Psalm 36 Speech Act

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YHWH's Unending Loyalty

Psalm 36

Guardian: Hunter Bullock

See Full Discourse Layer

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
• Analysis Chart

Summary Visual

Speaker		Verses		Macro Speech Acts		Addressee
David		v. 2 Rebellion’s declaration [speaks] to the wicked in the midst of his heart.		ALERT (OF EVIL) (vv. 2–5) The wicked person does not refuse evil (v. 5). Supporting statements There is no fear of God before the wicked person's eyes (v. 2).		YHWH's people
		v. 3 There is no fear of God before his eyes.
		v. 4 For [Rebellion] has flattered him in his eyes,
		v. 5 that he has found his iniquity and hated it.
		v. 6 The words of his mouth are evil and deceit.		ASSURANCE (OF LOYALTY) (vv. 6–10) YHWH's loyalty is unthreatened. YHWH delivers (v. 7) and shelters his people (v. 8).		YHWH
		v. 7 He has ceased to act wisely and to do good.
		v. 8 He plots evil on his bed.
		v. 9 He remains beside every way that is not good.
		v. 10 He does not refuse evil.
		v. 11 YHWH, your loyalty is in the sky;		REQUEST (FOR CONT. LOYALTY) (vv. 11–12) YHWH will continue his loyalty towards his people (v. 11).
		v. 12 your faithfulness [extends] up to the clouds.
		v. 13 Your justice is like the mighty mountains;		ASSURANCE (OF CONT. LOYALTY) (v. 13) Wicked people have been defeated and no longer pose a threat.		YHWH's people

