STAGING SITE

The Meaning of שׁוּבָה in Psalm 6:5

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search

Introduction

The Hebrew text of Ps 6:5 reads as follows:[1]

שׁוּבָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה חַלְּצָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י
ה֝וֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִי לְמַ֣עַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃

In this verse, there are three imperatives (שׁוּבָה...חַלְּצָה...הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי), by which the psalmist calls on YHWH to rescue him. Interpreters disagree on the precise meaning of the first imperative (שׁוּבָה) in this context. As Anderson notes, "This may be a plea to Yahweh to turn away from his wrath... or an appeal to him to turn to the sufferer... who has been seemingly abandoned by him."[2] Consider, for example, the following translations.

  • 'Return, O LORD, and rescue me.' (NLT, cf. REB, NEB, GNT, HFA, NGÜ, EÜ, ZÜR, TOB, NBS, S21, NVS78P, BDS, PDV2017, NFC, DHH94I)
  • 'Relent, LORD, rescue me!' (NET, cf. NJB, GNB)

According to the NLT and others, the psalmist is asking that YHWH (re)turn to him. According to the NET and others, however, the psalmist is asking that YHWH relent from some activity (i.e., discipline in anger).

Argument Maps

Return (from absence)

Most translations understand the verb שׁוּבָה in Ps 6:5 in the sense of "(re)turn to me." For example, the NLT says, "Return, O LORD," and the GNT says "Come and save me, LORD" (cf. REB, NEB, HFA, NGÜ, EÜ, ZÜR, TOB, NBS, S21, NVS78P, BDS, PDV2017, NFC, DHH94I). 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Return]: The verb שׁוּבָה in Ps. 6:5 means "return to me in favor" (BDB :L:; Hupfeld 1855 :C:; Craigie 1983 :C:). #dispreferred
 + <שׁוּב as 'return'>: The verb שׁוּב often refers to YHWH returning to someone to show them favor (cf. BDB שׁוּב §g :L:). #dispreferred
  + [שׁוּב as 'return']: with אֶל: Gen 18:10, 14; Zech 1:3; Mal 3:7; 2 Chron 30:6; absolute: Isa 63:17; Pss 80:15; 90:13; coordinate with another verb: Jer 12:15; Ps 6:5; Joel 2:14; Jon 3:9 (cited in BDB שׁוּב g :L:). #dispreferred
 + <Abandonment>: In similar situations of suffering (cf. vv. 3–4), the psalmist expresses the feeling that YHWH has abandoned him (cf. Pss 22:2; 27:9; etc.). Therefore, his prayer for YHWH to 'turn' is best understood in this context as a prayer for YHWH to return to him. #dispreferred
  + [E.g., Ps 22:2a]: E.g., "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Ps 22:2a, CBC). #dispreferred


Argument Mapn0ReturnThe verb שׁוּבָה in Ps. 6:5 means "return to me in favor" (BDB 🄻; Hupfeld 1855 🄲; Craigie 1983 🄲). n1שׁוּב as 'return'with אֶל: Gen 18:10, 14; Zech 1:3; Mal 3:7; 2 Chron 30:6; absolute: Isa 63:17; Pss 80:15; 90:13; coordinate with another verb: Jer 12:15; Ps 6:5; Joel 2:14; Jon 3:9 (cited in BDB שׁוּב g 🄻). n3שׁוּב as 'return'The verb שׁוּב often refers to YHWH returning to someone to show them favor (cf. BDB שׁוּב §g 🄻). n1->n3n2E.g., Ps 22:2aE.g., "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Ps 22:2a, CBC). n4AbandonmentIn similar situations of suffering (cf. vv. 3–4), the psalmist expresses the feeling that YHWH has abandoned him (cf. Pss 22:2; 27:9; etc.). Therefore, his prayer for YHWH to 'turn' is best understood in this context as a prayer for YHWH to return to him. n2->n4n3->n0n4->n0


Relent (from activity) (preferred)

