Notes and Queries, Number 218, December 31, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
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Notes and Queries, Number 218, December 31, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
Solomon says, in this Psalm: "Without Jehovah's support, my house will
fall: if He keep this city, the watch, with its early-risings,
late-resting, and ill-feeding, is useless: _thus He_ (by so keeping or
watching the city himself) _gives sleep to him whom He loves_." The
remainder of the Psalm refers to the increase of population as Jehovah's
gift, wherein Solomon considers the strength of the city to consist. The
words in Italics correspond precisely in sense with those of the authorised
version--"_For_ so He giveth His beloved sleep;" and the latter is
supported fully by all the ancient versions, and, as far as I can at
present ascertain, by all the best modern ones.
T. J. BUCKTON.
Lichfield.
What is there _unintelligible_ in the authorised translation of Psalm
cxxvii. 2., "He giveth His beloved sleep?" It is a literal translation of
three very plain words, of the simplest grammatical construction, made in
accordance with all the ancient versions. A difficulty there does indeed
exist in the passage, viz. in the commencing word [Hebrew: KN]; but this
word, though capable of many _intelligible_ meanings, does not enter into
the present question. Since the great majority of critics have been
contented to see no objection to the received translations, it is perfectly
allowable to maintain that the proposed rendering makes, instead of
removing, a difficulty, and obscures a passage which, as generally
understood, is sufficiently lucid. Hengstenberg's difficulty is, that the
subject is not about the _sleep_, but the _gain_. But is not sleep a gain?
Can we forget the [Greek: hupnou dôron] of Homer? that is, sufficient,
undisturbed sleep, rest. Hengstenberg's remark, that all, even the beloved,
must labour, is a mere truism. The Psalmist evidently opposes excessive and
over-anxious labours, interfering with natural rest, to ordinary labour
accompanied with refreshing sleep. The object of his censure is precisely
the [Greek: merimna] which forms the subject of our Lord's warning; who
censures not due care and providence, but over-anxiety. Burkius rightly
remarks, that [Hebrew: SHN'] is antithetical to _surgere, sedere, dolorum_.
Hammond observes, with far more clearness and good sense than Hengstenberg,
"For as to the former of these, wicked men that incessantly moil, and
cark, and drudge for the acquiring of it, and never enjoy any of the
comforts of this life, through the vehement pursuit of riches, are
generally frustrated and disappointed in their aims: whereas, on the
contrary, those who have God's blessing thrive insensibly, become very
prosperous, _and yet never lose any sleep in the pursuit of it_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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