Psalm 150 Verse-by-Verse
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Welcome to the DRAFT Verse-by-Verse Notes for Psalm 150!
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.
- A link to the part of the overview video where the verse in question is discussed.
- The verse in Hebrew and English.[1]
- An expanded paraphrase of the verse.[2]
- A grammatical diagram of the verse, which includes glosses for each word and phrase.[3]
- 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.).
Praise (whom) (vv. 1-2)
v. 1
Watch the Overview video on v. 1.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ | Praise Yah. |
| 1b | הַֽלְלוּ־אֵ֥ל בְּקָדְשׁ֑וֹ | Praise God who is in his sanctuary. |
| 1c | הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בִּרְקִ֥יעַ עֻזּֽוֹ׃ | Praise him who is in his strong firmament. |
Expanded Paraphrase
Praise Yah (the God of Israel).
Praise God who is in his sanctuary (which is in Jerusalem) (which is in the heavens). (For, he is not just the God of Israel, but the God of the universe). (His sanctuary is also his palace, the locus of his rule.) (He has entered his sanctuary) (and so has begun to rule over the whole world).
Praise him who is in his strong firmament. (The firmament is the base that supports YHWH's throne). (Just as the firmament covers the earth, so YHWH's rule is universal), (and the strength of the firmament means that YHWH's throne is stable and enduring).
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:1a, a superscription, is a joyful expression of praise that also indicates the type of psalm that is to follow. Psalm 150:1bc is an exhortation to praise the divine king of the universe.
- The phrase "praise Yah" (Heb.: hallelu-yah). Although hallelu ("praise") is formally an imperative,[4] it functions primarily not to direct praise but to express it. Thus, some translations transliterate the term.[5] (See Discourse for more information.)
- The prepositional phrase "in his sanctuary" (v. 1b). This phrase may refer to the location of "God"[6] or to the location of the event of praise and, thus, the location of those who are summoned to praise. (See fuller discussion in Grammar.)
- The meaning of the word "firmament".
- The meaning of the phrase "his strong firmament"[7] (lit.: "firmament of his strength")[8] (v. 1c). Some interpret the word translated "strength/strong" to mean "fortress,"[9], but this is not likely.
v. 2
Watch the Overview video on v. 2.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 2a | הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בִגְבוּרֹתָ֑יו | Praise him for his achievements. |
| 2b | הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ כְּרֹ֣ב גֻּדְלֽוֹ׃ | Praise him according to his great greatness. |
Expanded Paraphrase
(YHWH has accomplished mighty feats) (like the great military exploits of a king). Praise him for his achievements. (His achievements have earned him) (his exceedingly high status.) (And the high status of a king demands high praise from his subjects). Praise him according to his great greatness.
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:2 is an exhortation to praise the divine king whose mighty exploits have earned him an exceedingly high status.
- The royal language in vv. 2ab. The words "achievements" and "greatness" imply that YHWH is a king.
Praise (how) (vv. 3-5)
v. 3
Watch the Overview video on v. 3.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 3a | הַֽ֭לְלוּהוּ בְּתֵ֣קַע שׁוֹפָ֑ר | Praise him with the blast of a horn. |
| 3b | הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בְּנֵ֣בֶל וְכִנּֽוֹר׃ | Praise him with lyre and lute. |
Expanded Paraphrase
(YHWH has ascended to the throne in his heavenly sanctuary), (and a king's reign is announced with the blast of a horn.) (So,) Praise him with the blast of a horn. (His rule is cause for great celebration, joy and thanksgiving.) (So,) Praise him with lyre and lute.
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:3 is an exhortation to announce and celebrate the kingship of YHWH.
- The significance of the "horn," which was used to announce the reign of a new king. The enthronement of a king, announced by the horn, might be followed by a great musical celebration.[10]
- The difference in meaning between the nevel and the kinnor. These are both lyre-like stringed instruments, and the precise difference between them is not clear.[11] Some translations have "harp and lyre"[12] while others have "lyre and harp."[13] The CEV groups them together as "all kinds of harps."
v. 4
Watch the Overview video on v. 4.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | הַֽ֭לְלוּהוּ בְתֹ֣ף וּמָח֑וֹל | Praise him with drum and dance. |
| 4b | הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בְּמִנִּ֥ים וְעוּגָֽב׃ | Praise him with strings and flute. |
Expanded Paraphrase
(People, especially women, play drums and dance to celebrate a king's victory in battle). (YHWH has won a great victory.) (He has conquered all of his enemies.) (So,) Praise him with drum and dance. (His triumph is cause for great celebration and joy.) (So,) Praise him with strings and flute.
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:4 is an exhortation to celebrate YHWH's kingship and his victory over enemies.
- The meaning and significance of the word "dance." This is not a general word for "dancing" but a word denoting a particular kind of dance: "the type of dance [often accompanied with drums] which is danced as an expression of joy upon the safe return of the armies of Israel from battle."[14]
v. 5
Watch the Overview video on v. 5.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 5a | הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בְצִלְצְלֵי־שָׁ֑מַע | Praise him with loud cymbals. |
| 5b | הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ בְּֽצִלְצְלֵ֥י תְרוּעָֽה׃ | Praise him with resounding cymbals. |
Expanded Paraphrase
Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with resounding cymbals.
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:5 is an exhortation to praise YHWH, who has entered his heavenly temple to reign.