A few translations make clear that they understand שׁוּבָה in the sense of "turn away from your anger." The NET, for example, says "Relent, LORD." The GNB is even more explicit: "Let go of your anger!"[3] 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Relent]: The word שׁוּבָה in Ps 6:5 means to "relent from some activity," specifically in this context, "relent from anger and punishment" (DCH :L:; Radak :C:; Rashi :C:; Ibn Ezra :C:; Gunkel 1926 :C:; Spieckermann 2023 :C:; cf. Holladay 1958, 76–77 :M:)
 + <שׁוּב as "relent">: The word שׁוּב often means "relent, turn back from plan of punishment or from judging" or "turn away from anger, i.e. cease to be angry" (DCH שׁוּב I §15a :L:). When used absolutely with YHWH as the subject, the verb always has this meaning (cf. Holladay 1958, 76-77 :M:).
  + [שׁוּב as "relent"]: "turn back from plan of punishment" (Isa 63:17; Jer 4:28; 12:15; Joel 2:14; Jon 3:9; Pss 6:5; 90:13; Job 6:29, 29); "turn away from anger" (Exod 32:12; Deut 13:18; Josh 7:26; 2 Kgs 23:26; Jon 3:9; 4QapMosa 13; 11QT 5511) (cited in DCH שׁוּב I §15a :L:).
 + <Context>: The basic problem in the first section (vv. 2–4) is YHWH's anger. The imperative in v. 5, then, is best understood as a prayer for YHWH to turn from his anger.
  + <"Anger/wrath" in v. 2>: The psalm begins by talking about YHWH's anger/wrath (v. 2). The words "wrath" and "anger" even appear in marked focus in this opening verse. 
   + ["Anger/wrath" in v. 2]: "YHWH, do not correct me in your anger (בְּאַפְּךָ), and do not discipline me in your wrath (בַּחֲמָתְךָ)!"
  + <Question in v. 4b>: The question in the previous line ("how long...?") should be understood in the sense of "how long will you continue to be angry?" (cf. Ps 79:6) (Baethgen 1904, 14).
   + [Ps 79:6]: "How long, O LORD (עַד־מָה יְהוָה)? Will you be angry forever (תֶּאֱנַף לָנֶצַח)?" (Ps 79:6, ESV).
 + <Ps 90>: The closest parallel to the prayer in Ps 6:5a is Ps 90:13 (cf. Spieckermann 2023, 139 :C:), where the basic problem is YHWH's anger (cf. Ps 90:7, 11) and the request is for YHWH to turn from his anger.
  + [Ps 90:7, 11 ("anger")]: "For we are brought to an end by your anger (בְאַפֶּךָ); by your wrath (וּֽבַחֲמָתְךָ) we are dismayed... Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?" (Ps 90, 7, 11, ESV).
  + [Ps 90:13 ("turn")]: "Turn, YHWH (שׁוּבָה יְהוָה)! How long (עַד־מָתָי)?"


Argument Mapn0RelentThe word שׁוּבָה in Ps 6:5 means to "relent from some activity," specifically in this context, "relent from anger and punishment" (DCH 🄻; Radak 🄲; Rashi 🄲; Ibn Ezra 🄲; Gunkel 1926 🄲; Spieckermann 2023 🄲; cf. Holladay 1958, 76–77 🄼)n1שׁוּב as "relent""turn back from plan of punishment" (Isa 63:17; Jer 4:28; 12:15; Joel 2:14; Jon 3:9; Pss 6:5; 90:13; Job 6:29, 29); "turn away from anger" (Exod 32:12; Deut 13:18; Josh 7:26; 2 Kgs 23:26; Jon 3:9; 4QapMosa 13; 11QT 5511) (cited in DCH שׁוּב I §15a 🄻).n6שׁוּב as "relent"The word שׁוּב often means "relent, turn back from plan of punishment or from judging" or "turn away from anger, i.e. cease to be angry" (DCH שׁוּב I §15a 🄻). When used absolutely with YHWH as the subject, the verb always has this meaning (cf. Holladay 1958, 76-77 🄼).n1->n6n2"Anger/wrath" in v. 2"YHWH, do not correct me in your anger (בְּאַפְּךָ), and do not discipline me in your wrath (בַּחֲמָתְךָ)!"n8"Anger/wrath" in v. 2The psalm begins by talking about YHWH's anger/wrath (v. 2). The words "wrath" and "anger" even appear in marked focus in this opening verse. n2->n8n3Ps 79:6"How long, O LORD (עַד־מָה יְהוָה)? Will you be angry forever (תֶּאֱנַף לָנֶצַח)?" (Ps 79:6, ESV).n9Question in v. 4bThe question in the previous line ("how long...?") should be understood in the sense of "how long will you continue to be angry?" (cf. Ps 79:6) (Baethgen 1904, 14).n3->n9n4Ps 90:7, 11 ("anger")"For we are brought to an end by your anger (בְאַפֶּךָ); by your wrath (וּֽבַחֲמָתְךָ) we are dismayed... Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?" (Ps 90, 7, 11, ESV).n10Ps 90The closest parallel to the prayer in Ps 6:5a is Ps 90:13 (cf. Spieckermann 2023, 139 🄲), where the basic problem is YHWH's anger (cf. Ps 90:7, 11) and the request is for YHWH to turn from his anger.n4->n10n5Ps 90:13 ("turn")"Turn, YHWH (שׁוּבָה יְהוָה)! How long (עַד־מָתָי)?"n5->n10n6->n0n7ContextThe basic problem in the first section (vv. 2–4) is YHWH's anger. The imperative in v. 5, then, is best understood as a prayer for YHWH to turn from his anger.n7->n0n8->n7n9->n7n10->n0


