The Text and Meaning of Ps 31:22

Psalm Overview

Exegetical Issues for Psalm 31:

• The Text of Psalm 31:7
• The Text and Meaning of Ps 31:12
• The Text and Meaning of Ps 31:22

Introduction

The Masoretic Text of Ps. 31:22 (31:21 English) reads as follows:

בָּר֥וּךְ יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֥י הִפְלִ֘יא חַסְדּ֥וֹ לִ֝֗י בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר׃

There are four issues that complicate the interpretation of the final phrase in this verse (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר).

1. Should the reading of the MT be retained or emended?
2. If the MT should be retained, should one understand מָצוֹר as "besieged" or "fortified"?
3. Is the phrase בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר a reference to a literal event or is it meant to be a simile?
4. Does the phrase בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר refer to David's situation or YHWH?

Here are the interpretive options for each of these questions, in order.

Should the reading of the MT be retained or emended?

A few modern translations emend the Hebrew text. These translations fall into two categories.

Some translations emend both words in the phrase so it reads "in a time of hardship" (בְּעֵת מָצוֹק):

• Blessed be the Lord, whose unfailing love for me was wonderful when I was in sore straits. (REB)

Other translations only emend the first word so it reads "in a time of siege" (בְּעֵת מָצוֹר):

• The LORD deserves praise for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies. (NET)

If the MT is retained, should one understand מָצוֹר as "besieged" or "fortified"?

Most modern translations do not emend the text. However, they do not agree about how the word מָצוֹר should be defined.

For example, some modern translations render מָצוֹר as "besieged":

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)

In contrast, other modern translations define מָצוֹר as "fortified" or "strong":

• Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. (KJV)

Does the phrase בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר refer to a literally event or is it meant to be a simile?

Some translations render the phrase literally:

• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)

Others understand the phrase to be a simile:

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)

Does the phrase בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר refer to David's situation or YHWH?

Finally, translations also disagree over whether the phrase refers to David's situation or YHWH.

Most modern translations understand it as a reference to David's desperate situation, for example:

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)

JPS translates it as a positive reference to YHWH:

• Blessed is the LORD, for He has been wondrously faithful to me, a veritable bastion. (JPS)

Argument Maps

The Text-Critical Issue

The first issue to address is the text-critical issue. Should the reading preserved in the Masoretic Text (i.e., בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר) be retained or emended? If it should be emended, how should it be changed (בְּעֵת מָצוֹר or בְּעֵת מָצוֹק)?

Retain the MT (Preferred)

The majority of modern translations retain the reading preserved in the Masoretic Text (i.e., בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר), for example:

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)

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[Retain the MT reading (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור)]: The text preserved in the Masoretic text tradition is the earliest reading and should be adopted.
 + <Ancient Translations>: The ancient translations and manuscripts support the MT reading (Barthélemy 2005, 179 :M:).
  + [Ancient Translations]: LXX ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς (in a city under siege); Targum: בקרתא כריכתא (in the fortified city); Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): in citate munita (in a fortified city); Peshitta: ܒܩܪܝܬܐ ܥܫܝܢܬܐ (in the strong city) 
 - <Contextual Incoherence>: The MT (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) does not make sense at this point in the psalm (Kraus 1988, 360 :C:). #dispreferred
  + <Contrast with v. 23>: It does not make sense for the psalmist to believe he is cut off from YHWH immediately after declaring that YHWH was good to him while he was in a besieged city. #dispreferred
   - <v. 23 as retelling>: The psalm does not progress in a perfectly linear fashion. The psalmist is reflecting on his past circumstances in v. 23.
  + <Contrast with other imagery>: The idea of a city does not occur anywhere else in the psalm. #dispreferred
   <_ <New Imagery in Ps 31:21>: The previous verse (v. 21) introduces imagery previously unknown in the psalm.
    + [Ps 31:21]: "In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues."
   - <Intertextual Allusion>: This phrase is an intertextual allusion to when David was in Keilah (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:)
    + <Ps 31 and 1 Sam 23:7-15>: There are numerous repeated roots between the passages.
     + [Repeated Roots]: Ps 31:6 "into your hand" (בְּיָדְךָ֮), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "into my hand" (בְּיָדִ֔י); Ps 31:22 "in a city" (בְּעִ֣יר), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "in a city" (בְּעִ֖יר); Ps 31:9 "did not shut" (הִ֭סְגַּרְתַּנִי), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "shut" (נִסְגַּ֣ר); Ps 31:17 "your servant" (עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ), cf. 1 Sam 23:11 "your servant" (עַבְדְּךָ֔); Ps 31:23 "you heard" (שָׁ֭מַעְתָּ), cf. 1 Sam 23:8 "and he heard" (וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע); Ps 31:22 "to besiege" (מָצֹֽור), cf.  1 Sam 23:8 "to siege >> to besiege" (לָצ֥וּר)

