Psalm 19/Test/Lexical
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Psalm 19 Lexical Analysis & Diagrams
The following grammatical diagrams are zoomable, and the lexical and phrasal overlays can be toggled on/off. Notes on the semantic layers can be found beneath each verse's diagram.
About the Lexical Layer
(need a Lexical intro here)
Lexical Visuals for Psalm 19
V. 1
Preferred
Note for V. 1
Sample Lexical note for Ps 19:1
V. 2
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 2] Clause Subject article: הַ the noun: שָּׁמַיִם sky Predicate verb-participle: מְסַפְּרִים is declaring Object ConstructChain noun: כְּבוֹד honor noun: אֵל God Conjunction conjunction: וּ and Clause Subject article: הָ the noun: רָקִיעַ firmament Predicate verb-participle: מַגִּיד is telling about Object ConstructChain <gloss="the workmanship of his hands"> noun: מַעֲשֵׂה workmanship noun: יָדָי hands suffix-pronoun: ו him Object <status="alternative"> noun: מַעֲשֵׂי <status="emendation">
Lexical Notes
- Sky (הַשָּׁמַיִם):
- Declaring honor (מְֽסַפְּרִ֥ים כְּבֽוֹד): Cf. Psa 96:3 - סַפְּר֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֣ם כְּבוֹד֑וֹ בְּכָל־הָֽ֝עַמִּ֗ים נִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃.
- Honor (כְּבוֹד):
- Firmament (הָרָקִיעַ):
- For the parallel of ספר and הגיד, see Job 12:7-8.
- Telling about (מַגִּיד): "The most frequent content of such recounting, however, is Yahweh’s mighty salvific deeds; this is especially the case in the psalms... The salvific deeds themselves are described in a summary fashion as nip̱lāʾôṯ (Ps. 9:2[1]; 26:7; 75:2[1]; 96:3 [1 Ch. 16:24]) or as maʿaśîm (Ps. 107:22; 118:17; cf. ʿāśâ in 66:16), or are circumscribed with the noun šēm as an expression of Yahweh’s greatness and might as manifested in such deeds (22:23[22]; 102:22[21]; Sir. 51:1; cf. also geḏullâ in Ps. 145:6, kāḇôḏ in 96:3 [1 Ch. 16:24]..." (TDOT).
V. 3
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 3] Clause Subject Nominal ConstructChain noun: movement <status="elided"> noun: יוֹם day Adjectival PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְ to Object noun: יוֹם day Predicate verb: יַבִּיעַ causes to bubble up >> pours out Object noun: אֹמֶר speech Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject Nominal ConstructChain noun: movement <status="elided"> noun: לַיְלָה night Adjectival PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְּ to Object noun: לַיְלָה night Predicate verb: יְחַוֶּה imparts Object noun: דָּעַת knowledge
Lexical Notes
- The word יביע (hiphil נבע) is a relatively rare, poetic verb of speech (cf. Pss 59:8; 78:2; 94:4; 119:171; 145:7). It means "literally: to cause to bubble up (words); hence: = action by which humans utter many words -- (to cause) to bubble up > to pour out" (SDBH). So NIV/ESV: "pour forth/out"; Aquila/Symmachus: ἀναβλύζει ("gush up" [of a spring]; cf. Diggle 2021, 88). The image is that a person's mouth is like a spring, and their words are like water (cf. Prov. 10:11 מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים פִּ֣י צַדִּ֑יק). In this case, however, the 'person' speaking is the sky. Thus, the words might evoke the image of rain falling from the sky.
- For the parallel נבע//חוה, cf. Ben Sira 16:25: "I will pour out (אביעה) my spirit by measure and relate (אחוה) my knowledge in humility." Another close parallel which uses similar language as Ps 19:2-5 (including the noun מבע) is 1QH-a IX,29-32: "You yourself created breath for the tongue. You know its words, and you determine the fruit of the lips before they exist. You set the words according to the measuring line (על קו), and the utterance (מבע) of the breath of the lips by measure. And you bring forth the lines (ותוצא קוים) according to their mysteries and the utterances (מבעי) of the breath according to their calculus, in order to make known your glory (כבודכה) and to recount (ולספר) your wonders ..." (DJD XL 118-131).
