Were Psalms 70 and 71 Originally One Poem?

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Introduction

Psalm 71 is the only psalm in Book 2 of the Psalms without a superscription in the MT.[1] Because of this, many have considered Psalms 70 and 71 to consist of only one poem, just as Psalms 9 and 10, as discussed in our exegetical issue Were Psalm 9 and 10 Originally One Psalm? The present exegetical issue, then, concerns the same question of whether Psalms 70 and 71 were originally one poem or two separate poems.

Argument Maps

Psalms 70 and 71 Are One Poem


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[One Poem]: Psalms 70 and 71 should be considered one poem (Ḥakham 1979, 413; 421 :C:; Auwers 1994 :A:).#dispreferred
 + <Superscription>: Psalms 43 and 71 are the only psalms in Book II that lack a superscription. Psalm 43 is almost universally understood as belonging to the individual poem of Psalms 42–43. The same conclusion should be reached concerning Psalms 70–71.#dispreferred
  + <Pattern from Book I>: In Book I, only Psalms 10 and 33 lack a superscription. Psalm 10 is generally considered the second part of the single poem of Psalms 9–10.#dispreferred
   <_ <Psalm 33>: Psalm 33 is a poem independent of Psalm 32. It also contains a superscription in 4Q98.
    + [4Q98]: לדויד שיר מזמור.
  <_ <Other "orphan psalms">: There are other Psalms lacking superscriptions, which are unambiguously interpreted as independent poems (see, e.g., Ps 91, 93–97, 99).
   <_ <Book II>: These other examples are found outside of Book II of the Psalms.#dispreferred
  <_ <The LXX>: The LXX of Psalm (70)71 contains a superscription.
   + [The LXX]: Τῷ Δαυιδ· υἱῶν Ιωναδαβ καὶ τῶν πρώτων αἰχμαλωτισθέντων "Pertaining to David. Of the sons of Ionadab and the first of those taken captive" (NETS). 
   <_ <Late addition>: "the whole superscription should be considered an inner-Greek addition" (Pietersma 1980, 224 :A:).#dispreferred
    + <LXX of other "orphan psalms">: The LXX has also added superscriptions to both Psalms 10, 33 and 43, 91, 93–97 and 99.#dispreferred
    <_ <Other evidence>: The Upper Egyptian text (2110-Sa) also contains a superscription, though simply reading εἰς τὸ τέλος ψαλμὸς τῷ δαυίδ (= למנצח מזמור לדוד).
 + <Manuscript evidence>: A number of manuscripts contain no indication of the beginning of a new psalm in Psalm 70:1 (VTH:IV, 366; de-Rossi, Variae Lectionis:IV, 49).#dispreferred
  <_ <4Q83>: The beginning of Psalm 71 in 4Q83 follows seamlessly on the same line of the end of Psalm 38 in 4Q83 (Wilson 1985, 97 :M:). It is unlikely that the scribe of 4Q83 considered Psalms 38 and 71 to be one poem, so it is plausible that superscription-lacking psalms were placed immediately following the final verse of the preceding psalm in a number of manuscript traditions.
 + <Discourse structure>: The composition of Psalms 70–71 shows signs of intentional structure as a single poem.#dispreferred
  + [Discourse structure]: The first part of the single poem of Psalms 70–71 is a prayer for salvation (70:2–71:13) and the second part praise for salvation (71:14–24) (Ḥakham 1979, 313 :C:).#dispreferred
  + <Psalms 40 and 70–71>: Much of the language of Psalm 71 is reminiscent of the first part of Psalm 40, which leads into Psalm 40:13–18 (≈ Ps 70), indicating the design of Psalms 70–71 is to create an inverse pattern of Psalm 40.#dispreferred
   + [Psalms 40 and 71]: See, e.g., the language of Psalm 71:5 and 40:5; Psalm 71:15, 17b, 19 and 40:6; Psalm 71:16, 22–24a and 40:10–11. #dispreferred