Emend the Text to בעת מצור

A few modern translations emend the text to בעת מצור or בעד מצור (in a time of siege), for example:

• The LORD deserves praise for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies. (NET)

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[Emend the text to בעת מצור or בעד מצור]: The text should be emended to בעת מצור or בעד מצור (in a time of siege) (cf., Brockington 1973, 126 :M:; Barthélemy 2005, 179 :M:). #dispreferred
 + <Contextual Coherence>: The emendation (בעת מצור or בעד מצור) makes better sense in the psalm than the text of the MT (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) (Kraus 1988, 360 :C:). #dispreferred
  + <Meaning of מצור>: The word מצור can mean "distressed." It does not mean "besieged" only (HALOT, 623). #dispreferred
   + <Distressed makes more sense>: The problem of contextual coherence is related to מצור meaning "besieged," which does not make sense in the psalm. However, מצור meaning "distressed" makes sense in the psalm. #dispreferred
   - <Seige = Distressed>: All of the examples HALOT provides for מצור meaning distressed are closely related to siege warfare. Therefore, the two definitions are inseparable in the OT.
    + [Examples of מצור]: Deut 28:55 "giving to none of them any of the flesh of his children whom he is eating, because nothing else remains to him, in the desperate straits (בְּמָצֹור֙) to which the enemy siege (בְמָצֹ֔וק) will reduce you in all your towns." (cf., Deut 28:53, 57; Jer 10:17; 19:9).
  + <"Times">: Emendations that propose changing עִיר to עֵת are supported by the lexical repetition of עֵת.  In contrast, there is no repetition of עִ֣יר. #dispreferred
   + [Ps 31:16]: My times (עִתֹּתָ֑י) are in your hand (NRSV) #dispreferred
 + <MT contrasts with other imagery>: The idea of a besieged city (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) does not occur anywhere else in the psalm. #dispreferred
   <_ <Intertextual Allusion>: This phrase is an intertextual allusion to when David was in Keilah (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:)
    + <Ps 31 and 1 Sam 23:7-15>: There are numerous repeated roots between the passages.
     + [Repeated Roots]: Ps 31:6 "into your hand" (בְּיָדְךָ֮), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "into my hand" (בְּיָדִ֔י); Ps 31:22 "in a city" (בְּעִ֣יר), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "in a city" (בְּעִ֖יר); Ps 31:9 "did not shut" (הִ֭סְגַּרְתַּנִי), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "shut" (נִסְגַּ֣ר); Ps 31:17 "your servant" (עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ), cf. 1 Sam 23:11 "your servant" (עַבְדְּךָ֔); Ps 31:23 "you heard" (שָׁ֭מַעְתָּ), cf. 1 Sam 23:8 "and he heard" (וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע); Ps 31:22 "to besiege" (מָצֹֽור), cf.  1 Sam 23:8 "to siege >> to besiege" (לָצ֥וּר)
 + <Compared to Ps 32:6>: The original reading of Ps 31:22 may have reflected a similar reading in Ps 32:6 (Hossfeld 1993, 196 :C:). #dispreferred
  <_ <Contested Reading>: The proposed similarity in Ps 32:6 is also a contested reading.
   + [Contested Reading]: The MT has לְעֵ֪ת ‬מְ֫צֹ֥א ("a time of finding"). The LXX reads εὐθέτῳ ("fitting"). 
 - <Conjectural>: The proposed change is entirely conjectural.
  + <Support of Ancient Witnesses>: The MT reading (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) is supported by the ancient translations and manuscripts. (Barthélemy 2005, 179 :M:). 
   + [Ancient Translations]: LXX ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς; Targum: בקרתא כריכתא; Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): in citate munita; Peshitta: ܒܩܪܝܬܐ ܥܫܝܢܬܐ 

Emend the Text to בְּעֵת מָצוֹק

Some translations emend the text to בְּעֵת מָצוֹק (in a time of hardship).

