Difference between revisions of "2 Ne 4:16-20"
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
(→Lexical notes: Verses 16-17 chiastic arrangement) |
(→Lexical notes: Verses 18-20 arrangement) |
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== Lexical notes == | == Lexical notes == | ||
* ''Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes'' | * ''Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes'' | ||
| − | Verses 16 through 35 bear such a striking resemblance to the style and structure of the biblical poetic writings that the section is often referred to as the "Psalm of Nephi." For an analysis of similarities to Hebrew poetry, see the article by [http://home.comcast.net/~openskyvisions/PsalmOfNephiEssay.html Steven Barton]. | + | * Verses 16 through 35 bear such a striking resemblance to the style and structure of the biblical poetic writings that the section is often referred to as the "Psalm of Nephi." For an analysis of similarities to Hebrew poetry, see the article by [http://home.comcast.net/~openskyvisions/PsalmOfNephiEssay.html Steven Barton]. |
| − | Verses 16-17 open the first stanza of the Psalm of Nephi. The unit appears to be a series of 3 couplets organized in chiastic form. | + | * Verses 16-17 open the first stanza of the Psalm of Nephi. The unit appears to be a series of 3 couplets organized in chiastic form. |
<u>A.</u> <i>Behold, my <u>soul delighteth</u> in the things of the Lord;</i><br> | <u>A.</u> <i>Behold, my <u>soul delighteth</u> in the things of the Lord;</i><br> | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
:b. <i>heart sorroweth</i><br> | :b. <i>heart sorroweth</i><br> | ||
:a. <i>soul grieveth</i> | :a. <i>soul grieveth</i> | ||
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| + | * Verses 18-20. If we ignore the arbitrary punctuation of Grandin and arrange the lines similar to a passage from the Psalms or Isaiah, the verses break out differently: | ||
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| + | :<i>I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me,</i><br> | ||
| + | :<i>And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins.</i><br> | ||
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| + | :<i>Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted, | ||
| + | :<i>My God hath been my support;</i><br> | ||
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| + | :<i>He hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness,</i><br> | ||
| + | :<i>And he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.</i> | ||
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| + | In some ways, the thought groupings and punctuation are stronger when arranged in this manner. | ||
== Exegesis == | == Exegesis == | ||
Revision as of 23:17, 17 September 2005
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Questions
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Lexical notes
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- Verses 16 through 35 bear such a striking resemblance to the style and structure of the biblical poetic writings that the section is often referred to as the "Psalm of Nephi." For an analysis of similarities to Hebrew poetry, see the article by Steven Barton.
- Verses 16-17 open the first stanza of the Psalm of Nephi. The unit appears to be a series of 3 couplets organized in chiastic form.
A. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord;
B. And my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
C. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works,
c. My heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am!
b. Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh;
a. My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
This chiasm is a good example of the tendency to contrast antithetical ideas when using chiastic form. Typically, the center point of a chiasm will be the point at which an opposite idea is introduced.
Hence,
- A. soul delighteth
- B. heart pondereth
- C. goodness of the Lord
is contrasted with:
- c. wretched man
- b. heart sorroweth
- a. soul grieveth
- Verses 18-20. If we ignore the arbitrary punctuation of Grandin and arrange the lines similar to a passage from the Psalms or Isaiah, the verses break out differently:
- I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me,
- And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins.
- Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted,
- <i>My God hath been my support;
- He hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness,
- And he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
In some ways, the thought groupings and punctuation are stronger when arranged in this manner.
Exegesis
Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis
Related links
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