The Verbal Semantics of Psalm 3:6

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search

Introduction

The Masoretic text of Psalm 3:6 is as follows:[1]

אֲנִ֥י שָׁכַ֗בְתִּי וָֽאִ֫ישָׁ֥נָה
הֱקִיצ֑וֹתִי כִּ֖י יְהוָ֣ה יִסְמְכֵֽנִי׃

This exegetical issue will focus on the verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי ("lie down"), וָאִישָׁנָה ("sleep") and הֱקִיצוֹתִי ("wake up"). Some translations interpret the verbs as past tense:

  • "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me" (ESV, cf. LXX, Jerome, Peshitta).

Other translations interpret the verbs as habituals, expressing actions that are true of all time.

  • "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me" (NIV).[2]

Argument Maps

Simple Past (preferred)

Many modern translations and most ancient versions interpret the verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי as having past time reference and perfective aspect (LXX, Jerome, Peshitta, ESV, NET, NLT, EÜ2016, ZÜR, TOB, RVR95, BTX4). 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"} 
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false

===
[Simple Past]: The verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי have past time reference and perfect aspect and can therefore be translated with the English simple past tense.
  +<Verb forms>: The first and last verbs in the sequence (שָׁכַבְתִּי...הֱקִיצוֹתִי) are qatal verbs, which prototypically refer to "a situation in the past as a whole" (BHRG §19.2.1 :G:). The middle verb (וָאִישָׁנָה) is a wayyiqtol verb, which is very often used in narrative texts to continue the semantics of past-tense verbs.
  +<Context>: A past-tense reading makes sense in the context. The events described are "a retrospective glance at the past night" (Delitzsch 1996, 63; cf. Baethgen 1904, 8 :C:; Craigie 1983, 74 :C:). David, fleeing from Absalom (see v. 1), would have been especially vulnerable while sleeping at night (cf. 2 Sam 17:1). Nevertheless, because of his confidence in YHWH's protection, David was able, not only to lie down but to fall asleep (cf. Ps 4:9). He then woke up safe and sound. Now, in this psalm, having recently wakened, he celebrates YHWH's protection (vv. 4-7).
   + [2 Sam 17:1]: "And Ahitofel said to Absalom, ‘let me choose twelve thousand men, and I would set out to pursue after David at night’" (2 Sam 17:1).  
  + <Ancient versions>: Most of the ancient versions understood the verbs in this verse as past tense.
   + [Ancient versions]: LXX: ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα; ἐξηγέρθην...; Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): dormivi et soporatus sum; evigilavi...; Peshitta: ܫ݁ܟܒܬ ܘܕܡ݁ܟܬ݂ ܘܐ݁ܬܬܥܝܪܬ


Argument Mapn0Simple PastThe verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי have past time reference and perfect aspect and can therefore be translated with the English simple past tense.n12 Sam 17:1"And Ahitofel said to Absalom, ‘let me choose twelve thousand men, and I would set out to pursue after David at night’" (2 Sam 17:1). n4ContextA past-tense reading makes sense in the context. The events described are "a retrospective glance at the past night" (Delitzsch 1996, 63; cf. Baethgen 1904, 8 🄲; Craigie 1983, 74 🄲). David, fleeing from Absalom (see v. 1), would have been especially vulnerable while sleeping at night (cf. 2 Sam 17:1). Nevertheless, because of his confidence in YHWH's protection, David was able, not only to lie down but to fall asleep (cf. Ps 4:9). He then woke up safe and sound. Now, in this psalm, having recently wakened, he celebrates YHWH's protection (vv. 4-7).n1->n4n2Ancient versionsLXX: ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα; ἐξηγέρθην...; Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): dormivi et soporatus sum; evigilavi...; Peshitta: ܫ݁ܟܒܬ ܘܕܡ݁ܟܬ݂ ܘܐ݁ܬܬܥܝܪܬn5Ancient versionsMost of the ancient versions understood the verbs in this verse as past tense.n2->n5n3Verb formsThe first and last verbs in the sequence (שָׁכַבְתִּי...הֱקִיצוֹתִי) are qatal verbs, which prototypically refer to "a situation in the past as a whole" (BHRG §19.2.1 🄶). The middle verb (וָאִישָׁנָה) is a wayyiqtol verb, which is very often used in narrative texts to continue the semantics of past-tense verbs.n3->n0n4->n0n5->n0