For example:

• Blessed be the Lord, whose unfailing love for me was wonderful when I was in sore straits. (REB)

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[Emend the text to בְּעֵת מָצוֹק]: The text should be emended to בְּעֵת מָצוֹק (in a time of hardship). #dispreferred
 + <Contextual Coherence>: The emendation (בעת מָצוֹק "in a time of hardship") makes better sense in the psalm than the text of the MT (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) (Kraus 1988, 360 :C:). #dispreferred
  + <Contrast with other imagery>: The idea of a city does not occur anywhere else in the psalm. #dispreferred
  - <Intertextual Allusion>: This phrase is an intertextual allusion to when David was in Keilah (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:)
   + <Ps 31 and 1 Sam 23:7-15>: There are numerous repeated roots between the passages.
    + [Repeated Roots]: Ps 31:6 "into your hand" (בְּיָדְךָ֮), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "into my hand" (בְּיָדִ֔י); Ps 31:22 "in a city" (בְּעִ֣יר), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "in a city" (בְּעִ֖יר); Ps 31:9 "did not shut" (הִ֭סְגַּרְתַּנִי), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "shut" (נִסְגַּ֣ר); Ps 31:17 "your servant" (עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ), cf. 1 Sam 23:11 "your servant" (עַבְדְּךָ֔); Ps 31:23 "you heard" (שָׁ֭מַעְתָּ), cf. 1 Sam 23:8 "and he heard" (וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע); Ps 31:22 "to besiege" (מָצֹֽור), cf.  1 Sam 23:8 "to siege >> to besiege" (לָצ֥וּר)
 + <Compared to Ps 32:6>: The original reading of Ps 31:22 may have reflected a similar reading in Ps 32:6 (Hossfeld 1993, 196 :C:). #dispreferred
  <_ <Contested Reading>: The proposed similarity in Ps 32:6 is also a contested reading.
   + [Contested Reading]: The MT has לְעֵ֪ת ‬מְ֫צֹ֥א. The LXX reads εὐθέτῳ which may reflect either מָצוֹר or מָצוֹק.
 + <Meaning of מָצוֹק >: The word מָצוֹק can means "hardship" or "anguish." This term makes better sense than the MT's מָצֹֽור ("besieged") (HALOT, 623). #dispreferred
  + <Hardship/Anguish makes more sense>: The problem of contextual coherence is related to מצור meaning "siege," which does not make sense in the psalm. However, מָצוֹק meaning "hardship" or "anguish" makes sense in the psalm. #dispreferred
   + [Ps 31:10-14]: 10 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 11 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. 12 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 13 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 14 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. (NRSV) #dispreferred
   + [Psalm 119:143]: Trouble and anguish (וּמָצֹ֥וק) have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. (NRSV) #dispreferred
 + <"Times">: Emendations that propose changing עִיר to עֵת are supported by the lexical repetition of עֵת.  In contrast, there is no repetition of עִ֣יר. #dispreferred
  + [Ps 31:15 (Eng)]: My times (עִתֹּתָ֑י) are in your hand (NRSV) #dispreferred
 - <Conjectural Emendation>: The proposed change is entirely conjectural.
  + <Support of Ancient Witnesses>: The MT reading (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) is supported by the ancient translations and manuscripts. (Barthélemy 2005, 179 :M:).
   + [Ancient Translations]: LXX ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς; Targum: בקרתא כריכתא; Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): in citate munita; Peshitta: ܒܩܪܝܬܐ ܥܫܝܢܬܐ 

The Meaning of מָצֹֽור

If the reading preserved in the MT is retained, the next question that must be addressed is the meaning of the word מָצֹֽור. Translations render it in two main ways: "siege" or "fortress/strong".

מָצֹֽור means "siege" (Preferred)

Some modern translations render מָצֹֽור as "siege", for example:

• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)

