Notes—Will

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Welcome to the DRAFT Verse-by-Verse Notes for Psalm #!

The Verse-by-Verse Notes present scholarly, exegetical materials (from all layers of analysis) in a verse-by-verse format. They often present alternative interpretive options and justification for a preferred interpretation. The Verse-by-Verse Notes are aimed at consultant-level users.

The discussion of each verse of this psalm includes the following items.

1. A link to the part of the overview video where the verse in question is discussed.
2. The verse in Hebrew and English.
3. An expanded paraphrase of the verse.
4. A grammatical diagram of the verse, which includes glosses for each word and phrase.
5. A series of notes on the verse, which contain information pertaining to the interpretation of the psalm (e.g., meaning of words and phrases, poetic features, difficult grammatical constructions, etc.).

v. 3

Watch the Overview video on v. 3.

v.	Hebrew	Close-but-Clear
3a	י֣וֹם לְ֭יוֹם יַבִּ֣יעַֽ אֹ֑מֶר	Day to day they pour out speech,
3b	וְלַ֥יְלָה לְּ֝לַ֗יְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּֽעַת׃	and night to night they impart knowledge.

Expanded Paraphrase

Day to day (which God established) they (which God created) pour out speech (which was the means of God's creating act)(and thus echoes God's creating act)(and thus those who experience the day should acknowledge God as creator),
and night to night (which God established) they (which God created) impart knowledge (of which God is the source)(and thus those who experience night should know God).

Grammatical Diagram

Notes

• The translation and grammatical diagram above view the implied subject of the verbs "pours out speech" and "imparts knowledge" as being supplied from v. 2. Thus, the subject is either הָרָקִֽיעַ, "the expanse" (see NET), or the compound subject הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם... הָרָקִֽיעַ, "sky... expanse" (see NIV, CSB). Contextually, the 3mp suffix of בָּהֶם in v. 5b ("he set a tent for the sun in them") suggests that the topic throughout this section is the sky/expanse. Grammatically, the singular verbs of this verse could refer back to the singular הָרָקִיעַ of v. 2. On the other hand, subjects consisting of multiple nouns can sometimes be found with singular verbs, especially if the nouns form a single idea (JM, §150p). If this were the case here, then the compound subject of הָרָקִיעַ and הַשָּׁמַיִם in v. 2 would govern the singular verbs in v. 3. This understanding of the grammar would be consistent with the 3mp pronominal suffixes in v. 5.

This visualization is adapted from Participant Analysis.

Alternatively, one could view the subjects as being "day" and "night" (see alternative diagram; CEV, GNT), or the compound subjects "day after day"/"night after night" (see alternative diagram; ESV, NASB).

• If (as suggested above) the sky/expanse is the subject of the verbs of v. 3, then י֣וֹם לְ֭יוֹם "day to day" and וְלַ֥יְלָה לְּ֝לַ֗יְלָה "night to night" are here functioning adverbially. It is noteworthy that these phrases are placed at the front of their respective clauses. This is likely to mark time as the focus element of these clauses. The propositions of v. 2 could give rise to the implicit question, "To what extent do the sky/expanse declare God's splendor/handiwork?" These fronted adverbial phrases mark the temporal answers to this question for focus. For an in-depth discussion, see Macrosyntax Layer.
• The adverbial phrases י֣וֹם לְ֭יוֹם "day to day" and וְלַ֥יְלָה לְּ֝לַ֗יְלָה "night to night" constitute a polar-pair merism that expresses "all the time." For an in-depth discussion on the use of merisms in Psalm 19, see Poetics.

This visualization is adapted from Poetics.

v. 4

Watch the Overview video on v. 4.

v.	Hebrew	Close-but-Clear
4a	אֵֽין־אֹ֭מֶר וְאֵ֣ין דְּבָרִ֑ים בְּ֝לִ֗י	There is no speech, and there are no words
4b	נִשְׁמָ֥ע קוֹלָֽם׃	whose sound is not heard.

Expanded Paraphrase

There is no speech (which is being communicated constantly),
and there are no words
whose sound is not heard (and so they are perceived by all) (and so all should have knowledge about God).

Grammatical Diagram

Notes

• There is disagreement among translations with respect to the grammar of v. 4b. The clause can be rendered as either an independent clause or a relative clause. The difference in understanding the syntax would result in diametrically opposed interpretations of the verse as a whole:

v.	v. 4b as Independent	v. 4b as Relative
4a	There is no speech, and there are no words;	There is no speech, and there are no words
4b	their sound is not heard.	whose sound is not heard.

Treating v. 4b as an independent clause results in a statement that parallels v. 4a, implying that the communication is universally inaudible. Meanwhile, translating v. 4b as a relative clause implies that the words of v. 4a are universally audible (i.e., a double negative, "there are none unheard"). Based on genre, word order, and other syntactical features—along with the testimony of ancient witnesses—the translation and diagram above reflect an understanding of v. 4b as a relative clause. For an in-depth discussion on this topic, see the Exegetical Issue. This understanding of the grammar would imply the following logical flow:

This visualization is adapted from Story Behind the Psalm. For an explanation of the color-coded text, see "Expanded paraphrase" in the Legend below.