   <_ <Editorial activity>: It is just as likely that these two psalms have been placed alongside each other to create this same effect through intentional editorial activity, rather than poetic composition.
 + <Refrain>: Just like the refrain in Psalm 42:6, 12, and 43:5, the content of Psalm 70:3, 71:13 and 71:24 provide a refrain across the two psalms (Auwers 1994, 244 :A:—see the table in the appendix at the bottom of this page).#dispreferred
  + [Psalm 42:6, 12; 43:5]: מַה־תִּשְׁתּוֹחֲחִי נַפְשִׁי וּמַה־תֶּהֱמִי עָלָי הוֹחִילִי לֵאלֹהִים כִּי־עוֹד אוֹדֶנּוּ יְשׁוּעֹת פָּנַי וֵאלֹהָי "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (ESV).#dispreferred
  - <Less likely candidate>: This supposed refrain is of a much less isomporphic nature than that found in Psalms 42–43, which is identical word for word.
  - <Stock formulation>: The majority of the content of this verse may have been stock content for poetic compositions, since it is also found in Psalm 35:4, in a form much closer to that of Psalm 70:3 than those of Psalm 71:13, 24 (cf. also Pss 35:28 and 71:24a).
   + [Psalm 35:4]: יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְיִכָּלְמוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֣וֹר וְיַחְפְּר֑וּ חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י רָעָתִֽי׃.
   + [Psalms 35:28 and 71:24a]: "Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long" (Ps 35:28, ESV); "And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long" (Ps 71:24a, ESV).
 + <Lexical continuity>: A number of lexemes found across both Psalms 70 and 71 provide thematic continuity.#dispreferred
  + [Lexical continuity]: See לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי (Ps 70:2) followed by תַּצִּילֵ֥נִי (Ps 71:2) and אֵ֥ין מַצִּֽיל (Ps 71:11); לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָֽׁה (Ps 70:2) followed by לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה (Ps 71:12, qere); יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ and בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם (Ps 70:3–4) followed by אֵב֥וֹשָׁה (Ps 71:1); and וּמְפַלְטִ֣י אַ֑תָּה (Ps 70:6) followed by וּֽתְפַלְּטֵ֑נִי (Ps 71:2) and פַּ֭לְּטֵנִי (Ps 71:4).#dispreferred
  <_ <Psalm clusters>: It is a common phenomenon that Psalm clusters are organized according to lexical correspondence, but this does not require that they be read as one poem. In the present instance, both Psalms 69 and 72 also share in the lexical characteristics of the psalm cluster of Psalms 69–72. In fact, one could argue that Psalm 69 contains more lexical correspondence with Psalm 70 than Psalm 71 does.
   + [Psalm 69]: See מְבַקְשֶׁ֑יךָ (Ps 69:7) followed by מְבַ֫קְשֶׁ֥יךָ (Ps 70:5); לְבוּשִׁ֣י (Ps 69:12) and וּ֭בָשְׁתִּי (Ps 69:20) followed by בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם (Ps 70:4); הַצִּילֵ֣נִי (Ps 69:15) followed by לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי (Ps 70:2); וּכְלִמָּתִ֑י (Ps 69:20) followed by וְיִכָּלְמ֑וּ (Ps 70:3); וַ֭אֲנִי עָנִ֣י (Ps 69:30) followed by וַאֲנִ֤י׀ עָנִ֣י (Ps 70:6); יְשׁוּעָתְךָ֖ (Ps 69:30) followed by יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ (Ps 70:5); וַאֲגַדְּלֶ֥נּוּ (Ps 69:30) followed by יִגְדַּ֣ל (Ps 70:5); יִשְׂמָ֑חוּ דֹּרְשֵׁ֥י אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (Ps 69:33) followed by וְיִשְׂמְח֨וּ׀ בְּךָ֗ כָּֽל־מְבַ֫קְשֶׁ֥יךָ (Ps 70:5); אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים (Ps 69:34) followed by וְאֶבְיוֹן֮ (Ps 70:6); וְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁ֝מ֗וֹ (Ps 69:37) followed by אֹ֝הֲבֵ֗י יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ (Ps 70:5).
   + [Psalm clusters]: See, e.g., Psalms 1–2, 40–41, 111–112.


