Psalm 28 Semantics
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Psalm 28/Semantics
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Don't be deaf to me!
Psalm 28
Please note: Resources for Psalm 28 are in the process of being reformatted for visual consistency and improved functionality.
About the Grammar & Semantics Layer
Semantics is the study of how language is used to represent meaning. The goal of semantic analysis for interpreting and translating the Bible is to understand the meaning of words and how they relate to each other in context. We want to understand what is implicit about word meaning – and thus assumed by the original audience – and make it explicit – and thus clear for us who are removed by time, language, and culture. The semantics layer is composed of three major branches: lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics and verbal semantics.
About the Grammar Layer
The grammar layer visually represents the grammar and syntax of each clause. It also displays alternative interpretations of the grammar. (For more information, click "Show/Hide 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. |
About the Lexical Semantics Layer
One major branch of semantic study is lexical semantics, which refers to the study of word meanings. It examines semantic range (=possible meanings of a word), the relationship between words (e.g. synonymy, hyponymy), as well as the relationship between words and larger concepts (conceptual domains). One component of our approach involves not only the study of the Hebrew word meaning, but also of our own assumptions about word meaning in modern languages. Because the researcher necessarily starts with their own cultural assumptions (in our case, those of Western-trained scholars), this part of the analysis should be done afresh for every culture.
For a detailed description of our method, see the Lexical Semantics Creator Guidelines.
- See our growing collection of Venn Diagrams, not only for Psalm 28, but for all of the psalms.
- See SDBH on Psalm 28.
About the Phrase-Level Semantics Layer
The Phrase-level Semantics layer analyses the meaning of syntactic units which are larger than the level of the word and smaller than the level of the clause. Specifically, this layer analyses the meaning of prepositional phrases (e.g., לְאִישׁ), construct phrases (e.g., אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), phrases formed by a coordinating waw conjunction (e.g., אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה) and noun phrases which consist of a noun plus a determiner (e.g., הָאִישׁ) or a quantifier (e.g., כֹּל אִישׁ).
For a detailed description of our method, see the Phrase-level Semantics Creator Guidelines.
| 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. |
About the Verbal Semantics Layer
This sub-layer focuses on the relationship between verbs, time and modality. These are important categories for interpretation and translation, and how one analyses a verb can have a significant effect on how it is rendered. This sub-layer has been through several iterations, as it strives to accomplish two things: (1) Transparency for the native Hebrew structures, and (2) Transparency for the interpretation necessary to translate the verbal semantics into other languages.
For a detailed description of our method, see the Verbal Semantics Creator Guidelines.
| Conjugations | |
|---|---|
| qatal | yiqtol-jussive |
| wayyiqtol (following qatal)* | cohortative |
| yiqtol | participle |
| wayyiqtol (following yiqtol)* | wayyiqtol (following participle)* |
| weyiqtol | inf. construct |
| weqatal | inf. absolute |
| *Wayyiqtol is colored a darker version of the conjugation it follows. | |
| Relative tense arrows | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative tense arrows (placed within the appropriate 'Fut/Pres/Past' column) are color coded according to the conjugation of the verb. The arrows in the table below are colored according to the typical uses of the conjugations. | ||||
| After/posterior/future | Imminent future | Simultaneous/right now | Recent past | Before/anterior/past |
| ← ← |
↤ | ↓↓↓ | ↦ | → → |
| Aspect | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous | Habitual or iterative | Stative | Perfective | |
| Encoded in words | ⟲ | ⟲⟲⟲ | ⎯ | • |
| Inferable from context | ⟲ | ⟲⟲⟲ | ⎯ | • |
| Reference point movement | |
|---|---|
| Movement | No movement |
| ⇐ | ⇍ |
| Modality | |
|---|---|
| indicative | purpose/result |
| jussive | necessity |
| imperative | possible |
| cohortative | probable |
| wish | ability |
| (past) conditional | interrogative, etc. |
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. |
Psalm 28 Verbal Semantics
For an overview of the Verbal Semantics of Psalm 28, click the expandable button below.
