Psalm 39/Diagrams
v. 1
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ לִֽידוּת֗וּן מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ | v. 1 | For the director. According to Yeduthun. A psalm. By David. |
Macula
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ לִֽידוּת֗וּן מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לַ for
Object
article: ה the <status="elided">
noun: מְנַצֵּחַ director
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לִ according to
Object
noun: ידוּתוּן Yeduthun
Fragment
noun: מִזְמוֹר a psalm
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ by
Object
noun: דָוִד David
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לַ for
Object
article: ה the <status="elided">
noun: מְנַצֵּחַ director
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לִ according to
Object
noun: ידוּתוּן Yeduthun
Fragment
noun: מִזְמוֹר a psalm
Fragment
Nominal
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ by
Object
noun: דָוִד David
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-1-None }}
Textual Notes
Note for v. 1
v. 1 – The spelling of Yeduthun is split between the ketiv ("what is written") ידיתון and the qere ("what is read") לִֽידוּת֗וּן. The same ketiv/qere is found in Psalm 77. The only other Psalm which contains Yeduthun in the superscription (Ps 62) reads, unambiguously, יְדוּת֗וּן (= the qere in Ps 39:1), and so this reading has been preferred.[1] There is one other ketiv/qere concerning the spelling of this name (Neh 11:7), while the other appearances are consistent in their spelling יְדוּתוֹן.[2] On the other hand, the Greek traditions read Ιδιθουν in both the LXX and Revisers, while Jerome transcribes the name as idithun.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 1
v. 1 – The function of לְ on לִֽידוּת֗וּן largely depends how we understand the word יְדוּתוּן. It appears with the preposition עַל in Pss 62 and 77 and appears alongside David as the primary author both here and in Psalm 62, and with Asaph in Psalm 77.[3] Thus, Mowinckel concludes that, in contrast to the other names found in the Psalms superscriptions, "the term 'Jeduthun' ... is not the name of an author nor even the name of a person, but a liturgical technical term."[4] Nevertheless, the lexeme itself is elsewhere only ever used of the Levite musician (see, especially, 1 Chr 16:41–42; 25:1, 3, 6; 2 Chr 5:12; 35:15), so should be translated as a personal name,[5] rather than simply a morphological derivative of the verb "to praise," ידה.[6] See, for example, Targum Psalms' expansion: "by the mouth of Yeduthun,"[7] and Saadia: "The faithful ones from the house of Yedutun the Levite will sing of it in their shifts."[8] At the same time, the variation in prepositions (between לְ and עַל) and Yeduthun's appearance alongside other songwriters is significant. Other functions of עַל in the Psalms' superscriptions refer to either the instrument played or the melody/style.[9] The most plausible interpretation here, then, seems to be "according to [the arrangement] of Yeduthun."
Alternatively, if the reading here was interpreted differently than the two instances of עַל (Pss 62, 77), the לְ preceding Yeduthun could function just as לַמְנַצֵּחַ and be appositionally equated with "the director" here, as the CSB: "For the choir director, for Jeduthun," or even more explicitly, without the לְ explicitly encoded: "For the music director, Jeduthun" (NET).[10]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 2
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶֽשְׁמְרָ֣ה דְרָכַי֮ מֵחֲט֪וֹא בִלְשׁ֫וֹנִ֥י | v. 2a | I decided, "I will guard my ways from sinning with my tongue. |
| אֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה לְפִ֥י מַחְס֑וֹם | v. 2b | I will keep a muzzle for my mouth |
| בְּעֹ֖ד רָשָׁ֣ע לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃ | v. 2c | while the wicked are still in my presence." |
Macula
אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶֽשְׁמְרָ֣ה דְרָכַי֮ מֵחֲט֪וֹא בִלְשׁ֫וֹנִ֥י אֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה לְפִ֥י מַחְס֑וֹם בְּעֹ֖ד רָשָׁ֣ע לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אָמַרְתִּי I decided
Object
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמְרָה I will guard
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my ways">
noun: דְרָכ ways
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מֵ from
Object
Clause
Predicate
verb-infinitive: חֲטוֹא sinning
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my tongue">
noun: לְשׁוֹנ tongue
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction:
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמְרָה I will keep
Object
noun: מַחְסוֹם a muzzle
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ for
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my mouth">
noun: פ mouth
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ while
Object
Clause
Subject
noun: רָשָׁע the wicked
Predicate
verb: are
Adverbial <gloss="in my presence">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְנֶגְדּ before
Object
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
adverb: עֹד still
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אָמַרְתִּי I decided
Object
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמְרָה I will guard
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my ways">
noun: דְרָכ ways
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מֵ from
Object
Clause
Predicate
verb-infinitive: חֲטוֹא sinning
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my tongue">
noun: לְשׁוֹנ tongue
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction:
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמְרָה I will keep
Object
noun: מַחְסוֹם a muzzle
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ for
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my mouth">
noun: פ mouth
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ while
Object
Clause
Subject
noun: רָשָׁע the wicked
Predicate
verb: are
Adverbial <gloss="in my presence">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְנֶגְדּ before
Object
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
adverb: עֹד still
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-2-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 2
v. 2 – Our preferred interpretation is to read מַחְסוֹם as the grammatical object and לְפִי the purpose/goal, as reflected by the NIV: "I will put a muzzle on my mouth" (cf. CJB, NABRE, NET). This requires two slightly different senses of the verb שׁמר in this verse: "guard" in the first instance and "keep" in the second. Alternatively, Aquila and Symmachus render "my mouth" (לְפִי) as the grammatical object, with מַחְסוֹם as an adverbial ("with a muzzle"), to strengthen the parallel between guarding followed by a first-person suffixed noun.[11] A number of modern translations also reflect this syntax: "I will guard my mouth with a muzzle" (CSB; cf. ESV, KJV, NASB, REB). Nevertheless, this syntax would require reading a ל constituent as a direct object, which is not native to Biblical Hebrew of the monarchic period and is unnecessary, since the two senses of שׁמר as guard and keep are well attested in the Bible.[12]
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 2
v. 2 – The compound preposition לְנֶגֶד most often means "in front of, before" (BDB, 617), though in a minority of cases can contain the sense of hostility, "against" (see, e.g., Prov 21:30; Dan 10:13), as the interpretation of both Jerome and the Peshitta here.[13] This ambiguity is perhaps intentional. The latter interpretation, "whenever the wicked confront me" (CJB), could suggest that the wicked person was responsible for David's suffering, though perhaps only as an onlooker and accuser (cf. Ps 22:7–9). The former interpretation, "while the villain was in my presence" (RJPS), indicates the suffering is generalized and not necessarily caused by the wicked person, but clarifies that they serve only as onlookers and mockers who would accuse David of unjust complaint as Job's friends did. The second half of the psalm shows YHWH ultimately to be the decreer of David's suffering, so this interpretation seems preferable.