Argument Mapn0One PoemPsalms 70 and 71 should be considered one poem (Ḥakham 1979, 413; 421 🄲; Auwers 1994 🄰).n14Q98לדויד שיר מזמור.n13Psalm 33Psalm 33 is a poem independent of Psalm 32. It also contains a superscription in 4Q98.n1->n13n2The LXXΤῷ Δαυιδ· υἱῶν Ιωναδαβ καὶ τῶν πρώτων αἰχμαλωτισθέντων "Pertaining to David. Of the sons of Ionadab and the first of those taken captive" (NETS). n16The LXXThe LXX of Psalm (70)71 contains a superscription.n2->n16n3Discourse structureThe first part of the single poem of Psalms 70–71 is a prayer for salvation (70:2–71:13) and the second part praise for salvation (71:14–24) (Ḥakham 1979, 313 🄲).n22Discourse structureThe composition of Psalms 70–71 shows signs of intentional structure as a single poem.n3->n22n4Psalms 40 and 71See, e.g., the language of Psalm 71:5 and 40:5; Psalm 71:15, 17b, 19 and 40:6; Psalm 71:16, 22–24a and 40:10–11. n23Psalms 40 and 70–71Much of the language of Psalm 71 is reminiscent of the first part of Psalm 40, which leads into Psalm 40:13–18 (≈ Ps 70), indicating the design of Psalms 70–71 is to create an inverse pattern of Psalm 40.n4->n23n5Psalm 42:6, 12; 43:5מַה־תִּשְׁתּוֹחֲחִי נַפְשִׁי וּמַה־תֶּהֱמִי עָלָי הוֹחִילִי לֵאלֹהִים כִּי־עוֹד אוֹדֶנּוּ יְשׁוּעֹת פָּנַי וֵאלֹהָי "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (ESV).n25RefrainJust like the refrain in Psalm 42:6, 12, and 43:5, the content of Psalm 70:3, 71:13 and 71:24 provide a refrain across the two psalms (Auwers 1994, 244 🄰—see the table in the appendix at the bottom of this page).n5->n25n6Psalm 35:4יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְיִכָּלְמוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֣וֹר וְיַחְפְּר֑וּ חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י רָעָתִֽי׃.n27Stock formulationThe majority of the content of this verse may have been stock content for poetic compositions, since it is also found in Psalm 35:4, in a form much closer to that of Psalm 70:3 than those of Psalm 71:13, 24 (cf. also Pss 35:28 and 71:24a).n6->n27n7Psalms 35:28 and 71:24a"Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long" (Ps 35:28, ESV); "And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long" (Ps 71:24a, ESV).n7->n27n8Lexical continuitySee לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי (Ps 70:2) followed by תַּצִּילֵ֥נִי (Ps 71:2) and אֵ֥ין מַצִּֽיל (Ps 71:11); לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָֽׁה (Ps 70:2) followed by לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה (Ps 71:12, qere); יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ and בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם (Ps 70:3–4) followed by אֵב֥וֹשָׁה (Ps 71:1); and וּמְפַלְטִ֣י אַ֑תָּה (Ps 70:6) followed by וּֽתְפַלְּטֵ֑נִי (Ps 71:2) and פַּ֭לְּטֵנִי (Ps 71:4).n28Lexical continuityA number of lexemes found across both Psalms 70 and 71 provide thematic continuity.n8->n28n9Psalm 69See מְבַקְשֶׁ֑יךָ (Ps 69:7) followed by מְבַ֫קְשֶׁ֥יךָ (Ps 70:5); לְבוּשִׁ֣י (Ps 69:12) and וּ֭בָשְׁתִּי (Ps 69:20) followed by בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם (Ps 70:4); הַצִּילֵ֣נִי (Ps 69:15) followed by לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי (Ps 70:2); וּכְלִמָּתִ֑י (Ps 