- The word חוה is an Aramaic loanword (HALOT), equivalent to Hebrew הגיד (cf. v. 2) (cf. Baethgen 1904, 55).
Alternative 1: יוֹם//לַיְלָה as subjects and לְיוֹם and לְּלַיְלָה as adverbials
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 3 - alternative] <status="alternative"> Clause Subject noun: יוֹם day Predicate verb: יַבִּיעַ causes to bubble up >> pours out Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְ to Object noun: יוֹם day Object noun: אֹמֶר speech Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject noun: לַיְלָה night Predicate verb: יְחַוֶּה imparts Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְּ to Object noun: לַיְלָה night Object noun: דָּעַת knowledge
Alternative 2: יוֹם לְיוֹם//לַיְלָה לְּלַיְלָה as adverbials
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 3 - alternative] <status="alternative"> Clause Subject Predicate verb: יַבִּיעַ causes to bubble up >> pours out Adverbial Nominal noun: יוֹם day Adjectival PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְ to Object noun: יוֹם day Object noun: אֹמֶר speech Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject Predicate verb: יְחַוֶּה imparts Adverbial Nominal noun: לַיְלָה night Adjectival PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְּ to Object noun: לַיְלָה night Object noun: דָּעַת knowledge
V. 4
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 4] Clause Subject noun: אֹמֶר speech Predicate Adverbial particle: אֵין there is no Conjunction conjunction: וְ and <height="200"> Clause Subject noun: דְּבָרִים words RelativeClause RelativeParticle particle: <status="elided"> whose Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="their sound"> noun: קוֹלָ sound suffix-pronoun: ם them <located="relative clause head"> Predicate verb-participle: נִשְׁמָע is being heard Adverbial particle: בְּלִי not Predicate Adverbial particle: אֵין there are no
Alternative - v. 4b as independent clause
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 4 - alternative] <status="alternative"> Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: קוֹלָ voice suffix-pronoun: ם them Predicate verb-participle: נִשְׁמָע is being heard Adverbial particle: בְּלִי not
Vv. 5-6a
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [vv. 5-6a] Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="their verse line"> noun: קַוָּ measuring line >> verse line suffix-pronoun: ם them Predicate verb: יָצָא has gone forth Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בְּ throughout Object quantifier: כָל whole article: הָ the noun: אָרֶץ earth Conjunction conjunction: וּ and Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="their words"> noun: מִלֵּי words suffix-pronoun: הֶם them Predicate verb: יָצְאוּ <status="elided"> have gone forth Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בִ throughout Object ConstructChain noun: קְצֵה edge noun: תֵבֵל world Fragment Clause Subject Predicate verb: שָׂם he has set up Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לַ for Object article: הַ <status="elided"> the noun: שֶּׁמֶשׁ sun Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בָּ in Object pronoun: הֶם them Object noun: אֹהֶל tent >> home Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject pronoun: הוּא he Predicate verb: is Complement PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: כְּ like Object noun: חָתָן a bridegroom Adjectival verb-participle: יֹצֵא coming out Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מֵ of Object ConstructChain <gloss="his tent"> noun: חֻפָּת tent suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Lexical Notes
- On קום, see The Text and Meaning of Ps 19:5a.
- The earth (ארץ) is "the earth as opposed to the sky" (SDBH). Together, 'earth' (v. 5) and 'sky' (v. 2) cover all of creation (cf. Gen 1:1), such that YHWH's glory resonates throughout the whole of creation.
- The word words (מלה) is, like חוה in v. 3, an Aramaic loan word (HALOT) (cf. Ps 139:4; 2 Sam 23:2), synonymous with דבר (e.g., Tg Pss and Peshitta translate דברים in v. 4 with מלי/מלא).
