Lectionary Year B
March 2, 2003
Psalm 50:1-6

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The English Standard Version and the New International Version differ some, as these notes indicate:

1c to its setting. - ESV
to the place where it sets. - NIV

3b he does not keep silence; - ESV
and will not be silent; - NIV

before him is a devouring fire, - ESV
a fire devours before him, - NIV

around him a mighty tempest. - ESV
and around him a tempest rages. - NIV

B. Textural Criticism

(JFC) 1 It is suggested we delete, ~yhil{a/ lae, which does seem a bit redundant, to be sure. However, there is no evidence such a deletion would have been original, so, it seems prudent to keep it. Then, for, ar'q.YIw:, a qal, imperfect with a waw consecutive, ar'YITiw, from a different word, "to fear" or "to be afraid", is suggested with the possibility that it is correct as printed, which seems likely to have been original. 3 4 Manuscripts, Syriac, read ~yhil{a, for the received, Wnyhel{a/ aboy, i.e., without the possessive pronoun, "our", while the latter seems like it belongs to the original even though it is a bit longer. More significantly, though since the Septuagint reads, awby, for vr;x/y<-la;w> Wnyhel{a/ aboy, a qal future for a qal imperfect, the editors question whether the printed latter phrase is original. It seems like it could well be so. 4 Comparing to Genesis 27:39 and 49:25, we are asked to consider reading with other Manuscripts, l[;m'mi, for l['me. Perhaps. 5 Instead of the received/printed yd'ysix] yli-Wps.ai, the Septuagint and Syriac versions read wiydiysix] wloooooo, making it a little more concise, which might be more original. However, the redaction seems to change the meaning much too much. Then in place of ytiyrIb., first person possessive pronoun, the Septuagint and Syriac read a second person pronoun, wtoyrIb, which seems to confuse the issue considerably. Yet, more importantly, some propose Wps.ahe, for Wps.ai, a niphal? And, they would transpose verses 5 and 6. Well, possibly.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 A song/psalm to/of Asaph The Mighty Elohim Yahweh is speaking [piel, perfect] and calls [qal, imperfect with a waw consecutive] to the earth From the place of the sun rising to its setting. 2 from Zion with completeness/perfection of beauty Elohim is shining forth [hiphil, perfect]. 3 Comes our Elohim and not will He be silent a fire before Him will devour/burn up Him and is being stormy [niphal, perfect] exceedingly. 4 He will call [qal, imperfect] to the heavens from above and to the earth to judge His people. 5 Gather unto Me My faithful ones who are making/cutting [qal, participle] My covenant with Me by sacrifice. 6 And will declare/proclaim [hiphil, imperfect] the heavens His righteousness/justice for Elohim is judging [qal, perfect] Himself [nom.]. Selah





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