Note for v. 2
v. 2 – The word מַחְסוֹם ("muzzle," SDBH) only occurs here in the Bible, though it is unambiguously derived from the root √חסם, whose verbal form is used to describe "muzzling an ox" (לֹא־תַחְסֹ֥ם שׁ֖וֹר; Deut 25:4). In later Hebrew, similarly, it is used in the sense of "dam a pool" (Ben Sira 48:17; ויחסום ... מקוה).[14]
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 2
v. 2 – While typically the preposition נֶגֶד (without the lamed) is sufficient to communicate the locative sense of "in front of,"[15] the compound לְנֶגֶד seems to be somewhat interchangeable (see also Pss 16:8; 18:23; 50:8; 54:5; 90:8, among others). Here, indeed, a couple of manuscripts read only נגדי.[16]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
▶
▶
▶
⎯
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 3
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי ד֭וּמִיָּה הֶחֱשֵׁ֣יתִי מִטּ֑וֹב | v. 3a | I was completely mute. I stayed silent without a good result |
| וּכְאֵבִ֥י נֶעְכָּֽר׃ | v. 3b | and my pain was stirred up. |
Macula
נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי ד֭וּמִיָּה הֶחֱשֵׁ֣יתִי מִטּ֑וֹב וּכְאֵבִ֥י נֶעְכָּֽר׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate <gloss="I was completely mute">
verb: נֶאֱלַמְתִּי I was mute
Adverbial
noun: דוּמִיָּה silence
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי I stayed silent
Adverbial <gloss="without a good result">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ without
Object
noun: טּוֹב good
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my pain">
noun: כְאֵב pain
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: נֶעְכָּר was stirred up
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate <gloss="I was completely mute">
verb: נֶאֱלַמְתִּי I was mute
Adverbial
noun: דוּמִיָּה silence
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי I stayed silent
Adverbial <gloss="without a good result">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ without
Object
noun: טּוֹב good
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my pain">
noun: כְאֵב pain
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: נֶעְכָּר was stirred up
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-3-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 3
v. 3 – The niphal עכר only appears here and in Proverbs 15:6: "but the income of the wicked will be ruined" (NET; וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת).[17] There is a marginal note in Ben Sira (B) 37:12 containing יעכר בך "he will be distraught because of you" (cf. LXX: συναλγήσει σοι "he will suffer with you," NETS). The use of this verb in the qal binyan makes clear the contextual domain of well-being (SDBH) and causing trouble. The thin evidence of the niphal in the Bible is compatible, however, with "be disturbed, stirred up" (so Jerome and Symmachus), in light of Mishnaic use, such as found in Menachot 9:5: "R. Yose says: 'Not because of that, but because what is in the liquid measure is stirred up (נֶעְכָּר) while what is in the dry measure is not stirred up (נֶעְכָּר).'"[18]
Note for v. 3
v. 3 – The lexicons suggest glosses along the lines of "to be dumb, to be unable to speak" (SDBH), though here it is the psalmist's choice to stay silent, as reflected in our gloss "stay mute."
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 3
v. 3 – On the diverse interpretations of the prepositional phrase, see the exegetical issue The Meaning of מִטּוֹב in Psalm 39:3.
Note for v. 3
v. 3 – The noun "silence" is apparently functioning as a nominal adverb.[19] In comparison with the bare נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי in v. 10 ("I was silent," NIV), the compound נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי ד֭וּמִיָּה communicates a more extreme effort in silence: "I remained utterly silent" (NIV); cf. "I was completely quiet" (CEB), "I was stone silent" (NET).[20]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
נֶאֱלַמְתִּי
⎯
▶
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 4
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| חַם־לִבִּ֨י ׀ בְּקִרְבִּ֗י | v. 4a | My heart became hot inside me; |
| בַּהֲגִיגִ֥י תִבְעַר־אֵ֑שׁ | v. 4b | when I was sighing a fire would burn. |
| דִּ֝בַּ֗רְתִּי בִּלְשֽׁוֹנִי׃ | v. 4c | I spoke with my tongue: |
Macula
חַם־לִבִּ֨י ׀ בְּקִרְבִּ֗י בַּהֲגִיגִ֥י תִבְעַר־אֵ֑שׁ דִּ֝בַּ֗רְתִּי בִּלְשֽׁוֹנִי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my heart">
noun: לִבּ heart
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: חַם became hot
Adverbial <gloss="inside me">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: קִרְבּ insides
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Subject
noun: אֵשׁ a fire
Predicate
verb: תִבְעַר would burn
Adverbial <gloss="when I was sighing">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: הֲגִיג sighing
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: דִּבַּרְתִּי I spoke
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִּ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my tongue">
noun: לְשׁוֹנ tongue
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my heart">
noun: לִבּ heart
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: חַם became hot
Adverbial <gloss="inside me">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: קִרְבּ insides
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Subject
noun: אֵשׁ a fire
Predicate
verb: תִבְעַר would burn
Adverbial <gloss="when I was sighing">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַּ in
Object
ConstructChain
noun: הֲגִיג sighing
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: דִּבַּרְתִּי I spoke
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִּ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my tongue">
noun: לְשׁוֹנ tongue
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-4-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
No Phrasal notes.