- The word world (תבל) is a poetic synonym of ארץ (e.g., Ps 24:1) and "a common noun that has acquired the value of a proper noun" (BHRG 216). It refers to "the earth as opposed to the sky, with special focus on the area that is inhabited by humans" (SDBH). English translations tend to use "earth//world" (KJV, ESV, NIV, NLT, CEV) or "world//earth" (GNT).
- The tent (אֹהֶל) or 'canopy' (cf. Joel 2:16) is hyponymous to אהל in the previous verse (cf. Waltke 2010, 363). It refers to a "temporary construction made of cloth; ► erected for a newly married couple" (SDBH). It is not clear, however, "whether the canopy was a special tent where the marriage was consummated, or whether it was a protective covering over the wedding ceremony itself" (TWOT #710). The first option seems more likely both in light of the parallel with חֵדֶר in Joel 2:16 and in light of the fact that it would make more sense for the sun to be 'going out' in the morning. Hence, "In Psalm 19:5 the 'shelter' refers to the bridegroom's chamber where presumably he takes his bride to consummate their marriage" (Waltke 2010, 363). So English translations: "chamber" (NIV, ESV, NET); cf. HALOT "nuptial chamber", DCH "bridal chamber."
- Bridegroom (חָתָן): "= man who is about to be married or has just been married; ≈ often associated with joy" (SDBH). In this case (since he is coming out of 'his canopy' [see below]), the bridegroom has just recently been married. So NLT: "It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding."
Alternative - v. 5a read with קוֹלָם
SimpleGrammar Fragment <status="alternative"> Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: קוֹלָ <status="emendation"> voice suffix-pronoun: ם them Predicate verb: יָצָא has gone forth Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בְּ in Object quantifier: כָל all article: הָ the noun: אָרֶץ earth Fragment <status="alternative"> Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="their words"> noun: מִלֵּי words suffix-pronoun: הֶם them Predicate verb: are Complement PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בִ in Object ConstructChain noun: קְצֵה edge noun: תֵבֵל world
V. 6b
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 6b] Clause Subject Predicate verb: יָשִׂישׂ he is glad Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: כְּ like Object noun: גִבּוֹר a great one Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לָ to Object Clause Subject Predicate verb-infinitive: רוּץ run Object noun: אֹרַח course
Lexical Notes
- The word גבור ("great one") refers to "a human being... who is renowned for his characteristics, such as physical strength, power, bravery, skill, wealth, good character, or a combination thereof" (SDBH). The word is often used in military contexts to refer to a military "hero" or "warrior," but it can also refer more generally to someone with "any special degree of physical might, power, authority, and splendor (“glory”)" (TDOT 1977, 373). In Psalm 19 it might refer to the (personified) sun as an exceptionally gifted athlete (cf. NLT: "great athlete"; GNT: "athlete"). But because "running" (רוץ) is elsewhere associated with warriors (cf. Joel 2:7; Job 16:14), the word here probably refers to a "warrior" (cf. Jdg 5:20 which describes celestial bodies fighting 'from their roads'). In particular, it might refer to the sun as a warrior-king. Genesis 1, for example, describes the sun as the king of the day (cf. Gen 1:16; Ps 136:8), and kings were expected to be great warriors who could run long distances (cf. 2 Sam 1:23; 22:33, 37; see Demsky 2005).
V. 7
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 7] Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="his starting point"> noun: מוֹצָא starting point suffix-pronoun: וֹ him Predicate verb: is Complement PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from the edge of the sky"> Preposition preposition: מִ from Object ConstructChain noun: קְצֵה edge Nominal article: הַ the noun: שָּׁמַיִם sky Conjunction conjunction: וּ and Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="his turning point"> noun: תְקוּפָת turning point suffix-pronoun: וֹ him Predicate verb: is Complement PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: עַל at Object ConstructChain <gloss="its edges"> noun: קְצוֹתָ edges suffix-pronoun: ם them Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject verb-participle: נִסְתָּר something hidden Adjectival PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מֵ from Object ConstructChain <gloss="his heat"> noun: חַמָּת heat suffix-pronoun: וֹ him Predicate Adverbial adverb: אֵין there is not
Lexical Notes
- There is some interesting evidence that יצא when predicated of the sun was understood as “shine” (see Nakata 2022).