Conclusion (A)

In Psalm 6:5, the plea for YHWH to "turn" (שׁוּבָה) does not imply "that the state of sickness had been an experience in which it seemed that God had deserted him."[4] Rather, the plea for YHWH to "turn" is a request for YHWH to change the course of his activity—to turn from anger to mercy, from punishment to healing (cf. vv. 2–3). This well-attested meaning of the word שׁוּב (cf. Isa. 63:17; Ps 90:13; Exod 32:12; etc.) is the most appropriate meaning in the context of Psalm 6, in which the psalmist's basic problem is not that YHWH is absent, but that YHWH is angry and actively inflicting punishment (vv. 2–4).

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: ἐπίστρεψον, κύριε, ῥῦσαι τὴν ψυχήν μου[5]
    • "Turn, O Lord; rescue my soul."[6]
  • Jerome (Hebr.): revertere Domine erue animam meam[7]
    • "Turn, O Lord; rescue my soul."
  • Peshitta: ܐܬܦܢ ܡܪܝܐ ܘܦܨܗܿ ܠܢܦܫܝ܂[8]
    • "Return, O Lord, and deliver me"[9]
  • Targum: תוב ייי פצי נפשי[10]
    • "Turn, O Lord, save my soul"[11]

Modern

Ambiguous/General ('turn')

  • Turn, LORD, and deliver me; (NIV)
  • Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; (ESV)
  • Turn and come to my rescue. (CEV)
  • Turn, O Lord, save my life; (NRSV)
  • O LORD, turn! Rescue me! (JPS85)
  • Wende dich, HERR, und errette meine Seele (LUT)
  • Kehre um, HERR, befreie meine Seele; (ELB)
  • Vuélvete, Jehová, libra mi alma. (RVR95)
  • Vuélvete, Señor, y sálvame la vida; (NVI)
  • Vuélvete, YHVH, y rescata mi alma (BTX4)

Return (from absence)

  • Return, O LORD, and rescue me. (NLT)
  • Return, LORD, deliver me; (REB)
  • Come back, O LORD; set my soul free, (NEB)
  • Wende dich mir wieder zu, HERR, und rette mich! (HFA)
  • HERR, wende dich mir wieder zu!... (NGÜ)
  • HERR, wende dich mir zu und errette mich, (EÜ)
  • Kehre wieder, HERR, errette mein Leben, (ZÜR)
  • Reviens, SEIGNEUR, délivre-moi, (TOB, NBS)
  • Reviens, Eternel, délivre-moi (S21)
  • Reviens, Éternel ! délivre mon âme ; (NVS78P)
  • Ne voudrais-tu pas ╵revenir vers moi ╵pour me délivrer ? (BDS)
  • Reviens, Seigneur, délivre-moi, (PDV2017)
  • Reviens me délivrer, Seigneur, (NFC)
  • Come and save me, LORD (GNT)
  • Ven, Señor, ¡salva mi vida! (DHH94I)

Relent (from anger)

  • Relent, LORD, rescue me! (NET)
  • Yahweh, relent and save my life (NJB)
  • Lass ab von deinem Zorn! Rette mich! (GNB)

Secondary Literature

Anderson, A. A. 1972. The Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. NCBC. Greenwood, SC: Attic.
Baethgen, Friedrich. 1904. Die Psalmen. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht.
Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1–50. WBC 19. Waco, TX: Word.
Gunkel, Hermann. 1926. Die Psalmen. 4th ed. Göttinger Handkommentar zum Alten Testament 2. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
Holladay, William L. 1958. The Root Šûbh in the Old Testament. Brill.
Hupfeld, Hermann. 1855. Die Psalmen. Vol. 1. Gotha: Friedrich Andreas Perthes.
Ibn Ezra. Ibn Ezra on Psalms.
Radak. Radak on Psalms.
Rashi. Rashi on Psalms.
Spieckermann, Hermann. 2023. Psalmen. 1: Psalm 1 - 49. Das Alte Testament Deutsch, 14,1. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.

References

Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 6

6:5

  1. ↑ Text from OSHB.
  2. ↑ Anderson 1972, 89.
  3. ↑ German text: "Lass ab von deinem Zorn!"
  4. ↑ Craigie 1983, 93.
  5. ↑ Rahlfs 1931.
  6. ↑ NETS
  7. ↑ Weber-Gryson 5th edition.
  8. ↑ CAL
  9. ↑ Taylor 2020, 17.
  10. ↑ CAL
  11. ↑ Stec 2004, 34.