(Click diagram to enlarge)
Psalm 28 Semantic 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.
v. 1
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| לְדָוִ֡ד | 1a | By David. |
| אֵ֘לֶ֤יךָ יְהוָ֨ה׀אֶקְרָ֗א | 1b | To you, YHWH, I cry out; |
| צוּרִי֮ אַֽל־תֶּחֱרַ֪שׁ מִ֫מֶּ֥נִּי | 1c | my rock, do not be deaf to me, |
| פֶּן־תֶּֽחֱשֶׁ֥ה מִמֶּ֑נִּי | 1d | lest you be silent to me, |
| וְ֝נִמְשַׁ֗לְתִּי עִם־י֥וֹרְדֵי בֽוֹר׃ | 1e | and I become like those who go down to the Pit. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
Fragment
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ by
Object
noun: דָוִד David
Fragment
Vocative
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: אֶקְרָא I cry out
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֵלֶי to
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Fragment
Vocative
ConstructChain <gloss="my rock">
noun: צוּר rock* >> protector, refuge
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: תֶּחֱרַשׁ be deaf from me >> treat me with a distant and deaf attitude >> be inattentive to me >> be deaf to me
Adverbial
particle: אַל not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמֶּ from >> to
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִּי me
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: פֶּן lest
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: תֶּחֱשֶׁה be silent* >> unresponsive
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמֶּ from >> to
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִּי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate <gloss=I become like">
verb: נִמְשַׁלְתִּי I be comparable with >> I become like
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִם with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="those who go down to the Pit">
verb-participle: יוֹרְדֵי those who go down* >> those who die
noun: בוֹר Pit* >> world of the dead
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:1.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:1.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:1.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:1.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:1.
v. 2
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| שְׁמַ֤ע ק֣וֹל תַּ֭חֲנוּנַי | 2a | Hear the sound of my supplications |
| בְּשַׁוְּעִ֣י אֵלֶ֑יךָ | 2b | when I cry to you for help, |
| בְּנָשְׂאִ֥י יָ֝דַ֗י | 2c | when I lift up my hands |
| אֶל־דְּבִ֥יר קָדְשֶֽׁךָ׃ | 2d | toward your holy inner sanctuary. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: שְׁמַע hear
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the sound of my supplications">
noun: קוֹל sound
noun: תַּחֲנוּנַ supplications
suffix-pronoun: י me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ when
Object
Clause
Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
Predicate
ConstructChain <gloss="I cry for help">
verb-infinitive: שַׁוְּע cry for help
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֵלֶי to
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ when
Object
Clause
Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
Predicate
ConstructChain <gloss="I lift up">
verb-infinitive: נָשְׂא lift up
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my hands">
noun: יָדַ hands
suffix-pronoun: י me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֶל toward
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="your holy inner sanctuary">
noun: דְּבִיר inner sanctuary
ConstructChain
noun: קָדְשֶׁ holiness
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:2.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:2.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:2.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:2.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:2.
v. 3
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| אַל־תִּמְשְׁכֵ֣נִי עִם־רְשָׁעִים֮ | 3a | Do not drag me away with wicked people, |
| וְעִם־פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י אָ֥וֶן | 3b | with evildoers, |
| דֹּבְרֵ֣י שָׁ֭לוֹם עִם־רֵֽעֵיהֶ֑ם | 3c | those who speak peace with their neighbors |
| וְ֝רָעָ֗ה בִּלְבָבָֽם׃ | 3d | but [speak] evil in their hearts. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: תִּמְשְׁכֵ drag away* >> include
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
Adverbial
particle: אַל not
Adverbial <gloss="with wicked people, with evildoers">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִם with
