The Meaning of Psalm 35:13c

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Introduction

The meaning of וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב (lit., "and my prayer turned upon my chest") in Ps 35:13c is notoriously difficult, as reflected in the wide variety of ways in which it has been translated:

  • As a reference to praying posture:
"I prayed with head bowed on my chest" (ESV)
  • As depicting unanswered prayer:
"When my prayers returned to me unanswered..." (NIV)
  • As a reference to repeated prayer:
"and prayed from my heart repeatedly for them" (ISV)

Alternatively, it has been suggested that the clause refers to how the psalmist has been repaid for his care and concern for his enemies,[1] though this has not been adopted by modern translations.


Argument Maps

Praying posture

It is possible that the clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's praying posture, with his head lowered upon his chest. This understanding is reflected in ESV, GNB, S21, LUT, HFA, NGÜ, and ZÜR. 


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[Praying posture]: The clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's posture, bowed down towards his chest (Ibn Ezra :C:; de Wette 1856, 221 :C:; Delitzsch 1968, 424 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <Contextual fit>: The image of being bowed down fits the broader image of the psalmist mourning for his enemies in vv. 13–14.#dispreferred
 + <Parallel example>: Ps 35:13c could be describing the posture depicted in 1 Kgs 18:42, where Elijah is bowed down to the earth, with his face between his knees (de Wette 1856, 221 :C:; Delitzsch 1968, 424 :C:).#dispreferred
  + [1 Kgs 18:42]: וַיִּגְהַ֣ר אַ֔רְצָה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם פָּנָ֖יו בֵּ֥ין ברכו  בִּרְכָּֽיו׃ "And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees" (ESV).#dispreferred
  - <Not an exact parallel>: The language in 1 Kgs 18:42 is distinct from that of Ps 35:13c, as the verbs are different, and there is no mention of חֵיק "chest" in 1 Kgs 18:42.


Argument Mapn0Praying postureThe clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's posture, bowed down towards his chest (Ibn Ezra 🄲; de Wette 1856, 221 🄲; Delitzsch 1968, 424 🄲). n11 Kgs 18:42וַיִּגְהַ֣ר אַ֔רְצָה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם פָּנָ֖יו בֵּ֥ין ברכו  בִּרְכָּֽיו׃ "And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees" (ESV).n3Parallel examplePs 35:13c could be describing the posture depicted in 1 Kgs 18:42, where Elijah is bowed down to the earth, with his face between his knees (de Wette 1856, 221 🄲; Delitzsch 1968, 424 🄲).n1->n3n2Contextual fitThe image of being bowed down fits the broader image of the psalmist mourning for his enemies in vv. 13–14.n2->n0n3->n0n4Not an exact parallelThe language in 1 Kgs 18:42 is distinct from that of Ps 35:13c, as the verbs are different, and there is no mention of חֵיק "chest" in 1 Kgs 18:42.n4->n3


Unanswered prayer

It has also been argued that וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's prayers returning unanswered. This is reflected in NIV, NLT, and GW. 


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[Unanswered prayer]: The clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's prayers returning unanswered (Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 221 :C:; Futato 2009, 137 :C:; Kidner 1973, 161 :C:; DCH 8:286 :D:). #dispreferred
 + <Contextual fit>: The description of unanswered prayer fits the image of the bereaved and mourning mother of vv. 12 and 14 (Futato 2009, 137 :C:). #dispreferred
  <_ <Speech act>: If the larger purpose of vv. 11–16 is to recount the injustice of David's enemies, then describing his prayers on their behalf as ineffective would not match that purpose (cf. Kirkpatrick 1910, 180 :C:).
 - <Verb-noun collocation>: Elsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH :D:). This is also the case when חֵיק is used with שׁלם "to repay" (Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18; SDBH :D:), a verb which has appeared previously in v. 12. This makes it unlikely that the clause here means "to return unanswered."
  + [Ps 79:12]: וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).
  + [Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18]: וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֖י עַל־חֵיקָֽם׃ "I will pay it back into their laps—" (Isa 65:6 NIV); עֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד֙ לַֽאֲלָפִ֔ים וּמְשַׁלֵּם֙ עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֔וֹת אֶל־חֵ֥יק בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם "You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them" (Jer 32:18 NIV).