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
תִבְעַר
⟲⟲⟲
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 5
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| הוֹדִ֘יעֵ֤נִי יְהוָ֨ה ׀ קִצִּ֗י | v. 5a | "Teach me, YHWH, my end |
| וּמִדַּ֣ת יָמַ֣י מַה־הִ֑יא | v. 5b | —and the measure of my days, what is it?— |
| אֵ֝דְעָ֗ה מֶה־חָדֵ֥ל אָֽנִי׃ | v. 5c | let me know how frail I am! |
Macula
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ הוֹדִ֘יעֵ֤נִי קִצִּ֗י וּמִדַּ֣ת יָמַ֣י מַה־הִ֑יא אֵ֝דְעָ֗ה מֶה־חָדֵ֥ל אָֽנִי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
Fragment
Vocative
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הוֹדִיעֵ teach
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
SecondObject
Nominal <gloss="my end">
ConstructChain
noun: קִצּ end
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and <status="alternative">
Nominal <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="the measure of my days">
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Nominal
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment
particle: וּ and
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="the measure of my days">
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Nominal
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
pronoun: מַה what
Predicate
verb: הוּא is <status="revocalization">
Complement
ConstructChain
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֵדְעָה let me know
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנִי I
Predicate
verb: am
Complement
adjective: חָדֵל fleeting
adverb: מֶה how
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
Fragment
Vocative
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הוֹדִיעֵ teach
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
SecondObject
Nominal <gloss="my end">
ConstructChain
noun: קִצּ end
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and <status="alternative">
Nominal <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="the measure of my days">
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Nominal
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment
particle: וּ and
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="the measure of my days">
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Nominal
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
pronoun: מַה what
Predicate
verb: הוּא is <status="revocalization">
Complement
ConstructChain
noun: מִדַּת the measure
ConstructChain
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֵדְעָה let me know
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנִי I
Predicate
verb: am
Complement
adjective: חָדֵל fleeting
adverb: מֶה how
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-5-None }}
Textual Notes
Note for v. 5
v. 5 – For the consonants הוא in place of the feminine הִיא, see the manuscripts listed in VTH (vol 4, 338). See the grammar note for the syntactic alternative made possible with the masculine pronoun (read as a so-called pronominal copula).[21]
Note for v. 5
v. 5 – A number of manuscripts (see VTH vol 4, 338; de Rossi Variae Lectionis vol 4, 27) contain a waw conjunction, to create a weyiqtol verb form ואדעה, best read as result or purpose: "so that I will know how short-lived I am" (CSB; cf. the LXX's ἵνα, Jerome's ut and the Peshitta's ܕ). Nevertheless, the MT's yiqtol also reads naturally as as new clause: "let me know how fleeting I am!" (ESV); cf. "May I know...!" (JM §114c).[22]
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 5
v. 5 – Most modern translations treat הִיא as if it were a pronominal copula, such as the ESV: "what is the measure of my days." For this reading, however, we would expect a masculine form (as found in some manuscripts—see the textual note). Rather, מִדַּ֣ת יָמַ֣י is best understood as left-dislocated and הִיא as the predicate, as illustrated by the KJV: "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is."
Note for v. 5
Our preferred interpretation is to read the second clause ("The measure of my days, what is it?") as an independent clause, as illustrated by the CEB: "Let me know my end, Lord. How many days do I have left?" Alternatively, one could understand it as further content of what David requests YHWH show him, as reflected in the ESV: "make me know my end and what is the measure of my days." The parallel uses of the verb ידע in the first clause (הוֹדִ֘יעֵ֤נִי "teach me") and third clause (אֵ֝דְעָ֗ה "let me know") indicate the parenthetical nature of this clause on a lexical level. Furthermore, as argued in Atkinson 2025,[23] independent illocutionary force of the clause or sentence in question is central to identifying parenthetical statements. In the present case, the first and third lines have the illocutionary force of imperative, while the intervening clause is an interrogative.[24]
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 5
v. 5 – This is one of only two instances of the adjective חָדֵל in the Bible,[25] along with Isaiah 53:3: נִבְזֶה֙ וַחֲדַ֣ל אִישִׁ֔ים "He was despised and [ceased by ➞] rejected by men" (ESV). Nevertheless, it is unambiguously related to the common verbal root √חדל, "to cease," so the adjective "ceasing" ➞ "transient" is highly plausible.[26] Targum Psalms' paraphrase brings this sense out helpfully: "when I shall cease from the world" (אימתי אפסוק מן עלמא).[27]
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 5
v. 5 – The construct phrase "the measure of my days" communicates the quantity of an entity, such as, for example, "the number of his months" (מִֽסְפַּר־חֳדָשָׁ֥יו) in Job 14:5. The LXX has interpreted this phrase as "the number of my days" (τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἡμερῶν μου), as followed by some modern translations (see, e.g., the NIV, REB, among others). In this sense, it serves to denote the whole of the part-whole entity of the psalmist's life (see Croft 2022, 112), in analogy to other numeral quantifiers (Croft 2022, 106): "the measure of my days" ➞ "the total of my days."
