Psalm 19 Speech Act

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Psalm 19

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Speech Act Analysis

What is Speech Act Analysis?

The Speech Act layer presents the text in terms of what it does, following the findings of Speech Act Theory. It builds on the recognition that there is more to communication than the exchange of propositions. Speech act analysis is particularly important when communicating cross-culturally, and lack of understanding can lead to serious misunderstandings, since the ways languages and cultures perform speech acts varies widely.

For a detailed explanation of our method, see the Speech Act Analysis Creator Guidelines.

Summary Visual

Speaker		Verses		Macro Speech Acts				Addressee
		v. 1 For the director. A psalm. By David.
David		v. 2 The sky is declaring God’s honor, and the firmament is telling about the workmanship of his hands.		Description of the Sky (vv. 2–5b)				Unspecified
		v. 3 Day after day pours out speech, and night after night imparts knowledge.		The sky communicates God's honor to everyone.
		v. 4 There is no speech, and there are no words whose sound is not being heard.
		v. 5ab Its verse line has gone forth throughout the whole earth, and its words [have gone forth] throughout the edge of the world.
		v. 5c He has set up in it a home for the sun,	Description of the Sun (vv. 5c–7)
		v. 6 and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his tent. He is glad, like a warrior, to run his course.	Nothing is hidden from the sun's heat.
		v. 7 His starting point is from the edge of the sky, and his turning point is at its edges, and nothing is hidden from his heat.
		v. 8 YHWH’s instruction is perfect, restoring life. YHWH’s testimony is reliable, making simpletons wise.	Praise of YHWH's Instruction (vv. 8–11)
		v. 9 YHWH’s commandments are just, causing the heart to rejoice. YHWH’s command is flawless, giving light to the eyes.	YHWH's instruction is perfect; it is like the sun.
		v. 10 Fearing YHWH is pure, enduring forever. YHWH’s rules are true; they are altogether right;
		v. 11 those which are more desirable than gold, even much pure gold, and sweeter than honey, even virgin honey from the honeycomb.
		v. 12 Furthermore, your servant is warned by them. There is great reward in keeping them.	Prayer for Blamelessness (vv. 12–15)				YHWH
		v. 13 Who can discern mistakes? Clear me from the guilt of hidden sins!	"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before you."
		v. 14 Also, prevent your servant from committing presumptuous sins! Do not let them rule over me! Then I will be blameless and innocent of great crime.
		v. 15 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before you, YHWH, my rock and my redeemer!

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Speech Act Chart

The following chart is scrollable (left/right; up/down).

(For more information, click "Speech Act Table Legend" below.)

Speech Act Table Legend

Verse	Hebrew	CBC	Sentence type	Illocution (general)	Illocution with context	Macro speech act	Intended perlocution (Think)	Intended perlocution (Feel)	Intended perlocution (Do)
Verse number and poetic line	Hebrew text	English translation	Declarative, Imperative, or Interrogative Indirect Speech Act: Mismatch between sentence type and illocution type	Assertive, Directive, Expressive, Commissive, or Declaratory Indirect Speech Act: Mismatch between sentence type and illocution type	More specific illocution type with paraphrased context	Illocutionary intent (i.e. communicative purpose) of larger sections of discourse These align with the "Speech Act Summary" headings	What the speaker intends for the address to think	What the speaker intends for the address to feel	What the speaker intends for the address to do

If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.

Emendations/Revocalizations legend
*Emended text*	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation.
*Revocalized text*	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization.

