Psalm 78 Poetry
Psalm 78
About the Poetics Layer
Exploring the Psalms as poetry is crucial for understanding and experiencing the psalms and thus for faithfully translating them into another language. This layer is comprised of two main parts: Poetic Structure and Poetic Features.
Poetic Structure
In poetic structure, we analyse the structure of the psalm beginning at the most basic level of the structure: the line (also known as the “colon” or “hemistich”). Then, based on the perception of patterned similarities (and on the assumption that the whole psalm is structured hierarchically), we argue for the grouping of lines into verses, verses into sub-sections, sub-sections into larger sections, etc. Because patterned similarities might be of various kinds (syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, sonic) the analysis of poetic structure draws on all of the previous layers (especially the Discourse layer).
Poetic Macro-structure
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. |
Notes
- General notes:
- Fokkelman claims the entire poem (after the "parenetic opening" of vv. 1-8) consists of judgmental strophes and narrative units, so divides the psalm into five large-scale sections: vv. 1-8, 9-31, 32-43, 44-60, 61-72.[1] While correct on the introduction, his major divisions are otherwise unconvincing. Van der Lugt, on the other hand, follows our division of the major sections (vv. 1-8, 9-39, 40-72).[2] Ḥakham divides the text primarily thematically: 1-8; 9-39; 40-55; 56-72.[3] Our analysis essentially agrees with this, yet we see continuity throughout vv. 40-72, of which vv. 65-72, however, provide the denouement not only of this section, but of the whole psalm.
- Terrien provides the following structure: Exordium (vv. 1-2); Part One (vv. 3-8); Part Two (vv. 9-17); Part Three (vv. 18-28); Part Four (vv. 29-40); Part Five (vv. 41-51); Part Six (vv. 52-63); Part Seven (vv. 54-72), which does not coincide with our findings at almost any point.[4]
- In an influential essay, Clifford claims, "The author's outline can be discerned by the aid of formal devices such as repetition of key words and phrases, chiasm, paronomasia or word play, and especially in the parallel structure of the two historical recitals."[5] His proposed structure is as follows: introduction (vv. 1-11); first recital (vv. 12-32); sequel (vv. 33-39); second recital (vv. 40-64); sequel (vv. 65-72).[6] We find this structure compelling, with the exception of the extent of the introduction, for which the evidence points to eight-verse sections on either end of the psalm (cf. also the sequel in vv. 33-39), particularly in light of the clear topic shift in v. 9. Indeed, Campbell comments, "If the veiled mystery of the introduction is to be related to the traditions in the body of the psalm, it is likely that v. 9 will have to provide the key."[7] Despite Clifford's proposed structure, he rightly discerns a two-fold pattern of "Miracle, sin, divine anger, and punishment" in vv. 9-39 and 40-64.[8]
- Finally, we consider Campbell's semantic and theological approach to be almost spot on (1–8||9–11.12–39.40–58|59–64||65–72),[9] though the discourse markers and exclamatives in vv. 21, 32 and 40 should be given more weight.
- vv. 9, 21: The roots נשׁק and נשׂק only appear here in book of Psalms.
- vv. 9, 57: Of the four verses with the participant absence of YHWH from v. 9 to the end of the psalm, vv. 9 and 57 are two of them (see also v. 30, 72).
- vv. 32-39: According to Clifford, these verses provide the first eight-verse "sequel" to recital #1 (cf. vv. 65-72 below).[10]
- v. 35a: This is the central line of the psalm (81 lines either side), containing the first of threes instances of זכר (see also vv. 39, 42) and the third instance of צוּר (cf. the inclusio in vv. 15-20).
- v. 36: This is the central verse of the Psalms, containing tense shifting from wayyiqtol to yiqtol plus a symmetrical constituent order pattern.
- vv. 40-72: With the exception of vv. 40-43, each of the major sections throughout vv. 40-72 contains one instance of אֹהֶל.
- vv. 65-72: According to Clifford, these verses provide the second eight-verse "sequel" to recital #2 (cf. vv. 32-39 above).[11]
Line Divisions
Line division divides the poem into lines and line groupings. We determine line divisions based on a combination of external evidence (Masoretic accents, pausal forms, manuscripts) and internal evidence (syntax, prosodic word counting and patterned relation to other lines). Moreover, we indicate line-groupings by using additional spacing.