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
⎯
▶
▶
⎯
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 6
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| הִנֵּ֤ה טְפָח֨וֹת ׀ נָ֘תַ֤תָּה יָמַ֗י | v. 6a | Look, you have set my days as handbreadths |
| וְחֶלְדִּ֣י כְאַ֣יִן נֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ | v. 6b | and my lifetime is like nothing before you." |
| אַ֥ךְ כָּֽל־הֶ֥בֶל כָּל־אָ֝דָ֗ם נִצָּ֥ב סֶֽלָה׃ | v. 6c | Truly, everyone is a breath, every person "standing firm." Selah. |
Macula
הִנֵּ֤ה טְפָח֨וֹת ׀ נָ֘תַ֤תָּה יָמַ֗י וְחֶלְדִּ֣י כְאַ֣יִן נֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ אַ֥ךְ כָּֽל־הֶ֥בֶל כָּל־אָ֝דָ֗ם נִצָּ֥ב סֶֽלָה׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
Fragment
particle: הִנֵּה look
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: נָתַתָּה you have set
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my days">
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
SecondObject
noun: טְפָחוֹת handbreadths
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my lifetime">
noun: חֶלְדּ lifetime
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: is
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: נֶגְדֶּ before
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Complement
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְ like
Object
noun: אַיִן nothing
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב standing firm
Nominal
quantifier: כָּל everyone
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
Fragment
particle: סֶלָה Selah
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
Fragment
particle: הִנֵּה look
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: נָתַתָּה you have set
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my days">
noun: יָמ days
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
SecondObject
noun: טְפָחוֹת handbreadths
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my lifetime">
noun: חֶלְדּ lifetime
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: is
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: נֶגְדֶּ before
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Complement
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְ like
Object
noun: אַיִן nothing
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב standing firm
Nominal
quantifier: כָּל everyone
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
Fragment
particle: סֶלָה Selah
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-6-None }}
Textual Notes
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – For the absence of the first כָּֽל see the manuscripts listed in VTH (vol 4, 338) and de Rossi (Variae Lectionis vol 4, 27). Further, in the Babylonian tradition, it does not appear in the main text of any of the extant manuscripts.[28] The Peshitta possibly read כְּהֶבֶל for כָּֽל־הֶ֥בֶל and Symmachus perhaps read כִּי (γὰρ). Nevertheless, it may have been omitted in other witnesses due to the difficulty of the syntax, or in harmonization with אַ֤ךְ הֶ֖בֶל כָּל־אָדָ֣ם סֶֽלָה in v. 12. In any case, the presence in the LXX, Jerome and Targum Psalms provide strong support for its originality. For our preferred syntactic interpretation, see the grammar notes.
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – For other examples of the so-called particle of non-existence functions as a noun, nothing,[29] see also Isaiah 40:17; 41:11; Haggai 2:3.
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – The form נִצָּ֥ב could be parsed as either a participle or a qatal verb. In the former case, supported, for example, by the participles in the LXX and Jerome,[30] it modifies the grammatical subject, "every person," as reflected by NASB, "Certainly all mankind standing is a mere breath," and NET, "even those who seem secure."[31]
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – The syntax of the final clause of this verse is difficult. For evidence of the absence of כָּֽל among manuscript traditions, see the textual note. In light of its inclusion, however, we prefer to read כָּֽל as the grammatical subject and הֶ֥בֶל as the predicate, with כָּל־אָ֝דָ֗ם נִצָּ֥ב right-dislocated, as represented by the NIV: "Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure."[32] Admittedly, this interpretation runs counter to the suggestion of the accents. Another possible difficulty with this interpretation is the lack of the article on כָּֽל, as found in most analogous passages, especially, for example, Ecclesiastes 1:2: הַכֹּ֥ל הָֽבֶל (cf. Pss 14:3, 119:91, among others). Nevertheless, we do find precedent for כָּֽל as the absolute "everyone" or "everything" lacking the article in Isaiah 44:24, אָנֹכִ֤י יְהוָה֙ עֹ֣שֶׂה כֹּ֔ל ("I am the Lord, who made all things," ESV); Jeremiah 44:12, וְתַ֨מּוּ כֹ֜ל ("and they shall all be consumed," ESV); Job 13:1, הֶן־כֹּ֖ל רָאֲתָ֣ה עֵינִ֑י ("Behold, my eye has seen all this," ESV); and Job 42:2, יָ֭דַעְתִּי כִּי־כֹ֣ל תּוּכָ֑ל ("I know you can do all things," ESV). Our preferred reading is also consistent with the clearer syntax of v. 12 (cf. Ps 62:10, אַ֤ךְ׀ הֶ֥בֶל בְּנֵֽי־אָדָם֮).
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – This is a unique form of טְפָח֨וֹת in the Bible,[33] though is undoubtedly related to the more common terms טֶ֫פַח and טֹ֫פַח, both meaning "handbreadth."
Phrase-Level Notes
No Phrasal notes.
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
⎯
▶
⎯
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
Alternatives
(Alternative); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב standing
Predicate
verb: is
adverb: כָּל completely
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל vanity
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב is
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל vanity
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: נִצָּב standing
Adverbial
noun: הֶבֶל as a breath
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: נִצָּב standing
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
Object
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב standing
Predicate
verb: is
adverb: כָּל completely
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל vanity
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Adjectival
verb-participle: נִצָּב is
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל vanity
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: נִצָּב standing
Adverbial
noun: הֶבֶל as a breath
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: נִצָּב standing
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
Object
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-6-Alternatives }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 6
v. 6 – With the inclusion of the textually-contested כָּֽל, the other syntactic alternatives involve reading כָּֽל as adverbial, such as the KJV: "every man at his best state is altogether vanity."[34] Most modern translations do not render the כָּֽל in their translations.[35] In its absence, we present the possible interpretations of הֶ֥בֶל as either an adverbial or the predicate, depending how the form נִצָּ֥ב is parsed (see the note on this form). The adverbial alternative may also be represented by the prepositional phrase, כְּהֶבֶל, emending כָּֽל־הֶ֥בֶל.[36]
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
No Phrasal notes.