Verse	Text (Hebrew)	Text (CBC) The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.	Sentence type	Illocution (general)	Illocution with context	Macro speech act	Intended perlocution (Think)	Intended perlocution (Feel)	Intended perlocution (Do)	Speech Act Notes
1	לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד	For the director. A psalm. By David.	Superscription							"Macro speech acts In terms of speech acts, the psalm has three main parts. • The first part (vv. 2-7) is a poetic description of the way in which the sky communicates God's glory. • The second part (vv. 8-11) extols the qualities and benefits of YHWH's covenant instruction (cf. Ps 119), implicitly comparing YHWH's instruction to the sun. • The third part (vv. 12-15) is a prayer for blamelessness. The prayer begins with a kind of confession. By saying that he is """"warned"""" (v. 12a), the psalmist implies that he has sinned and has come to recognize the danger of his situation. By saying that keeping YHWH's rules bring great reward (v. 12b), he expresses a desire to become blameless, to become someone who keeps YHWH's rules and thereby experiences great reward. In v. 13a, he implies that he is guilty of errors, for no one is able to discern all errors. Following this confession, he asks for forgiveness (v. 13b) and protection (v. 14a) from sin. If YHWH answers his request, then he will be blameless (v. 14bc) and will be able to keep YHWH's commands and experience the fullness of their benefits. He concludes by praying in v. 15 that, having been made blameless, his words and thoughts would be an acceptable sacrifice to YHWH. Psalm 19, in its canonical form, is a unity. Indeed, it has probably always been a unity (see https://psalms.scriptura.world/w/The_Unity_of_Ps_19). How, then, do these three speech act sections fit together? Michael Fishbane has offered the most likely explanation. As he writes, """"the whole of Psalm 19... turns on the offering of words and the request for divine favor in the concluding line"""" (Fishbane 1998, 90). In other words, the whole psalm is leading up to the prayer for blamelessness in vv. 12-15. The first two sections """"provide both the prologue and the counterpoint to his request. His desire to be forgiven for covenantal transgressions is set within a larger praise of God as lawgiver and creator"""" (Fishbane 1998, 86). See Story Behind for more details."
2a	הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם מְֽסַפְּרִ֥ים כְּבֽוֹד־אֵ֑ל	The sky is declaring God’s honor,	Declarative	Assertive	Describing how the sky displays God's honor	Describing the sky as a poet that communicates God's honor to everyone	The addressee will imagine the sky as a poet communicating God's honor to everyone	The addressee will feel awe at the honor of God revealed in the vast beauty of the sky
2b	וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דָ֗יו מַגִּ֥יד הָרָקִֽיעַ׃	and the firmament is telling about the workmanship of his hands.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing how the firmament displays God's workmanship
3a	י֣וֹם לְ֭יוֹם יַבִּ֣יעַֽ אֹ֑מֶר	Day after day pours out speech,	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the way in which the sky/firmament displays God's honor/workmanship, i.e., through the rhythm of day and night
3b	וְלַ֥יְלָה לְּ֝לַ֗יְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּֽעַת׃	and night after night imparts knowledge.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the way in which the sky/firmament displays God's honor/workmanship, i.e., through the rhythm of day and night
4a	אֵֽין־אֹ֭מֶר וְאֵ֣ין דְּבָרִ֑ים	There is no speech, and there are no words	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the extent of the sky's communication in negative terms
4b	בְּ֝לִ֗י נִשְׁמָ֥ע קוֹלָֽם׃	whose sound is not being heard.
5a	בְּכָל־הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀ יָ֘צָ֤א קַוָּ֗ם	Its verse line has gone forth throughout the whole earth,	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the extent of the sky's communication in positive terms
5b	וּבִקְצֵ֣ה תֵ֭בֵל מִלֵּיהֶ֑ם	and its words [have gone forth] throughout the edge of the world.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the extent of the sky's communication in positive terms
5c	לַ֝שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ שָֽׂם־אֹ֥הֶל בָּהֶֽם׃	He has set up in it a home for the sun,	Declarative	Assertive	Describing where the sun's home is and how the sun relates to the sky	Describing the sun as a bridegroom-warrior from whose heat nothing is hidden	The addressee will imagine the sun as a bride-groom warrior from whose heat nothing is hidden	The addressee will feel awe at the sun's vast reach, a taste of the sun's joy, and a sense of vulnerability to the sun's inescapable heat
6a	וְה֗וּא כְּ֭חָתָן יֹצֵ֣א מֵחֻפָּת֑וֹ	and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his tent.	Declarative	Assertive	Comparing the rising sun to a bridegroom
6b	יָשִׂ֥ישׂ כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר לָר֥וּץ אֹֽרַח׃	He is glad, like a warrior, to run his course.	Declarative	Assertive	Comparing the rising sun to a warrior
7a	מִקְצֵ֤ה הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם ׀ מֽוֹצָא֗וֹ	His starting point is from the edge of the sky,	Declarative	Assertive	Identifying the sun's starting point, i.e., the place where the sun rises
7b	וּתְקוּפָת֥וֹ עַל־קְצוֹתָ֑ם	and his turning point is at its edges,	Declarative	Assertive	Identifying the sun's turning point, i.e., the place where the sun sets
