The Text of Ps. 20:6b

Back to Psalm 20

Introduction

The traditional Hebrew text of Ps. 20:6b reads as follows: וּבְשֵֽׁם־אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּ נִדְגֹּ֑ל

The MT reading נִדְגֹּל is disputed, however. Translations have read the text in three different ways.

1. Read the text as נִדְגֹּל (so MT; Qal verb from the root דגל - "to set up standard, banner"). The vast majority of modern translations follow this option. This option is represented by the modern translation ESV: ". . . and in the name of our God set up our banners!"

2. Read the text as נִגְדַּל (so probably LXX, μεγαλυνθησόμεθα: future passive indicative of μεγαλύνω - "to exalt, glorify, magnify") instead of the MT נִדְגֹּל. This option is represented by the LXX: καὶ ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα ("and in our God's name we shall glory").

3. Read the text as נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice") (so BHS). This option is represented by the NET's translation: "Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God!"

Each option is represented below by an argument map.

Argument Maps

Most translations follow the Masoretic text and read נִדְגֹּל (Qal yiqtol from vb. root דגל - "to set up standard, banner"). Some translations, however, emend נִדְגֹּל to either נִגְדַּל (Qal verb from the root גדל - "to magnify") or נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice"). The arguments for and against each view are as follows.

נִדְגֹּל - Following the MT text (preferred)

Nearly all modern translations follow the MT text and read נִדְגֹּל (Qal yiqtol from vb. root דגל - "to set up standard, banner"). The following translation illustrates this view: "May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!" (ESV).

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[Verb נִדְגֹּל]: The earlier reading is probably נִדְגֹּל ("to set up a standard, banner"): "May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!" (ESV). 
 + <Hebrew manuscript evidence>: Virtually all extant Hebrew manuscripts support the reading נִדְגֹּל.
 + <Ancient support>: The Targum and Symmachus support the MT.
  +[Targum]: נשבחא בפורקנך ובשום אלהנא ניטקס ישלים ייי כולהון שילתך׃
"We will sing of your deliv­erance, and in the name of our God we will be equipped for war" (Stec 2004:55). ניטקס - to organize; prepare for battle (CAL).
  +[Symmachus]: Because banners were used to organize troops into companies, Symmachus has: τάγματα τάγματα διαστελοῦμεν.
We will divide (arrange) them rank by rank.
 + <Context>: This reading fits the context of Ps. 20. In military contexts, banner-waving accompanies the march into battle and/or the celebration of victory (Bullock 2015:144 :C:).
   + <Warfare terminology>: This psalm contains other terms related to warfare such as רֶכֶב (chariots) and סוּסִים (horses). Chariots and horses represented military might (cf. Keel 1997:237-240 :M:).c - <Metathesis of ד and ג>: The verb נדגל (from דגל to raise, lift, set up banner) is the result of a metathesis of dālath and gāmal that occurred during the copying process. The LXX instead translates μεγαλυνθησόμεθα (μεγαλύνω to exalt, glorify, magnify) from the Hebrew נגדל (from גדל to be great) (Briggs 1906:178 :C:). #dispreferred
 - <Rare word>: The verbal use of דגל is very rare, occurring only here (as Qal yiqtol), in Song. 5:10 (as Qal participle) and in Song. 6:4, 10 (as Niphal participle). #dispreferred
  <_ <Hebrew poetry>: Hebrew poetry often uses rare and unusual words (Longman and Enns 2008:261 :D:)
  <_ <Lectio difficilior>: The relative difficulty of the reading makes it more likely to be the earlier reading (cf. Brotzman and Tully 2016:138 :M:).
  <_ <Other rare words in Ps. 20>: Psalm 20 also uses וַנִּתְעוֹדָד which occurs only here in the Hithpael stem. Moreover, only in Ps. 20:4 is the verb יְדַשְּׁנֶה (from דשן) used to mean "to accept" (AnLexHeb :L:).
 - <Metathesis>: The reading נדגל can be explained as the result of a metathesis of dalet and gimel that occurred during the copying process, whereby the earlier reading נגדל became נדגל (Briggs 1906:178 :C:).#dispreferred

Emendations

Some translations emend נִדְגֹּל to either נִגְדַּל (Qal verb from the root גדל - "to magnify") or נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice").

