The Meaning of לְהַזְכִּיר in Psalm 38:1

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

Exegetical Issues for Psalm 38: Exegetical Issues for Psalm 38:

Introduction

The superscription of Ps 38 reads as follows:[1]

מִזְמ֖וֹר לְדָוִ֣ד לְהַזְכִּֽיר׃

It is one of only two superscriptions to include the phrase לְהַזְכִּיר (cf. Ps 70). The meaning and translation of this superscription is not clear.[2] There are three main options for its interpretation.[3]

  1. Some translations take it as a simple petition or lament: "A psalm of David. A petition" (NIV).
  2. Others interpret it as a reminder...
    1. without specifying who is being reminded of what: "A psalm of David to bring remembrance" (CSB).
    2. specifying that this psalm is written to remind people of God:[4] "Un psaume de David, pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu" (BDS).
    3. specifying how this psalm should be used: the musicians and scribes would remind the community of this psalm (see The Meaning of לְהַזְכִּיר in Psalm 70:1).
    4. specifying that God is being reminded of David and his situation in order to galvanize God into action: "A psalm of David, asking God to remember him" (NLT).
  3. Lastly, some translations interpret this as referring to a psalm written to be used at memorial offerings: "A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering" (ESV).

Argument Maps

General Petition

Some modern translations translate לְהַזְכִּֽיר as "petition" or "lament."

  • "A psalm of David. A petition" (NIV).

===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Petition]: The superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר simply signifies that this psalm is a petition (Longman and Longman 2015, 29 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <Inclusio>: Psalm 38 begins and ends with jussives where David is petitioning God. This emphasizes that this psalm is a petition at its core (Grogan 2008, 92 :C:). #dispreferred
  + [Psa 38:2, 22-23 (1b, 21-22)]: LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. ...
LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. (NIV)  #dispreferred
 - <Root meaning>: The word לְהַזְכִּֽיר comes from זכר which means "to remember" or "to mention." Nowhere in the Hebrew Bible does it clearly refer to a petition (Hengstenberg 1863, 43 :C:). 
  <_ <Used in prayers for healing>: A noun from the same root, אַזְכָּרָה, is used at least once in the context of a prayer for healing.  #dispreferred
    + [Sirach 38:9, 11]: My child, when you are sick, don’t look around elsewhere, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice and a memorial (אזכרה) of fine flour, and pour an offering of oil, using what you can afford. (CEB) #dispreferred
      <_ <Could refer to a memorial offering>: In the context in Sirach 38, however, it could be that זכר is being used with more focus on the offering than on the petition, especially since the nominal form אַזְכָּרָה is used instead of the verbal form.


Argument Mapn0PetitionThe superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר simply signifies that this psalm is a petition (Longman and Longman 2015, 29 🄲). n1Psa 38:2, 22-23 (1b, 21-22)LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. ... LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. (NIV) n3InclusioPsalm 38 begins and ends with jussives where David is petitioning God. This emphasizes that this psalm is a petition at its core (Grogan 2008, 92 🄲). n1->n3n2Sirach 38:9, 11My child, when you are sick, don’t look around elsewhere, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice and a memorial (אזכרה) of fine flour, and pour an offering of oil, using what you can afford. (CEB) n5Used in prayers for healingA noun from the same root, אַזְכָּרָה, is used at least once in the context of a prayer for healing. n2->n5n3->n0n4Root meaningThe word לְהַזְכִּֽיר comes from זכר which means "to remember" or "to mention." Nowhere in the Hebrew Bible does it clearly refer to a petition (Hengstenberg 1863, 43 🄲). n4->n0n5->n4n6Could refer to a memorial offeringIn the context in Sirach 38, however, it could be that זכר is being used with more focus on the offering than on the petition, especially since the nominal form אַזְכָּרָה is used instead of the verbal form.n6->n2


Reminder

Most modern translations translate לְהַזְכִּֽיר literally as "to remind." Within this category, there are four subdivisions. The first does not specify who is being reminded. While this is an acceptable (and preferred) view, it is helpful to further discuss who is being reminded of what. There are three potential views for this. The first views לְהַזְכִּֽיר as reminding the readers of God. The second views לְהַזְכִּֽיר as reminding the community of the psalm. The third option views לְהַזְכִּֽיר as reminding God of David.