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[מָצֹֽור means 'siege']: מָצֹֽור means 'siege.'
 + <Usage>: Elswhere, מָצֹור refers to a siege (HALOT 623 :L:).
  + [Verses where מָצֹֽור means siege]: Deut 20:19b Are trees in the field human beings that they should come under siege (בַּמָּצֹֽור) from you? (NRSV); 2 Kgs 24:10 At that time the servants of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged (בַּמָּצֹֽור). (NRSV) (cf., 2 Kgs 25:2; Jer 52:5; 2 Chr 32:10; etc.) 
 + <Coherence with the psalm>: The psalmist has already described his enemies as surrounding him.
  + [Psalm 31:14]: For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. (NRSV) 
 + <Historical coherence>: Reference to a besieged city makes sense in the context of David's life (cf. superscription). E.g., Saul besieged David in Keila (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:).
  <_ <Non-Davidic>: David did not actually write Ps 31. The superscription is a later addition. #dispreferred
     <_ <Later sieges>: The reference to a sieged city could still be about Jerusalem after the exile or even during the Maccabean wars (cf., Baethgen 1904, 88 :C:; Briggs 1906, 271 :C:; Buttenwieser 1969, 565 :C:).
 + <Septuagint>: The Septuaingt uses the word περιοχή, which means "siege" (the Hebrew word is always translated by περιοχή in the LXX) (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:).
  + [περιοχή as "siege"]: 2 Kgs 24;10; 25:2; Jer 19:2 (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:).
  <_ <περιοχή is multivocal>: περιοχή is multivocal. It can also mean "stronghold" (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:). #dispreferred
   + [περιοχή as stronghold]: Ps 59:11; 1 Kgs 22:4-5; 1 Car 11:5 (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:). #dispreferred

מָצֹֽור means "strong"

Some modern translations render מָצֹֽור as "strong", for example:

• Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. (KJV)

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[מָצֹֽור means strong]: מָצֹֽור should be rendered as "strong". #dispreferred
 + <Support of Ancient Translations>: The Targum, Vulgate, and Peshitta translate the word as "strong" or "fortified." #dispreferred
  + [Support of Ancient Translations]: Targum כריכתא "fortified"; Peshitta ܥܫܝܢܬܐ "strong, fortified"; Vulgate munita "fortify" #dispreferred
 + <περιοχή translates מָצֹֽור>: The Hebrew word appears 10x in the LXX and is always translated by περιοχή (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:). #dispreferred
  <_ <περιοχή is multivocal>: περιοχή is not univocal (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:). 
   <_ [περιοχή means stronghold]: 1 Chr 11:5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold (τὴν περιοχὴν) of Zion, now the city of David. (NRSV); cf., Ps 59:15; 1 Kgs 22:4-5 (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:). #dispreferred
  - [περιοχή means "siege"]: 2 Kgs 24:10 At that time the servants of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged (περιοχῇ). (NRSV); cf., 2 Kgs 25:2; Jer 19:2 (Conybeare 1905, 305 :M:).
 - <מָצֹֽור means siege>: מָצֹֽור means siege (HALOT 623 :L:).
  + [Verses where מָצֹֽור means siege]: Deut 20:19b Are trees in the field human beings that they should come under siege (בַּמָּצֹֽור) from you? (NRSV); 2 Kgs 24:10 At that time the servants of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged (בַּמָּצֹֽור). (NRSV) (cf., 2 Kgs 25:2; Jer 52:5; 2 Chr 32:10; etc.)
 + <מָצֹֽור can mean fortified>: מָצֹֽור can mean fortified. #dispreferred
  + <Coherence with the psalm>: The psalmist has described YHWH as a place of refuge (Hossfeld 1993, 196 :C:) #dispreferred
   + [Psalm 31:2-3]: Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. (NRSV) #dispreferred
  + [Verses with מָצֹֽור as "strong" or "stronghold"]: 2 Chr 11:5 Rehoboam resided in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense (מָצֹֽור) in Judah. (NRSV); Zech 9:3 Tyre has built itself a rampart (מָצֹֽור), and heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. (NRSV) #dispreferred
  - <מָצֹֽור does not mean "strong" or "stronghold">: The word מָצֹֽור does not mean "strong" or "stronghold" (Buttenwieser 1969, 565 :C:).
   + <Contested Examples מָצֹֽור >: Verses in which מָצֹֽור supposedly means "strong" or "stronghold" are contested.
    + [Contested Examples of מָצֹֽור]: The LXX of 2 Chr 11:5 has τειχήρεις, which reflects מְצוּרָה. The word was abbreviated to מָצוֹר (cf., 2 Chr 11:10, 11, 23). The Masoretes mistook the word for מָצוֹר in subsequent cases (cf., Ps 60:11) (Buttenwieser 1969, 565 :C:). 
    <_ <Feminine form>: מְצוּרָה is the feminine form of מָצוֹר. Both meanings (i.e., besieged and fortified) are possible with both forms of the word (HALOT 2000, 623 :L:) #dispreferred

Literal or Simile?

בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור refers to a literal event (Preferred)

Many translations render the phrase literally, for example:

• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)

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[Understand בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור literally]: The phrase should be understood literally.
 + <Absence of כְּ‍>: The MT does not have a כ preposition, which normally indicates a comparison or simile (IBHS 11.2.9 :G:).
  <_ <Comparison without formal indicators>: Biblical Hebrew can compare two items without explicit comparison markers (Hupfeld 1868, 2:164 :C:). #dispreferred
   + [Comparison without formal indicators]: Ps 11:1 "Flee like a bird to the mountains" (NRSV); Ps 48:6           "...as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish." (NRSV) #dispreferred
   + <Symmachus>: In this verse passage, Symmachus uses a comparative particle (ὡς) to make the implicit comparison explicit. #dispreferred
    + [Symmachus]: ὡς ἐν πολει περιφραγμένη (as in a fortified city) #dispreferred
 + <Historical coherence>: Reference to a besieged city makes sense in the context of David's life (cf. superscription). E.g., Saul besieged David in Keila (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:).
  <_ <Non-Davidic>: David did not actually write Ps 31. The superscription is a later addition. #dispreferred
     <_ <Later sieges>: The reference to a sieged city could still be about Jerusalem after the exile or even during the Maccabean wars (cf., Baethgen 1904, 88 :C:; Briggs 1906, 271 :C:; Buttenwieser 1969, 565 :C:).
 + <Allusion to 1 Sam 23:7-15>: This phrase is an allusion to when David was in Keilah (1 Sam 23:7-15) (Rashi :C:).
  + <Ps 31 and 1 Sam 23:7-15>: There are numerous repeated roots between the passages.
   + [Repeated Roots]: Ps 31:6 "into your hand" (בְּיָדְךָ֮), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "into my hand" (בְּיָדִ֔י); Ps 31:22 "in a city" (בְּעִ֣יר), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "in a city" (בְּעִ֖יר); Ps 31:9 "did not shut" (הִ֭סְגַּרְתַּנִי), cf. 1 Sam 23:7 "shut" (נִסְגַּ֣ר); Ps 31:17 "your servant" (עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ), cf. 1 Sam 23:11 "your servant" (עַבְדְּךָ֔); Ps 31:23 "you heard" (שָׁ֭מַעְתָּ), cf. 1 Sam 23:8 "and he heard" (וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע); Ps 31:22 "to besiege" (מָצֹֽור), cf.  1 Sam 23:8 "to siege >> to besiege" (לָצ֥וּר)

Understand בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור as a simile

Some translations render the phrase as a simile.

For example:

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)

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[Translate בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור as a simile]: The phrase בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור should be translated as a simile. #dispreferred
 - <Absence of כְּ‍>: The MT does not have a כ preposition, which normally indicates a comparison or simile (IBHS 11.2.9).
  <_ <Comparison without formal indicators>: Biblical Hebrew can compare two items without explicit comparison markers (Hupfeld 1868, 2:164). #dispreferred
   + [Comparison without formal indicators]: Ps 11:1 "Flee like a bird to the mountains" (נ֝֗וּדִו‬ הַרְכֶ֥ם צִפֹּֽור) (NRSV); #dispreferred
 + <Symmachus>: Symmachus has a comparative particle (ὡς) (BDAG, 1103 :L:). #dispreferred
  + [Symmachus]: ὡς ἐν πολει περιφραγμένη #dispreferred
 + <beth (ב) Essentiae>: The ב preposition is functioning as a ב essentiae. It "marks the capacity in which an actor behaves" (IBHS 11.2.5.e; JM 133c :G:; Jenni 1992, 79-89 :M:). #dispreferred
  + [Illustrative Verses]: The LORD is on my side as my helper (בְּעֹזְרָ֑י) (Ps 118:7; ESV);  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty (בְּאֵ֣ל שַׁדָּ֑י) (Exod 6:3; ESV) #dispreferred
  - <beth (ב)+ city>: The ב preposition plus a word for a city is very common. It most frequently carries a locative ("in") sense. (Jenni 1992, 184 :M:).

The Referent of the Phrase

Finally, does the phrase refer to David or to YHWH?

בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור refers to David's situation (Preferred)

Most translations understand the phrase as a reference to David's situation.

For example:

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)
• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)

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[בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור refers to David's situation]: The phrase (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) refers to David's situation.
 + <David's Crisis>: Elsewhere in the psalm, David describes himself as being surrounded and attacked by his enemies. 
  + [Ps 31:9, 14, 23]: 31:8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place; v. 13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life; v. 22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help. 

בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור refers to YHWH

The JPS understands the phrase as a reference to YHWH.