When line divisions are uncertain, we consult some of the many psalms manuscripts which lay out the text in lines. Then, if a division attested in one of these manuscripts/versions influences our decision to divide the text at a certain point, we place a green symbol (G, DSS, or MT) to the left of the line in question.
| Poetic line division legend | |
|---|---|
| Pausal form | Pausal forms are highlighted in yellow. |
| Accent which typically corresponds to line division | Accents which typically correspond to line divisions are indicated by red text. |
| | | Clause boundaries are indicated by a light gray vertical line in between clauses. |
| G | Line divisions that follow Greek manuscripts are indicated by a bold green G. |
| DSS | Line divisions that follow the Dead Sea Scrolls are indicated by a bold green DSS. |
| M | Line divisions that follow Masoretic manuscripts are indicated by a bold green M. |
| Number of prosodic words | The number of prosodic words are indicated in blue text. |
| Prosodic words greater than 5 | The number of prosodic words if greater than 5 is indicated by bold blue text. |
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. |
Notes
- v. 4: So the LXX (T, Sy, He, 1219, 55) and BL Or 2373, contra Aleppo and Rahlfs. The phrase לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן is absent in Sassoon.
- Van der Lugt, following Fokkelman, suggests the four-line unit, which disregards the accents:[12]
- לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם
- לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים
- תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ
- וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃
- v. 6: Rahlfs' edition here reads (cf. BL Or 2373, Sassoon):
- ὅπως ἂν γνῷ γενεὰ ἑτέρα,
- υἱοὶ οἱ τεχθησόμενοι,
- καὶ ἀναστήσονται καὶ ἀπαγγελοῦσιν αὐτὰ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτῶν
- Sinaiticus continues the second line from υἱοὶ to the end of the verse. JTS 680, however, follows the Masoretic accents of Leningradensis, with a 6-word A-line. The latter has been dispreferred due to factors of line balance.
- v. 8: So the LXX, Aleppo and BL Or 2373.
- v. 9: So the LXX, BL Or 2373, and van der Lugt.[13] Fokkelman suggests the three-line unit in this "maverick verse,", which would result in a one-word line and is thus rejected:[14]
- בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם
- נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת
- הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃
- v. 20: So the LXX, BL Or 2373, and van der Lugt.[15] The evidence of the two manuscript traditions has been preferred over the following five-line unit, suggested by Fokkelman.[16] Such a suggestion would improve the line balance to 2-2-2-3-3, but disregards the tsinnor as the first major accent:
- הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀
- וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮
- וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ
- הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם י֣וּכַל תֵּ֑ת
- אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃
- v. 21: So the LXX, Sassoon and BL Or 2373. Aleppo follows the accents and divides the line after יְהוָ֗ה. The latter would follow the accents more closely, though the present analysis finds support in the pausal form on וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר.
- v. 31: So the LXX, Aleppo and Sassoon,[17] contra BL Or 2373, which treats וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם as one line.
- v. 38: The LXX (Rhalfs, Sinaiticus, and Vaticanus) here reads:
- αὐτὸς δέ ἐστιν οἰκτίρμων (רַח֨וּם ׀)
- καὶ ἱλάσεται ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ διαφθερεῖ
- καὶ πληθυνεῖ τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι τὸν θυμὸν αὐτοῦ
- καὶ οὐχὶ ἐκκαύσει πᾶσαν τὴν ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ·
- Likewise, Aleppo. Sassoon, BL Or 2373 and JTS 680 all have one long line for the entire verse.
- Fokkelman and van der Lugt suggest the following first two lines, which preferably treats the tsinnor (on עָוֺן֮) as the first major disjunctive accent, yet results in four prosodic words followed by one, if the maqqeph of Leningradensis and Aleppo is to be observed:[18]
- וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮
- וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
- v. 41: The silluq is not visible in either Leningradensis or Sassoon, though it is in Aleppo, so has been supplied here.
- v. 49: So the LXX, Aleppo and Sassoon, contra BL Or 2373, which treats יְשַׁלַּח־בָּ֨ם ׀ חֲר֬וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ עֶבְרָ֣ה וָזַ֣עַם וְצָרָ֑ה as one line.
- v. 55: So the LXX. Aleppo and Sassoon are unclear, while BL Or 2373, which treats שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל as its own line.