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
⎯
▶
⎯
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 7
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| אַךְ־בְּצֶ֤לֶם ׀ יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־אִ֗ישׁ | v. 7a | Truly, humanity walks around as a shadow |
| אַךְ־הֶ֥בֶל יֶהֱמָי֑וּן | v. 7b | —people labor restlessly, but only in vain— |
| יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר וְֽלֹא־יֵדַ֥ע מִי־אֹסְפָֽם׃ | v. 7c | they heap up, though they do not know who is about to gather it. |
Macula
אַךְ־בְּצֶ֤לֶם ׀ יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־אִ֗ישׁ אַךְ־הֶ֥בֶל יֶהֱמָי֑וּן יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר וְֽלֹא־יֵדַ֥ע מִי־אֹסְפָֽם׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אִישׁ humanity
Predicate
verb: יִתְהַלֶּךְ walks around
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ as
Object
noun: צֶלֶם an image >> silhouette >> shadow
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: יֶהֱמָיוּן people labor restlessly
Adverbial
noun: הֶבֶל in vain
Fragment <gloss="they heap up, though they do not know who is about to gather it">
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: יִצְבֹּר they heap up
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ though
Clause
Predicate
verb: יֵדַע they know
adverb: לֹא not
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: מִי who
Predicate
verb-participle: אֹסְפ gathers
Object
suffix-pronoun: ָם them >> it
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אִישׁ humanity
Predicate
verb: יִתְהַלֶּךְ walks around
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ as
Object
noun: צֶלֶם an image >> silhouette >> shadow
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: יֶהֱמָיוּן people labor restlessly
Adverbial
noun: הֶבֶל in vain
Fragment <gloss="they heap up, though they do not know who is about to gather it">
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: יִצְבֹּר they heap up
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ though
Clause
Predicate
verb: יֵדַע they know
adverb: לֹא not
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: מִי who
Predicate
verb-participle: אֹסְפ gathers
Object
suffix-pronoun: ָם them >> it
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-7-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 7
Translations vary in their interpretation of יֶהֱמָי֑וּן.[37] The next clause clarifies, however, that the business of gathering material wealth is most likely in view, so we have preferred the gloss labor restlessly, which similar to "be restless" (HALOT), rather than "be in a tumult" (DCH), "commotion" (BDB), or "uproar" (SDBH).[38]
Note for v. 7
v. 7 – HALOT suggests the use of צֶלֶם both here and in Psalm 73:20 should be considered a homophonous root to the more common sense of "image." Nevertheless, it is conceivable that a semantic extension is to be found from the image produced by a shadow, lacking the essence of reality, as indicated on the glosses of our grammatical diagram.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 7
v. 7 – The בְּ in בְּצֶ֤לֶם functions as the somewhat uncommon beth essentiae,[39] that is, "in the role/capacity of x" ➞ "as x."[40] See, for example, "Everyone walks about as a mere shadow" (RJPS; cf. ESV, NIV). This rare function could have been employed here to provide an intentional ambiguity with the apparently simpler sense of "in an image" (see the lexical note). This ambiguity provides an allusion to Genesis 1:26–27,[41] along with "Adam" (אָדָם; vv. 6, 12) and "Abel" (הֶבֶל; vv. 6, 7, 12), as discussed in the poetic feature, Abel, Adam, and Image.
Note for v. 7
v. 7 – The verb צבר is used to describe heaping up grain (Gen 41:35, 49), silver (Zech 9:3; Job 27:16) and silver and gold (Ben Sira 47:18).[42] In the present clause, its object is dropped, but provided after the participle "gathering them" (אֹסְפָֽם).[43]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
יִתְהַלֶּךְ
⟲⟲⟲
▶
יֶהֱמָיוּן
⟲⟲⟲
▶
יִצְבֹּר
⟲⟲⟲
▶
יֵדַע
⎯
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 8
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| וְעַתָּ֣ה מַה־קִּוִּ֣יתִי אֲדֹנָ֑י | v. 8a | But now, what am I looking for, Lord? |
| תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י לְךָ֣ הִֽיא׃ | v. 8b | My hope, it is in you. |
Macula
וְעַתָּ֣ה מַה־קִּוִּ֣יתִי אֲדֹנָ֑י תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י לְךָ֣ הִֽיא׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
Fragment
particle: וְעַתָּה But now
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: קִּוִּיתִי I am looking for
Object
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment
Vocative
noun: אֲדֹנָי Lord
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="my hope">
noun: תּוֹחַלְתּ hope
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ in
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
Fragment
particle: וְעַתָּה But now
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: קִּוִּיתִי I am looking for
Object
pronoun: מַה what
Fragment
Vocative
noun: אֲדֹנָי Lord
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="my hope">
noun: תּוֹחַלְתּ hope
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
pronoun: הִיא it
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ in
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-8-None }}
Textual Notes
Note for v. 8
v. 8 – A couple of manuscripts contain הוא in place of the feminine הִיא (see the manuscripts listed in VTH vol 4, 339). Just as in v. 5 above, הוא would, in this case, be read as a so-called pronominal copula, rather than the left-dislocation of the preferred text. The textual evidence otherwise is much weaker in this instance, however, so has not warranted an alternative diagram.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 8
v. 8 – On the לְ as the object of "hope" in the phrase תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י לְךָ֣, see also the verbal form of the same root (יחל): "On you, Lord, I fix my hope" כִּֽי־לְךָ֣ יְהוָ֣ה הוֹחָ֑לְתִּי (Ps 38:16, REB; cf. Ps 31:25; 33:22).