Argument Mapn0Unanswered prayerThe clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's prayers returning unanswered (Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 221 🄲; Futato 2009, 137 🄲; Kidner 1973, 161 🄲; DCH 8:286 🄳). n1Ps 79:12וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).n5Verb-noun collocationElsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH 🄳). This is also the case when חֵיק is used with שׁלם "to repay" (Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18; SDBH 🄳), a verb which has appeared previously in v. 12. This makes it unlikely that the clause here means "to return unanswered."n1->n5n2Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֖י עַל־חֵיקָֽם׃ "I will pay it back into their laps—" (Isa 65:6 NIV); עֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד֙ לַֽאֲלָפִ֔ים וּמְשַׁלֵּם֙ עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֔וֹת אֶל־חֵ֥יק בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם "You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them" (Jer 32:18 NIV).n2->n5n3Contextual fitThe description of unanswered prayer fits the image of the bereaved and mourning mother of vv. 12 and 14 (Futato 2009, 137 🄲). n3->n0n4Speech actIf the larger purpose of vv. 11–16 is to recount the injustice of David's enemies, then describing his prayers on their behalf as ineffective would not match that purpose (cf. Kirkpatrick 1910, 180 🄲).n4->n3n5->n0


Repeated prayer

Some have argued that the yiqtol conjugation of תָשוּב denotes repeated prayer, that is, prayer that would come upon the psalmist's heart again and again. This sense is reflected in NJB, ISV, and (possibly) NASB. 


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[Repeated prayer]: The clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to repeated prayer (Ellicott 1887, 137 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <Verbal semantics>: The ''yiqtol'' verb form of תָשוּב can be used for frequentative habitual action (BHRG §19.3.3 :G:). #dispreferred
 + <Similar phraseology>: The similar phrase יַעֲלֶה עַל־לֵב "it comes upon the heart" refers to recurring thoughts (Ellicott 1884, 137 :C:). #dispreferred
  + [Jer 3:16; 7:31]: לֹא־יֹ֣אמְרוּ ע֗וֹד אֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִית־יְהוָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־לֵ֑ב "they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind" (Jer 3:16 NASB); אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צִוִּ֔יתִי וְלֹ֥א עָלְתָ֖ה עַל־לִבִּֽי׃ "which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind" (7:31 ESV).
  - <Verb-noun collocation>: Elsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH :D:), rather than being on one's mind.
   + [Ps 79:12]: וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).


Argument Mapn0Repeated prayerThe clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to repeated prayer (Ellicott 1887, 137 🄲). n1Jer 3:16; 7:31לֹא־יֹ֣אמְרוּ ע֗וֹד אֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִית־יְהוָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־לֵ֑ב "they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind" (Jer 3:16 NASB); אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צִוִּ֔יתִי וְלֹ֥א עָלְתָ֖ה עַל־לִבִּֽי׃ "which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind" (7:31 ESV).n4Similar phraseologyThe similar phrase יַעֲלֶה עַל־לֵב "it comes upon the heart" refers to recurring thoughts (Ellicott 1884, 137 🄲). n1->n4n2Ps 79:12וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).n5Verb-noun collocationElsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH 🄳), rather than being on one's mind.n2->n5n3Verbal semanticsThe ''yiqtol'' verb form of תָשוּב can be used for frequentative habitual action (BHRG §19.3.3 🄶). n3->n0n4->n0n5->n4


Repayment (preferred)

It has been suggested that the clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the suffering with which the psalmist has been repaid in exchange for his compassion towards his enemies. 


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[Repayment]: The clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's suffering in repayment for his compassion towards his enemies (Hupfeld 1858, 220 :C:; cf. Goldingay 2006, 496 :C:).
 + <Metonymy for affliction>: It is possible that תְפִלָּתִי "my prayer" is being used as a metonymy for "the cost of my prayer"—that is, the affliction associated with fasting and prayer.
  + <Contextual fit>: Vv. 13ab and 14 depict David's suffering on behalf of his enemies, suggesting that וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב is also associated with affliction.
   + <Prostration>: The use of שַׁחוֹתִי "I bowed down" in v. 14 could imply a sense of prostration in v. 13 that precedes it (Hupfeld 1858, 220 :C:).
  + <Association with fasting>: The clause is poetically parallel and syntactically mirrored with the preceding עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי "I afflicted myself with fasting." Elsewhere in the Bible, there is a similarly close association between fasting and prayer.
   + [Fasting and prayer]: Lexically, the roots for fasting (צום) and prayer (פלל) also occur in Dan 9:3 and Neh 1:4. Conceptually, the ideas are paired in examples such as 2 Sam 12:16; Jer 4:12; Joel 1:14; Ezra 8:21.
 + <Verb-noun collocation>: Elsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH :D:). This is also the case when חֵיק is used with שׁלם "to repay" (Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18; SDBH :D:), a verb which has appeared previously in v. 12. These repayments typically have a negative connotation (cf. SDBH :D:).
  + [Ps 79:12]: וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).
  + [Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18]: וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֖י עַל־חֵיקָֽם׃ "I will pay it back into their laps—" (Isa 65:6 NIV); עֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד֙ לַֽאֲלָפִ֔ים וּמְשַׁלֵּם֙ עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֔וֹת אֶל־חֵ֥יק בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם "You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them" (Jer 32:18 NIV).