To Remind

Many modern translations translate לְהַזְכִּֽיר literally, without specifying who is being reminded or what they should remember.

  • "A psalm of David to bring remembrance" (CSB).

Because this translation is so broad and the other three options are contained within it, an argument map is unnecessary.

To Remind People of God

The first subdivision specifies that this psalm was written to remind people of God.

  • "Un psaume de David, pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu" (BDS).

===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[To Remind People of God]: The superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that this psalm was written to remind the reader or David of God and the salvation he brings.  #dispreferred
 + <Common theme>: The theme of remembering God and his works is common in the Hebrew Bible. In some passages, not remembering God results in rebellion (TDOT 1980, 4:67 :L:). #dispreferred
   + [Psalms]: Pss 105:5 (Remember the wondrous works that he has done...); 106:7 (...they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.); 78:42 (They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe) (ESV) #dispreferred
   + [Elsewhere]: Deut 8:18 (You shall remember the Lord your God...); Jdg 8:34 (And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,) (ESV) #dispreferred
 - <Content>: If the focus is on reminding people of God and the salvation he brings, we would expect there to be more focus on what God has done in the past. Instead, the majority of this psalm focuses on David's suffering.


Argument Mapn0To Remind People of GodThe superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that this psalm was written to remind the reader or David of God and the salvation he brings. n1PsalmsPss 105:5 (Remember the wondrous works that he has done...); 106:7 (...they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.); 78:42 (They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe) (ESV) n3Common themeThe theme of remembering God and his works is common in the Hebrew Bible. In some passages, not remembering God results in rebellion (TDOT 1980, 4:67 🄻). n1->n3n2ElsewhereDeut 8:18 (You shall remember the Lord your God...); Jdg 8:34 (And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,) (ESV) n2->n3n3->n0n4ContentIf the focus is on reminding people of God and the salvation he brings, we would expect there to be more focus on what God has done in the past. Instead, the majority of this psalm focuses on David's suffering. n4->n0


To Remind People of the Psalm (preferred)

The second subdivision specifies that this psalm should be remembered by the people.[5] 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[To Remind the People of the Psalm]: The superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates how this psalm should be used in the community, that is, that the community should be reminded of the content of this psalm. 
 + <Function of superscriptions>: Superscriptions commonly provide notes on how the psalmist intended the psalm to be used. Here, לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that the musicians or scribes should remind the community of the content of this psalm.
  + [Other directives in superscriptions]: See אַל תַּשְׁחֵת ("do not destroy"?) in Psalms 57–59, 75 and לְלַמֵּֽד "to teach" in Psalm 60.
   + <Psalm 60:1>: "The sense of 'to teach' is that he commanded that the poets would teach it" (Ibn Ezra :C:; וטעם ללמד – שצווה שילמדוהו המשוררים). See also the similar sense in Deuteronomy 31:19, 30; 2 Sam 1:18.
    + [Other songs to be taught]: "Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel ... Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel" (Deut 31:19, 30, ESV); "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar" (2 Sam 1:17–18, ESV).
 + <Usage of זכר as a hiphil participle>: The hiphil participle of the same root is elsewhere used exclusively to refer to the office of a "recorder"  (see 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8).


Argument Mapn0To Remind the People of the PsalmThe superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates how this psalm should be used in the community, that is, that the community should be reminded of the content of this psalm. n1Other directives in superscriptionsSee אַל תַּשְׁחֵת ("do not destroy"?) in Psalms 57–59, 75 and לְלַמֵּֽד "to teach" in Psalm 60.n3Function of superscriptionsSuperscriptions commonly provide notes on how the psalmist intended the psalm to be used. Here, לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that the musicians or scribes should remind the community of the content of this psalm.n1->n3n2Other songs to be taught"Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel ... Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel" (Deut 31:19, 30, ESV); "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar" (2 Sam 1:17–18, ESV).n4Psalm 60:1"The sense of 'to teach' is that he commanded that the poets would teach it" (Ibn Ezra 🄲; וטעם ללמד – שצווה שילמדוהו המשוררים). See also the similar sense in Deuteronomy 31:19, 30; 2 Sam 1:18.n2->n4n3->n0n4->n1n5Usage of זכר as a hiphil participleThe hiphil participle of the same root is elsewhere used exclusively to refer to the office of a "recorder"  (see 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8).n5->n0


To Remind God of David's Situation

The third subdivision specifies that God is the one being reminded of David and his situation with the implication that God will then act to help David.

