Psalm 6 Poetic Features
The sound of my weeping
Psalm 6
Poetic Features
In poetic features, we identify and describe the “Top 3 Poetic Features” for each Psalm. Poetic features might include intricate patterns (e.g., chiasms), long range correspondences across the psalm, evocative uses of imagery, sound-plays, allusions to other parts of the Bible, and various other features or combinations of features. For each poetic feature, we describe both the formal aspects of the feature and the poetic effect of the feature. We assume that there is no one-to-one correspondence between a feature’s formal aspects and its effect, and that similar forms might have very different effects depending on their contexts. The effect of a poetic feature is best determined (subjectively) by a thoughtful examination of the feature against the background of the psalm’s overall message and purpose.
To death and back
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
- YHWH's name appears eight times throughout the psalm, but it is conspicuously absent from the third section (vv. 7–8). This section follows the psalmist's statement that "there is no commemoration of YHWH in the world of the dead" (v. 6a). (Note that the word "commemoration" [זֵכֶר] can also mean "name" [see, e.g., Exod 3:15].)
Effect
- In vv. 7–8, it is as though David has descended into the world of the dead, the place where YHWH is neither named or praised. It is a place of darkness ("night") watery chaos ("tears"/"drench"/"dissolve") (cf. Jonah 2:3–10).
- In the fourth section (vv. 9-11), David regains energy, confidence, and authority, and he proclaims YHWH's name three times. It is as though he has come back from the dead.
The heights of poetry & the depths of pain
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
The third section (vv. 7–8) stands out in a number of ways:
- There is an abundance of figurative language and imagery: weary sighing (7a), the darkness of "night" (v. 7b), a flood of tears that causes his bed to dissolve (7bc), an eye that wastes away (8ab).
- Verse 7 is the only three-line verse in the Psalm. Verse 7a is the middle line of the Psalm, and it is also the shortest (2 words, 7 syllables)
- Rare words (words occurring ten times or less in the Bible) cluster in this section (indicated by italics): אַשְׂחֶה (3x), עַרְשִׂי (10x), אַמְסֶה (4x), עָשְׁשָׁה (3x), עָתְקָה (9x).
- This is the most phonologically marked section in the psalm. There is dense alliteration: m + t + b + guttural (indicated with green boxes) and s/sh/th + guttural (indicated with pink boxes).
- There is the sudden mention of "adversaries" at the end of the section (delayed identification).
- The word "all" or "every" (כָל) is repeated (indicated with a circle). The words "night" (לַיְלָה) and "adversaries" (צוֹרְרָי) also sound similar; both words have a pair of liquids (l, r) and a yod.
Effect
- The effect is to draw attention to this third section of the poem. David, on the brink of death, reaches to the heights of poetic/rhetorical technique in order to express the depths of his suffering in a last-ditch effort to persuade YHWH to rescue him.
Repetition, resolution, reversal
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
The first section (vv. 2–4) and the last section (vv. 9–11) correspond to one another. Not only are they the same length (3 verses, 6 lines, 24 words), but they are also similar in content and sounds:
- v. 2 יסר ("discipline") and contextual domain BEHAVIOR ("discipline")
- v. 3 "Have mercy (חנן), YHWH"; "Heal me, YHWH."
- v. 4 "very dismayed" (נִבְהֲלָה מְאֹד) / "how long?" (time)
- v. 9 סור ("move away") and contextual domain BEHAVIOR ("evil")
- v. 10 "YHWH... my supplication" (חנן); "YHWH... my prayer."
- v. 11 "very dismayed" (וְיִבָּהֲלוּ מְאֹד) / "in a moment" (time)
Effect
- Structurally, the first section (vv. 2–4) and the last section (vv. 9–11) stand in symmetrical relationship to one another. The parallels help to define the structure of the Psalm.
- The effect of the repetition in the last section is to highlight the complete resolution and reversal of the situation. David's prayer has been heard, his question of "how long?" has been answered—"in a moment!"—and the deep dismay that he experienced is now felt by his enemies on whom YHWH's punishment rightfully falls.
Repeated Roots
The repeated roots table is intended to identify the roots which are repeated in the psalm.
| Repeated Roots legend | |
|---|---|
| Divine name | The divine name is indicated by bold purple text. |
| Roots bounding a section | Roots bounding a section, appearing in the first and last verse of a section, are indicated by bold red text. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the first section are indicated in a yellow box. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the third section are indicated in a blue box. |
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Roots connected across sections are indicated by a vertical gray line connecting the roots. |
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Section boundaries are indicated by a horizontal black line across the chart. |