Blessed is the LORD,for He has been wondrously faithful to me, a veritable bastion. (JPS)

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[בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור refers to YHWH]: The phrase (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֹֽור) refers to YHWH as a fortified city. #dispreferred
 + <Refuge Imagery>: David asks YHWH to be his place of refuge earlier in the psalm (Hossfeld 1993, 196 :C:; cf. DeClaisse-Walford 2014, 305 :C:; Delitzch 1883, 471 :C:; Hengstenberg 1864, 506 :C:). #dispreferred
  + [Ps 31:2-3]: Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. (NRSV) #dispreferred
  <_ <Not a repeated word>: מָצֹֽור is not a repeated root from the earlier portion of the psalm. 
 + <beth (ב) Essentiae>: The ב preposition is functioning as a ב essentiae. It "marks the capacity in which an actor behaves" (IBHS 11.2.5.e; JM 133c :G:; Jenni 1992, 79-89 :M:). #dispreferred
  - <beth (ב)+ city>: The ב preposition plus a word for a city is very common. It most frequently carries a locative ("in") sense. (Jenni 1992, 184 :M:).
  + [Illustrative Verses]: The LORD is on my side as my helper (בְּעֹזְרָ֑י) (Ps 118:7; ESV);  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty (בְּאֵ֣ל שַׁדָּ֑י) (Exod 6:3; ESV) #dispreferred
  + <No first person reference required>: Most modern translations supply an additional first person reference that is not in the Hebrew text; "Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when "I was" beset as a city under siege." (NRSV) #dispreferred
 - <Ancient Witnesses>: None of the ancient translations understand this word as a reference to YHWH.

Conclusion (B)

In conclusion, we have retained the final phrase in Ps 31:22 (MT), translated בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר as "in a besieged city," and treated it as a reference to David's situation.

The strongest argument in favor of retaining the MT is the overwhelming support of ancient manuscripts and translations. There is no evidence for either of the proposed emendations. For this reason, the preferred choice is to retain the MT reading (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר).

As with many modern translations, we render the word as "besieged," which is an idiomatic translation of the construct phrase "a city of seige" (בְּעִ֣יר מָצֽוֹר). Additionally, many translations render this phrase literally. The strongest argument in favor of these positions is the allusion to 1 Sam 23:7-15. Saul trapped David in Keila and threatened to capture him. David prayed to YHWH about whether or not Saul would capture him. When God answered him, David was able to escape to the wilderness.

Finally, as with the vast majority of modern translations, we render the phrase as a reference to David's desperate situation. This translation fits with much of the psalm's content as well as the literary allusion to 1 Sam 23:7-15. David is under duress throughout the psalm and surrounded by his enemies.

Research

Translations

Ancient

• LXX: εὐλογητὸς κύριος, ὅτι ἐθαυμάστωσεν τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς.
  • Blessed be the Lord, because he wondrously showed his mercy in a city under siege.
• Secunda: βαρουχ יהוה χι εφλι εσδω λι βεειρ μασωρ
• Aquila: εὐλογητὸς יהוה ὅτι ἐθαυμάστωσεν ἔλεον αὐτοῦ ἐμοί ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς
  • Blessed is the Lord, because he wondrously showed his mercy to me in a city under siege.
• Symmachus: εὐλογητὸς יהוה ὁ παραδοξάσας τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐμοί ὡς ἐν πόλε περιπεφραγμένῃ
  • Blessed is the Lord, who I marveled at his mercy to me as in a fortified city.
• Origen: εὐλογητὸς יהוה/κ̅ς̅ ὅτι ἐθαυμάστωσε τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐμοί ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς
  • Blessed is the Lord, because I marveled at his mercy to me in a city under siege.
• Quinta: εὐλογητὸς יהוה ὅτι ἐθαυμάστωσεν ὅσιον αὐτοῦ ἐμοί ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς
  • Blessed is the Lord, because he wondrously showed his holiness to me in a city under siege.
• Sexta: ...ἐν κώμῃ περιοχῆς
  • in a besieged village
• Peshitta: ܒܪܝܟ ܗܘ ܡܪܝܐ ܕܓܒܐ ܠܗ ܓܒ̈ܝܐ ܒܩܪܝܬܐ ܥܫܝܢܬܐ܂
  • Blessed is the Lord, who has chosen for himself the chosen ones in the strong city.
• Targum: בריך ייי ארום פריש טיבותיה לי בקרתא כריכתא׃
  • Blessed is the Lord, for he has made wonderful his goodness to me in the fortified city.
• Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): benedictus Dominus qui mirabile fecit misericordia suam mini in citate munita
  • Blessed is the Lord who has shown his wonderful mercy to me in a fortified city