Generic Present

The majority of translations interpret the verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי as having habitual aspect (NIV, CEV, GNT, NEB, REB, NRSV, NJB, JPS, LUT2017, NBS, NVS78P, BDS, PDV2017, S21, NVI, DHH94I; cf. Targum). 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"} 
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
===
[Habitual]: The verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי describe recurring, habitual events.#dispreferred
  +<Gnomic qatal>: "Qatal/perfect is sometimes used to refer to an event that is not time-bound—these are also called gnomic events" (BHRG §19.2.4)#dispreferred
   <_ <Discourse type>: "Gnomic qatal" typically occurs in proverbs, and even then, "in a good many cases qatal does not require a general present interpretation but should be understood as past tense" (Rogland 2003, 20-48, here: 46 :M:).
  +<Continuing semantics of preceding context>: The previous clauses in vv. 4-5 convey general truths or describe habitual situations.#dispreferred
   <_ <Poetic structure>: Verse 6 begins a new poetic unit (vv. 6-7). Whereas in the previous poetic unit (vv. 4-5), the psalm expresses trust in YHWH with general truths, in this section (vv. 6-7), he gives a concrete example of YHWH's protection during the past night (v. 6), and he declares his resolve to not be afraid (v. 7).


Argument Mapn0HabitualThe verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי describe recurring, habitual events.n1Gnomic qatal"Qatal/perfect is sometimes used to refer to an event that is not time-bound—these are also called gnomic events" (BHRG §19.2.4)n1->n0n2Discourse type"Gnomic qatal" typically occurs in proverbs, and even then, "in a good many cases qatal does not require a general present interpretation but should be understood as past tense" (Rogland 2003, 20-48, here: 46 🄼).n2->n1n3Continuing semantics of preceding contextThe previous clauses in vv. 4-5 convey general truths or describe habitual situations.n3->n0n4Poetic structureVerse 6 begins a new poetic unit (vv. 6-7). Whereas in the previous poetic unit (vv. 4-5), the psalm expresses trust in YHWH with general truths, in this section (vv. 6-7), he gives a concrete example of YHWH's protection during the past night (v. 6), and he declares his resolve to not be afraid (v. 7).n4->n3


Conclusion (A)

Many versions want to translate the verbs שָׁכַבְתִּי...וָאִישָׁנָה...הֱקִיצוֹתִי with general present or habitual semantics. This interpretation has both formal (morphological) and contextually-related problems. The first verb (שָׁכַבְתִּי) and the last verb (הֱקִיצוֹתִי) are both qatal verbs, which prototypically express past time reference and perfective aspect. The second, wayyiqtol, verb (וָאִישָׁנָה) continues the semantics of the opening qatal.[3]. Alleged uses of gnomic qatal are usually restricted to the genre of proverbs. The past perfective reading also fits well in the context of Absalom's rebellion (see v. 1).

Research

Translations

Ancient

LXX
ἐγὼ ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα. ἐξηγέρθην, ὅτι κύριος ἀντιλήμψεταί μου[4]
I lay down and slept; I woke again, because the Lord will support me.[5]
Jerome
ego dormivi et soporatus sum evigilavi quia Dominus sustentavit me[6]
I slept and I was asleep, I awoke because the Lord sustained me
Peshitta
ܐܢܐ ܫ݁ܟܒܬ ܘܕܡ݁ܟܬ݂ ܘܐ݁ܬܬܥܝܪܬ. ܡܛܘܠ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܣܡ݂ܟܢܝ.[7]
I lay down, I slept and I awoke because the Lord supported me
Targum
אנא שׁכיבית ודמכית איתערית מטול דיהוה סמיך יתי׃[8]
I lie down and sleep; I awake, because the Lord upholds me[9]