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
קִּוִּיתִי
⎯
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 9
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| מִכָּל־פְּשָׁעַ֥י הַצִּילֵ֑נִי | v. 9a | Rescue me from all my offenses; |
| חֶרְפַּ֥ת נָ֝בָ֗ל אַל־תְּשִׂימֵֽנִי׃ | v. 9b | do not make me a fool's object of scorn. |
Macula
מִכָּל־פְּשָׁעַ֥י הַצִּילֵ֑נִי חֶרְפַּ֥ת נָ֝בָ֗ל אַל־תְּשִׂימֵֽנִי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הַצִּילֵ rescue
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ from
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="all my offenses">
Nominal
quantifier: כָּל all
noun: פְּשָׁע offenses
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: תְּשִׂימֵ make
adverb: אַל do not
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
SecondObject
ConstructChain
noun: חֶרְפַּת object of scorn
noun: נָבָל fool
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הַצִּילֵ rescue
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ from
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="all my offenses">
Nominal
quantifier: כָּל all
noun: פְּשָׁע offenses
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: תְּשִׂימֵ make
adverb: אַל do not
Object
suffix-pronoun: נִי me
SecondObject
ConstructChain
noun: חֶרְפַּת object of scorn
noun: נָבָל fool
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-9-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 9
v. 9 – As in most instances of חֶרְפָּה as a construct head, the dependent noun is the agent of the scorning (cf. Ps 22:7).[44]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 10
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶפְתַּח־פִּ֑י | v. 10a | I was mute. I would not open my mouth, |
| כִּ֖י אַתָּ֣ה עָשִֽׂיתָ׃ | v. 10b | because it was you who acted. |
Macula
נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶפְתַּח־פִּ֑י כִּ֖י אַתָּ֣ה עָשִֽׂיתָ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: נֶאֱלַמְתִּי I was mute
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶפְתַּח I would open
adverb: לֹא not
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my mouth">
noun: פּ mouth
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: כִּי because
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אַתָּה you
Predicate
verb: עָשִׂיתָ acted
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: נֶאֱלַמְתִּי I was mute
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶפְתַּח I would open
adverb: לֹא not
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my mouth">
noun: פּ mouth
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: כִּי because
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אַתָּה you
Predicate
verb: עָשִׂיתָ acted
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-10-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
No Phrasal notes.
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
אֶפְתַּח
⟲⟲⟲
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 11
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| הָסֵ֣ר מֵעָלַ֣י נִגְעֶ֑ךָ | v. 11a | Take your affliction away from me; |
| מִתִּגְרַ֥ת יָ֝דְךָ֗ אֲנִ֣י כָלִֽיתִי׃ | v. 11b | because of the hostility of your hand I have wasted away. |
Macula
הָסֵ֣ר מֵעָלַ֣י נִגְעֶ֑ךָ מִתִּגְרַ֥ת יָ֝דְךָ֗ אֲנִ֣י כָלִֽיתִי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הָסֵר take away
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="your affliction">
noun: נִגְעֶ assault >> affliction
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מֵעָל from upon >> from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אֲנִי I
Predicate
verb: כָלִיתִי have wasted away
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ because of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the hostility of your hand">
noun: תִּגְרַת hostility
ConstructChain
noun: יָדְ hand
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: הָסֵר take away
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="your affliction">
noun: נִגְעֶ assault >> affliction
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מֵעָל from upon >> from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ַי me
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אֲנִי I
Predicate
verb: כָלִיתִי have wasted away
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִ because of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the hostility of your hand">
noun: תִּגְרַת hostility
ConstructChain
noun: יָדְ hand
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-11-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 11
v. 11 – As made clear in the following clause and verse, YHWH's hand is against the psalmist in hostility (v. 11b), and he disciplines people with punishments on account of sin (v. 12a). It is likely that the psalmist is suffering illness (see v. 11b and the alleviation of such in v. 14a; cf. Job 7:17–21) caused by his wrongdoing (v. 9). It is in this sense that only YHWH can remove the affliction (נֶגַע, from the root נגע, "to hit/strike") being experienced by the psalmist.[45]
Note for v. 11
v. 11 – The qatal כלה communicates "literally: to be finished; hence: = process by which humans feel physically weak as a result of hardship or a deeply felt wish for something to happen" (SDBH).
Note for v. 11
v. 11 – The noun תִּגְרָה only occurs here in the Bible. Lexicons have defined the word as "blow" (SDBH), "attack" (Angriff; Gesenius 2013, 1425), "hostility" (DCH) and "contention, strife" (BDB). It may be that some of these suggestions are influenced by the verbal root √גרה: piel "stir up strife" and hithpael "engage in strife" (BDB). Others may simply be guessing based on the ancient versions, such as Jerome's contentio "exertion,"[46] or the Aramaic תִּגְרָא "strife, contest, complaint."[47] The gloss "hostility" for this singular noun seems to be flexible enough to account for physical attacks (as clearly in the previous clause) as well as different forms of strife or contention in general.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 11
v. 11 – See Mena (2012, 107) for a full description of the compound preposition מֵעַל "from upon." Whereas עַל does not require direct contact between the figure (trajector) and ground (landmark), in the sense of over or above, the "From Upon Sense" requires this contact and in the present instance communicates alleviation and movement away from "me."