Emending נִדְגֹּל to נִגְדַּל

The LXX translation reads a different text than the MT. Instead of נִדְגֹּל (Qal verb from the root דגל - "to set up standard, banner"), it probably reads נִגְדַּל (Qal verb from the root גדל - "to magnify"). None of the modern translations we consulted follow this view.

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[Verb נִגְדַּל]:The earlier reading is probably נִגְדַּל (Qal verb from the root גדל - to make great, magnify, do great things). #dispreferred
 + <Ancient support for נִגְדַּל>: The LXX and the Peshitta support reading נִגְדַּל. #dispreferred
  + <LXX>: The LXX translates μεγαλυνθησόμεθα (μεγαλύνω to exalt, glorify, magnify) from the Hebrew נִגְדַּל (from the root גדל to make great, magnify, do great things) instead of the MT נִדְגֹּל (cf. Hatch and Redpath, 902(2a)). #dispreferred
   +[LXX]: καὶ ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα ("and in our God's name we shall glory" (NETS 2009:556)). #dispreferred
   - <Doubtful>: One reason why the LXX translators may have chosen μεγαλυνθησόμεθα for their translation of v. 6 (ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα) is that it creates an attractive parallel with v. 8 (ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα, Hebrew: נַזְכִּיר).
   + <נגדל similar to נדגל>: The reading נגדל is graphically similar to נדגל, the reading which is attested by Hebrew manuscripts, so it is not surprising that נדגל (whether or not it is the earlier reading) should also occur among Hebrew manuscripts. #dispreferred
   + <μεγαλύνω for גדל>: The LXX Psalms translator often used the verb μεγαλύνω to translate verbs from the Hebrew root גדל.#dispreferred
    + [μεγαλύνω for גדל]: E.g., Pss. 70:4; 92:5; 104:1; etc. #dispreferred
  + <Peshitta>: The Peshitta's choice of ܢܬܬܪܝܡ܂ in Ps. 20:6 suggests the translator probably read נִגְדַּל (cf. Oliver 1861:32 :M: and Taylor 2021:67). #dispreferred
   + [Peshitta]:ܢܫܒܚ ܒܦܘܪܩܢܟ܂ ܘܒܫܡܗ ܕܐܠܗܢ ܢܬܬܪܝܡ܂ ܢܥܒܕ ܡܪܝܐ ܟܠܗ ܨܒܝܢܟ܂
"May we sing praises because of your salvation; in the name of our God we will be lifted up. May the Lord accomplish all your desire" (Taylor 2021:67). #dispreferred
 - <Metathesis>: The reading נגדל represents "a Heb. text in which (erroneous) metathesis had taken place" (Craigie 2004:184 :C:). The two middle letters of נדגל have been accidentally swapped.

Emending נִדְגֹּל to נָגִיל

A few modern translations emend נִדְגֹּל to נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice"). This emendation is represented in the NET: "Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God!"

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[Verb נָגִיל]: The earlier reading is probably נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice") resulting in a translation as: "Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God!" (NET). #dispreferred
 + <Parallelism>: נָגִיל more naturally fits the context as it captures the parallelism with the first verb of v. 6 נְרַנְּנָה (Piel yiqtol of רנן - "to rejoice, exult, shout for joy") (Briggs 1906:178, 182; and Kraus 1988:278 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <Prepositional phrase>: The reading נָגִיל "fits well with the prepositional phrase 'in the name of our God'" (cf. NET Bible notes). #dispreferred
   + [Prepositional Phrase]: בְּ֭שִׁמְךָ יְגִיל֣וּן כָּל־הַיּ֑וֹם (Ps 89:17). #dispreferred
 - <Textual evidence>: No manuscript or version attests to the reading נָגִיל.