Speech Act Analysis Chart

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

  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)	Sentence type	Illocution (general)	Illocution with context	Macro speech act		Intended perlocution (Think)	Intended perlocution (Feel)	Intended perlocution (Do)	Speech Act Notes
1	לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ לְעֶֽבֶד־יְהוָ֬ה לְדָוִֽד׃	For the director. By the servant of YHWH — by David.	Superscription
2	נְאֻֽם־פֶּ֣שַׁע לָ֭רָשָׁע בְּקֶ֣רֶב *לִבּוֹ*	Rebellion’s declaration [speaks] to the wicked in the midst of his heart.	Declarative	Assertive	Reporting about Rebellion's declaration to the wicked person.	Alerting YHWH's people about the threat the wicked pose to them.	Assuring YHWH's people that YHWH will continue his devotion towards them.	Listeners will be warned against the dangers of the wicked	Listeners will be indignant at the wicked person's condition	Listeners will turn to YHWH to deliver them from the wicked
	אֵֽין־פַּ֥חַד אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָֽיו׃	There is no fear of God before his eyes.	Declarative	Assertive	Describing the effect Rebellion's declaration has on the wicked person.
3	כִּֽי־הֶחֱלִ֣יק אֵלָ֣יו בְּעֵינָ֑יו	For [Rebellion] has flattered him in his eyes,	Declarative	Assertive	Explaining the event that led to the wicked person not fearing God.
	לִמְצֹ֖א עֲוֺנ֣וֹ לִשְׂנֹֽא׃	that he has found his iniquity and hated it.
4	דִּבְרֵי־פִ֭יו אָ֣וֶן וּמִרְמָ֑ה	The words of his mouth are evil and deceit.	Declarative	Assertive	Providing the effect/result of the wicked person's deception.
	חָדַ֖ל לְהַשְׂכִּ֣יל לְהֵיטִֽיב׃	He has ceased to act wisely and to do good.	Declarative	Assertive	Providing the effect/result of the wicked person's deception.
5	אָ֤וֶן ׀יַחְשֹׁ֗ב עַֽל־מִשְׁכָּ֫ב֥וֹ	He plots evil on his bed.	Declarative	Assertive	Depicting the innermost thoughts and intentions of the wicked person.
	יִ֭תְיַצֵּב עַל־ *כֹּל* דֶּ֣רֶךְ לֹא־ט֑וֹב	He remains beside every way that is not good.	Declarative	Assertive	Depicting the actions and intentions of the wicked person.
	רָ֝֗ע לֹ֣א יִמְאָֽס׃	He does not refuse evil.	Declarative	Assertive	Summarizing the wicked person's evil state.
6	יְ֭הוָה בְּהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ	YHWH, your loyalty is in the sky;	Declarative	Assertive	Stating his confidence in YHWH's unending loyalty.	Assuring YHWH's people that they are safe because of his loyalty.		YHWH will acknowledge the psalmist's praise; Listeners will be reminded of YHWH's character	YHWH will feel compassion for his people; Listeners will be reassured by YHWH's character	YHWH will deliver his people; Listeners will turn to YHWH to deliver them
	אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ עַד־שְׁחָקִֽים׃	your faithfulness [extends] up to the clouds.	Declarative	Assertive	Stating his confidence in YHWH's unending faithfulness.
7	צִדְקָֽתְךָ֨ ׀ כְּֽהַרְרֵי־אֵ֗ל	Your justice is like the mighty mountains;	Declarative	Assertive	Stating his confidence in YHWH's justice.
	מִ֭שְׁפָּטֶךָ תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֑ה	your judgment is [like] the great ocean.	Declarative	Assertive	Stating his confidence in YHWH's judgment.
	אָ֤דָֽם־וּבְהֵמָ֖ה תוֹשִׁ֣יעַ יְהוָֽה׃	You deliver humans and animals, YHWH.	Declarative	Assertive	Extolling the extent of YHWH's deliverance. Stating his confidence in the extent of YHWH's deliverance.
8	מַה־יָּקָ֥ר חַסְדְּךָ֗ אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים	How precious is your loyalty, God!	Interrogative	Expressive	Expressing admiration for the preciousness of YHWH's loyalty.
	וּבְנֵ֥י אָדָ֑ם בְּצֵ֥ל כְּ֝נָפֶ֗יךָ יֶחֱסָיֽוּן׃	Mortals take refuge within the protection of your wings.	Declarative	Assertive	Exemplifying the preciousness and extent of YHWH's devotion.
9	יִ֭רְוְיֻן מִדֶּ֣שֶׁן בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ	They drink to the full from the abundance of your house	Declarative	Assertive	Exemplifying the preciousness and extent of YHWH's devotion.
	וְנַ֖חַל עֲדָנֶ֣יךָ תַשְׁקֵֽם׃	and you give them drink from your delightful stream,	Declarative	Assertive	Exemplifying the preciousness and extent of YHWH's devotion.
10	כִּֽי־עִ֭מְּךָ מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים	because the spring of life is with you.	Declarative	Assertive	Explaining why divine beings and people can "drink" in YHWH's house.
	בְּ֝אוֹרְךָ֗ נִרְאֶה־אֽוֹר׃	By your light we can see light.	Declarative	Assertive	Stating that YHWH's light (favor) allows divine beings and people to see light (experience salvation).
11	מְשֹׁ֣ךְ חַ֭סְדְּךָ לְיֹדְעֶ֑יךָ	Continue your loyalty for those who know you;	Imperative	Directive	Requesting that YHWH continue his loyalty.	Requesting that YHWH continue his loyalty, that is, continue to protect his people.		YHWH will acknowledge his relationship with the psalmist	YHWH will feel a desire to show covenant loyalty towards his people	YHWH will deliver his people from the arrogant ones
	וְ֝צִדְקָֽתְךָ֗ לְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵֽב׃	and [continue] your righteousness for the upright in heart!	Imperative	Directive	Requesting that YHWH continue his righteousness.
12	אַל־תְּ֭בוֹאֵנִי רֶ֣גֶל גַּאֲוָ֑ה	Do not let the foot of the arrogant come against me;	Imperative	Directive	Requesting that YHWH protect him from arrogant people.
	וְיַד־רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים אַל־תְּנִדֵֽנִי׃	and do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away!	Imperative	Directive	Requesting that YHWH protect him from wicked people.
13	שָׁ֣ם נָ֭פְלוּ פֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן	Evildoers have fallen there.	Declarative	Assertive	Reporting the fate of evildoers. Stating his confidence that evildoers have been defeated.	Assuring YHWH's people that YHWH will continue his loyalty.		Listeners will know that God defeats evildoers	Listeners will be reassured that YHWH will defeat evildoers	Listeners will trust in YHWH for deliverance
	דֹּ֝ח֗וּ	They have been thrust down	Declarative	Assertive	Reporting the fate of evildoers. Stating his confidence that evildoers have been defeated.
	וְלֹא־יָ֥כְלוּ קֽוּם׃	and have not been able to stand up.	Declarative	Assertive	Reporting the fate of evildoers. Stating his confidence that evildoers have been defeated.