7c	וְאֵ֥ין נִ֝סְתָּ֗ר מֵֽחַמָּתוֹ׃	and nothing is hidden from his heat.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the extent of the sun's influence
8a	תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה	YHWH’s instruction is perfect,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the perfection of YHWH's instruction	Praising the qualities and benefits of YHWH's instruction, implicitly comparing YHWH's instruction to the sun	The addressee will imagine YHWH's instruction as being like the sun	The addressee will feel joy at the thought of how wonderful and beneficial YHWH's instruction, together with a desire to keep YHWH's instruction and so experience its benefits	The addressee will meditate on YHWH's instruction and follow it
8b	מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ	restoring life.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the ability of YHWH's instruction to restore life
8c	עֵד֥וּת יְהוָ֥ה נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה	YHWH’s testimony is reliable,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the reliability of YHWH's testimony
8d	מַחְכִּ֥ימַת פֶּֽתִי׃	making simpletons wise.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the ability of YHWH's testimony to make wise
9a	פִּקּ֘וּדֵ֤י יְהוָ֣ה יְ֭שָׁרִים	YHWH’s commandments are just,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the justness of YHWH's commandments
9b	מְשַׂמְּחֵי־לֵ֑ב	causing the heart to rejoice.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the ability of YHWH's commandments to give joy
9c	מִצְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֥ה בָּ֝רָ֗ה	YHWH’s command is flawless,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the flawlessness of YHWH's command
9d	מְאִירַ֥ת עֵינָֽיִם׃	giving light to the eyes.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the ability of YHWH's command to give light
10a	יִרְאַ֤ת יְהוָ֨ה ׀ טְהוֹרָה֮	Fearing YHWH is pure,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the purity of 'fearing YHWH' (i.e., the purity of the commands which call for fearing YHWH)
10b	עוֹמֶ֪דֶת לָ֫עַ֥ד	enduring forever.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the permanence of the commands that call for fearing YHWH
10c	מִֽשְׁפְּטֵי־יְהוָ֥ה אֱמֶ֑ת	YHWH’s rules are true;	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the truthfulness of YHWH's rules
10d	צָֽדְק֥וּ יַחְדָּֽו׃	they are altogether right;	Declarative		Extolling the rightness of YHWH's rules
11a	הַֽנֶּחֱמָדִ֗ים מִ֭זָּהָב וּמִפַּ֣ז רָ֑ב	those which are more desirable than gold, even much pure gold,	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the value of YHWH's rules, comparing them to gold
11b	וּמְתוּקִ֥ים מִ֝דְּבַ֗שׁ וְנֹ֣פֶת צוּפִֽים׃	and sweeter than honey, even virgin honey from the honeycomb.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the 'sweetness' (i.e., the pleasantness and life-giving properties) of YHWH's rules, comparing them to honey
12a	גַּֽם־עַ֭בְדְּךָ נִזְהָ֣ר בָּהֶ֑ם	Furthermore, your servant is warned by them.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the effect that YHWH's rules have on YHWH's servant; i.e., they expose his sin and thereby "warn him"	Praying to be made morally blameless	YHWH will find the words and thoughts of the psalmist to be a pleasing sacrifice	YHWH will be pleased at the words and thoughts of the psalmist	YHWH will clear the psalmist from the guilt of hidden sins and protect him from the influence of presumptuous sins
12b	בְּ֝שָׁמְרָ֗ם עֵ֣קֶב רָֽב׃	There is great reward in keeping them.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the positive results experienced by those who (unlike the psalmist) do keep YHWH's rules; thus, also expressing a desire to be someone who keeps YHWH's rules
13a	שְׁגִיא֥וֹת מִֽי־יָבִ֑ין	Who can discern mistakes?	Interrogative	Assertive	Claiming that it is impossible for someone to discern all mistakes					The interrogative in v. 13a is rhetorical: "who can discern mistakes?" = "No one can discern mistakes!" Cf. GNT: "None of us can see our own errors"; CEV: "None of us know our faults." The psalmist's purpose in asking the question is to emphatically deny the ability of anyone to know the entirety of YHWH's law, to understand how it applies to every life situation, and, therefore, to be able to discern (and avoid) all mistakes.
13b	מִֽנִּסְתָּר֥וֹת נַקֵּֽנִי׃	Clear me from the guilt of hidden sins!	Imperative	Directive	Pleading to be cleared from the guilt of hidden sins
14a	גַּ֤ם מִזֵּדִ֨ים ׀ חֲשֹׂ֬ךְ עַבְדֶּ֗ךָ	Also, prevent your servant from committing presumptuous sins!	Imperative	Directive	Pleading to be kept back from committing presumptuous sins
14b	אַֽל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִ֣י	Do not let them rule over me!	Imperative	Directive	Pleading for protection from the domineering influence of presumptuous sins
14c	אָ֣ז אֵיתָ֑ם	Then I will be blameless	Declarative	Assertive	Stating the desired and expected results of having been forgiven and protected from sin
14d	וְ֝נִקֵּ֗יתִי מִפֶּ֥שַֽׁע רָֽב׃	and innocent of great crime.	Declarative	Assertive
15a	יִֽהְי֥וּ לְרָצ֨וֹן ׀ אִמְרֵי־פִ֡י	Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart	Imperative	Directive	"Requesting that YHWH make him morally blameless such that his words and thoughts are acceptable; professing trust in YHWH as his rock and redeemer"
15b	וְהֶגְי֣וֹן לִבִּ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ	be acceptable before you,
15c	יְ֝הוָ֗ה צוּרִ֥י וְגֹאֲלִֽי׃	YHWH, my rock and my redeemer!