- On תקופה, see HALOT: "turning-point (of the sun in the sky) Ps 19:7... the eastern horizon as one extremity of the sky is the place from which the sun commences its course; at the opposite side, on the western horizon, is the turning-point, for this is the entrance for its nocturnal journey back under the earth." So SDBH: "= location where the sun has reached the end of its circuit and from where it is expected to move back to its beginning point." So Gesenius 2013: "(Wende)punkt."
- In Ben Sira 43:7, תקופה may refer to the “waning” of moonlight.
V. 8
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 8] Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: תּוֹרַת instruction noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate verb: is Complement adjective: תְּמִימָה perfect Clause Subject <status="elided"> ConstructChain noun: תּוֹרַת instruction noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement ConstructChain Nominal verb-participle: מְשִׁיבַת restoring noun: נָפֶשׁ life Fragment Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: עֵדוּת testimony noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate verb: is Complement verb-participle: נֶאֱמָנָה enduring Clause Subject <status="elided"> ConstructChain noun: עֵדוּת testimony noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement ConstructChain Nominal verb-participle: מַחְכִּימַת making wise Nominal adjective: פֶּתִי simple
Lexical Notes
- תורה: "In the Psalter tôrâ appears to denote God’s revelation and its promulgation, presumed to exist in either oral or written form" (TDOT). Willgren, looking at all of the uses of the phrase תורת יהוה, shows that "at least from the post-exilic period, תורת יהוה was regularly associated with a law of Moses..., sometimes specified as written," and he argues convincingly that the phrase has this meaning in Ps 1:2 (Willgren 2018, 390-1). It is probably also this meaning here in Ps 19 (so also Waltke 2010, 365). Cf. Ps. 78:5 where תורה//עֵדוּת refers to the Law given at Sinai.
- תְּמִימָה:
- SDBH notes that משיבת נפש means "literally: to bring back (one's) self; hence: = causative process by which humans or deities restore a sense of well-being to (other) humans, which may extend from feeling refreshed after a good meal to feeling contented because of a major change in one's life situation -- to restore (someone's) life." Cf. Ps. 23:3 נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשׁוֹבֵ֑ב.
- If תורה in the previous clause is associated especially with the Mosaic covenant, then עֵדוּת probably refers, specifically, to "the stipulations of the Sinai covenant laid down in writing" (HALOT 791b [HALOT, however, does not list Ps 19 under this entry]). Cf. Ps. 78:5 where תורה//עֵדוּת refers to the Law given at Sinai. Hillers argues that עֵדוּת is "actually another name for 'covenant'" and that "covenant" would be a better translation than "testimony" (Hillers 1969, 160ff; cf. NIDOTTE; so WEB: "covenant").
V. 9
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 9] Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: פִּקּוּדֵי commandments noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate verb: are Complement adjective: יְשָׁרִים just Clause Subject <status="elided"> ConstructChain noun: פִּקּוּדֵי commandments noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement ConstructChain Nominal verb-participle: מְשַׂמְּחֵי causing to rejoice noun: לֵב heart Fragment Clause Subject ConstructChain noun: מִצְוַת command noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate verb: is Complement adjective: בָּרָה flawless Clause Subject <status="elided"> ConstructChain noun: מִצְוַת command noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement ConstructChain Nominal verb-participle: מְאִירַת giving light to noun: עֵינָיִם eyes
Lexical Notes
- The word פקודים refers to "rules regulating behavior" (SDBH). Whereas the previous verse used singular nouns to describe the Mosaic Law as a whole—תורה (covenant instruction) // עדות (the whole body of covenant stipulations)—this verse uses a plural noun to refer to the individual commandments of the covenant.
