; written to get God’s attention. (NET)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him. (NLT)
Dem Chorleiter. Von David. Zum Gedächtnis. (ELB)
Für den Chormeister. Von David. Zur Verkündigung. (ZÜR)
Au chef de chœur. De David, comme mémorial. (SG21; cf. NFC, TOB)
Del maestro de coro. De David, para hacer recordar. (DHH; cf. RVC, RVR95)
Al músico principal. Salmo de David. Para conmemorar. (RVC; cf. RVR95)
Au chef de chœur. Un psaume de David pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu. (BDS)
Chant de David, pris dans le livre du chef de chorale pour que Dieu se souvienne. (PDV)

Miscellaneous

A psalm by David; a lament. (GNT)
For the director of music. Of David. A petition. (NIV)
Du chef de chœur. De David. En évocation. (NBS)

Secondary Literature

Delitzsch, Franz. 1871. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Vol. 2. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.

Ḥakham, Amos. 1979. The Book of Psalms: Books 1–2 (in Hebrew). Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook.

Hitzig, Ferdinand. 1865. Die Psalmen: übersetzt und ausgelegt. . Zweiter Band. Leipzig und Heidelberg: C. F. Winterische Verlagshandlung.

Ibn Ezra, Abraham. Ibn Ezra on Psalms.

Kirkpatrick, A. Francis. 1895. The Book of Psalms: Psalms XLII-LXXXIX. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Meiri, Menachem. Meiri on Psalms.

Mowinckel, Sigmund. 1962. The Psalms in Israel’s Worship. Volume II. Oxford: Blackwell.

Pietersma, Albert. 2005. "Septuagintal Exegesis and the Superscriptions of the Greek Psalter." Pages 443–475 in The Book of Psalms: Composition & Reception. Edited by Peter W. Flint and Patrick D. Miller. Leiden: Brill.

Weisman, Zeev. 1996. "Chapter 70" (in Hebrew). Pages 290–291 in Psalms: Volume 1. Olam HaTaNaKh. Tel Aviv: דודזון–עתי.

References

Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 70

70:1

↑ Text from OSHB.
↑ Ḥakham (1979, 216); Weisman (1996, 290).
↑ Outliers, which will not be further discussed in the present exegetical issue, include the GNT's "A psalm by David; a lament" and the NIV's "For the director of music. Of David. A petition." In terms of lexical semantics, there is nothing in the verbal root זכר which hints at either a lament or petition. On the other hand, the sense of hiphil זכר as to invoke/pray/praise is fairly well attested (BDB, 271; see Exod 23:13; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13; 48:1; 63:7; Ps 20:8; 45:17; Song 1:4; 1 Chr 16:4), so could very possibly be the intended sense here. This interpretation, however, is not found in any of the modern translations consulted.
↑ Although most translations representing this category leave the details ambiguous, several translations indicate the community themselves as the specific experiencer ("Au chef de chœur. Un psaume de David pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu," NBS); or YHWH as the experiencer ("Chant de David, pris dans le livre du chef de chorale pour que Dieu se souvienne, PDV; "For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him," NLT; "For the music director, by David; written to get God’s attention" (NET).
↑ See the exegetical issue The Relationship Between Psalm 40:14–18 and Psalm 70.
↑ See also the context of teaching a poem in Deut 30 and 2 Sam 1:17–18.
↑ See 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8.
↑ Alternatively, the sense of hiphil זכר as to invoke/pray/praise is fairly well-attested (BDB, 271; see Exod 23:13; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13; 48:1; 63:7; Ps 20:8; 45:17; Song 1:4; 1 Chr 16:4), so could very possibly be the intended sense here.
↑ Rahlfs 1931, 195.
↑ NETS
↑ CAL.
↑ Some manuscripts of Targum Psalms are lacking the word "to make a memorial" (למדכר).
↑ Stec 2004, 137.

[1] Text from OSHB.

[2] Ḥakham (1979, 216); Weisman (1996, 290).

[3] Outliers, which will not be further discussed in the present exegetical issue, include the GNT's "A psalm by David; a lament" and the NIV's "For the director of music. Of David. A petition." In terms of lexical semantics, there is nothing in the verbal root זכר which hints at either a lament or petition. On the other hand, the sense of hiphil זכר as to invoke/pray/praise is fairly well attested (BDB, 271; see Exod 23:13; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13; 48:1; 63:7; Ps 20:8; 45:17; Song 1:4; 1 Chr 16:4), so could very possibly be the intended sense here. This interpretation, however, is not found in any of the modern translations consulted.

[4] Although most translations representing this category leave the details ambiguous, several translations indicate the community themselves as the specific experiencer ("Au chef de chœur. Un psaume de David pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu," NBS); or YHWH as the experiencer ("Chant de David, pris dans le livre du chef de chorale pour que Dieu se souvienne, PDV; "For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him," NLT; "For the music director, by David; written to get God’s attention" (NET).

[5] See the exegetical issue The Relationship Between Psalm 40:14–18 and Psalm 70.

[6] See also the context of teaching a poem in Deut 30 and 2 Sam 1:17–18.

[7] See 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8.

[8] Alternatively, the sense of hiphil זכר as to invoke/pray/praise is fairly well-attested (BDB, 271; see Exod 23:13; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13; 48:1; 63:7; Ps 20:8; 45:17; Song 1:4; 1 Chr 16:4), so could very possibly be the intended sense here.

[9] Rahlfs 1931, 195.

[10] NETS

[11] CAL.

[12] Some manuscripts of Targum Psalms are lacking the word "to make a memorial" (למדכר).

[13] Stec 2004, 137.

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The Meaning of לְהַזְכִּיר in Psalm 70:1

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