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The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
Psalms III, 101-150
This is Volume 17A of The Anchor Bible, a book-by-book translation of the Bible, each complete with an introduction and notes. Psalms III (101-150) is translated and edited by Mitchell Dahood, S.J., Professor of Ugaritic Language and Literature at The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.
Having closely examined the original text, Father Dahood has attempted a unique translation which relies heavily on contemporary linguistic evidence. His work stresses the relation of the Psalms to the Ugaritic texts found at Ras-Shamra, and to other epigraphic discoveries along the Phoenician littoral.
This translation tries to capture as much as possible--within the limits of language and the scope of present scholarship--the poetic qualities of the original Hebrew. It attempts to render accurately not only the meaning of the Psalms but their poetic forms and rhythms as well. It is particularly responsive to the terse, three-beat metrical line predominant in Hebrew poetry, and it reproduces the parallelism so characteristic of biblical verse. In this process of probing the original, Father Dahood unearths some striking examples of passages previously mistranslated, and arrives at many provocative readings.
In addition to an introduction, text, and notes, this volume contains a comprehensive Grammar of the Psalter which makes use of much of Father Dahood's recent work with Ugaritic.
Having closely examined the original text, Father Dahood has attempted a unique translation which relies heavily on contemporary linguistic evidence. His work stresses the relation of the Psalms to the Ugaritic texts found at Ras-Shamra, and to other epigraphic discoveries along the Phoenician littoral.
This translation tries to capture as much as possible--within the limits of language and the scope of present scholarship--the poetic qualities of the original Hebrew. It attempts to render accurately not only the meaning of the Psalms but their poetic forms and rhythms as well. It is particularly responsive to the terse, three-beat metrical line predominant in Hebrew poetry, and it reproduces the parallelism so characteristic of biblical verse. In this process of probing the original, Father Dahood unearths some striking examples of passages previously mistranslated, and arrives at many provocative readings.
In addition to an introduction, text, and notes, this volume contains a comprehensive Grammar of the Psalter which makes use of much of Father Dahood's recent work with Ugaritic.
- GenresNonfictionReference
490 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
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November 20, 2025
This is a massive three volume series and it has some strengths and some weaknesses. First off I will say this is not for a novice it’s presentation is academic and can come across as very dry depending on what you bring to the reading.
Considering it was compiled in the early 60’s it is an excellent milestone on gauging where biblical study was then till now. Dahood has many references throughout the volumes testifying what has been learned from the Qumran scrolls and the largely unpublished works from the Ras Shamra tablets. This was cutting edge when these volumes were being published.
Since a large focus of this work is on the grammar it is highly technical and the part I find annoying is that the Hebrew is transliterated. Not only is that done strangely but the font is light and small and even though I can read Hebrew I was often times wondering what exactly the text was saying. In my opinion this does a disservice to academics and nothing for the brave layman who ventures into trying to read and struggle in the pursuit.
There is a consistent error that quite frankly shouldn't be and that is calling Canaan or Israel Palestine depending on the precise time it is speaking of. The Israelites did not go into Palestine, Jesus was not born in Palestine, the first temple period did not occur in Palestine. Such repetitive mistakes if that's what they were makes me question what else you got wrong? Another example is calling the Qumran community monks, they were not monks and that was understood even in the sixties. So to keep saying such a thing is a great disservice to the whole work.
I think a person who wades their way through this will gain some insight but there is far easier commentaries
Considering it was compiled in the early 60’s it is an excellent milestone on gauging where biblical study was then till now. Dahood has many references throughout the volumes testifying what has been learned from the Qumran scrolls and the largely unpublished works from the Ras Shamra tablets. This was cutting edge when these volumes were being published.
Since a large focus of this work is on the grammar it is highly technical and the part I find annoying is that the Hebrew is transliterated. Not only is that done strangely but the font is light and small and even though I can read Hebrew I was often times wondering what exactly the text was saying. In my opinion this does a disservice to academics and nothing for the brave layman who ventures into trying to read and struggle in the pursuit.
There is a consistent error that quite frankly shouldn't be and that is calling Canaan or Israel Palestine depending on the precise time it is speaking of. The Israelites did not go into Palestine, Jesus was not born in Palestine, the first temple period did not occur in Palestine. Such repetitive mistakes if that's what they were makes me question what else you got wrong? Another example is calling the Qumran community monks, they were not monks and that was understood even in the sixties. So to keep saying such a thing is a great disservice to the whole work.
I think a person who wades their way through this will gain some insight but there is far easier commentaries
Displaying 1 of 1 review