| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the negative purpose conjunction pen {פֶּן־ | pên} ‘lest’, introducing the psalmist’s desire to prevent a boast. The verb clause yomar {יֹאמַר | yōmar} paired with the perfect yekhaltiw {יְכָלְתִּיו | yəḵāltîw} expresses potential enemy speech about a completed triumph. The coordinating phrase tsaray {צָרַי | ṣārāy} ‘my adversaries’ followed by the imperfect yagilu {יָגִילוּ | yāgîlū} ‘they will rejoice’ is linked by ki {כִּי | kî} ‘when’ to the subordinate imperfect emot {אֶמּוֹט | ’emōṭ} ‘I totter’. This parallel structure heightens the psalmist’s vulnerability. English translations render the negative purpose of pen as “Otherwise” (formal) and “So that … will not” (dynamic) to reflect the Hebrew purpose nuance. |