251 PSALMS 120–136 : SONGS GREAT FESTIVAL FOR A (“ then ”) in Ps 124,3-5 44 ; tmdq instead of μrf (“ before ”) in Ps 129,6 45. In Ps 123,1 ybvyh (“ who is sitting”), with the article and hireq compaginis, as forma mixta, is a late archaism 46. The form˙ indicating genitival relationship in Ps 123,4b are not in s agreement with Classical Hebrew syntax. In Ps 124,4 the final element h; in hljn (“ torrent ”) seems to be a quasi-archaic addition A on behalf of the verse rhythm 47. A relatively late date is also suggested by some wordings and modes of expression. Outside the Songs of Ascents, the formula ≈raw μymv hc[ (“ maker of heaven and earth”, Ps 121,2 ; 124,8; 134,3) is only found in post-exilic Psalms 115 (v. 15) and 146 (v. 6 — there the participle in absolute state: “who made...”). In Psalm 130, verse 2ba (“ let your ears be attentive...”) is characteristic of the later post-exilic time (see Neh 1,6; 2 Chr 6,40; 7,15). Verse 3 recalls Ezra 9,15 (see also e.g. Isa 59,12; Ezra 9,6-7). In its statements on forgiveness (v. 4) and benevolence (v. 7) the psalm is related to a text like Neh 9,17. Lastly, the historical perspective seems to be late. In Psalm 126 48 the restoration of Zion’s fortunes is remembered as a marvellous event causing great excitement. In fact, this turnabout was a series of events, divided over a long period and hardly spectacular for the most part: Cyrus’s decree regarding the Jerusalem temple, issued in 538 BC; a return of exiles, possibly under Cambyses; the building of the temple in 520-515; the return of those led by Ezra; the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem about 444 49. The psalm’s retrospect seems to draw on For yza cf. previous note. In ancient Aramaic za and yza both occur; see 44 KAI 214 :7 ; 215:9; 233:6.14. Cf. H. BAUER – P. LEANDER, Historische Grammatik der hebräischen Sprache des Alten Testaments (Halle 1922) 631a. See HALAT, 1772, s.v. hmdq. 45 ; ˆ˛ See A. HURVITZ, “Originals and Imitations in Biblical Poetry: a 46 Comparative Examination of 1 Sam 2:1-10 and Ps 113 :5-9 ”, Biblical and Related Studies Presented to Samuel Iwry (eds. A. KORT – S. MORSCHAUSER) (Winona Lake, IN 1985) 119-121. The occurrence of the ending yA in the I construct state of primal words like ba, “father”, and ja, “brother”, seems to testify the antiquity of this form. See GESENIUS – KAUTZSCH, § 90f ; JOÜON – MURAOKA, § 93i. 47 Cf. R. MOSIS, “‘Mit Jauchzen werden sie ernten’. Beobachtungen zu 48 Psalm 126”, Die alttestamentliche Botschaft als Wegweisung. Festschrift für Hans Reinelt (Hrsg. J. ZMIJEWSKI) (Stuttgart 1990) 183. See Zech 4,9; 7-8; Ezra 2; 5,2.13-16; 6,3-5.14-15; 7-8; Neh 1-4; 6. For 49