- v. 56: Out of concern for supposed balance and alliteration between עֶלְי֑וֹן and וְ֝עֵדוֹתָ֗יו, Fokkelman suggests the two lines should be divided as follows, which disregards the maqqeph, the prosodic unit of אֶת־אֱלֹהִ֣ים עֶלְי֑וֹן as one syntactic constituent, and the atnakh accent on עֶלְי֑וֹן, so is thus rejected:[19]
- וַיְנַסּ֣וּ וַ֭יַּמְרוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִ֣ים
- עֶלְי֑וֹן וְ֝עֵדוֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃
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.
Forgetting Past Lessons
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 "miracles in Egypt" (v. 12) would normally lead the audience to expect a recital of the plagues and Passover (as the Passover annual feast would have done). Indeed, there is a recital, but not until far later in the psalm, in vv. 44-51.
The chronological order of the Exodus and Wilderness Wandering events are consequently largely reversed in Psalm 78, in that Egypt is briefly mentioned in v. 12 before the text skips immediately to passing through the Reed Sea (v. 13). Only after the grumbling in the Wilderness does the psalm return to Egypt (v. 43) in more detail (vv. 44-51).
The themes of remembering and forgetting are also highlighted in the two-fold repetition of forget (vv. 7, 11) before the first mention of Egypt (v. 12), and the three-fold repetition of remember (vv. 35, 39, 42) before the second mention of Egypt (v. 43).
Effect
When the text mentions Egypt but not the plagues and Passover, it is as if the deeds in Egypt had been forgotten. The poetry mimics the behavior of the Israelites, whose grumbling in the wilderness proceeds from their own forgetting the power of God on display in Egypt.
The psalmist only enters into the details of the Exodus plagues after another "he displayed his signs in Egypt and his miracles in the region of Zoan" (v. 43). This appears after the threefold repetition of the opposite of "forget"—"remember" (vv. 35, 39, 42).
Ironically, though, this tension is not resolved in the use of the verb "remember," as they refer to pretense (v. 35), God's remembering (v. 39), and Israel's not remembering (v. 42).
The effect is highlighting that Israel had "forgotten" or not learned from what God did in Egypt. Even when they seemed to remember them, it was only a pretense: they had still not fully learned the lesson.
The only hope is in God's remembering them, recognizing their weakness and providing the solution for their continued pattern of rebellion in the shepherd-king David. Asaph composes this psalm so that his listeners, also, "might put their trust in God, [so that] they might not forget God's deeds" (v. 7).
Sheep, Shepherd and Shevet
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 place "Egypt" is modified in apposition or parallel twice in Ps 78 with the toponym צֹעַן (vv. 12, 43). Outside of Ps 78, the name "Zoan" is only found four times in the Bible (Num 13:22; Isa 19:11, 13; Ezek 30:14).
To describe the "wilderness," as well as the common noun מִדְבָּר (vv. 15, 19, 40, 52), the relatively rarer noun צִיָּה is used in v. 17 (see also Isa 35:1; Jer 50:12; Zeph 2:13; Job 30:3 and the plural צִיּוֹת in Ps 105:41).
YHWH's people are described as a צֹאן "flock" in v. 52. The same word appears in v. 70, referring to sheep.
David is said to "shepherd" (רעה) the people in vv. 71-72.
The "clans" of Israel (שֵׁבֶט) appear in v. 55, while vv. 67b and 68a mentions individual clans of Ephraim and Judah. The lexeme שֵׁבֶט is polysemous with both senses "clan" and a shepherding "rod, staff" and royal "scepter" (see, e.g., Ps 45:7).
Effect
Despite the relative length of the psalm, the reader cannot help but notice the sound play between the intentional selection of צֹעַן "Zoan," צֹאן "flock, sheep," צִיּוֹן "Zion," and, to a lesser extent, צִיָּה "wilderness."[20] The early mention of צֹעַן (v. 12) and צִיָּה (v. 17) primes the audience's expectations, a signal which is confirmed with the second occurrence of צֹעַן in v. 43. These two locations thematically lead the audience to the final destination of the psalm: Zion (צִיּוֹן).
