The Artscroll Siddur (Siddur Kol Yaakov, Mesorah Publications, 1984) contains an unusual translation of the first verses of Psalm 93. A more conventional translation might be:
The Lord reigns; He has donned grandeur.
The Lord is robed, he has donned strength.
The Artscroll Siddur (p. 321) has
Hashem will have reigned, He will have donned grandeur;
Hashem will have donned might and girded himself.
Does anyone know the reason for the Artscroll’s use of the future perfect tense?
Jacob Adler
Philosophy Department
University of Arkansas
Categories: Query
6 Replies
Reuven Chaim (Rudolph) Klein
I looked up the Nishmas Chaim, I don't see him mentioning that this story is cited in Sefer Chassidim. Anyways, I was not able to find it in the standard edition of Sefer Chassidim, I don't think it's in the Mekizei Nirdamim edition either. The source for this story, by the way, is Tractate Kallah 6:1.
Kol Tuv,
Reuven Chaim Klein
Beitar Illit, Israel
Author of: God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry & Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew
Amit Gvaryahu
Artscroll's translation, here and elsewhere, is based on Rashi, who notes in his comment on Ps 93:1: ה' מלך - יאמרו לעתיד, i.e. that this Psalm is going to be said in the future.
Leor Jacobi
In his commentary, Rashi explains that Hashem reigning refers to the future.
The previous Chapter 92, "to the Sabbath Day" was interpreted by the sages as referring to the future Sabbath of the redemption. Thus recognizing Hashem's infallibility, Chapter 93 is the next step in which Hashem's kingship will be recognized by the nations, or coronated, if you will. Radak states that from this chapter until Chapter 101 are all referring to the future days of the messiah. This includes most of the verses recited in the Kabbalat Shabbat service established by the Kabbalists.
Leor Jacobi
Bar-Ilan University
Michael Kramer
I forwarded your query to a friend at Artscroll, and this is the response I received: "The Hebrew words are in past tense. The suggested translation, while graceful, has the word 'lavesh' once in past and once in present tense. Ours follows Rashi, Radak and Metzudos, who say that this declaration will be made in Messianic times." Hope this helps.
Joshua Schwartz
Rashi says: יאמרו לעתיד
Simeon Chavel
Artscroll's note there says they follow the tradition that psalm 93 directly continues psalm 92, which they interpret as being about the messiah - in the future.