Conclusion

The MT reading נִדְגֹּל in Psalm 20:6b, the reading represented by virtually all Hebrew manuscripts (as well as Symmachus and the Targum), is most likely the earlier reading. The LXX (μεγαλυνθησόμεθα) seems to reflect the reading נִגְדַּל instead of נִדְגֹּל. This easier reading, however, is probably the result of a metathesis (דג --> גד), and the more difficult reading of the MT is probably earlier. Others argue that נָגִיל, which forms a parallel with the first verb in v. 6 (נְרַנְּנָה), is the earlier reading. Neverthless, this reading has no manuscript support.

It is true that נִדְגֹּל is a rare form, but Hebrew poetry often features rare or unusual terms and expressions. Moreover, דגל fits the context of prayer for military victory, and its use supplies the Psalm with rich imagery of triumphant celebration at the victory of YHWH. The people expect to raise banners which identify them as YHWH's people while announcing to their enemies that YHWH is the one who wins victory.

Research

Translations

Ancient

• LXX: ἀγαλλιασώμεθα ἐν τῷ σωτηρίῳ σου καὶ ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθησόμεθα. πληρώσαι Κύριος πάντα τὰ αἰτήματά σου. ("May he grant you according to your heart, and your every plan may he fulfill. We shall rejoice in your deliverance, and in our God's name we shall glory. May the Lord fulfill all your requests").
• Symmachus: τάγματα τάγματα διαστελοῦμεν. (We will divide, arrange them rank by rank).
• Peshitta:ܢܫܒܚ ܒܦܘܪܩܢܟ܂ ܘܒܫܡܗ ܕܐܠܗܢ ܢܬܬܪܝܡ܂ ܢܥܒܕ ܡܪܝܐ ܟܠܗ ܨܒܝܢܟ܂ ("May we sing praises because of your salvation; in the name of our God we will be lifted up. May the Lord accomplish all your desire").
• Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta LXX): laetabimur in salutari tuo et in nomine Dei nostri magnificabimur.
• Jerome (Psalmi Iuxta Hebr.): laudabimus in salutari tuo et in nomine Dei nostri ducemus choros.
• Targum: יימרון עמך/בית ישראל#1#/ נשבחא בפורקנך ובשום אלהנא ניטקס ישלים ייי כולהון שילתך׃ ("We will sing of your deliv­erance, and in the name of our God we will be equipped for war").

Modern

Following the MT text

נִדְגֹּל (To raise, lift, set up banner)

