The text and meaning of Ps 131:2a

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Introduction

The Masoretic text of Psalm 131:2 reads as follows:[1]

אִם־לֹ֤א שִׁוִּ֨יתִי׀ וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י כְּ֭גָמֻל עֲלֵ֣י אִמּ֑וֹ כַּגָּמֻ֖ל עָלַ֣י נַפְשִֽׁי׃

In this exegetical issue, we will focus on the first two verbs, שִׁוִּ֨יתִי׀ וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי.

The JPS translates "but I have taught myself to be contented," but admits "Meaning of Heb. uncertain." Most modern translations follow something similar to the NIV: "I have calmed and quieted myself." Nevertheless, there is significant variation in the ancient versions of this half-verse.

In the first place, no other form is offered for שִׁוִּ֨יתִי, yet there are three plausible translation options for the root שׁוה. Secondly, דוֹמַ֗מְתִּי is read as רוֹמַמְתִּי "I lifted up" in the LXX and something like דִימִּיתִּי "I have compared/likened" in Symmachus,[2] We discuss these possibilities in the argument maps below, though since דוֹמַ֗מְתִּי involves textual issues and not only semantic interpretation, we begin there.

Argument Maps

וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי

The verb וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי could be read as "quieten," from the root דמם or דום, be emended to רוֹמַמְתִּי "lift up," from the root רום, or emended to דִימִּיתִּי "to compare, liken" from the root דמה.

וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי

Garsiel 1997, 234.

רוֹמַמְתִּי

דִימִּיתִּי

שִׁוִּ֨יתִי

The verb שִׁוִּ֨יתִי could be translated as "make smooth, calm", as "to make equal to," or "to put, place."

Make calm

Make equal

Put, place

Conclusion

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: εἰ μὴ ἐταπεινοφρόνουν, ἀλλὰ ὕψωσα τὴν ψυχήν μου[3]
    • "If I was not humble-minded but exalted my soul..."[4]
  • Aquila: εἰ μὴ προσέθηκα καὶ κατεσιώπησα ψυχήν μου[5]
    • Lit. "If I did not place and silence my soul..."
  • Symmachus: εἰ μὴ ἐξίσωσα καὶ ὡμοίωσα τὴν ψυχήν μου[6]
    • Lit. "If I did not make equal and liken my soul"
  • Iuxta Hebraeos: si non proposui et silere feci animam meam
    • Lit. "If I did not place and silence my soul..."
  • Peshitta: ܐܠܐ ܡܟܟܬ ܢܦܫܝ[7]
    • "But I have humbled my soul"[8]
  • Targum: אין לא שוית אידא לפום ושתיקית נפשי[9]
    • "Surely I have placed hand on mouth and quieted my soul."[10]
  • Saadia: בל סאוית נפסי ושבהתהא[11]
    • "But I have made my soul equal to and compared like it to..."

Secondary Literature

Garsiel, Moshe. 1997. "Commentary on Psalms 120-134; 145-150," in Olam HaTanakh: Tehilim, vol. 2 (עולם התנ׳׳ך: תהלים ב׳). Tel Aviv: דודזון־עתי.

References

131:2

  1. ↑ Text from OSHB.
  2. ↑ As discussed and favored by Eusebius (see Risch 2022, 212).
  3. ↑ Rahlfs 1931, 312.
  4. ↑ NETS.
  5. ↑ See Field 1875, 287).
  6. ↑ See Field 1875, 287).
  7. ↑ CAL
  8. ↑ Taylor 2020, 553.
  9. ↑ CAL
  10. ↑ Stec 2004, 226.
  11. ↑ Qafaḥ 1965, 266.