Labuschagne, C.J.,

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Labuschagne, C.J.

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Psalm 125

University of Groningen Digital Archive

© 2012 Casper J. Labuschagne    ps125— rev 04/15/12 4:21 PM  Page 1 
Psalm 125— Logotechnical Analysis 
Guidelines 
  Please read the General Introduction as well as the Introduction to Book I and Book V. 
  For common features found in the numerical analysis charts, see the Key to the charts.   
Specific features of Psalm 125 
  The general theme of the preceding psalms, God’s protection and salvation in times of 
distress, is reiterated and elaborated here.  That we have to do with psalms stemming 
from the same hand, is strongly suggested by the many features they share. 
  As in Psalms 121-123, the total number of words (47) is determined by the numerical 
value of a keyword, in this case, the word , ‘those who trust’. 
  The psalm is rounded off by a coda, a feature it shares with Psalms 124 and especially 
with Psalm 128. 
  The idea that YHWH surrounds his people as the mountains surround Jerusalem, is 
symbolically  buttressed  by  the  4  occurrences  of  the  name  YHWH  surrounding  the 
meaningful centre (v. 3), where the Name is conspicuously lacking. 
Strophic structure  - Canto/Stanza boundary: ||    
  Van der Lugt: 1-2, 3, 4-5 (3 strophes, 6 verselines with 14 cola, taking v. 1 as a bicolon 
by relocating the ‘atnach (in MT after ) after . 
  Fokkelman: similarly, also by taking v. 1 as a bicolon (however, without relocating the 
‘atnach!) except that he regards v. 5c as a separate verseline (7 verselines). 
  Labuschagne: 1-2, 3, 4-5 (3 strophes, 6 verselines and 15 cola, taking v. 1 as a tricolon 
by maintaining the ‘atnach as positioned by the Masoretes). From a logotechnical point 
of view there is no cogent reason to relocate the ‘atnach. 
Logotechnical analysis  
  Columns a and b show the number of words before and after the atnach. 
  Column c: words spoken about God; d: words addressed to God. 
  The numbering of the verselines is shown in brown. 
      Total  a  b  c  d 
  1    2  =   2  +   0 
               =  47  ^   2  2     2    
    
 See Observation 5  
  4     4  4    
      2     2  2    
    Total, v. 1  8  =   2  +   6  =   8  +   0 
  2     4  4     4    
    ^  3  3     3    
      3     3  3    
    Total, v. 2  10  =   7  +   3  =  10  +   0 
    Strophe 1  Total, v. 1-2  18  =   9  +   9  =  18  +   0 
3   Middle strophe     5  5     5    
Middle word:  23 + 1 + 23    3  3     3    
      4  4     4    
      2  2     2    
    Strophe 2  Total, v. 3  14  =  14  +   0  =  14  +   0 © 2012 Casper J. Labuschagne    ps125— rev 04/15/12 4:21 PM  Page 2 
  4  ^   3  3        3 
      2     2     2 
    Total, v. 4  5  =   3  +   2  =   0  +   5 
  5     2  2     2    
    ^  5  5     5    
    v. 5c        Coda  
  3     3  3    
         
 See Observation 5  Total, v. 5  10  =   7  +   3  =  10  +   0 
           Total, v. 1-5  47  =  33  +  14  =  42  +   5 
    With the heading, v. 1-5  49  =  35  +  14 
Observations 
1.  The middle word, , ‘upon’ (23 + 1 + 23), situated within the middle colon (7 + 1 + 7), 
does not deserve the status of consciously designed meaningful centre. Neither does the 
middle colon. The middle strophe, v. 3 as a whole, however, is the best candidate: 
 
        
Surely, the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest   upon the allotment of the righteous; 
So that the righteous will not extend     their hands to wrongdoing. 
The meaningful centre is made up of 14 (2 x 7) words. Compare the 14 words in total 
after atnach and the 42 (6 x 7) words spoken about God (Column c). 
2.  The beginning of the Strophe 3, vs. 4-5, is marked by the sudden change from 3
rd to 2
nd 
person form: the 5 words in v. 4 are directly addressed to YHWH. Logotechnically, this 
causes the formula 47 = 42c + 5d, with 42 (6 x 7) words spoken about God and 5 words 
addressed to him. It recalls Psalm 120, where we find the formula 49 = 42c + 7d, and 
Psalm 126, with the formula 48 = 42c + 6d. 
3.  The  numerical  value  of  the  very  first  word  of  the  psalm,  which  may  certainly  be 
considered a keyword, , ‘those who trust’ (5 + 2 + 9 + 8 + 10 + 13 = 47), has 
apparently determined the total number of words. Compare Psalms 121-123 and 126.  
4.  The last colon, v. 5c, appears to be a typical coda, that stands out within the last strophe, 
as v. 8 in Psalm 124. Compare Ps. 128:6b, where this particular coda reverberates.
  
5.  For the significance of the 7 occurrences of the name Zion and the word , ‘peace’, 
in the Songs of Ascents, see Observation 7 in my Analysis of Psalm 122. 
6.  As in Psalms 120-123, the author may not have endeavoured to weave divine name 
numbers into the text. The appearance of the kabod numbers 32 and 23 in vs. 1-3 may 
have been deliberately designed to symbolize YHWH’s presence. 
7.  The name  occurs 4x (vs. 1a, 2b, 4a and 5b), but significantly, not in the meaningful 
centre. This may be explained as consciously intended to let the divine name surround 
the meaningful centre in the same fashion as the mountains surround Jerusalem and 
YHWH surrounds his people (v. 2!).  
© 2012 
Dr. C.J. Labuschagne 
Brinkhorst 44 
9751 AT  Haren (Gron) 
The Netherlands 
labuschagne.cj@gmail.com   
 
Senior Lecturer in Semitic Languages (retired), 
University of Pretoria, South Africa 
and  
Professor of Old Testament (retired), 
University of Groningen, The Netherlands 
 
                                                 
 Van der Lugt remarks: “the colon is a relatively independent blessing at the end of the poem, but 
belongs to the foregoing line; cf. Ps. 128:6b and Ex. 15:18.” In my judgement, Fokkelman goes too far 
in considering the last colon as a separate verseline. 

Psalm 125

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