Modern

Emend the Text

בְּעֵת מָצוֹק "in a time of hardship"

• Blessed be the Lord, whose unfailing love for me was wonderful when I was in sore straits. (REB)
• Bendito sea el Señor, que con su amor hizo grandes cosas por mí en momentos de angustia. (DHH)

בְּעֵת מָצוֹר "in a time of siege"

• The LORD deserves praise for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies. (NET)
• Praise the Lord! How wonderfully he showed his love for me when I was surrounded and attacked! (GNT)
• Dank sei dir, HERR! Du hast mir deine Güte erwiesen; ein Wunder hast du an mir getan, als meine Feinde mich ringsum bedrängten. (GNB)

Retain the MT

Translate מָצֹֽור as "besieged"

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)
• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)
• Praise the LORD. His love to me was wonderful when my city was attacked. (NCV)
• Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. (NLT)
• I will praise you, LORD, for showing great kindness when I was like a city under attack. (CEV)
• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. (ESV)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR! Ich war eingeschlossen in einer belagerten Stadt, doch auch dort habe ich deine wunderbare Liebe erfahren. (HFA)
• Béni soit l’Eternel, car il m’a témoigné son merveilleux amour lorsque je me trouvais dans une cité assiégée. (BDS)
• Merci au Seigneur ! J’étais comme une ville attaquée, mais son amour a fait pour moi des actions étonnantes. (PDV)
• Béni sois-tu Seigneur, de m'avoir montré ton admirable bonté, à moi qui étais comme une ville assiégée. (NFS)
• Bendito sea el Señor, pues mostró su gran amor por mí cuando me hallaba en una ciudad sitiada. (NVI)

מָצֹֽור means "fortified/strong"

• Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. (KJV)
• Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)! (NJB)
• Blessed is the LORD, for He has been wondrously faithful to me, a veritable bastion. (JPS)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn er hat seine Huld wunderbar an mir erwiesen / in einer befestigten Stadt. (EÜ)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn wunderbar hat er seine Gnade an mir erwiesen in einer befestigten Stadt (ELB)
• Gelobt sei der HERR; denn er hat seine wunderbare Güte mir erwiesen in einer festen Stadt. (LUT)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn er hat mir wunderbar seine Gnade erwiesen; er hat mir in einer befestigten Stadt Zuflucht geschenkt. (NGU)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn wunderbar hat er mir seine Gnade erwiesen in einer festen Stadt. (ZB)
• Béni soit le Seigneur ! Car il a montré envers moi une fidélité étonnante dans la ville forte. (NBS)
• Béni soit l'Éternel ! Car il a signalé sa bienveillance envers moi, (Comme) dans une ville forte. (strong city) (NVS)
• Béni soit l’Eternel, car il a démontré sa grâce envers moi, comme si j’avais été dans une ville fortifiée. (S21)
• Bendito sea Jehová, porque ha hecho maravillosa su misericordia para conmigo en ciudad fortificada. (RVR95)
• !Bendito sea YHVH, Que hizo maravillosa su misericordia para conmigo como en ciudad fortificada! (BTX IV)

Understand Literally or as a Simile

Understand Literally

• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)
• Praise the LORD. His love to me was wonderful when my city was attacked. (NCV)
• Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. (NLT)
• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. (ESV)
• Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. (KJV)
• Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)! (NJB)
• Blessed is the LORD, for He has been wondrously faithful to me, a veritable bastion. (JPS)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn er hat seine Huld wunderbar an mir erwiesen / in einer befestigten Stadt. (EÜ)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn wunderbar hat er seine Gnade an mir erwiesen in einer befestigten Stadt (ELB)
• Gelobt sei der HERR; denn er hat seine wunderbare Güte mir erwiesen in einer festen Stadt. (LUT)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR, denn er hat mir wunderbar seine Gnade erwiesen; er hat mir in einer befestigten Stadt Zuflucht geschenkt. (NGU)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR! Ich war eingeschlossen in einer belagerten Stadt, doch auch dort habe ich deine wunderbare Liebe erfahren. (HFA)
• Béni soit l’Eternel, car il m’a témoigné son merveilleux amour lorsque je me trouvais dans une cité assiégée. (BDS)
• Béni soit le Seigneur ! Car il a montré envers moi une fidélité étonnante dans la ville forte. (NBS)
• Béni soit l'Éternel ! Car il a signalé sa bienveillance envers moi, (Comme) dans une ville forte. (NVS)
• Bendito sea el Señor, pues mostró su gran amor por mí cuando me hallaba en una ciudad sitiada. (NVI)
• Bendito sea Jehová, porque ha hecho maravillosa su misericordia para conmigo en ciudad fortificada. (RVR95)

