STAGING SITE
Psalm 31 Poetic Features
In YHWH's Hand
Psalm 31
Poetic Features
In poetic features, we identify and describe the “Top 3 Poetic Features” for each Psalm. Poetic features might include intricate patterns (e.g., chiasms), long range correspondences across the psalm, evocative uses of imagery, sound-plays, allusions to other parts of the Bible, and various other features or combinations of features. For each poetic feature, we describe both the formal aspects of the feature and the poetic effect of the feature. We assume that there is no one-to-one correspondence between a feature’s formal aspects and its effect, and that similar forms might have very different effects depending on their contexts. The effect of a poetic feature is best determined (subjectively) by a thoughtful examination of the feature against the background of the psalm’s overall message and purpose.
The Central Question
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
Psalm 31:2-23 is organized into a chiasm. Each section of the chiasm begins with the divine name as a vocative (vv. 2, 6, 10, 15, and 18). The final section of the psalm (vv. 24-25) sits outside of the chiasm, but it starts and ends with vocative references to those who trust in YHWH (v. 24a, 25b).
The first (vv. 2-5) and fifth (vv. 18-23) sections (A+A') of the chiasm are connected via several lexemes in v. 2 (בְּךָ֖ ,חָ֭סִיתִי ,אַל־אֵב֣וֹשָׁה) and vv. 18 and 20 (אַל־אֵ֭בוֹשָׁה, לַחֹסִ֣ים בָּ֑ךְ). Additionally, the theme of shelter appears prominently in both sections.
The second (vv. 6-9) and the fourth (vv. 15-17) sections (B+B') are also connected by lexical terms in vv. 6, 7, and 9 (בְּיָדְךָ֮ וַ֝אֲנִ֗י אֶל־יְהוָ֥ה בָּטָֽחְתִּי׃ בְּיַד־אוֹיֵ֑ב הוֹשַׁעְתָּ בְּחַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ) and vv. 15 and 16 (וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ עָלֶ֣יךָ בָטַ֣חְתִּי יְהוָ֑ה ,בְּיָדְךָ֥ ,מִיַּד־א֝וֹיְבַ֗י ה֖וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי בְחַסְדֶּֽךָ).
The third section (C) is unique in that, outside of the initial reference to YHWH in the vocative, the entire section is focused on the psalmist's physical frailty and social isolation.
The final two verses of the psalm (vv. 24-25) are separated from the chiasm. These are the only verses in which second plural imperatives appear.
Effect
Structural: The psalm uses vocatives to mark the beginning of each section in the psalm. The repeated use of YHWH as a vocative marks the chiasm off from the final two verses of the psalm, which begins and ends with a vocative.
Meaning: The psalm's chiastic structure contributes to its rhetorical agenda. The central section (C) isolates the psalmist and describes the shame he is experiencing as both a physical and social problem (vv. 10-14). This situation informs the primary question implied in the psalm: will YHWH allow the psalmist's shameful condition to continue? Sections B ( vv. 6-9) and B' (vv. 15-17) declare the psalmist's trust in YHWH. In contrast to the idol worshippers (v. 7), the psalmist knows that only YHWH can save him. The psalmist refuses to accept the situation described in vv. 10-14 as final; he shifts his mood dramatically in v. 15. He emphatically affirms his trust in YHWH. With the contrast between YHWH's hand (בְּיָדְךָ֥) and the hand of the enemies (מִיַּד־א֝וֹיְבַ֗י) in both sections, vv. 6-9 and 15-17 highlight the psalmist's desperate situation: his enemies threaten to overtake him. Sections A (vv. 2-5) and A' (vv. 18-23) both request that YHWH deal with the psalmist's shame. In vv. 2-5, the psalmist focuses on YHWH's ability to deliver from danger. In vv. 18-23, the psalmist adds a request that YHWH punish his enemies.
The effect of the chiastic structure emphasizes the existential problem the psalmist faced during the situation he has in mind. The panic he describes in v. 23 can explain the messiness of the chiasm. The theme of shelter dominates the A sections (vv. 2-5 // vv. 18-23). The theme of control dominates the B sections (vv.6-9 // vv. 15-17). The psalmist is at the center of the situation in the central C section (vv. 10-14). Ultimately, he realizes that YHWH is in control and so he does not have to remain in his panic. The desperate situation described in vv. 10-14 is surrounded and resolved by YHWH's presence in the rest of the psalm.
Consequently, he can shift his attention in vv. 24-25 towards his audience. Though outside of the chiasm, the final two verses provide a logical extension of the psalm (vv. 24-25). Since YHWH has protected the psalmist, the audience members should similarly trust YHWH for protection.
