כִּי הַשָּׁתֹות יֵהָרֵסוּן צַדִּיק מַה־פָּעָל׃Verse 3 is concise in the Hebrew.
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It can be understood in three different ways:
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If the foundations are destroyed, what has the righteous one accomplished?
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For the foundations are destroyed; what has the Righteous One done?
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When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous one do?
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Psalm 11 is a short psalm of confidence in God.
The Hebrew text and English translation can be read side by side at Mechon Mamre.
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See what fellow photo bloggers have to show and say about Psalm 11 at Robert's weekly Psalm Challenge at Daily Athens.
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Various translations and ways to look at the verses are very interesting and I have great pleasure in checking up on each other.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Dina. Wish you a blessed day!
I am glad that you explain this psalm, because I had great problems with this psalm. Of course we have no knowledge of the original Hebrew text. I know from an uncle of mine that the translation from Hebrew into the modern languages is extremely difficult because a verb might be used in the past tense, the present tense or the future tense. You show that in your translations and that puts the psalm in a totally different light.
ReplyDeleteI think I like the third way of understanding, "When the foundations have been destroyed, what can the righteous one do?" It calls one to action! In light of the tsunami in Japan certainly the foundation of many lives have been destroyed, how can we help to restore them?
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful post about a psalm that can be seen in a few different ways...
ReplyDeleteI am with Suzanne. We can take deep breath of acceptance and start from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteThe Rashomon of Psalms
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your participation and always deep thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed one of the key verses in Psalm 11 and your 'three way interpretation' leaves one thinking; proofing another time, that it is rather the felt understanding than just its words, that move heart, mind and soul while reading Psalms.
Please have a good start into the new week and please join again !
daily athens
I don't know much about Psalms, but I like the idea of being able to look at something different ways. And I like this photo.
ReplyDelete(PA, you're funny.)