Tag Archives: Psalm 97:8

שָׁמְעָ֬ה וַתִּשְׂמַ֨ח צִיֹּ֗ון וַ֭תָּגֵלְנָה בְּנֹ֣ות יְהוּדָ֑ה לְמַ֖עַן מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה׃ 1. Verb Forms and Theological Resonance The verse opens with שָׁמְעָ֬ה (“she has heard”), a Qal perfect 3rd person feminine singular. The perfect form, often indicating completed action, is striking here. Zion’s hearing is not hypothetical or potential—it has already occurred, perhaps alluding to Israel’s historical receptivity to God’s deeds or judgments. The verb conveys a sense of rootedness in past revelation, suggesting that divine justice has not only been proclaimed but received.… Learn Hebrew