▼ The verbal form appears to be a preterite, which is most naturally taken as narrational. (The use of prefixed forms with vav [ו] consecutive in vv. 36–37 favor this.) The psalmist may return to the theme of God’s intervention for the exiles (see vv. 4–22, especially vv. 4–9). However, many regard vv. 33–41 as a hymnic description which generalizes about God’s activities among men. In this case it would be preferable to use the English present tense throughout (cf. NEB, NRSV).