  • "A psalm of David, asking God to remember him" (NLT).

===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        rankdir: LR
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[To Remind God of David's Situation]: The superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that the psalm is intended to remind God of the psalmist and his sufferings without the implications of a sacrifice (SDBH :L:; BDB :L:). #dispreferred
 + <Remembering connected with action>: Often the verb זכר results in action. Frequently, when God remembers someone, he then grants them forgiveness, salvation, or help (BDB :L:; HALOT :L:; TDOT 1980, 4:66 :L:; Kidner 2008, 171 :C:).  #dispreferred
  + [Jeremiah 31:20]: ...I do remember him still... I will surely have mercy on him... (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [Numbers 10:9]: when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [1 Samuel 1:11]: And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [Psa 132:1, 8]: Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured, ... Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [Gen 30:22]: Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [Jer 14:21]: Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us. (ESV) #dispreferred
 + <Content of Pss 38 and 70>: Psalm 38 ends with a plea for God to help David and not abandon him, so at least part of the reason for this psalm is to remind God of the psalmist's situation with the hope that God will help. Using very similar wording, Psalm 70 begins with a plea for God to come and help the psalmist. #dispreferred
   + [Psa 38:23]: Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation! (CSB) #dispreferred
   + [Psa 70:1]: God, hurry to rescue me. LORD, hurry to help me! (CSB) #dispreferred
   <_ <Function of superscriptions>: Nowhere else are superscriptions used to indicate that someone (either God or the people) should act. Instead, superscriptions are frequently used to indicate how the psalm should be used in a liturgical context. 
 <_ <Usage of זכר as a hiphil participle>: The hiphil participle of the same root is elsewhere used exclusively to refer to the office of a "recorder"  (see 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8).


Argument Mapn0To Remind God of David's SituationThe superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that the psalm is intended to remind God of the psalmist and his sufferings without the implications of a sacrifice (SDBH 🄻; BDB 🄻). n1Jeremiah 31:20...I do remember him still... I will surely have mercy on him... (ESV) n9Remembering connected with actionOften the verb זכר results in action. Frequently, when God remembers someone, he then grants them forgiveness, salvation, or help (BDB 🄻; HALOT 🄻; TDOT 1980, 4:66 🄻; Kidner 2008, 171 🄲). n1->n9n2Numbers 10:9when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. (ESV) n2->n9n31 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” (ESV) n3->n9n4Psa 132:1, 8Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured, ... Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. (ESV) n4->n9n5Gen 30:22Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. (ESV) n5->n9n6Jer 14:21Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us. (ESV) n6->n9n7Psa 38:23Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation! (CSB) n10Content of Pss 38 and 70Psalm 38 ends with a plea for God to help David and not abandon him, so at least part of the reason for this psalm is to remind God of the psalmist's situation with the hope that God will help. Using very similar wording, Psalm 70 begins with a plea for God to come and help the psalmist. n7->n10n8Psa 70:1God, hurry to rescue me. LORD, hurry to help me! (CSB) n8->n10n9->n0n10->n0n11Function of superscriptionsNowhere else are superscriptions used to indicate that someone (either God or the people) should act. Instead, superscriptions are frequently used to indicate how the psalm should be used in a liturgical context. n11->n10n12Usage of זכר as a hiphil participleThe hiphil participle of the same root is elsewhere used exclusively to refer to the office of a "recorder"  (see 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 2 Kgs 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22; 1 Chr 18:15; 2 Chr 34:8).n12->n0


Memorial Offering

Lastly, some translations view לְהַזְכִּֽיר as referring to this psalm's usage in the liturgy, specifically for memorial offerings. This meaning is closely related to the previous option, reminding God of the psalmist and his plight. The significant difference is whether this was used specifically in the liturgy or not.

  • "A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering" (ESV).