Object
adjective: רְשָׁעִים wicked (people)
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִם with
Object
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="workers of evil ; evildoers">
Nominal
verb-participle: פֹּעֲלֵי workers
Adjectival <status="alternative">
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb-participle: דֹּבְרֵי speakers of peace
Object
noun: שָׁלוֹם peace
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִם with
Object
ConstructChain
noun: רֵעֵי neighbors
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ while
Clause
Subject
noun: רָעָה evil
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: לְבָב heart
suffix-pronoun: ָם them
noun: אָוֶן evil
Nominal
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate <gloss="those who speak peace with their neighbors">
verb-participle: דֹּבְרֵי speakers
Object
noun: שָׁלוֹם peace
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִם with
Object
ConstructChain
noun: רֵעֵי neighbors
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ but
Clause
Predicate <gloss="speak evil in their hearts">
verb-participle: דֹּבְרֵי speakers <status="elided">
Object
noun: רָעָה evil
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: לְבָב heart
suffix-pronoun: ָם them
Notes
Note for v. 3
- For the MT אַל־תִּמְשְׁכֵ֣נִי (“do not drag me”), the Greek adds τὴν ψυχήν μου (my soul) possibly reading תִּמְשֹׁךְ נַפְשִׁי (“do not drag my soul”). The Greek addition of τὴν ψυχήν μου could be a harmonization to Ps 26 [LXX 25]:9. Likewise, after the MT word אָוֶן (evil, iniquity), the LXX adds μὴ συναπολέσῃς με which BHS suggests to be equivalent in Hebrew to אַל־תְּאַבְּדֶנִּי (“do not destroy me”). The LXX makes two additions that are not present in the MT. Both additions were probably the product of a harmonization of Ps 28:3 [LXX 27:3] and Ps 26:9 [LXX 25:9] since τὴν ψυχήν μου and μὴ συναπολέσῃς occur in both psalms (cf. below). However, the verb which occurs in the MT text of Ps 26:9 is אַל־תֶּאֱסֹף, not אַל־תְּאַבְּדֶנִּי. For this reason, אַל-תַּאַסְפֵנִי would be a better option than BHS's suggestion אַל־תְּאַבְּדֶנִּי. Nevertheless, the MT readings are supported by the absence of these additions in other ancient versions (Targum, Peshitta, and Jerome's Hebraicum). They are also absent in 4QPsc and in modern translations.
- LXX (Ps 28 [LXX 27]:3): μὴ συνελκύσῃς μετὰ ἁμαρτωλῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ μετὰ ἐργαζομένων ἀδικίαν μὴ συναπολέσῃς με, τῶν λαλούντων εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν πλησίον αὐτῶν, κακὰ δὲ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.
- "Do not drag my soul away together with sinners; together with workers of injustice do not destroy me, those who speak peace with their fellows, but wrongs are in their hearts."[1]
- LXX (Ps 26 [LXX 25] :9): μὴ συναπολέσῃς μετὰ ἀσεβῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ μετὰ ἀνδρῶν αἱμάτων τὴν ζωήν μου
- "Do not destroy my soul to gather with the impious and my life with men of blood."[2]
- Targum (Ps 28:3): לא תנגידנני עם רשיעיא ועם עבדי עילא די ממללין שלמא עם חבריהון ובישתא בלבהון.
- "Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with those who work intrigue, who speak peace with their neighbors, while evil is in their hearts."[3]
- Peshitta (Ps 28:3): ܠܐ ܬܡܢܝܢܝ ܥܡ ܪ̈ܫܝܥܐ܂ ܘܥܡ ܥܒ̈ܕܝ ܥܘܠܐ܂ ܕܡܡܠܠܝܢ ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡ ܚܒܪ̈ܝܗܘܢ ܘܒܝܫܬܐ ܒܠܒܗܘܢ܂
- "Do not count me with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their companions but evil is in their heart."[4]
- Jerome's iuxta Hebraicum (Ps 28:3): ne trahas me cum impiis et cum operantibus iniquitatem qui loquuntur pacem cum amicis suis et est malum in corde eorum.
- "Do not draw me with the wicked and with those who work iniquity, who talk peace with their friends and evil is in their hearts."
- MT (Ps 28:3): אַל־תִּמְשְׁכֵנִי עִם־רְשָׁעִים וְעִם־פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלֹום עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם
- "Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts."[5]
- LXX (Ps 28 [LXX 27]:3): μὴ συνελκύσῃς μετὰ ἁμαρτωλῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ μετὰ ἐργαζομένων ἀδικίαν μὴ συναπολέσῃς με, τῶν λαλούντων εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν πλησίον αὐτῶν, κακὰ δὲ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.