69:20) followed by וְיִכָּלְמ֑וּ (Ps 70:3); וַ֭אֲנִי עָנִ֣י (Ps 69:30) followed by וַאֲנִ֤י׀ עָנִ֣י (Ps 70:6); יְשׁוּעָתְךָ֖ (Ps 69:30) followed by יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ (Ps 70:5); וַאֲגַדְּלֶ֥נּוּ (Ps 69:30) followed by יִגְדַּ֣ל (Ps 70:5); יִשְׂמָ֑חוּ דֹּרְשֵׁ֥י אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (Ps 69:33) followed by וְיִשְׂמְח֨וּ׀ בְּךָ֗ כָּֽל־מְבַ֫קְשֶׁ֥יךָ (Ps 70:5); אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים (Ps 69:34) followed by וְאֶבְיוֹן֮ (Ps 70:6); וְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁ֝מ֗וֹ (Ps 69:37) followed by אֹ֝הֲבֵ֗י יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ (Ps 70:5).n29Psalm clustersIt is a common phenomenon that Psalm clusters are organized according to lexical correspondence, but this does not require that they be read as one poem. In the present instance, both Psalms 69 and 72 also share in the lexical characteristics of the psalm cluster of Psalms 69–72. In fact, one could argue that Psalm 69 contains more lexical correspondence with Psalm 70 than Psalm 71 does.n9->n29n10Psalm clustersSee, e.g., Psalms 1–2, 40–41, 111–112.n10->n29n11SuperscriptionPsalms 43 and 71 are the only psalms in Book II that lack a superscription. Psalm 43 is almost universally understood as belonging to the individual poem of Psalms 42–43. The same conclusion should be reached concerning Psalms 70–71.n11->n0n12Pattern from Book IIn Book I, only Psalms 10 and 33 lack a superscription. Psalm 10 is generally considered the second part of the single poem of Psalms 9–10.n12->n11n13->n12n14Other "orphan psalms"There are other Psalms lacking superscriptions, which are unambiguously interpreted as independent poems (see, e.g., Ps 91, 93–97, 99).n14->n11n15Book IIThese other examples are found outside of Book II of the Psalms.n15->n14n16->n11n17Late addition"the whole superscription should be considered an inner-Greek addition" (Pietersma 1980, 224 🄰).n17->n16n18LXX of other "orphan psalms"The LXX has also added superscriptions to both Psalms 10, 33 and 43, 91, 93–97 and 99.n18->n17n19Other evidenceThe Upper Egyptian text (2110-Sa) also contains a superscription, though simply reading εἰς τὸ τέλος ψαλμὸς τῷ δαυίδ (= למנצח מזמור לדוד).n19->n17n20Manuscript evidenceA number of manuscripts contain no indication of the beginning of a new psalm in Psalm 70:1 (VTH:IV, 366; de-Rossi, Variae Lectionis:IV, 49).n20->n0n214Q83The beginning of Psalm 71 in 4Q83 follows seamlessly on the same line of the end of Psalm 38 in 4Q83 (Wilson 1985, 97 🄼). It is unlikely that the scribe of 4Q83 considered Psalms 38 and 71 to be one poem, so it is plausible that superscription-lacking psalms were placed immediately following the final verse of the preceding psalm in a number of manuscript traditions.n21->n20n22->n0n23->n22n24Editorial activityIt is just as likely that these two psalms have been placed alongside each other to create this same effect through intentional editorial activity, rather than poetic composition.n24->n23n25->n0n26Less likely candidateThis supposed refrain is of a much less isomporphic nature than that found in Psalms 42–43, which is identical word for word.n26->n25n27->n25n28->n0n29->n28