===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        rankdir: LR
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Memorial Offering]: The superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that this psalm was written to be used during the offering of a memorial sacrifice in order to remind God of the psalmist's situation (HALOT :L:; BDB :L:; DCH :L:; Baethgen 1904, 108 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <Used in the context of priests and liturgy>: The verb זכר is often used in liturgical contexts.  #dispreferred
   + [1 Chr 16:4]: Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke (לְהַזְכִּיר), to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. (ESV) #dispreferred
   + [Sir 50:14, 16]: When he was finishing his service at the altar, after he had arranged an offering to the Most High, the almighty, ... Then Aaron’s sons cheered; they blew trumpets made of hammered metal and caused a great sound to be heard as a reminder (להזכיר) before the Most High. (CEB) #dispreferred
 + <אַזְכָּרָה ''azkarah''>: The word אַזְכָּרָה comes from the same root as לְהַזְכִּֽיר and is used to describe a portion of grain offerings burnt on the altar, whether for a first fruits or a sin offering. It is also used in the context of offering frankincense each Sabbath. These offerings were intended to remind God of the person offering the sacrifice (Delitzsch 1871, 20 :C:; Anderson 1981, 48 :C:; Kittel 1922, 139; Mowinckel 2004, 212 :M:).  #dispreferred
   + [אַזְכָּרָה in reference to sin offerings]: Lev 2:2, 9, 16; 5:12, 6:8. #dispreferred
   + [אַזְכָּרָה in reference to offering frankincense]: Lev 24:7-8; Isa 66:3. #dispreferred
   <_ <Different word>: While אַזְכָּרָה comes from the same root, that does not necessitate that לְהַזְכִּֽיר is referring back to the memorial offering. If anything, it would be expected that אַזְכָּרָה would be used instead of לְהַזְכִּֽיר. Even Leviticus 24:7 uses אַזְכָּרָה + ל to explicitly state the purpose.
     + [Lev 24:7]: And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion (לְאַזְכָּרָה) as a food offering to the LORD.
     <_ <אַזְכָּרָה refers to physical offering>: It could be that אַזְכָּרָה only refers to the physical offering and because this is a prayer to accompany a memorial offering, the more general verb is used instead.  #dispreferred
 <_ <Not the primary emphasis>: While this could be written to accompany a sacrifice, whether or not it is intended for a liturgical purpose misses the main point of the psalm: to appeal to God for help (Kidner 2008, 171 :C:; Craigie 2004, 303 :C:).
  <_ <Used in the context of prayers for healing>: Sirach uses the nominal אַזְכָּרָה in connection with an offering in a prayer of healing, which could create a connection between זכר and offerings for healing and confession (Goldingay 2006, 539 :C:). #dispreferred
    + [Sirach 38:9, 11]: My child, when you are sick, don’t look around elsewhere, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice and a memorial (אזכרה) of fine flour, and pour an offering of oil, using what you can afford. #dispreferred
 + <ל used in superscriptions for liturgical event>: Other psalms, such as Psalm 100 and Psalm 92 use the ל preposition to correspond with a liturgical event.  #dispreferred
   + [Psa 100:1]: A Psalm for the thank offering (לְתוֹדָה). (RSV) #dispreferred
   + [Psa 92:1]: A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath (לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת). (ESV) #dispreferred
 + <Ancient Translations>: Both the LXX and the Targum either explicitly or implicitly tie לְהַזְכִּֽיר to the memorial offering.  #dispreferred
  + [LXX]: A Psalm. Pertaining to David. As a reminder about Sabbath (περὶ σαββάτου). (NETS) #dispreferred
   + <זכר and Sabbath>: The nominal form, אַזְכָּרָה, is used to describe the incense that accompanied the bread that was to be set out every Sabbath.  #dispreferred
    + [Lev 24:7-8]: And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion (אַזְכָּרָה) as a food offering to the LORD. Every Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange it before the LORD regularly; it is from the people of Israel as a covenant forever. (ESV) #dispreferred
  + [Targum]: A psalm of David: over a bunch of frankincense, as a memorial for Israel (צריר לבונתא דכרנא טבא על ישראל) (Stec 2004, 82). #dispreferred
   + <זכר and frankincense>: Because אַזְכָּרָה is used with frankincense in memorial offerings, the Targum has associated this psalm with the memorial offering (Lev 2:2, 16; 6:8; 24:7; Isa 66:3).  #dispreferred
 - <Content of the Psalms>: If the psalm was used in a more liturgical context, it would be expected that there would be mention of either the congregation or people or a sacrifice, but instead the focus is solely on the psalmist and the suffering he is experiencing. No mention is made of the temple or any liturgical terms in the body of the psalms themselves. 
   <_ <David as representative>: David, as king, speaks on behalf of the people, so while the language focuses around David, it could be applied to all of Israel as a whole.  #dispreferred
   <_ <Communal psalms>: Many communal laments use 1st person singular pronouns to refer to the entire nation (Lam 1). The language of being sick or injured also doesn't rule out the communal lament because nations and tribes can be described as sick or wounded (Hos 5:13). #dispreferred
     + [Lam 1:11]: All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. "Look, O LORD, and see, for I am despised." (ESV) #dispreferred
     + [Hos 5:13]: When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound. (ESV) #dispreferred