- The clause "those who speak peace with their neighbors" (דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם) is coordinated with the clause "but [speak] evil in their hearts" (וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם). The verb speak (דֹּבְרֵי) "carries over the second colon"[6] which is represented in the grammatical diagram in gray as an elided element. This rendering is reinforced by a similar case in Ps 15:2.[7] It is also supported by the LXX, which reads τῶν λαλούντων εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν πλησίον αὐτῶν, κακὰ δὲ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν - "those who speak peace with their neighbors, but evil in their hearts." The LXX treats וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם as a second object of דֹּבְרֵי, "which fits the usual pattern of parallelism."[8] Moreover, "those who speak peace with their neighbors" (דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלֹום עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם) is in apposition to "workers of evil >> evildoers" (פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן). Hence, the appositive specifies a characteristic action of evildoers (פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן): “. . . workers of evil, those who speak peace with their neighbors but [speak] evil in their hearts >> "evildoers, who speak peace with their neighbors but [speak] evil in their hearts." Nevertheless, some modern translations as well as commentators have rendered דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלֹום עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם as two coordinate (temporally simultaneous) clauses both subordinate as an asyndetic relative clause. In other words, the clause does not include an overt relative word; instead, it is connected to the main clause by being embedded within an adjectival modifier of workers of evil (פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן), which in English is treated as a relative clause (“...workers of evil, who are speaking peace at the same time as evil is in their hearts” >> ". . . workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts."[9] In addition, treating וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם as a verbless clause is supported by Jerome's Hebrew Psalter (qui loquuntur pacem cum amicis suis et est malum in corde eorum - "who speak peace with their friends but there is evil in their hearts"). This alternative reading is represented in pink in the grammatical diagram. Although we have two grammatical options of diagramming דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלֹום עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָם, these options are semantically united (i.e., there is no change in interpretation).
- The Hebrew text דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם (speakers of peace >> those who speak peace) is a construct chain. Under our current diagramming convention, modifying participles that take direct objects (even if construct chains) and adverbials are encoded as embedded clauses, rather than construct chains with adjectival modifiers. Since דֹּבְרֵי is diagrammed as an embedded clause, שָׁלוֹם is diagrammed as the object rather than a construct relationship. So, for now, the diagram has דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם and דֹּבְרֵי) רָעָה) as embedded clauses, rather than construct chains.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:3.
Note for v. 3
- With evildoers (וְעִם־פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י אָ֥וֶן): In Ps 26:9, the psalmist asks YHWH: אַל־תֶּאֱסֹף עִם־חַטָּאִים נַפְשִׁי וְעִם־אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים חַיָּי ("Do not take away my soul with sinful people; and [do not take away] my life with bloodthirsty people."[10] This request is similar to the petition in Ps 28:3, אַל־תִּמְשְׁכֵנִי עִם־רְשָׁעִים וְעִם־פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן (Do not drag me with wicked people, evildoers . . .). The psalmist does not want YHWH to "bring upon him what he usually brings upon the wicked; that is, an untimely death."[11] "On preposition עִם, this is rightly interpreted by Gunkel, 112, as 'mit gleichem Schicksal wie' [with the same fate as], for which he refers to Gen 18:23; Pss. 28:3; 73:5. The untimely death meant by אסף with its objects נַפְשִׁי and חַיָּי can of course be a violent one, but Ps. 104:29 shows that the words used also allow for a less specific interpretation..."[12]
- We understand the waw of עִם־רְשָׁעִים֮ וְעִם־פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י אָ֥וֶן as an epexegetical waw (with wicked people and with evildoers >> with wicked people, with evildoers). The wicked (רְשָׁעִים֮) and the evildoers (פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י אָ֥וֶן) are most likely co-referential.[13]
- דֹּבְרֵ֣י שָׁ֭לוֹם עִם־רֵֽעֵיהֶ֑ם וְ֝רָעָ֗ה בִּלְבָבָֽם׃ (those who speak peace with their neighbors but [speak] evil in their hearts) is in apposition to עִם־פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י אָ֥וֶן (with evildoers), and it specifies a characteristic of the first member (i.e., evildoers). David's enemies are wicked, evildoers who pretend to care for the well-being of their neighbors, but they secretly wish harm upon them. Thus, the enemies are duplicitous, masking their true intentions with friendly speech.
- בִּלְבָבָֽם (in the heart of them >> in their hearts): In Ps 28:3, the singular לבב (heart) refers to a plurality of hearts; therefore, it is translated in English as "hearts" (so in LXX: ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν "in their hearts." Cf. also Pss 4:5 and 10:17). According to Joüon-Muraoka, Biblical Hebrew has a "tendency to use the singular instead of the plural in a case where several individuals share the same feature, especially a limb (hand, head, heart, mouth), or a voice etc. . . . Jr 32.40 'I will put the fear of me in their heart.' (The plural hearts is rare: 8 x)."[14]
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:3.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:3.