• While the participial form of נִשְׁמָע typical suggests continuous or progressive aspect ("whose sound is not being heard"), the present context suggests a testimony that is perceived universally, from witness to witness (iterative/distributive), as opposed to a single, continuous action.

v. 5a–b

Watch the Overview video on v. 5a–b.

v.	Hebrew	Close-but-Clear
5a	בְּכָל־הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀ יָ֘צָ֤א קַוָּ֗ם	Their chord goes forth throughout all the earth,
5b	וּבִקְצֵ֣ה תֵ֭בֵל מִלֵּיהֶ֑ם	and their words [go forth] into the end of the world.

Expanded Paraphrase

Their chord goes forth throughout all the earth (which God created)(and so they are perceived by all) (and so all should have knowledge about God),
and their words [go forth] into the end of the world (which God created)(and so they are perceived by all) (and so all should have knowledge about God).

Grammatical Diagram

Notes

• The phrases בְּכָל־הָאָ֨רֶץ "throughout all the earth" and וּבִקְצֵ֣ה תֵ֭בֵל "into the end of the world" are placed at the beginning of their respective clauses. This is likely to mark space as the focus element of these clauses. The propositions of v. 2 could give rise to the implicit question, "To what extent do the sky/expanse declare God's glory/handiwork?" These fronted adverbial phrases mark the spatial answers to this question for focus. For an in-depth discussion, see Macrosyntax Layer.
• It is possible to detect an extended merism between הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם/הָרָקִֽיעַ (sky/expanse) in v. 2 and הָאָ֨רֶץ/תֵ֭בֵל (earth/world) in v. 5. Although there is a significant distance between these pairs of terms, their presence at the beginning of their respective stanzas could highlight their significance. This also fits the broader theme of the psalm, in which the testimony of creation is presented as occurring everywhere and all the time (see Poetics). The impression created in these verses is an all-encompassing vertical spatial axis (contrasted with the horizontal axis presented in v. 7) in which creation's testimony occurs.

This visualization is adapted from Poetics.

• The preposition בְּ of בְּכָל־הָאָ֨רֶץ is typically translated as "in." However, the preposition itself does not lexicalize the distinction between locations that are dynamic ("through") versus static ("in") (BHRG, §39.6). The dynamic rendering of "throughout all the earth" is here implied by the verb יָצָא "goes forth."
• There is some ambiguity as to the referent of the 3mp pronominal suffixes of קַוָּ֗ם "their chord" and מִלֵּיהֶ֑ם "their words." One the one hand, the suffixes could refer back to אֹ֭מֶר/דְּבָרִ֑ים (speech/words) of v. 4; on the other hand, they could refer to הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם/הָרָקִֽיעַ (sky/expanse) in v. 2. Syntactically, the terms אֹ֭מֶר/דְּבָרִ֑ים in v. 4 are nearer, and thus could be naturally read as the referents of the 3mp suffixes. However, this would lead to a situation in which the "words (מִלִּים) of words (דְּבָרִים)" would be described. It is preferable to see קַוָּ֗ם/מִלֵּיהֶ֑ם in v. 5 as belonging to the same participant class as אֹ֭מֶר/דְּבָרִ֑ים in v. 4, while the pronominal suffixes refer back to the הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם/הָרָקִֽיעַ of v. 2. In other words, the chords/words are being portrayed as originating from the sky/expanse.

This visualization is adapted from Participant Analysis.

• The text and meaning of the term קַוָּם are disputed. Since קַו is typically understood to mean "string" (HALOT), some have argued for emending the text to קוֹלָם, "their voice." However, it is possible that a meaning of קַו as "sound" is derived from an extension of "rope" to "string of a harp." This figurative meaning of "chord," referring to musical or melodious sounds, is supported by evidence from DSS and Sirach (DCH). As such, and in light of the lack of textual evidence for emending the Masoretic Text, preserving קַוָּם is preferred. This understanding preserves the parallelism with מִלֵּי, "words," and remains consistent with the renderings of ancient versions.
• While תֵבֵל is grammatically indefinite, the term (and thus by extension, the construct form קְצֵה) is inherently definite (JM §137t). Hence the translation, "into the end of the world."

Legends

Grammatical diagram

The grammar layer visually represents the grammar and syntax of each clause. It also displays alternative interpretations of the grammar. (For more information, click "Grammar Legend" below.)