Argument Mapn0Memorial OfferingThe superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that this psalm was written to be used during the offering of a memorial sacrifice in order to remind God of the psalmist's situation (HALOT 🄻; BDB 🄻; DCH 🄻; Baethgen 1904, 108 🄲). n11 Chr 16:4Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke (לְהַזְכִּיר), to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. (ESV) n14Used in the context of priests and liturgyThe verb זכר is often used in liturgical contexts. n1->n14n2Sir 50:14, 16When he was finishing his service at the altar, after he had arranged an offering to the Most High, the almighty, ... Then Aaron’s sons cheered; they blew trumpets made of hammered metal and caused a great sound to be heard as a reminder (להזכיר) before the Most High. (CEB) n2->n14n3אַזְכָּרָה in reference to sin offeringsLev 2:2, 9, 16; 5:12, 6:8. n15אַזְכָּרָה ''azkarah''The word אַזְכָּרָה comes from the same root as לְהַזְכִּֽיר and is used to describe a portion of grain offerings burnt on the altar, whether for a first fruits or a sin offering. It is also used in the context of offering frankincense each Sabbath. These offerings were intended to remind God of the person offering the sacrifice (Delitzsch 1871, 20 🄲; Anderson 1981, 48 🄲; Kittel 1922, 139; Mowinckel 2004, 212 🄼). n3->n15n4אַזְכָּרָה in reference to offering frankincenseLev 24:7-8; Isa 66:3. n4->n15n5Lev 24:7And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion (לְאַזְכָּרָה) as a food offering to the LORD.n16Different wordWhile אַזְכָּרָה comes from the same root, that does not necessitate that לְהַזְכִּֽיר is referring back to the memorial offering. If anything, it would be expected that אַזְכָּרָה would be used instead of לְהַזְכִּֽיר. Even Leviticus 24:7 uses אַזְכָּרָה + ל to explicitly state the purpose.n5->n16n6Sirach 38:9, 11My child, when you are sick, don’t look around elsewhere, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice and a memorial (אזכרה) of fine flour, and pour an offering of oil, using what you can afford. n19Used in the context of prayers for healingSirach uses the nominal אַזְכָּרָה in connection with an offering in a prayer of healing, which could create a connection between זכר and offerings for healing and confession (Goldingay 2006, 539 🄲). n6->n19n7Psa 100:1A Psalm for the thank offering (לְתוֹדָה). (RSV) n20ל used in superscriptions for liturgical eventOther psalms, such as Psalm 100 and Psalm 92 use the ל preposition to correspond with a liturgical event. n7->n20n8Psa 92:1A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath (לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת). (ESV) n8->n20n9LXXA Psalm. Pertaining to David. As a reminder about Sabbath (περὶ σαββάτου). (NETS) n21Ancient TranslationsBoth the LXX and the Targum either explicitly or implicitly tie לְהַזְכִּֽיר to the memorial offering. n9->n21n10Lev 24:7-8And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion (אַזְכָּרָה) as a food offering to the LORD. Every Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange it before the LORD regularly; it is from the people of Israel as a covenant forever. (ESV) n22זכר and SabbathThe nominal form, אַזְכָּרָה, is used to describe the incense that accompanied the bread that was to be set out every Sabbath. n10->n22n11TargumA psalm of David: over a bunch of frankincense, as a memorial for Israel (צריר לבונתא דכרנא טבא על ישראל) (Stec 2004, 82). n11->n21n12Lam 1:11All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. "Look, O LORD, and see, for I am despised." (ESV) n26Communal psalmsMany communal laments use 1st person singular pronouns to refer to the entire nation (Lam 1). The language of being sick or injured also doesn't rule out the communal lament because nations and tribes can be described as sick or wounded (Hos 5:13). n12->n26n13Hos 5:13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound. (ESV) n13->n26n14->n0n15->n0n16->n15n17אַזְכָּרָה refers to physical offeringIt could be that אַזְכָּרָה only refers to the physical offering and because this is a prayer to accompany a memorial offering, the more general verb is used instead. n17->n16n18Not the primary emphasisWhile this could be written to accompany a sacrifice, whether or not it is intended for a liturgical purpose misses the main point of the psalm: to appeal to God for help (Kidner 2008, 171 🄲; Craigie 2004, 303 🄲).n18->n0n19->n18n20->n0n21->n0n22->n9n23זכר and frankincenseBecause אַזְכָּרָה is used with frankincense in memorial offerings, the Targum has associated this psalm with the memorial offering (Lev 2:2, 16; 6:8; 24:7; Isa 66:3). n23->n11n24Content of the PsalmsIf the psalm was used in a more liturgical context, it would be expected that there would be mention of either the congregation or people or a sacrifice, but instead the focus is solely on the psalmist and the suffering he is experiencing. No mention is made of the temple or any liturgical terms in the body of the psalms themselves. n24->n0n25David as representativeDavid, as king, speaks on behalf of the people, so while the language focuses around David, it could be applied to all of Israel as a whole. n25->n24n26->n24