- The word מצוה refers to YHWH's authoritative command (cf. TDOT 1997, 505 for מצוה "as an expression of authority"). It is probably a collective singular here (so Gesenius 2013, 724: "das Gesetz Gottes als Einheit"; cf. Ps 119:96; cf. ketiv מצותו in Deut 5:10; 7:9; 8:2)
- In light of the comparison between the sun in vv. 5-7 and YHWH's law in vv. 8-10, Eaton argues that ברה does not mean "pure" but "brilliant" (so LXX τηλαυγής 'far-shining' [LSJ] and Jerome lucidum ['bright, shining']; cf. Song 6:10 בָּרָה֙ כַּֽחַמָּ֔ה "bright as the sun" [NIV]) (Eaton 1968, 605). So NIV and CSB: "radiant"; CEV: "shine brightly." It could be that a double-meaning is intended: "flawless" (with an association with "brightness").
- Giving light (מְאִירַת): an action that causes something to emit or to reflect light; ≈ associated with well-being and wisdom" (SDBH). Light to the eyes indicates renewed life and energy. In this sense, it is synonymous with משיבת נפש in the previous verse. Clines argues, on the other hand, that a description which is so synonymous with משיבת נפש would be unnecessary. "It seems preferable therefore to follow the literal meaning of the words, especially since the law is elsewhere often called a light" (cf. Ps 119:105; Prov 6:23) (Clines 1974, 4-5).
Vv. 10–11
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [vv. 10-11] Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="fearing YHWH"> noun: יִרְאַת fear noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate verb: is Complement adjective: טְהוֹרָה pure Clause Subject <status="elided"> ConstructChain <gloss="fearing YHWH"> noun: יִרְאַת fear noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement verb-participle: עוֹמֶדֶת standing >> enduring Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever"> Preposition preposition: לָ for Object noun: עַד forever Fragment Clause Subject ConstructChain Nominal noun: מִשְׁפְּטֵי rules RelativeClause RelativeParticle particle: הַ which Clause Subject Predicate Complement Nominal verb-participle: נֶּחֱמָדִים desirable Adjectival <gloss="more than gold, even much pure gold"> PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ more than Object noun: זָּהָב gold Conjunction conjunction: וּ and PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ more than Object noun: פַּז pure gold Adjectival adjective: רָב much Conjunction conjunction: וּ and Nominal adjective: מְתוּקִים sweet Adjectival <gloss="more than honey, even virgin honey from the honeycomb"> PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ more than Object noun: דְּבַשׁ honey Conjunction conjunction: וְ and ConstructChain noun: נֹפֶת virgin honey noun: צוּפִים honeycomb Nominal noun: יְהוָה YHWH Predicate Complement noun: אֱמֶת faithfulness >> true Clause Predicate verb: צָדְקוּ they are right Adverbial adverb: יַחְדָּו altogether
V. 12
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 12] particle: גַּם also Fragment Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="your servant"> Nominal Adjectival <status="alternative"> adverb: גַּם even noun: עַבְדְּ servant suffix-pronoun: ךָ you Predicate verb-participle: נִזְהָר is warned Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בָּ by Object pronoun: הֶם them Fragment Clause Subject Nominal noun: עֵקֶב reward Adjectival adjective: רָב great Predicate verb: is Complement PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: בְּ in Object Clause Predicate verb-infinitive: שָׁמְרָ keeping Object suffix-pronoun: ם them
Lexical Notes
- עֶבֶד:
- נזהר: Modern translations render this as "is warned" (KJV, NIV, ESV, cf. NLT, CEV, GNT, NET, NEB, LUT, HFA, ELB, EÜ, ZÜR).
- So BDB, HALOT, DCH, SDBH. SDBH defines it as "= process by which someone becomes aware of something (usually bad) that is going to happen, or something one should do to prevent something (usually bad) from happening; usually refers to a mediator making known what God has said or implied; ≈ wise people take these things seriously whereas foolish people ignore them."
