Psalm 150 Grammar
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Overview
The grammar of this psalm is, for the most part, very simple. However, there is a difficulty in the second and third clauses of verse 1 (see discussion below). In the diagram of this verse, we have indicated a possible (dis-preferred) alternative in red.
Grammatical diagram
v. 1
- It is not clear whether the prepositional phrases in this first verse modify the objects of each clause (God / him) or the entire predicate of each clause (Praise God / Praise him). If the first option is correct, then the prepositional phrases would be identifying the location of God: "Praise God (who is) in his sanctuary. // Praise him (who is) in his strong firmament". But if the second option is correct, then the prepositional phrases may specify the location in which the activity of praise takes place: "Praise him in his sanctuary. // Praise him in his strong firmament." It is also possible, if the second option is correct, that the prepositional phrases indicate the cause for the action of praise: "Praise him because of his holiness. // Praise him because of his strong firmament." The second option is, admittedly, the simpler of the two options, since prepositional phrases usually modify the entire predicate, and since it seems unusual for a prepositional phrase to modify a pronominal suffix (v. 1b). However, in our analysis, we have adopted the first option because it coheres well with the rest of the psalm (see Psalm 150 Story behind the Psalm).
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
