Introduction to Psalm 12:1
Psalm 12:1 is a lament psalm attributed to David, beginning with a cry for divine intervention. The imperative verb הֹושִׁ֣יעָה (“Save!”) serves as a direct plea to YHWH, reflecting a crisis where the righteous are vanishing. The verse also contains parallelism, contrasting חָסִיד (“faithful one”) and אֱמוּנִים (“trustworthy ones”) with the corrupt state of humanity.
This study will analyze the syntactic structure of the imperative, the function of lament in Hebrew poetry, and the theological implications of the absence of righteousness.
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל־הַשְּׁמִינִ֗ית מִזְמֹ֥ור לְדָוִֽד׃
הֹושִׁ֣יעָה יְ֭הוָה כִּי־גָמַ֣ר חָסִ֑יד כִּי־פַ֥סּוּ אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים מִבְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל־הַשְּׁמִינִ֗ית (lamnatze’aḥ al-hashminit)
– Root: נָצַח (“to lead, to direct”)
– Translation: “For the choirmaster, upon the Sheminith”
– Function: A musical instruction, possibly indicating an eight-stringed instrument or a musical mode.
2. הֹושִׁ֣יעָה יְ֭הוָה (hoshi’ah YHWH)
– Root: יָשַׁע (“to save, to deliver”)
– Form: Hifil imperative 2nd masculine singular
– Translation: “Save, YHWH!”
– Function: A direct appeal for divine rescue.
3. כִּי־גָמַ֣ר חָסִ֑יד (ki gamar ḥasid)
– Root: גָּמַר (“to cease, to come to an end”)
– Translation: “For the faithful one has perished”
– Function: Introduces the reason for lament, indicating moral decline.
4. כִּי־פַ֥סּוּ אֱמוּנִ֗ים (ki passu emunim)
– Root: פָּסַס (“to disappear, to vanish”)
– Translation: “For the trustworthy ones have vanished”
– Function: Parallelism, reinforcing the absence of righteousness.
5. מִבְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם (mi-benei adam)
– Root: אָדָם (“humanity, mankind”)
– Translation: “From among the children of men”
– Function: Universalizes the moral decline beyond Israel.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Imperative Verb הֹושִׁ֣יעָה (“Save!”)
– Hifil imperative indicates a direct and urgent request.
– Common in lament psalms, expressing a deep personal or communal distress.
– Similar imperatives in Psalms:
– Psalm 6:5 – “Return, YHWH, save me!” (שׁוּבָה יְהוָה חַלְּצָה נַפְשִׁי).
– Psalm 22:20 – “Deliver my soul!” (הַצִּ֣ילָה נַפְשִׁ֣י).
The Parallelism of Moral Decline
The verse uses synonymous parallelism:
– גָמַ֣ר חָסִ֑יד (“The faithful one has perished”)
– פַ֥סּוּ אֱמוּנִ֗ים (“The trustworthy ones have vanished”)
Each phrase reinforces the idea that righteousness is disappearing from society.
Theological Significance of “The Faithful Have Perished”
– Reflects social corruption → The psalmist sees no righteous individuals left.
– Contrasts divine faithfulness → Even if humans are unfaithful, God remains faithful (Psalm 89:2).
– Foreshadows eschatological hope → Calls for divine intervention to restore justice.
The Role of the Imperative in Biblical Lament
Psalm 12:1 exemplifies the imperative as a cry for help, expressing urgency and theological dependence on YHWH. The parallel structure reinforces the theme of moral collapse, making the imperative more than a request—it is a desperate plea for restoration.
Thus, this verse highlights both the crisis of human righteousness and the need for divine salvation, affirming the psalmist’s unwavering hope in YHWH’s intervention.