YHWH (7+3)
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
The divine name (YHWH) appears a total of ten times in this psalm. It occurs seven times in vv. 2-23. The final two verses have the divine name three times. The distribution of the divine name corresponds to the sudden participant shift in vv. 24-25. Prior to these last two verses, the psalm does not use the second person plural. Additionally, the first person singular, which is prominent throughout the psalm, completely disappears in the final two verses.
7 and 3: The numbers 7 and 3 are commonly used throughout the Bible as structural devices. Seven often implies completion or perfection. Famously, the creation account consists of seven days (cf., Gen 4:15, 24; Ps 79:12). Three often functions as a superlative (cf., Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8).
Effect
Structural: The distribution of the divine name corresponds to the distribution of the psalm's participants and emphasizes YHWH's presence with those who trust him. YHWH is completely present with the psalmist (7x in vv. 2-23). The middle instance of YHWH's name occurs at the beginning of the psalmist's description of his darkest moment (v. 10). The fourth instance occurs as the psalmist emerges from this dark moment with a declaration of trust (v. 15; cf., the chiastic structure described in Feature #1). The final three occurrences of the divine name appear in vv. 24-25, which corresponds to a dramatic participant shift in the psalm. Just as YHWH surrounds the psalmist in his darkest moment (vv. 10, 15), YHWH forms an inclusio around the addressees of vv. 24-25. The divine name appears before the first vocative in v. 24 and after the last vocative in v. 25.
Symbolic: Throughout the psalm, the psalmist cries out for YHWH's protection. YHWH's perfect presence is indicated through the seven repetitions of his name. Though the psalmist feels socially isolated and in danger, YHWH is wholly with him. The distribution of the divine name contributes to this idea by surrounding the psalmist in his darkest moment (vv. 10, 15). At the end of the psalm, the psalmist encourages the audience to trust YHWH similarly. YHWH's name appears three times in the final verses (vv. 24-25). Three functions as a superlative (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). Those who wait for YHWH's deliverance, can take solace that he is with them. Just as YHWH surrounded the psalmist in his darkest moment, YHWH surrounds all his loyal ones and all who wait for him because he watches over the faithful.
From Forgotten to Hidden
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
The majority of the psalm alternates between the first and second singular. Verses 10b-14 are an exception. This is the only section in the psalm where the psalmist is isolated from YHWH as evidenced by the lack of explicit references to YHWH or second person singular references. The divine name appears in the lines immediately before and after these verses (vv. 10b-14).
The opposite situation occurs in vv. 18b-22a where 1cs forms drop out. In this section, the psalmist focuses on YHWH's character and actions towards those who take refuge in Him.
Effect
The psalmist opens the psalm by declaring that he takes refuge in YHWH (v. 2). On several occasions, he describes himself as being surrounded by his enemies (v.14) or cut off from YHWH (v. 23).
In vv. 10b-14, the psalmist shows his isolation by not referencing YHWH. The content of these verses also represent the low point in the psalm. He describes himself as wasting away physically (v. 11) and as a social outcast (v. 12-13). He concludes the section with acknowledgment that his enemies want to kill him (v. 14). He feels utterly forgotten by YHWH.
The references to YHWH before and after this section (vv. 10, 15), along with the focus on YHWH's ability to function as his shelter (vv. 2-5, 18-23) and control the outcome (vv. 6-9, 15-17), symbolically represent how the psalmist shelters himself within YHWH's protective care. Even as the psalmist describes his physical deterioration and social isolation, he is symbolically surrounded by YHWH via the psalm's structure. Just when he fears he has been forgotten, David discovers he is safely hidden within YHWH's presence.
Verses 18b-22a may be understood as the psalmist's extrapolation from his discovery of being hidden in God. In contrast to vv. 10b-14, 1cs forms are entirely absent in vv. 18b-22a. In this way, acknowledges that his experience with YHWH's protection is afforded to anyone who takes refuge in YHWH.
Repeated Roots
The repeated roots table is intended to identify the roots which are repeated in the psalm.
| Repeated Roots legend | |
|---|---|
| Divine name | The divine name is indicated by bold purple text. |
| Roots bounding a section | Roots bounding a section, appearing in the first and last verse of a section, are indicated by bold red text. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the first section are indicated in a yellow box. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the third section are indicated in a blue box. |
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Roots connected across sections are indicated by a vertical gray line connecting the roots. |
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Section boundaries are indicated by a horizontal black line across the chart. |
Notes
- YHWH is the only root that reappears consistently across the psalm.
- Words repeat frequently throughout the psalm:
- חַסְדֶּֽ occurs 4 times, which is the most common repeated root beside YHWH.
- חסה, בוש, and צְדָקָה are three roots that spread across the largest part of the psalm between repetition. This may signify an important return to the toward the end of the psalm.