Argument Mapn0RepaymentThe clause וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב refers to the psalmist's suffering in repayment for his compassion towards his enemies (Hupfeld 1858, 220 🄲; cf. Goldingay 2006, 496 🄲).n1Fasting and prayerLexically, the roots for fasting (צום) and prayer (פלל) also occur in Dan 9:3 and Neh 1:4. Conceptually, the ideas are paired in examples such as 2 Sam 12:16; Jer 4:12; Joel 1:14; Ezra 8:21.n7Association with fastingThe clause is poetically parallel and syntactically mirrored with the preceding עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי "I afflicted myself with fasting." Elsewhere in the Bible, there is a similarly close association between fasting and prayer.n1->n7n2Ps 79:12וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃ "Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord" (NIV).n8Verb-noun collocationElsewhere, the collocation of the verb שׁוב "to turn" and the noun חֵיק "chest" has the sense of receiving an appropriate return for one's actions (Ps 79:12; SDBH 🄳). This is also the case when חֵיק is used with שׁלם "to repay" (Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18; SDBH 🄳), a verb which has appeared previously in v. 12. These repayments typically have a negative connotation (cf. SDBH 🄳).n2->n8n3Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֖י עַל־חֵיקָֽם׃ "I will pay it back into their laps—" (Isa 65:6 NIV); עֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד֙ לַֽאֲלָפִ֔ים וּמְשַׁלֵּם֙ עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֔וֹת אֶל־חֵ֥יק בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם "You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them" (Jer 32:18 NIV).n3->n8n4Metonymy for afflictionIt is possible that תְפִלָּתִי "my prayer" is being used as a metonymy for "the cost of my prayer"—that is, the affliction associated with fasting and prayer.n4->n0n5Contextual fitVv. 13ab and 14 depict David's suffering on behalf of his enemies, suggesting that וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל־חֵיקִי תָשוּב is also associated with affliction.n5->n4n6ProstrationThe use of שַׁחוֹתִי "I bowed down" in v. 14 could imply a sense of prostration in v. 13 that precedes it (Hupfeld 1858, 220 🄲).n6->n5n7->n4n8->n0


Conclusion (B)

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου εἰς κόλπον μου ἀποστραφήσεται
    • "and my prayer shall return into my lap"[2]
  • Aquila: καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου εἰς κόλπον μου ἐπιστρέψει
    • "and my prayer shall return into my lap"
  • Symmachus: καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου εἰς κόλπον μου ὑπέστρεψεν
    • "and my prayer returned into my lap"
  • Targum: וצלותי על עובי תתוב[3]
    • "and my prayer returns upon my bosom"[4]
  • Peshitta: ܘܨܠܘܬܝ ܠܥܘܒܝ ܗܦܟܬ܂[5]
    • "My prayer returned to my bosom"[6]
  • Jerome (Hebr.): et oratio mea ad sinum meum revertetur
    • "and my prayer will return to my bosom"

Modern

Praying posture

  • I prayed with head bowed on my chest (ESV)
  • I prayed with my head bowed low (GNT)

Unanswered prayer

  • When my prayers returned to me unanswered... (NIV)
  • But my prayers returned unanswered (NLT)
  • When my prayer returned unanswered... (GW)

Repeated prayer

  • ... and prayed from my heart repeatedly for them (ISV)
  • ... praying ever anew in my heart (NJB)
  • But my prayer kept returning to me (NASB)

Secondary Literature

Delitzsch, Franz. 1968. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms. Translated by Francis Bolton. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Ellicott, Charles John. 1884. An Old Testament Commentary for English Readers. Vol IV. London: Cassell & Company.
Futato, Mark D. 2009. "The Book of Psalms." Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 7. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.
Goldingay, John. 2006. Psalms: Psalms 1–41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar, and Erich Zenger. 1993. Die Psalmen I. Neue Echter Bibel. Würzburg: Echter.
Hupfeld, Hermann. 1858. Die Psalmen. Vol. 2. Gotha: Friedrich Andreas Perthes.
Ibn Ezra, Abraham. Ibn Ezra on Psalms.
Kidner, Derek. 1973. Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Kirkpatrick, A.F. 1910. The Book of Psalms. Cambridge : The University Press.
de Wette, Wilhelm. 1856. Commentar über die Psalmen. Heidelberg : J.C.B. Mohr.

References

35:13

  1. ↑ Hupfeld 1858, 220.
  2. ↑ NETS
  3. ↑ CAL.
  4. ↑ Stec 2004, 76.
  5. ↑ CAL.
  6. ↑ Taylor et al. 2020, 127.