Conclusion (C)

In this passage, it is best to understand the superscription לְהַזְכִּֽיר indicates that the community should be reminded of this psalm. This interpretation accounts for the usage of the hiphil participle referring specifically to the office of a recorder. This also aligns with how directions given in superscriptions are used in the book of Psalms. This interpretation is also supported by the use in Psalm 70 (see The Meaning of לְהַזְכִּיר in Psalm 70:1).

The significance of the interpretation of לְהַזְכִּֽיר lies in the purpose of the psalm and its usage. Our preferred interpretation shows that the psalm should be remembered by the community.


Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ· εἰς ἀνάμνησιν περὶ σαββάτου.[6]
    • "A Psalm. Pertaining to David. As a reminder about Sabbath."[7]
  • Aquila: μελῴδημα του Δαυίδ [8]
  • Targum: תושבחתא לדוד צריר לבונתא דכרנא טבא על ישראל׃ [9]
    • "A psalm of David: over a bunch of frankincense, as a memorial for Israel.[10]
  • Jerome: Canticum David in commemoratione [11]

Modern

  • A psalm of David. Lehazkir. (JPS 1985)

General petition

  • A psalm of David. A petition. (NIV)
  • A psalm by David; a lament. (GNT)

A Reminder/Commemoration

  • A Psalm of David, for a memorial. (NASB)
  • A psalm of David to bring remembrance. (CSB)
  • A psalm: for David: for commemoration. (REB)
  • Psalm. Of David. In commemoration. (NJB)
  • Ein Psalm. Von David. Zum Gedächtnis. (ELB)
  • Ein Psalm Davids. Zur Verkündigung. (ZÜR) "proclamation"
  • Psaume de David, en mémorial. (TOB)
  • Psaume. De David. En évocation. (NBS)
  • Psaume de David. Pour commémorer. (NVSR)
  • Psaume de David. En mémorial. (NFC)
  • Psaume de David, comme mémorial. (S21)
  • Salmo de David, para recordar. (RVR)
  • Salmo de David, para hacer recordar. (BTX4)

To Remind Us

  • Un psaume de David, pour se rappeler au souvenir de Dieu. (BDS)

To Remind God

  • A psalm of David, asking God to remember him. (NLT)
  • A psalm of David, written to get God's attention. (NET)
  • Psaume de David, pour que Dieu se souvienne. (PDV)

Memorial Offering

  • A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering. (ESV)
  • A psalm by David to be used when an offering is made. (CEV)
  • A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering. (NRSV)
  • Ein Psalm Davids, zum Gedenkopfer. (Luther 2017)
  • Ein Psalm Davids. Zum Weihrauchopfer. (EÜ)
  • Salmo de David, para las ofrendas memoriales. (NVI)
  • Salmo de David, para hacer recordar. (DHH) ("To remind us" with a note that it likely refers to the memorial offerings.)