Modern

Past

  • ESV: I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
  • NET: I rested and slept; I awoke, for the LORD protects me.
  • NLT: I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.
  • EFB: Ich legte mich nieder und schlief; ich erwachte, denn der HERR stützt mich.
  • EÜ2016: Ich legte mich nieder und schlief, ich erwachte, denn der HERR stützt mich.
  • ZÜ: Ich lag und schlief, nun bin ich erwacht, denn der HERR hält mich.
  • TOB: Je me suis couché et j'ai dormi; je me suis réveillé: le Seigneur est mon appui
  • RVR95: Yo me acosté y dormí, y desperté, porque Jehová me sustentaba.
  • BTX: Yo me acosté y dormi, Y desperté, porque YHVH me sostiene

Present

  • NIV: I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
  • CEV: I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me.
  • GNT: I lie down and sleep, and all night long the LORD protects me.
  • NEB: I lie down and sleep, and I wake again, for the Lord upholds me.
  • REB: I lie down and sleep and I wake again, for the Lord upholds me.
  • NRSV: I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me
  • NJB: As for me, if I lie down and sleep, I shall awake, for Yahweh sustains me.[10]
  • JPS: I lie down and sleep and wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
  • LUTHER2017: Ich liege und schlafe und erwache; denn der HERR hält mich.
  • HFA: Ich liege und schlafe und erwache; denn der HERR hält mich.
  • NBS: Je me couche, et je m'endors ; je me réveille, car le Seigneur me soutient.[11]
  • NVS78P: Je me couche, et je m'endors ; Je me réveille[12], car l'Éternel me soutient.
  • BDS: Quand je me couche, je m’endors ; je me réveille ╵car l’Eternel est mon soutien.
  • PDV2017: Et moi, je me couche et je dors. À mon réveil, le Seigneur vient m’aider.
  • S21: Je me couche, et je m’endors; je me réveille, car l’Eternel est mon soutien
  • NVI: Yo me acuesto, me duermo y vuelvo a despertar, porque el Señor me sostiene
  • DHH94I: Me acuesto y duermo, y vuelvo a despertar, porque el Señor me da su apoyo.
Generic semantics with modal nuance (ability)
  • NGÜ: Ich konnte mich hinlegen und ruhig schlafen; wohlbehalten bin ich wieder aufgewacht, denn der HERR ist mein Schutz.
  • GNB2018: Ganz ruhig kann ich mich schlafen legen, weil du mich beschützt, bis ich morgens erwache.

Secondary Literature

Baethgen, Friedrich. Die Psalmen. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, 1904.
Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1–50. WBC 19. Waco, TX: Word.
Delitzsch, Franz, and Carl Friedrich Keil. “Psalms.” In Commentary on the Old Testament, translated by James Martin. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1996.
Robar, Elizabeth. 2015. The Verb and the Paragraph in Biblical Hebrew: A Cognitive-Linguistic Approach. Vol. 78. Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics. Leiden: Brill.
Rogland, Max. Alleged Non-Past Uses of Qatal in Classical Hebrew. Assen, The Netherlands: Royal van Gorcum, 2003.

References

3:6

  1. ↑ Text from OSHB.
  2. ↑ Some combination of these views is also possible. For example, one translation renders the first verb as past and the next two verbs with general present meaning, expressed through a subordinate clause followed by its main clause: Je me suis endormi pour la nuit ; au réveil je reprends conscience : le Seigneur est mon appui (NFC).
  3. ↑ Robar 2015.
  4. ↑ Rahlfs 1931, 83.
  5. ↑ NETS.
  6. ↑ Weber and Gryson 5th edition.
  7. ↑ Walter 1980, 2.
  8. ↑ CAL.
  9. ↑ Stec 2004, 31.
  10. ↑ Translation note: The Fathers apply this passage to the death and resurrection of Christ.
  11. ↑ Translation note: On pourrait aussi traduire les trois verbes au passé: je me suis couché...; cf. 4.9; 91.5s; Pr. 3.24—le seigneur me soutient 37.17, 24
  12. ↑ Ces trois verbes pourraient aussi se traduire au passé: Je me suis couché...
Retrieved from "https://psalms.scriptura.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_Verbal_Semantics_of_Psalm_3:6&oldid=71969"