These key words, with their צ-phonetic anaphora, combine with the polysemous שֵׁבֶט (thrice-repeated in vv 55, 67-68), which all converge with increasing pace to the resolution of the parable (משׁל, v. 2) of the entire psalm, such that all the events in Egypt and in the wilderness are cast as part of (preparing) the "sheep" for the future shepherd. Being brought out of Zoan (צֹעַן), YHWH's people are led through the wilderness (צִיָּה) like a flock (צֹאן), until they reach Zion (צִיּוֹן). In order to establish Zion as the permanent dwelling place of his flock, YHWH must also call his servant David from shepherding sheep (צֹאן)—v. 70b—to shepherd (רעה) his people (vv. 71-72). When history is cast as either preparing the "sheep" or the "scepter/shepherd," David is seen as the culmination of God's plan for Israel.
The effect is to highlight the identity of Israel as God's sheep for whom he has now provided a shepherd in the person of David. Of all the clans of Israel, the true "scepter" is only found in David, the chosen shepherd, so that submitting to his rule becomes the embodiment of acting as God's people.
Still His People
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
Israel may be referred to as "his [YHWH's] people" because they were in covenant with YHWH, but not necessarily because they were always covenantally faithful.
In Psalm 78, Israel refers to itself as "his [YHWH's] people" in v. 20, in the context of complaining about YHWH's lack of provision. In the midst of their rebellious grumbling for food placed between two descriptions of YHWH's anger (vv. 21-22, 31) we find intentional reference to the camp of the Israelites as "his camp" and "his tents," i.e., YHWH's (v. 28). The camp did not cease to belong to him, nor did he cease to be associated with the people therein.
Another negative context in which we find "his people" is v. 62: "He gave his people over to the sword and against his inheritance he raged." Immediately follows is the violent description of Shiloh's fate, involving "his young men, his young women, his priests, his widows" (vv. 63-64). They suffer consequences for their sins as YHWH's people; they are purified to come out the other side as YHWH's people.
On the other hand, he is said to shepherd "his people" in v. 52, and, indeed, they are shepherded by David after their multiple rebellions in v. 71 (again, accompanied by "his inheritance").
Effect
Israel's ongoing character of rebelliousness and God's insistence on covenant faithfulness are in tension throughout Psalm 78. The psalm's persistence in referring to Israel as "YHWH's people" highlights this tension.
On the one hand, there is the irony that "his people" are not known for his character, but for their own rebelliousness. On the other hand, they are still "his people" in that he maintains his covenant faithfulness to them.
Many commentators and translations, both ancient and modern, have wrestled with the text as genuinely identifying the rebellious people as belonging to YHWH. They consider it more likely that, when describing rebellious people, the text would distance the identity of the people from YHWH.
Nevertheless, the text emphatically persists in identifying Israel, even when rejecting YHWH, as still "his people," since, even through judgment and discipline, God maintains his covenant faithfulness with his people, and he still considers them to be "his people."
By the end of the psalm, both "Israel" and "Jacob" are included among those who will be shepherded by the Davidic king at the end and are referred to as "his people" and "his inheritance" (v. 71)—a far cry from the previous instance of this pair: "He gave his people over to the sword and against his inheritance he raged." (v. 62).
If the puzzling problems (חִ֝יד֗וֹת, v. 2) describe the almost endless pattern of rebellion against the pattern of YHWH's discipline and perseverance with his people, the parable (מָשָׁ֣ל, v. 2) offers hope for this same rebellious people, thanks to God's faithfulness in providing a shepherd-king.