Psalms 70 and 71 Are Two Poems (preferred)

Some argue that Psalm 70 was the original poetic composition, which the author of Psalm 40 adapts and adds to the end of vv. 1–13. 


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[One Poem]: Psalms 70 and 71 should be considered two separate poems.
 + <Poetic structure of Psalm 70>: "Psalm 70 has a very neat formal structure" (Goldingay 2006, 365 :C:) as "a carefully structured prayer of petition" (Zenger 2005, 187 :C:), so is best understood as an independent composition (see our poetic structural analysis).
 + <Psalms 40:14–18 and 70>: Psalm 70 is repeated almost word for word in Psalm 40:14–18, so it is unlikely that a section of the supposed poem (Pss 70–71) would be adapted to another give-verse section elsewhere in the Psalms.
  <_ <Psalms 31:2–4a and 71:1–3>: Elsewhere we have a section of a psalm duplicated almost word for word as only a section of another psalm. #dispreferred
   + [Psalms 31:2–4a and 71:1–3]: "In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress" (Ps 31:2–4a, ESV); "In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress" (Ps 71:1–3, ESV).#dispreferred
   <_ <Composite nature of Psalm 71>: Psalm 71 is made up of a number of selected texts in earlier psalms, so it is no surprise to find lengthy literary borrowing.
 + <MT tradition>: Authoritative Masoretic tradition treats these psalms as individual compositions (see, e.g., the spacing in Codex Aleppo and Codex Leningrad).
  <_ <Early separation>: Just like Psalms 42–43, it is possible that their separation was a late development (Ḥakham 1979, 421 :C:).#dispreferred
 + <Dead Sea Scrolls>: In 4Q83, Psalm 71 follows Psalm 38, so was not a unified poem with Psalm 70 according to the Qumran evidence.
  + [Dead Sea Scrolls]: The text of 4Q83 frg. 9. ii, 5 reads אדני תשועתי בכה יהוה חסיתי אל אבושה לעו֯[לם.
 + <Similarities with Psalm 22>: Psalm 71 shares a number of literary connections with Psalm 22 that do not appear in Psalm 70, which point to Psalm 71 as an independent composition.
  + [Psalms 22 and 71]: See, e.g., the language of Psalm 71:6 and 22:10–11; Psalm 71:12 and 22:12, 20; Psalm 71:18 and 22:31–32.
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 + <Discourse structure>: Psalm 71 "possesses a singular beauty and tenderness of its own" (Kirkpatrick 1895, 409 :C:).
-->
 + <Chronology>: There are a number of indications that Psalm 71 finds its origins in the post-exilic period, which is not entirely compatible with a simple reading of Psalm 70 (see story behind). 
  + [Chronology]: See the possible post-exilic reference in v. 20 ("You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again," ESV), the LXX's superscription ("Pertaining to David. Of the sons of Ionadab and the first of those taken captive," NETS), and the echoes of other psalms from Book I (Pss 22, 31, 35).


Argument Mapn0One PoemPsalms 70 and 71 should be considered two separate poems.n1Psalms 31:2–4a and 71:1–3"In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress" (Ps 31:2–4a, ESV); "In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress" (Ps 71:1–3, ESV).n7Psalms 31:2–4a and 71:1–3Elsewhere we have a section of a psalm duplicated almost word for word as only a section of another psalm. n1->n7n2Dead Sea ScrollsThe text of 4Q83 frg. 9. ii, 5 reads אדני תשועתי בכה יהוה חסיתי אל אבושה לעו֯[לם.n11Dead Sea ScrollsIn 4Q83, Psalm 71 follows Psalm 38, so was not a unified poem with Psalm 70 according to the Qumran evidence.n2->n11n3Psalms 22 and 71See, e.g., the language of Psalm 71:6 and 22:10–11; Psalm 71:12 and 22:12, 20; Psalm 71:18 and 22:31–32.n12Similarities with Psalm 22Psalm 71 shares a number of literary connections with Psalm 22 that do not appear in Psalm 70, which point to Psalm 71 as an independent composition.n3->n12n4ChronologySee the possible post-exilic reference in v. 20 ("You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again," ESV), the LXX's superscription ("Pertaining to David. Of the sons of Ionadab and the first of those taken captive," NETS), and the echoes of other psalms from Book I (Pss 22, 31, 35).n13ChronologyThere are a number of indications that Psalm 71 finds its origins in the post-exilic period, which is not entirely compatible with a simple reading of Psalm 70 (see story behind). n4->n13n5Poetic structure of Psalm 70"Psalm 70 has a very neat formal structure" (Goldingay 2006, 365 🄲) as "a carefully structured prayer of petition" (Zenger 2005, 187 🄲), so is best understood as an independent composition (see our poetic structural analysis).n5->n0n6Psalms 40:14–18 and 70Psalm 70 is repeated almost word for word in Psalm 40:14–18, so it is unlikely that a section of the supposed poem (Pss 70–71) would be adapted to another give-verse section elsewhere in the Psalms.n6->n0n7->n6n8Composite nature of Psalm 71Psalm 71 is made up of a number of selected texts in earlier psalms, so it is no surprise to find lengthy literary borrowing.n8->n7n9MT traditionAuthoritative Masoretic tradition treats these psalms as individual compositions (see, e.g., the spacing in Codex Aleppo and Codex Leningrad).n9->n0n10Early separationJust like Psalms 42–43, it is possible that their separation was a late development (Ḥakham 1979, 421 🄲).n10->n9n11->n0n12->n0n13->n0