v. 4
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| תֶּן־לָהֶ֣ם כְּפָעֳלָם֮ | 4a | Give to them that which is according to their deeds |
| וּכְרֹ֪עַ מַֽעַלְלֵ֫יהֶ֥ם | 4b | and according to the evil of their practices! |
| כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְ֭דֵיהֶם תֵּ֣ן לָהֶ֑ם | 4c | Give to them that which is according to the work of their hands! |
| הָשֵׁ֖ב גְּמוּלָ֣ם לָהֶֽם׃ | 4d | Repay them their dealings! |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: תֶּן give
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לָ to
Object
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Object
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="that which is according to their deeds">
Preposition
preposition: כְּ according
Object
ConstructChain
noun: פָעֳל deed
suffix-pronoun: ָם them
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="according to the evil of their practices">
Preposition
preposition: כְ according
Object
ConstructChain
noun: רֹעַ evil
noun: מַעַלְלֵי practices
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: תֵּן give
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לָ to
Object
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Object
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="that which is according to the work of their hands">
Preposition
preposition: כְּ according
Object
ConstructChain
noun: מַעֲשֵׂה work
noun: יְדֵי hands
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: הָשֵׁב bring back >> repay
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="their dealings">
noun: גְּמוּל dealings
suffix-pronoun: ָם them
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="them">
Preposition
preposition: לָ to
Object
suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:4.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:4.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:4.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:4.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:4.
v. 5
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֤י לֹ֤א יָבִ֡ינוּ אֶל־פְּעֻלֹּ֣ת יְ֭הוָה | 5a | Since they do not regard the deeds of YHWH |
| וְאֶל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדָ֑יו | 5b | and the work of his hands, |
| יֶ֝הֶרְסֵ֗ם וְלֹ֣א יִבְנֵֽם׃ | 5c | he will tear them down, and he will not build them up. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: יֶהֶרְסֵ he will tear down
Object
suffix-pronoun: ם them
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: יִבְנֵ he will build up
Object
suffix-pronoun: ם them
Adverbial
particle: לֹא not
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: כִּי since
Clause
Predicate
verb: יָבִינוּ they regard
Adverbial
particle: לֹא not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="the deeds of YHWH">
Preposition
preposition: אֶל toward
Object
ConstructChain
noun: פְּעֻלֹּת deeds
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="the work of his hands">
Preposition
preposition: אֶל toward
Object
ConstructChain
noun: מַעֲשֵׂה work
noun: יָדָי hands
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:5.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:5.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:5.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:5.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:5.
v. 6
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| בָּר֥וּךְ יְהוָ֑ה | 6a | Blessed be YHWH! |
| כִּי־שָׁ֝מַע ק֣וֹל תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃ | 6b | For he has heard the sound of my supplications. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Complement
verb-participle: בָּרוּךְ blessed be
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: כִּי for
Clause
Predicate
verb: שָׁמַע he has heard
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the sound of my supplications">
noun: קֹול sound
noun: תַּחֲנוּנָ pleas for mercy >> supplications
suffix-pronoun: י me
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:6.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:6.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:6.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:6.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:6.
v. 7
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| יְהוָ֤ה׀עֻזִּ֥י וּמָגִנִּי֮ | 7a | YHWH is my strength and my shield. |
| בּ֤וֹ בָטַ֥ח לִבִּ֗י וְֽנֶ֫עֱזָ֥רְתִּי | 7b | In him my heart trusted, and I was helped, |
| וַיַּעֲלֹ֥ז לִבִּ֑י | 7c | and my heart exulted, |
| וּֽמִשִּׁירִ֥י אֲהוֹדֶֽנּוּ׃ | 7d | and with my song I will praise him. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
ConstructChain <gloss="my strength">
noun: עֻזּ strength
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
ConstructChain <gloss="my shield">
noun: מָגִנּ shield* >> protection
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my heart">
noun: לִבּ heart
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: בָטַח trusted
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בּ in
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: נֶעֱזָרְתִּי I was helped
Conjunction
conjunction: וַ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my heart">
noun: לִבּ heart
noun: בְּשָׂר flesh <status="alternative emendation">
noun: שְׁאֵר flesh <status="alternative emendation">
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: יַּעֲלֹז exulted
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: אֲהוֹדֶ I will praise
Object
suffix-pronoun: נּוּ him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ out of >> with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my song">
noun: שִּׁיר song
noun: שֹּׁר strength <status="alternative emendation">
noun: שְּׁאֵר flesh <status="alternative emendation">
noun: לִּבּ heart <status="alternative emendation">
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְ with <status="emendation">
Object
ConstructChain
noun: שִׁיר song
suffix-pronoun: יִ me
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:7.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:7.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:7.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:7.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:7.