- Others (e.g., Eaton 1968) have argued, however, that נזהר comes from a different root that means 'illuminate' (cf. Dan 12:3 וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ; Ezek 8:2 כְּמַרְאֵה־זֹ֖הַר; cf. Aramaic זהר e.g., Old Syriac of Matt 13:43 ܗܝܕܝܢ ܙܕܝ̈ܩܐ ܢܙܗܪܘܢ ܐܝܟ ܫܡܫܐ). As with טהורה in v. 10, there could be a double meaning here. Cf. Hossfeld: "Ihre Belehrung kann sowohl erleuchten also auch warnen" (Hossfeld 1993, 134).
- The word עקב is usually translated into English as "reward" (NIV, NLT, ESV, NET, NEB, NJB, JPS85, GNT, CEV); so DCH.
Vv. 13–14a
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [vv. 13-14a] Clause Subject pronoun: מִי who Predicate verb: יָבִין can realize Object noun: שְׁגִיאוֹת mistakes Fragment Clause Subject Predicate verb: נַקֵּ clear the guilt of Object suffix-pronoun: נִי me Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ from Object Nominal verb-participle: נִּסְתָּרוֹת hidden things >> hidden sins Fragment particle: גַּם furthermore Fragment Clause Subject Predicate verb: חֲשֹׂךְ prevent Object ConstructChain <gloss="your servant"> noun: עַבְדֶּ servant suffix-pronoun: ךָ you Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from committing presumptuous sins"> Preposition preposition: מִ from Object adjective: זֵּדִים presumptuous sins Adverbial <status="alternative"> PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ from Object noun: זָּרִים <status="emendation"> foreigners
V. 14bc
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 14bc] Clause Subject Predicate verb: יִמְשְׁלוּ let them rule Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: ב over Object pronoun: ִי me Adverbial adverb: אַל not Fragment particle: אָז then Fragment Clause Subject Predicate verb: אֵיתָם I will be blameless Conjunction conjunction: וְ and Clause Subject Predicate verb: נִקֵּיתִי I will be innocent Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: מִ of Object Nominal noun: פֶּשַׁע crime adjective: רָב great
V. 15
Preferred
SimpleGrammar Fragment [v. 15] Apposition Vocative noun: יְהוָה YHWH Vocative Nominal ConstructChain <gloss="my rock"> noun: צוּרִ rock suffix-pronoun: ִי me Conjunction conjunction: וְ and ConstructChain <gloss="my redeemer"> verb-participle: גֹאֲל redeemer suffix-pronoun: ִי me Fragment Clause Subject ConstructChain <gloss="the words of my mouth"> noun: אִמְרֵי words noun: פ mouth suffix-pronoun: ִי me Conjunction conjunction: וְ and ConstructChain <gloss="the meditation of my heart"> noun: הֶגְיוֹן meditation noun: לִבּ heart suffix-pronoun: ִי me Predicate verb: יִהְיוּ let them be Adverbial PrepositionalPhrase Preposition preposition: לְפָנֶי before Object pronoun: ךָ you Complement PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="acceptable"> Preposition preposition: לְ for Object noun: רָצוֹן acceptance
Lexical Notes
- The phrase היה לרצון usually refers to "(divine) acceptance, oft. of sacrifice or of people offering a sacrifice to Y[HWH]" (DCH). Just as a sacrificial animal with any defect was not acceptable to YHWH (Lev 22:20 לֹ֥א לְרָצֹ֖ון יִהְיֶ֥ה) but only those animals which were 'blameless' (Lev 22:21, תָּמִ֤ים יִֽהְיֶה֙ לְרָצֹ֔ון), so the psalmist, now that YHWH has made him 'blameless' (איתם, v. 14b), can offer words which are acceptable to YHWH. Cf. Hossfeld: "Die Widmung 15 verquickt Opferterminologie... mit Bezeichnungen für den ganzen Psalm... zu einer Weiheformel mit spiritualisierendem Kultverständnis" (Hossfeld 1993, 134).