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. |
 |
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. |
Prominence Heatmap
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| מַשְׂכִּ֗יל לְאָ֫סָ֥ף | 1a | A maskil. By Asaph. |
| הַאֲזִ֣ינָה עַ֭מִּי תּוֹרָתִ֑י | 1b | Listen, my people, to my teaching; |
| הַטּ֥וּ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃ | 1c | turn your ear to the words of my mouth. |
| אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י | 2a | Let me open up my mouth with a parable; |
| אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃ | 2b | let me pour out puzzling problems from long ago. |
| אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁ֭מַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵ֑ם | 3a | The things which we heard, and which we learned |
| וַ֝אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָֽנוּ׃ | 3b | and our ancestors told us, |
| לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן | 4a | we will not hide from their children in the latest generation, |
| מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה | 4b | proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of YHWH |
| וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃ | 4c | and his power and his wonderful deeds which he has accomplished: |
| וַיָּ֤קֶם עֵד֨וּת ׀ בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב | 5a | how he established a testimony among Jacob |
| וְתוֹרָה֮ שָׂ֤ם בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל | 5b | and set up a teaching among Israel, |
| אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִ֭וָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ | 5c | which he commanded our ancestors |
| לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ | 5d | to teach them to their children, |
| לְמַ֤עַן יֵדְע֨וּ ׀ דּ֣וֹר אַ֭חֲרוֹן | 6a | so that the latest generation might know |
| בָּנִ֣ים יִוָּלֵ֑דוּ | 6b | —children who were yet to be born— |
| יָ֝קֻ֗מוּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ | 6c | [that] they might begin to tell their children |
| וְיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים כִּ֫סְלָ֥ם | 7a | and they might put their trust in God, |
| וְלֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵ֑ל | 7b | [so that] they might not forget God's deeds |
| וּמִצְוֺתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ | 7c | but might obey his commands |
| וְלֹ֤א יִהְי֨וּ ׀ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם | 8a | and might not be like their ancestors, |
| דּוֹר֮ סוֹרֵ֪ר וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה | 8b | a stubborn and rebellious generation, |
| דּ֭וֹר לֹא־הֵכִ֣ין לִבּ֑וֹ | 8c | a generation who did not keep their heart committed |
| וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה אֶת־אֵ֣ל רוּחֽוֹ׃ | 8d | and whose mind was not faithful to God. |
| בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת | 9a | Ephraimites, armed [with a bow], archers, |
| הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃ | 9b | turned back on a day of battle. |
| לֹ֣א שָׁ֭מְרוּ בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים | 10a | They did not keep the covenant of God |
| וּ֝בְתוֹרָת֗וֹ מֵאֲנ֥וּ לָלֶֽכֶת׃ | 10b | and they refused to walk in his teaching, |
| וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו | 11a | in that they forgot his deeds |
| וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃ | 11b | and [they forgot] his wonders which he had shown them. |
| נֶ֣גֶד אֲ֭בוֹתָם עָ֣שָׂה פֶ֑לֶא | 12a | In front of their ancestors he performed miracles |
| בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מִצְרַ֣יִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ | 12b | in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan. |
| בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם וַיַּֽעֲבִירֵ֑ם | 13a | He divided the sea and brought them through; |
| וַֽיַּצֶּב־מַ֥יִם כְּמוֹ־נֵֽד׃ | 13b | he made the waters stand like a heap. |
| וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם בֶּעָנָ֣ן יוֹמָ֑ם | 14a | He led them by cloud during the day |
| וְכָל־הַ֝לַּ֗יְלָה בְּא֣וֹר אֵֽשׁ׃ | 14b | and [he led them] all night by fire light. |
| יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר | 15a | He would split rocks in the wilderness |
| וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה׃ | 15b | and provide drinking water abundantly, as from oceans. |
| וַיּוֹצִ֣א נוֹזְלִ֣ים מִסָּ֑לַע | 16a | He would bring streams out from rock |
| וַיּ֖וֹרֶד כַּנְּהָר֣וֹת מָֽיִם׃ | 16b | and make water flow down like rivers. |
| וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ ע֭וֹד לַחֲטֹא־ל֑וֹ | 17a | But again they sinned against him; |