v. 8
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| יְהוָ֥ה עֹֽז־לְעַמּוֹ | 8a | YHWH is the strength of his people, |
| וּמָ֘ע֤וֹז יְשׁוּע֖וֹת מְשִׁיח֣וֹ הֽוּא׃ | 8b | and he is the saving refuge for his anointed. |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Predicate
verb: is
Complement <gloss="the strength of his people">
noun: עֹז strength
Adjectival <status="emendation">
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="of his people">
Preposition
preposition: לְ to >> of
Object
ConstructChain <status="emendation">
noun: עַמּ people <status="emendation">
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him <status="emendation">
Adjectival <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="their">
Preposition
preposition: לָ to
Object
suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
noun: הוּא he
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
ConstructChain <gloss="the saving refuge for his anointed">
noun: מָעוֹז refuge
noun: יְשׁוּעוֹת salvation
noun: מְשִׁיח anointed
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Notes
Note for v. 8
- *לְעַמּו* (of his people). Instead of following the MT reading לָמוֹ (to them >> their), we follow the reading לְעַמּוֹ (to/of his people), found in the LXX, Peshitta, and some medieval manuscripts. The MT's reading לָמוֹ, which creates difficulties since there is no clear antecedent for the suffix, can be explained as a phonetic spelling variant of לְעַמּוֹ. "At a time when the ayin was not pronounced . . . a scribe copied לעמו as למו."[15] For these reasons, we have rendered Ps 28:8a as, יְהוָ֥ה עֹֽז־לְעַמּוֹ ("YHWH is the strength of his people"). For a full analysis of this line, see exegetical issue The Text of Ps 28:8a. The MT reading (לָמוֹ) and the emendation (לְעַמּוֹ) are represented in the diagram in pink and blue, respectively.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:8.
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No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:8.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:8.
v. 9
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| הוֹשִׁ֤יעָה׀אֶת־עַמֶּ֗ךָ | 9a | Save your people |
| וּבָרֵ֥ךְ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ | 9b | and bless your possession, |
| וּֽרְעֵ֥ם וְ֝נַשְּׂאֵ֗ם עַד־הָעוֹלָֽם׃ | 9c | and shepherd them and carry them forever! |
Preferred
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: הוֹשִׁיעָה save
Object
particle: אֶת d.o.m.
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="your people">
noun: עַמֶּ people
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: בָרֵךְ bless
Object
particle: אֶת d.o.m.
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="your possession">
noun: נַחֲלָתֶ possession* >> YHWH's own people
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: רְעֵ shepherd
Object
suffix-pronoun: ם them
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Subject
Predicate
verb: נַשְּׂאֵ carry* >> care for
Object
suffix-pronoun: ם them
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever">
Preposition
preposition: עַד until
Object
Nominal
article: הָ the
noun: עוֹלָם indefinite duration >> forever
Notes
No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 28:9.
No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 28:9.
No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 28:9.
No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 28:9.
No Textual notes to display for Psalm 28:9.
- ↑ NETS.
- ↑ NETS.
- ↑ Stec 2004, 67.
- ↑ Taylor 2020, 97.
- ↑ NIV.
- ↑ Goldingay 2006, 405-406.
- ↑ Ps 15:2: וְדֹבֵר אֱמֶת בִּלְבָבֹו - "and speaks truth in his heart" ESV.
- ↑ Goldingay 2006, 402, footnote a.
- ↑ ESV, cf. BSB and NASB; Craigie 2004, 236; Jacobson and Tanner 2014, 274; and Ross 2011, 637.
- ↑ Ps 26:9, Layer by Layer.
- ↑ Kwakkel 2002, 129.
- ↑ Kwakkel 2002, 129 - footnote 85.
- ↑ Cf. Ps 111:1 — בְּס֖וֹד יְשָׁרִ֣ים וְעֵדָֽה; cf. also Berry 1915, 211; Mays 1994, 134; Broyles 1999, 148; VanGemeren 2008, 289; etc.
- ↑ Joüon-Muraoka §136l, page 472.
- ↑ McCarter 1986, 55.