Conclusion (A-)

In light of the apparent editorial activity involving both lexical connections in the Psalm cluster of Psalms 69–72, the apparent thematic development throughout Psalms 70–71 in the manner of Psalm 40 (though in reverse), and the possible refrain in Psalm 70:3; 71:13, 24, "it seems almost certain that 70 and 71 were intended to be read together."[2] This does not require, however, that Psalms 70–71 consist of one poem. The careful poetic structure of Psalm 70 as a complete and independent poem, the duplicate appearance of Psalm 70 in Psalm 40:14–18, the LXX's superscription, and the Qumran evidence all argue against such a position. Nevertheless, a canonical reading of the Psalm cluster of Psalms 69–72, and particularly the sequence of Psalms 70 and 71, does indeed shed light on a number of interpretive questions concerning the psalms therein (see our Story Behind layer).


Secondary Literature

Auwers, Jean-Marie. 1994. "Les Psaums 70–72: Essai de Lecture Canonique," Revue Biblique 101 no. 2: 242–257.
Goldingay John. 2006. Psalms 42–89. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Ḥakham, Amos. 1979. The Book of Psalms: Books 1–2 (in Hebrew). Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook.
Meiri, Menachem. Meiri on Psalms.
Pietersma, Albert. 1980. "David in the Greek Psalms," Vetus Testamentum 30 no. 2: 213–226.
Radak. Radak on Psalms.
Tate, Marvin E. 1998. Psalms 51–100. Dallas, TX: Word Incorporated.
Zenger, Erich. 2005. "Psalm 70." Pages 186–191 in Frank-Lothar Hossfeld and Erich Zenger, Psalms 2: A Commentary on Psalms 51-100, trans. Linda M. Maloney. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
Wilson, Gerald, H. 1985. The Editing of the Hebrew Psalter. Chico, CA: Scholars Press.

Appendix: The Possible Refrain in Psalms 70–71

Blue = identical text
Green = similar text
Verse Text
70:3 יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָ֭חוֹר וְיִכָּלְמ֑וּ חֲ֝פֵצֵ֗י רָעָתִֽי׃
71:13 יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ יִכְלוּ֮ שֹׂטְנֵ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יַֽעֲט֣וּ חֶ֭רְפָּה וּכְלִמָּ֑ה מְ֝בַקְשֵׁ֗י רָעָתִֽי׃
71:24 גַּם־לְשׁוֹנִ֗י כָּל־הַ֭יּוֹם תֶּהְגֶּ֣ה צִדְקָתֶ֑ךָ כִּי־בֹ֥שׁוּ כִֽי־חָ֝פְר֗וּ מְבַקְשֵׁ֥י רָעָתִֽי׃

References

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70:2–6"–6" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 2.

  1. ↑ With the exception of Psalm 43, which is best understood as a second part of Psalm 42.
  2. ↑ Tate, 1998, 205; cf. Radak, Meiri.