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 12
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת עַל־עָוֺ֨ן ׀ יִסַּ֬רְתָּ אִ֗ישׁ | v. 12a | You have disciplined humanity with punishments on account of sin |
| וַתֶּ֣מֶס כָּעָ֣שׁ חֲמוּד֑וֹ | v. 12b | and like a moth you have caused their desirable things to disintegrate. |
| אַ֤ךְ הֶ֖בֶל כָּל־אָדָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃ | v. 12c | Truly, every person is a breath. Selah. |
Macula
בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת עַל־עָוֺ֨ן ׀ יִסַּ֬רְתָּ אִ֗ישׁ וַתֶּ֣מֶס כָּעָ֣שׁ חֲמוּד֑וֹ אַ֤ךְ הֶ֖בֶל כָּל־אָדָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: יִסַּרְתָּ you have disciplined
Object
noun: אִישׁ humanity
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ with
Object
noun: תוֹכָחוֹת punishments
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עַל on account of
Object
noun: עָוֺן sin
Conjunction
conjunction: וַ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: תֶּמֶס you have melted >> you have caused to disintegrate
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="their desirable things">
noun: חֲמוּד desirable things
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him >> them
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כָּ like
Object
noun: עָשׁ a moth
article: ה <status="elided">
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
adjective: אַךְ only <status="alternative">
Fragment
particle: סֶלָה Selah
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: יִסַּרְתָּ you have disciplined
Object
noun: אִישׁ humanity
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ with
Object
noun: תוֹכָחוֹת punishments
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עַל on account of
Object
noun: עָוֺן sin
Conjunction
conjunction: וַ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: תֶּמֶס you have melted >> you have caused to disintegrate
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="their desirable things">
noun: חֲמוּד desirable things
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him >> them
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כָּ like
Object
noun: עָשׁ a moth
article: ה <status="elided">
Fragment
particle: אַךְ truly
Fragment
Clause
Subject
Nominal
noun: אָדָם person
quantifier: כָּל every
Predicate
verb: is
Complement
noun: הֶבֶל a breath
adjective: אַךְ only <status="alternative">
Fragment
particle: סֶלָה Selah
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-12-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 12
v. 12 – It is preferable to read the particle אַ֤ךְ as a polarity discourse marker, as it functions in vv. 6–7, such that it "confirms possible implications of a preceding assertion" (BHRG §40.8.3). Nevertheless, it is also possible to interpret it as a restrictive focus particle, modifying הֶ֖בֶל, as reflected in the HCSB: "every man is only a vapor" and visualized on the diagram's alternative.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 12
v. 12 – The verb מסה is unique here in diverging slightly from its basic sense of "melt," with the clausal object "desirables" and modifer "like a moth." Thus, the intention seems to be "consume" (SDBH),[48] in similar manner to "dissolve."[49] The gloss "cause to disintegrate" (DCH) is a graphic representation of the transience of a person's goods (cf. v. 7).
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 12
v. 12 – The article on כָּעָ֣שׁ should be understood as indicating a class, as illustrated by some Spanish and French versions: "Como la polilla, consumes lo que es más precioso para él" (LBLA); "tu détruis comme la teigne ce qu’il a de plus cher" (SG21).[50]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
▶
⎯
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 13
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־תְפִלָּתִ֨י ׀ יְהוָ֡ה | v. 13a | Hear my prayer, YHWH, |
| וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י ׀ הַאֲזִינָה֮ | v. 13b | and listen to my cry for help. |
| אֶֽל־דִּמְעָתִ֗י אַֽל־תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ | v. 13c | Do not keep silent at my weeping, |
| כִּ֤י גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ | v. 13d | because I am a sojourner with you, |
| תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב כְּכָל־אֲבוֹתָֽי׃ | v. 13e | [I am] a temporary resident, like all of my ancestors. |
Macula
שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־תְפִלָּתִ֨י ׀ יְהוָ֡ה וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י ׀ הַאֲזִינָה֮ אֶֽל־דִּמְעָתִ֗י אַֽל־תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ כִּ֤י גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב כְּכָל־אֲבוֹתָֽי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
Fragment
Vocative
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שִׁמְעָה hear
Object
Nominal <gloss="my prayer">
ConstructChain
noun: תְפִלָּת prayer
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and <status="alternative">
Nominal <status="alternative">
ConstructChain
noun: שַׁוְעָת cry for help
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: הַאֲזִינָה listen to
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my cry for help">
noun: שַׁוְעָת cry for help
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֶל to
Object
ConstructChain
noun: דִּמְעָת tear
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: תֶּחֱרַשׁ keep silent
adverb: אַל do not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֶל at
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my weeping">
noun: דִּמְעָת tear >> weeping
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
particle: כִּי because
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנֹכִי I
Predicate
verb: am
Complement
Nominal
noun: גֵר a sojourner
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמָּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךְ you
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנֹכִי I <status="elided">
Predicate
verb: am
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְּ like
Object
Nominal <gloss="all my ancestors">
ConstructChain
Nominal
quantifier: כָל all
noun: אֲבוֹת ancestors
suffix-pronoun: ָי me
Complement
Nominal
noun: תּוֹשָׁב a temporary resident
DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
Fragment
Vocative
noun: יְהוָה YHWH
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שִׁמְעָה hear
Object
Nominal <gloss="my prayer">
ConstructChain
noun: תְפִלָּת prayer
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and <status="alternative">
Nominal <status="alternative">
ConstructChain
noun: שַׁוְעָת cry for help
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: הַאֲזִינָה listen to
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my cry for help">
noun: שַׁוְעָת cry for help
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Adverbial <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֶל to
Object
ConstructChain
noun: דִּמְעָת tear
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: תֶּחֱרַשׁ keep silent
adverb: אַל do not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: אֶל at
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my weeping">
noun: דִּמְעָת tear >> weeping
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Fragment
particle: כִּי because
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנֹכִי I
Predicate
verb: am
Complement
Nominal
noun: גֵר a sojourner
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמָּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: ךְ you
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנֹכִי I <status="elided">
Predicate
verb: am
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: כְּ like
Object
Nominal <gloss="all my ancestors">
ConstructChain
Nominal
quantifier: כָל all
noun: אֲבוֹת ancestors
suffix-pronoun: ָי me
Complement
Nominal
noun: תּוֹשָׁב a temporary resident
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-13-None }}
Textual Notes
No Textual notes.