• English
  • Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate, while raising our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers! (CEV)
  • May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! (ESV)
  • May we shout for joy in your victory, arrayed by standards in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill your every wish. (JPS, 1985)
  • May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. (NIV)
  • So that with joy we can hail your victory and draw up our ranks in the name of our God. (NJB)
  • May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers. (NLT)
  • May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. (NRSV)
• French
  • Pour fêter ta victoire, ╵nous crierons notre joie, déployant nos bannières ╵pour la gloire de notre Dieu. Que l’Eternel ╵exauce toutes tes requêtes! (BDS)
  • Nous pousserons des cris de joie à cause de ton salut, nous lèverons l'étendard au nom de notre Dieu; le Seigneur accomplira tout ce que tu demandes. (NBS)
  • Alors nous crierons de joie pour le secours que tu auras reçu; nous brandirons la bannière en l'honneur de notre Dieu. Que le Seigneur accomplisse tout ce que tu lui demandes! (NFC)
  • Nous crierons de joie à cause de ton salut, Nous lèverons l'étendard au nom de notre Dieu, L'Éternel accomplira toutes tes demandes. (NVRS)
  • Alors nous crierons de joie pour ta victoire, nous lèverons le drapeau en l’honneur de notre Dieu. Que le Seigneur réalise toutes tes demandes! (PDV)
  • Nous nous réjouirons de ton salut, nous dresserons l’étendard au nom de notre Dieu; l’Eternel exaucera tous tes vœux. (S21)
  • Alors nous acclamerons ta victoire, en pavoisant au nom de notre Dieu. Que le Seigneur accomplisse toutes tes demandes! (TOB)
• German
  • Jubeln wollen wir über deine Rettung, im Namen unseres Gottes das Banner erheben. Der HERR erfülle alle deine Bitten! (ELB)
  • Wir wollen jubeln über deine Hilfe / und im Namen unseres Gottes das Banner erheben. Der HERR erfülle all deine Bitten. (EÜ)
  • Dann wollen wir voll Freude jubeln, weil er dir zum Sieg verholfen hat. Den Namen unseres Gottes wollen wir rühmen und unsere Feldzeichen hochheben. Der HERR gebe dir alles, worum du ihn bittest! (GNB)
  • Wenn er dir den Sieg geschenkt hat, werden wir vor Freude jubeln und im Namen unseres Gottes die Fahnen schwingen. Der HERR erfülle alle deine Bitten! (HFA)
  • Dann wollen wir jubeln, weil er dir hilft; / im Namen unsres Gottes erheben wir das Banner. Der HERR gewähre dir alle deine Bitten! (Luther 2017)
  • Wir wollen laut über deine Rettung jubeln, und im Namen unseres Gottes wollen wir das Banner aufrichten. Der HERR erfülle dir alle deine Bitten! (NGÜ)
  • Wir wollen jubeln über deinen Sieg, im Namen unseres Gottes das Banner erheben. Der HERR erfülle alle deine Bitten. (ZÜR)
• Spanish
  • Nosotros nos alegraremos en tu salvación y alzaremos bandera en el nombre de nuestro Dios. Conceda Jehová todas tus peticiones. (RVR95)
  • Nosotros celebraremos tu victoria y en el nombre de nuestro Dios desplegaremos las banderas. (NIV)
  • Celebraremos así tu victoria, y levantaremos banderas en el nombre del Dios nuestro. ¡Que el Señor cumpla todas tus peticiones! (DHH)
  • Nosotros nos alegraremos en tu salvación, y alzaremos pendón en el nombre de nuestro Elohim. YHWH te conceda Jehová todas tus peticiones. (BTX4)

Emending נִדְגֹּל to נָגִיל

נָגִיל ("To rejoice")

• English
  • Let us sing aloud in praise of your victory, let us do homage to the name of our God! (REB)
  • Let us sing aloud in praise of your victory, let us do homage to the name of our God! (NEB)
  • Then we will shout for joy over your victory and celebrate your triumph by praising our God. May the LORD answer all your requests. (GNT)
  • Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God! May the Lord grant all your requests! (NET)

Secondary Literature

Commentary [C]

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

Bratcher, Robert G., and William D. Reyburn. A Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms. UBS Handbook Series. New York: 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.

Bullock, C. Hassell. Psalms. Volume 1: Psalms 1-72. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Edited by Mark Strauss and John Walton. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 2015.

Cheyne, Thomas Kelly. The Book of Psalms. London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co, 1884.

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 L., 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.

Hengstenberg, Ernst W. Commentary on Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1869.

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1-72 : An Introduction and Commentary. Nottingham: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Kirkpatrick, Alexander F. The Book of Psalms. London: Cambridge University Press, 1916.

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.

Dictionary [D]

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

Lexical Resource [L]

AnLexHeb — Hoogendyk, Isaiah, ed. The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2017.

Hatch, Edwin, and Henry A. Redpath. A Concordance to the Septuagint and the Other Greek Versions of the Old Testament: Including the Apocryphal Books. Volume II. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1897.

LXGRCANLEX — Brannan, Rick. The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2011.

Monograph [M]

Brotzman, Ellis R., and Eric J. Tully. Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction. Grand Rapids: BakerAcademic, 2016.

Keel, Othmar. The Symbolism of the Biblical World: Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Book of Psalms. Translated by Timothy J. Hallett. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1997.

Oliver, Andrew. A Translation of the Syriac Peshito Version of the Psalms of David; With Notes Critical and Explanatory. London: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1861.

References

20:6