Grammar Legend

Visualization	Description
	The clause is represented by a horizontal line with a vertical line crossing through it, separating the subject and the verb.
	The object is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause. Infinitives and participles may also have objects. If the direct object marker (d.o.m.) is present in the text, it appears in the diagram immediately before the object. If the grammar includes a secondary object, the secondary object will appear after the object, separated by another vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause.
	The subject complement follows the verb (often omitted in Hebrew) separated with a line leaning toward the right. It can be a noun, a whole prepositional phrase or an adjective. The later two appear modifying the complement slot.
	When a noun further describes or renames the object, it is an object complement. The object complement follows the object separated by a line leaning toward the right.
	In a construct chain, the noun in the absolute form modifies the noun in the construct form.
	Participles are indicated in whatever position in the clause they are in with a curved line before the participle. Participles can occur as nominal, where they take the place of a noun, predicate, where they take the place of a verb, or attributive, where they modify a noun or a verb similar to adjectives or adverbs.
	Infinitives are indicated by two parallel lines before the infinitive that cross the horizontal line. Infinitive constructs can appear as the verb in an embedded clause. Infinitive absolutes typically appear as an adverbial.
	The subject of the infinitive often appears in construct to it. In this situation, the infinitive and subject are diagrammed as a construct chain.
	The object of the infinitive is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the infinitival clause.
	Modifiers are represented by a solid diagonal line from the word they modify. They can attach to verbs, adjectives, or nouns. If modifying a verb or adjective, it is an adverb, but if modifying a noun, it is an adjective, a quantifier, or a definite article. If an adverb is modifying a modifier, it is connected to the modifier by a small dashed horizontal line.
	Adverbials are indicated by a dashed diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. These are nouns or infinitives that function adverbially (modifying either a verb or a participle), but are not connected by a preposition.
	Prepositional phrases are indicated by a solid diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. The preposition is to the left of the diagonal line and the dependent of the preposition is on the horizontal line. They can modify verbs (adverbial) or nouns (adjectival).
	Embedded clauses are indicated by a "stand" that looks like an upside-down Y. The stand rests in the grammatical position that the clause fulfills. Extending from the top of the stand is a horizontal line for the clause. If introduced by a complementizer, for example כִּי, the complementizer appears before the stand. Embedded clauses can stand in the place of any noun.
	When clauses are joined by a conjunction, they are compound clauses. These clauses are connected by a vertical dotted line. The conjunction is placed next to the dotted line.
	Within a clause, if two or more parts of speech are compound, these are represented by angled lines reaching to the two compound elements connected by a solid vertical line. If a conjunction is used, the conjunction appears to the left of the vertical line. Almost all parts of speech can be compound.
	Subordinate clauses are indicated by a dashed line coming from the line dividing the subject from the predicate in the independent clause and leading to the horizontal line of the subordinate clause. The subordinating conjunction appears next to the dashed line.
	Relative clauses also have a dashed line, but the line connects the antecedent to the horizontal line of the relative clause. The relative particle appears next to the dashed line.
	Sentence fragments are represented by a horizontal line with no vertical lines. They are most frequently used in superscriptions to psalms. They are visually similar to discourse particles and vocatives, but most often consist of a noun phrase (that does not refer to a person or people group) or a prepositional phrase.
	In the body of the psalm, a horizontal line by itself (with no modifiers or vertical lines) can indicate either a discourse particle or a vocative (if the word is a noun referring to a person or people group). A discourse particle is a conjunction or particle that functions at the discourse level, not at the grammatical level. Vocatives can appear either before or after the clause addressed to them, depending on the word order of the Hebrew.
	Apposition is indicated by an equal sign equating the two noun phrases. This can occur with a noun in any function in a sentence.

Hebrew text colors
Default preferred text	The default preferred reading is represented by a black line. The text of the MT is represented in bold black text.
Dispreferred reading	The dispreferred reading is an alternative interpretation of the grammar, represented by a pink line. The text of the MT is represented in bold pink text, while emendations and revocalizations retain their corresponding colors (see below).
Emended text	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold blue text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
Revocalized text	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold purple text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
(Supplied elided element)	Any element that is elided in the Hebrew text is represented by bold gray text in parentheses.
( )	The position of a non-supplied elided element is represented by empty black parentheses. For example, this would be used in the place of the noun when an adjective functions substantivally or in the place of the antecedent when a relative clause has an implied antecedent.

Gloss text colors
Gloss used in the CBC	The gloss used in the Close-but-Clear translation is represented by bold blue text.
Literal gloss >> derived meaning	A gloss that shows the more literal meaning as well as the derived figurative meaning is represented in blue text with arrows pointing towards the more figurative meaning. The gloss used in the CBC will be bolded.
Supplied elided element	The gloss for a supplied elided element is represented in bold gray text.

Shapes and colours on grammatical diagram

(For more information, click "Phrase-level Legend" below.)

Phrase-level Legend

Visualization	Description
	The prepositional phrase is indicated by a solid green oval.
	The construct chain is indicated by a solid yellow oval.
	When the conjunction ו appears at the phrase-level (not clause-level), it is indicated by a solid light purple oval.
	The article is indicated by a solid blue oval.

Expanded paraphrase

(For more information, click "Expanded Paraphrase Legend" below.)

Expanded Paraphrase Legend

Expanded paraphrase legend
Close but Clear (CBC) translation	The CBC, our close but clear translation of the Hebrew, is represented in bold text.
Assumptions	Assumptions which provide background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences are represented in italics.