Rescued Already? The Significance of yntyn[ in Psalm 22,22 At the end of the Masoretic Text (MT) of Psalm 22,22 the word yityi"ˆ is found. Many commentators have understood this word as a n : n[ verbal declaration of an answer received or perceived during the recitation of the Psalm, implying a transition from the preceding lament to the succeeding praise of almost shocking rapidity. Others have argued for interpretations that blend this word more closely into the lament, delaying and softening the transition to praise, and arguably shifting the focus from present praise to commitment to future praise. In this article the textual validity of yntyi"ˆ and its i : n[ possible functions in the text will be considered. Apart from yntyi"ˆ the interpretation of Ps 22,22 is generally i : n[ straightforward. The first part of the verse is a plea: “Save me from the mouth of the lion”. This is followed by μymr yerQmW, a ie n ˆ " i phrase commonly rendered as: “and from the horns of the wild oxen ”. Regarding yntyi"ˆ two key issues present themselves. Firstly i : n[ there is the question of whether the reading of the MT is reliable. A number of commentators and translators have favoured an emendation based primarily on retroversion from the Septuagint, which has thn tapeınwsın in the position corresponding to yntyi"ˆ1. ù ¥ ¥ i : n[ Secondly questions arise concerning the semantic range of the qatal form of the verb used in the MT. In particular, these questions concern time reference and modality. Concerning the textual question it should be emphasised that there is no intrinsic reason why the MT should be given a See for example: C.A. BRIGGS – E.G. BRIGGS, A Critical and Exegetical 1 Commentary on the Book of Psalms (ICC; Edinburgh 1907) I, 197; H. GUNKEL, Die Psalmen (Göttingen 51968) 89; S.L. TERRIEN, The Psalms. Strophic Structure and Theological Commentary (ECC; Grand Rapids, MI 2003) 233; F.G. VILLANUEVA, The Uncertainty of a Hearing. A Study of the Sudden Change of Mood in the Psalms of Lament (VTS 121; Leiden 2008) 88. Translations based on the Septuagint reading are found in the Revised Standard Version, the New Jerusalem Bible, the French Bible de Jérusalem, and in German, the Einheitsübersetzung. Note also the Vulgate: “humilitatem meam”.