| לַֽמְר֥וֹת עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן בַּצִּיָּֽה׃ | 17b | again they rebelled against the Most High in the desert. |
| וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵ֥ל בִּלְבָבָ֑ם | 18a | They put God to the test in their heart, |
| לִֽשְׁאָל־אֹ֥כֶל לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃ | 18b | by asking for food for their throat. |
| וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים | 19a | They spoke against God |
| אָ֭מְרוּ הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל | 19b | saying: "Is God not able |
| לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ | 19c | to prepare a table in the wilderness? |
| הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀ וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮ | 20a | Since he struck a rock so that waters gushed out |
| וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ | 20b | and streams began to flow, |
| הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם י֣וּכַל תֵּ֑ת | 20c | is he not able to give bread, too? |
| אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃ | 20d | Or can he not provide meat for his people?" |
| לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר | 21a | Therefore, when YHWH heard he became furious; |
| וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב | 21b | fire flared up against Jacob |
| וְגַם־אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ | 21c | and also anger rose against Israel, |
| כִּ֤י לֹ֣א הֶ֭אֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִ֑ים | 22a | because they had not believed in God |
| וְלֹ֥א בָ֝טְח֗וּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃ | 22b | and they had not trusted in his provision. |
| וַיְצַ֣ו שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל | 23a | So he ordered clouds from above |
| וְדַלְתֵ֖י שָׁמַ֣יִם פָּתָֽח׃ | 23b | and opened heavenly doors; |
| וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מָ֣ן לֶאֱכֹ֑ל | 24a | he rained down upon them manna to eat |
| וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ | 24b | and he gave them grain from heaven. |
| לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים אָ֣כַל אִ֑ישׁ | 25a | People ate bread of angels; |
| צֵידָ֬ה שָׁלַ֖ח לָהֶ֣ם לָשֹֽׂבַע׃ | 25b | he sent them provisions until they were satisfied. |
| יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם | 26a | He caused an east wind to blow in the sky |
| וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃ | 26b | and he drove a south wind with his might. |
| וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּעָפָ֣ר שְׁאֵ֑ר | 27a | So he made meat rain upon them like dust |
| וּֽכְח֥וֹל יַ֝מִּ֗ים ע֣וֹף כָּנָֽף׃ | 27b | and [he made] winged birds [rain upon them] like the sand on the seashore, |
| וַ֭יַּפֵּל בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ | 28a | and he made them fall inside his camp, |
| סָ֝בִ֗יב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃ | 28b | all around his tents. |
| וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד | 29a | So they ate and were completely satisfied |
| וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם יָבִ֥א לָהֶֽם׃ | 29b | when he brought them what they craved. |
| לֹא־זָר֥וּ מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם | 30a | They had not turned away from the object of their craving |
| ע֝֗וֹד אָכְלָ֥ם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ | 30b | —their food was still in their mouth— |
| וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם | 31a | when the anger of God rose against them |
| וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם | 31b | and he killed some of their strong men |
| וּבַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ׃ | 31c | and he struck down young men of Israel. |
| בְּכָל־זֹ֭את חָֽטְאוּ־ע֑וֹד | 32a | In spite of this, they sinned again |
| וְלֹֽא־הֶ֝אֱמִ֗ינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃ | 32b | and did not trust in his wonderful deeds, |
| וַיְכַל־בַּהֶ֥בֶל יְמֵיהֶ֑ם | 33a | so he made them spend their days in vain |
| וּ֝שְׁנוֹתָ֗ם בַּבֶּהָלָֽה׃ | 33b | and [he made them spend] their years in anguish. |
| אִם־הֲרָגָ֥ם וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ | 34a | Whenever he killed them, then they would seek him |
| וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־אֵֽל׃ | 34b | and again look for God. |
| וַֽ֭יִּזְכְּרוּ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים צוּרָ֑ם | 35a | They would remember that God was their rock |
| וְאֵ֥ל עֶ֝לְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָֽם׃ | 35b | and [that] God, the Most High, was their redeemer. |
| וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם | 36a | But they were trying to deceive him with their mouth |
| וּ֝בִלְשׁוֹנָ֗ם יְכַזְּבוּ־לֽוֹ׃ | 36b | and with their tongue were lying to him. |
| וְ֭לִבָּם לֹא־נָכ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ | 37a | Their heart was not committed to him |
| וְלֹ֥א נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ | 37b | and they were not faithful to his covenant. |
| וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ | 38a | But he is compassionate. |
| יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית | 38b | He forgives iniquity and does not destroy. |
| וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ | 38c | He repeatedly turned back his anger. |
| וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ | 38d | And he would not stir up all his wrath. |
| וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה | 39a | He remembered that they were flesh, |
| ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃ | 39b | a breeze that goes by and will not return. |
| כַּ֭מָּה יַמְר֣וּהוּ בַמִּדְבָּ֑ר | 40a | How often did they rebel against him in the wilderness! |
| יַ֝עֲצִיב֗וּהוּ בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃ | 40b | [How often] did they grieve him in the desert! |
| וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ וַיְנַסּ֣וּ אֵ֑ל | 41a | Again they put God to the test |
| וּקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִתְווּ׃ | 41b | and they provoked the Holy One of Israel. |
| לֹא־זָכְר֥וּ אֶת־יָד֑וֹ | 42a | They did not remember his strength; |
| י֝֗וֹם אֲֽשֶׁר־פָּדָ֥ם מִנִּי־צָֽר׃ | 42b | [they did not remember] the day in which he saved them from an adversary. |
| אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם בְּ֭מִצְרַיִם אֹֽתוֹתָ֑יו | 43a | [They did not remember the day] in which he displayed his signs in Egypt |
| וּ֝מוֹפְתָ֗יו בִּשְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ | 43b | and [displayed] his miracles in the region of Zoan— |
| וַיַּהֲפֹ֣ךְ לְ֭דָם יְאֹרֵיהֶ֑ם | 44a | how he turned their rivers into blood |
| וְ֝נֹזְלֵיהֶ֗ם בַּל־יִשְׁתָּיֽוּן׃ | 44b | and they could not drink [from] their streams. |
| יְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם | 45a | He sent a swarm of insects among them and it devoured them; |
| וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃ | 45b | [he sent] a plague of frogs [among them] and it destroyed them. |
| וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לֶחָסִ֣יל יְבוּלָ֑ם | 46a | He gave their crops to young locusts |
| וִֽ֝יגִיעָ֗ם לָאַרְבֶּֽה׃ | 46b | and [he gave] the fruit of their labor to locusts. |
| יַהֲרֹ֣ג בַּבָּרָ֣ד גַּפְנָ֑ם | 47a | He killed their vines with hail |
| וְ֝שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗ם בַּֽחֲנָמַֽל׃ | 47b | and [he killed] their sycamore trees with frost. |
| וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַבָּרָ֣ד בְּעִירָ֑ם | 48a | He gave their livestock over to hail |
| וּ֝מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם לָרְשָׁפִֽים׃ | 48b | and [he gave] their herds [over] to lightning. |
| יְשַׁלַּח־בָּ֨ם ׀ חֲר֬וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ | 49a | He sent among them the wrath of his anger: |
| עֶבְרָ֣ה וָזַ֣עַם וְצָרָ֑ה | 49b | fury and indignation and trouble, |
| מִ֝שְׁלַ֗חַת מַלְאֲכֵ֥י רָעִֽים׃ | 49c | by a deputation of angels bringing disaster. |
| יְפַלֵּ֥ס נָתִ֗יב לְאַ֫פּ֥וֹ | 50a | He cleared a path for his anger; |
| לֹא־חָשַׂ֣ךְ מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם | 50b | he did not spare their soul from death |
| וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם לַדֶּ֥בֶר הִסְגִּֽיר׃ | 50c | but gave their life over to plague. |
| וַיַּ֣ךְ כָּל־בְּכ֣וֹר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם | 51a | He killed every firstborn in Egypt, |
| רֵאשִׁ֥ית א֝וֹנִ֗ים בְּאָהֳלֵי־חָֽם׃ | 51b | the firstfruits of strength among the tents of Ham, |
| וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ | 52a | but he led out his people like a flock |
| וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ | 52b | and guided them in the wilderness like a herd. |
| וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ | 53a | He led them securely and they were not afraid, |
| וְאֶת־א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃ | 53b | but the sea covered their enemies. |
| וַ֭יְבִיאֵם אֶל־גְּב֣וּל קָדְשׁ֑וֹ | 54a | He brought them to his holy territory, |
| הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֽוֹ׃ | 54b | the hill-country which his right hand had acquired. |
| וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ גּוֹיִ֗ם | 55a | He drove out nations from their presence |
| וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם בְּחֶ֣בֶל נַחֲלָ֑ה | 55b | and allotted them as an inheritance by measurement; |
| וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ן בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ | 55c | he let the clans of Israel live in their dwelling places. |
| וַיְנַסּ֣וּ וַ֭יַּמְרוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִ֣ים עֶלְי֑וֹן | 56a | But they rebelliously put God, the Most High, to the test, |
| וְ֝עֵדוֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃ | 56b | and they did not observe his testimonies, |
| וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם | 57a | but they went astray and acted unfaithfully, like their ancestors. |
| נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ כְּקֶ֣שֶׁת רְמִיָּֽה׃ | 57b | They became like a slack bow. |
| וַיַּכְעִיס֥וּהוּ בְּבָמוֹתָ֑ם | 58a | They made him angry with their high places of worship |
| וּ֝בִפְסִילֵיהֶ֗ם יַקְנִיאֽוּהוּ׃ | 58b | and with their carved images made him jealous. |
| שָׁמַ֣ע אֱ֭לֹהִים וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֑ר | 59a | God heard and he became furious, |
| וַיִּמְאַ֥ס מְ֝אֹ֗ד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ | 59b | so that he completely rejected Israel |
| וַ֭יִּטֹּשׁ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן שִׁל֑וֹ | 60a | and he abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh, |
| אֹ֝֗הֶל שִׁכֵּ֥ן בָּאָדָֽם׃ | 60b | the tent which he had set up among mankind. |
| וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לַשְּׁבִ֣י עֻזּ֑וֹ | 61a | He gave his strength into captivity |
| וְֽתִפְאַרְתּ֥וֹ בְיַד־צָֽר׃ | 61b | and [he gave] his glory into the possession of an adversary. |
| וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַחֶ֣רֶב עַמּ֑וֹ | 62a | He gave his people over to the sword |
| וּ֝בְנַחֲלָת֗וֹ הִתְעַבָּֽר׃ | 62b | and against his inheritance he raged. |
| בַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־אֵ֑שׁ | 63a | Fire consumed his young men |
| וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃ | 63b | and his young women were not sung to. |
| כֹּ֭הֲנָיו בַּחֶ֣רֶב נָפָ֑לוּ | 64a | His priests fell by the sword |
| וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִבְכֶּֽינָה׃ | 64b | and his widows could not mourn. |
| וַיִּקַ֖ץ כְּיָשֵׁ֥ן ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י | 65a | Now the Lord arose like one who had been asleep, |
| כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר מִתְרוֹנֵ֥ן מִיָּֽיִן׃ | 65b | like a warrior shouting from [the effects of] wine, |
| וַיַּךְ־צָרָ֥יו אָח֑וֹר | 66a | and he struck back his adversaries. |
| חֶרְפַּ֥ת ע֝וֹלָ֗ם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ | 66b | He gave them eternal shame. |
| וַ֭יִּמְאַס בְּאֹ֣הֶל יוֹסֵ֑ף | 67a | But he rejected the tent of Joseph |
| וּֽבְשֵׁ֥בֶט אֶ֝פְרַ֗יִם לֹ֣א בָחָֽר׃ | 67b | and did not choose the clan of Ephraim, |
| וַ֭יִּבְחַר אֶת־שֵׁ֣בֶט יְהוּדָ֑ה | 68a | but he chose the clan of Judah, |
| אֶֽת־הַ֥ר צִ֝יּ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהֵֽב׃ | 68b | Mount Zion which he loves, |
| וַיִּ֣בֶן כְּמוֹ־רָ֭מִים מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ | 69a | and he built his holy place like heaven, |
| כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ יְסָדָ֥הּ לְעוֹלָֽם׃ | 69b | like the earth which he has established forever. |
| וַ֭יִּבְחַר בְּדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ | 70a | He chose David, his servant, |
| וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃ | 70b | and took him from a sheep pen. |
| מֵאַחַ֥ר עָל֗וֹת הֱ֫בִיא֥וֹ | 71a | From [looking] after nursing animals he brought him |
| לִ֭רְעוֹת בְּיַעֲקֹ֣ב עַמּ֑וֹ | 71b | to shepherd Jacob, his people, |
| וּ֝בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ | 71c | and [to shepherd] Israel, his inheritance. |
| וַ֭יִּרְעֵם בְתֹ֣ם לְבָב֑וֹ | 72a | He shepherded them with the integrity of his heart |
| וּבִתְבוּנ֖וֹת כַּפָּ֣יו יַנְחֵֽם׃ | 72b | and with his wise actions he led them. |
Bibliography
Footnotes
- ↑ Fokkelman 2000, 210.
- ↑ Van der Lugt 2010, 344-346.
- ↑ Ḥakham 1979, 40.
- ↑ Terrien 2003, 558-563.
- ↑ Clifford 1981, 127.
- ↑ See Clifford 1981, 129.
- ↑ Campbell 1979, 53.
- ↑ Clifford 1981, 129.
- ↑ Campbell 1979.
- ↑ Clifford 1981, 129.
- ↑ Clifford 1981, 129.
- ↑ Van der Lugt 2010, 342; Fokkelman 2000, 212.
- ↑ van der Lugt 2010, 342.
- ↑ Fokkelman 2000, 214 and 228.
- ↑ van der Lugt 2010, 342.
- ↑ Fokkelman 2000, 214.
- ↑ Cf. van der Lugt 2010, 343.
- ↑ Fokkelman 2000, 219; van der Lugt 2010, 343.
- ↑ Fokkelman 2000, 224.
- ↑ Leuchter 2006.