- The meaning of the phrases "loud cymbals" and "resounding cymbals" (lit.: "cymbals of hearing" // "cymbals of shouting"). The meaning of these Hebrew phrases (construct chains) is unclear, and most translations render the nouns "hearing" and "shouting" as adjectives that describe the sound of the cymbals.[15] For various other options, see notes on Phrase-level semantics.
- The sound of cymbals crashing. The word for "cymbals" (צלצלים) is onomatopoetic. The repetition of this word brings the poetic celebration (vv. 3-5) to a climactic finish.
- The allusion to 2 Samuel 6. The only other place where this particular kind of cymbal is mentioned is 2 Sam. 6:5; it was used alongside other instruments of Psalm 150 (horn, lyre, lute, drums, dancing, shouting) to celebrate the movement of the ark to Jerusalem.
Praise (who) (v. 6)
v. 6
Watch the Overview video on v. 6.
| v. | Hebrew | Close-but-clear |
|---|---|---|
| 6a | כֹּ֣ל הַ֭נְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּ֥ל יָ֗הּ | Let every living creature praise Yah. |
| 6b | הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ | Praise Yah. |
Expanded Paraphrase
(YHWH has created every living creature.) (And because YHWH reigns over the universe, his rule extends over every living creature,) (and every living creature benefits from his rule.) (Therefore,) Let every living creature praise Yah (with the very breath which he has given them). Praise Yah.
Grammatical Diagram
Notes
- Analytical Summary: Psalm 150:6 is a universal summons to praise YHWH.
- The marked word order (v. 6a). The subject ("every living creature") is fronted to underscore the universal scope of the summons to praise: "Let every living creature praise Yah!"
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.)
| Visualization | Description |
|---|---|
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The clause is represented by a horizontal line with a vertical line crossing through it, separating the subject and the verb. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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In a construct chain, the noun in the absolute form modifies the noun in the construct form. |
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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. |
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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. |
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The subject of the infinitive often appears in construct to it. In this situation, the infinitive and subject are diagrammed as a construct chain. |
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The object of the infinitive is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the infinitival clause. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.)
| Visualization | Description |
|---|---|
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The prepositional phrase is indicated by a solid green oval. |
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The construct chain is indicated by a solid yellow oval. |
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When the conjunction ו appears at the phrase-level (not clause-level), it is indicated by a solid light purple oval. |
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The article is indicated by a solid blue oval. |
Expanded paraphrase
(For more information, click "Expanded Paraphrase Legend" below.)
| 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. |
References
150
- ↑ The Hebrew text comes from Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible, which presents the text of the Leningrad Codex (the Masoretic text). The English text is our own "Close-but-clear" translation (CBC). The CBC is a “wooden” translation that exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text. It is essentially an interlinear that has been put into English word-order. It is also similar to a “back-translation” (of the Hebrew) often used in Bible translation checking. It is important to remember that the CBC is not intended to be a stand-alone translation, but is rather a tool for using the Layer by Layer materials. The CBC is used as the primary display text (along with the Hebrew) for most analytical visualisations. It is also used as the display text for most videos.
- ↑ A legend for the expanded paraphrase is available near the bottom of this page, in the section titled "Legends."
- ↑ Legends for both the grammatical diagram and the shapes and colours on the grammatical diagram are available near the bottom of this page, in the section titled "Legends."
- ↑ Cf. KJV, NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, GNT, NET: "Praise the LORD."
- ↑ LXX: αλληλουια; CSB: "Hallelujah;" DELUT, NBH: "Halleluja;" NVI, DHH: "¡Aleluya!"
- ↑ So our translation: "Praise God who is in his sanctuary." Cf. UBS Handbook: "The preposition 'in' indicates where God is, not where those are who are urged to praise him" (1991:1188).
- ↑ Cf. RSV, NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, CSB: “his mighty heaven(s)/expanse/firmament.”
- ↑ KJV: "firmament of his power."
- ↑ E.g., CEV: “heaven, his mighty fortress;” NJV: "in the sky, his stronghold;" NEB: "in the vault of heaven, the vault of his power."
- ↑ See 1 Kgs. 1:39-40.
- ↑ According to Joachim Braun (Music in ancient Israel/Palestine: archaeological, written, and comparative sources, 2006), the kinnor was probably a type of lyre. "Despite the traditional association of the kinnor with 'David's harp. through the centuries both in written and iconographic sources, contemporary scholars are quite certain that the kinnor was a lyre" (Braun 2006:17). The nevel has often been identified as a harp, though it may be another type of lyre, since "with exception of a small number of finds (and even these are chronologically irrelevant in this context), no other stringed instruments besides lyres have been found i nthe areas that once comprised Canaan, ancient Israel, and ancient Palestine" (Braun 2006:18, 22-24).
- ↑ E.g., NIV, NASB, CSB, GNT, WEB
- ↑ E.g., NLT, NET
- ↑ Gruber, "Ten Dance-Derived Expressions in the Hebrew Bible," 1981. See e.g., Ex. 15:20; Jg. 11:34; 1 Sam. 18:6.
- ↑ E.g., "Loud cymbals" (KJV, NASB, NET, ISV), "resounding cymbals" (CSB, NIV, NASB), "clashing cymbals" (ESV, CSB), "clanging cymbals" (NLT, NET), etc.