Secondary Literature

Alexander, Joseph Addison. 1864. Commentary on Psalms. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.

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

Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1–50. WBC 19. Waco, TX: Word.

Delitzsch, Franz. 1883. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Vol. 1. Translated by Eaton David. Vol. 1. New York: Funk and Wagnalls.

Eising, H. 1980. “זָכַר.” In Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, edited by G. Johannes Botterweck and Helmer Ringgren, translated by David E. Green, Revised Edition, IV:64–82. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Goldingay, John and Tremper Longman III. 2006. Psalms : Volume 1: Psalms 1-41. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapid, MI: Baker Academic.

Grogan, Geoffrey. 2008. Psalms. Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

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

Kidner, Derek. 1973. Psalms 1-72: An Introduction and Commentary on Books I and II of the Psalms. London: Inter-Varsity Press.

Kittel, Rudolf. 1922. Die Psalmen. Leipzig: A. Deichertsche Verlagsbuchhandlung Dr. Werner Scholl.

Longman, Tremper. 2014. Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Volumes 15-16. Downers Grove: IVP Academic/ InterVarsity Press.

Merwe, Christo H.J. van der, Jacobus A. Naudé, and Jan H. Kroeze. 2017. A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar. Second. New York: Bloomsbury.

Mowinckel, Sigmund. 1962. The Psalms in Israel’s Worship. Oxford: Blackwell.

References

Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 38

38:1

  1. ↑ Hebrew text taken from OSHB
  2. ↑ A few translations transliterate this word rather than explicitly stating a meaning (JPS).
  3. ↑ There is one other option that is not listed here. It could be that לְהַזְכִּיר is intended to be a memorial for Absalom that David wrote after Absalom's coup. For more information on the connections between Psalm 38 and Absalom's coup, see Story Behind. One major support of this view is 2 Sam 18:18, where Absalom erects a pillar as a memorial for himself, using the hiphil of זכר. In addition, many scholars argue that Ps 70, the other psalm with the same superscription, has ties to Absalom's coup (see Ps 70's Story Behind. However, it is unclear as to whether this is how the superscription should be interpreted. No translations or historical sources clearly support this reading. Some translate לְהַזְכִּיר as "memorial" but that is ambiguous as to what is being memorialized. As such, this option is not discussed in depth here.
  4. ↑ A subset of this intepretation is that the purpose of these psalms are to remind the people of God and what he has done, resulting in praise. The meaning of "praise" is not precluded in the term זכר, so this could be a valid interpretation (BDB, HALOT). This would align with the use of זכר in 1 Chr 16:4, where it is used in a list with ידה "thank" and הלל "praise." Psalm 70:5 also has themes of praise in response to YHWH's deliverance, "May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!" (ESV). However, even though the element of praise exists in Psalm 70, the majority of the psalm is a petition that YHWH would save the psalmist. Psalm 38 doesn't have any elements of praise in it either. In addition, no modern or ancient translations attest this interpretation. So, based on the content of the psalms, it is unlikely that the superscription indicates that these psalms written to remind people of what God has done with the result that they praise him.
  5. ↑ While there are no modern translations that make this translation explicit, it is still a viable interpretation of any of the translations that keep the more general translation of "to remind."
  6. ↑ Rahlfs 1931
  7. ↑ NETS
  8. ↑ Hexapla
  9. ↑ CAL
  10. ↑ Stec 2004, 82. Footnote: "MT lhzkyr, "to make a memorial." This psalm and likewise Ps 70, which also has lhzkyr in its title (given a similar rendering in TgPss), may have been associated with 'zkrh, "memorial offering." That frankincense was used in the memorial offering is seen from Lev 2:2, 16; 6:8; 24:7; cf. also Isa 66:3.
  11. ↑ Weber-Gryson 5th edition