Understand as a Simile

• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)
• I will praise you, LORD, for showing great kindness when I was like a city under attack. (CEV)
• Merci au Seigneur ! J’étais comme une ville attaquée, mais son amour a fait pour moi des actions étonnantes. (PDV)
• Béni sois-tu Seigneur, de m'avoir montré ton admirable bonté, à moi qui étais comme une ville assiégée. (NFS)
• Béni soit l’Eternel, car il a démontré sa grâce envers moi, comme si j’avais été dans une ville fortifiée. (S21)
• !Bendito sea YHVH, Que hizo maravillosa su misericordia para conmigo como en ciudad fortificada! (BTX IV)

Reference to David's situation or YHWH?

David's situation

• Blessed be the Lord, whose unfailing love for me was wonderful when I was in sore straits. (REB)
• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (NRSV)
• Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. (NIV)
• Praise the LORD. His love to me was wonderful when my city was attacked. (NCV)
• Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. (NLT)
• I will praise you, LORD, for showing great kindness when I was like a city under attack. (CEV)
• Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. (ESV)
• Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. (KJV)
• Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)! (NJB)
• Dank sei dir, HERR! Du hast mir deine Güte erwiesen; ein Wunder hast du an mir getan, als meine Feinde mich ringsum bedrängten. (GNB)
• Gepriesen sei der HERR! Ich war eingeschlossen in einer belagerten Stadt, doch auch dort habe ich deine wunderbare Liebe erfahren. (HFA)
• Béni soit l’Eternel, car il m’a témoigné son merveilleux amour lorsque je me trouvais dans une cité assiégée. (BDS)
• Merci au Seigneur ! J’étais comme une ville attaquée, mais son amour a fait pour moi des actions étonnantes. (PDV)
• Béni sois-tu Seigneur, de m'avoir montré ton admirable bonté, à moi qui étais comme une ville assiégée. (NFS)
• Bendito sea el Señor, pues mostró su gran amor por mí cuando me hallaba en una ciudad sitiada. (NVI)
• Bendito sea Jehová, porque ha hecho maravillosa su misericordia para conmigo en ciudad fortificada. (RVR95)
• Bendito sea el Señor, que con su amor hizo grandes cosas por mí en momentos de angustia. (DHH)

YHWH

• Blessed is the LORD, for He has been wondrously faithful to me, a veritable bastion. (JPS)

Secondary Literature

Baethgen, Friedrich. 1904. Die Psalmen. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht. .

Barthélemy, Dominique. 2005. [1](https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-150304 Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament]. Vol. Tome 4: Psaumes. Fribourg, Switzerland: Academic Press.

Bratcher, Robert G., and William D. Reyburn. 1991. A Handbook on Psalms. UBS Handbook Series. New York: United Bible Societies.

Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.

Brockington, L. H. 1973. The Hebrew Text of the Old Testament: The Readings Adopted by the Translators of the New English Bible.

Buttenwieser, Moses. 1938. The Psalms: Chronologically Treated with a New Translation. University of Chicago Press.

Conybeare, F. C. (Frederick Cornwallis). 1905. Selections from the Septuagint: According to the Text of Swete. Boston : Ginn & Company.

DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy L., Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner. 2014. The Book of Psalms. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Delitzsch, Franz. 1871. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Vol. 2. Translated by Francis Bolton. Vol. 2. T & T Clark].

Hengstenberg, Ernst Wilhelm. 1863. Commentary on the Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar, and Erich Zenger. 1993. Die Psalmen I: Psalm 1–50. Neue Echter Bibel. Würzburg: Echter.

Hupfeld, Hermann. 1868. Die Psalmen. Vol. 2. Gotha: Friedrich Andreas Perthes].

Jenni, Ernst. 1992. Die Hebräischen Präpositionen Band 1: Die Präposition Beth. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer.

Maclaren, Alexander, and A. Maclaren. 1893. “The Psalms: Psalms; Volume I; Psalms I-XXXVIII.” In Psalms; Volume I; Psalms I-XXXVIII, 1:1–392.

Rashi. Rashi on Psalms.

Tov, Emanuel. 2012. Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible. 3rd rev. and Expanded ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.

References

31:22 Approved