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 13
v. 13 – The alternatives of the compound object and reading הַאֲזִינָה֮ אֶֽל־דִּמְעָתִ֗י as a grammatical clause is reflected in the Peshitta and the syntax suggested by the line divisions of Greek codices Sinaiticus and Vaticanus.[51] The TOB is illustrative of such an interpretation: "Ecoute ma prière, SEIGNEUR, et mon cri ; prête l'oreille à mes larmes, ne reste pas sourd."
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes.
Phrase-Level Notes
Note for v. 13
v. 13 – The sense of the prepositional phrase עִמָּ֑ךְ "with you" is not altogether obvious in the phrase גֵ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י עִמָּ֑ךְ. It may be as simple as "in your presence," that is, "before you,"[52] as found in the similar expression in 1 Chronicles 29:15.[53] On the other hand, it is possible that this preposition suggests an elided verbal idea, such as "be a sojourner [and live] with you,"[54] as reflected in the NIV: "I dwell with you as a foreigner," or "be a sojourner [and not have any rights] with you."[55] The frame of land as a home is also possibly activated, as reflected in "I’m just a foreigner— an immigrant staying with you" (CEB) and "un étranger chez toi" (SG21). In any case, "the expression suggests closeness to God."[56]
Note for v. 13
v. 13 – This the only place in the Bible where the preposition אֶל accompanies the verb חרשׁ, "be silent."[57] The closest parallel we have is מִן in Psalm 28:1 אַֽל־תֶּחֱרַ֪שׁ מִ֫מֶּ֥נִּי "do not be deaf to me." Nevertheless, it is plausible that the sense of אֶל belongs to the following established function: "The landmark y may be the goal of an act of observation or that of an emotional process,"[58] that is, toward. Compare, for example, 1 Kings 8:29: לִהְיוֹת֩ עֵינֶ֨ךָ פְתֻח֜וֹת אֶל־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ "that your eyes may be open toward this house." In the present instance, modern translations typically employ either to or at, that is, in the presence of,[59] as illustrated by the NIV and CSB, respectively: "do not be deaf to my weeping" (NIV); "do not be silent at my tears" (CSB).[60]
Verbal Notes
Preliminary analysis
▶
▶
▶
⎯
▶
⎯
▶
No Verbal notes.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 14
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| הֶשַׁ֣ע מִמֶּ֣נִּי וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה | v. 14a | Look away from me so that I may recover, |
| בְּטֶ֖רֶם אֵלֵ֣ךְ וְאֵינֶֽנִּי׃ | v. 14b | before I pass away and am no more. |
Macula
הֶשַׁ֣ע מִמֶּ֣נִּי וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה בְּטֶ֖רֶם אֵלֵ֣ךְ וְאֵינֶֽנִּי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הֶשַׁע look away <status="revocalization">
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ so that
Clause
Predicate
verb: אַבְלִיגָה I may brighten up >> I may recover
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: בְּטֶרֶם before
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֵלֵךְ I go >> I pass away
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate <gloss="I am no more">
verb: אֵינ there is not
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנִּי me
DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הֶשַׁע look away <status="revocalization">
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ so that
Clause
Predicate
verb: אַבְלִיגָה I may brighten up >> I may recover
SubordinateClause
Conjunction
conjunction: בְּטֶרֶם before
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֵלֵךְ I go >> I pass away
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate <gloss="I am no more">
verb: אֵינ there is not
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנִּי me
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-14-None }}
Textual Notes
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 14
v. 14 – The verb בלג only occurs here and in Amos 5:9, Job 9:27 and 10:20. The use in Amos 5:9 is slightly distinct, however: "who makes destruction flash forth (הַמַּבְלִ֥יג) against the strong" (ESV). The lexical domain of "shine," however, is compatible with the restoration of health and joy throughout the Bible and in the ancient Near East in general. Thus, both our example here and the other two instances in Job carry the sense of "shine" ➞ "brighten up,"[61] that is, "recover."[62]
Note for v. 14
v. 14 – All of the modern translations consulted and the majority of ancient versions interpret the MT's form הָשַׁ֣ע as "to look away (from someone), to leave alone,"[63] that is, from the root שׁעה. Although many have suggested that the form is "surely a slip of the pen for שְׁעֵה,"[64] there is no manuscript evidence of this whatsoever and the suggested emendation is highly implausible, requiring the mistaken placement of ה at the beginning of the word instead of the end (that is, שעה erroneously copied as השע).
On the other hand, it has been noted that morphologically the MT's הָשַׁ֣ע "could only be imperative Hiphʿîl of שָׁעַע (=smear over)."[65] Nevertheless, it is possible to interpret the MT's consonants as a short imperative of the hiphil שׁעה,[66] just as other III-י hiphil imperatives that lose their final he,[67] such as הֶרֶף (see Ps 37:8 among others) and הֶרֶב (see Judg 20:38 and the qere in Ps 51:4). This suggestion has two difficulties: (1) it requires the revocalization to הֶשַׁע,[68] and (2) it requires the same sense of the verb שׁעה in both the qal stem (see, e.g., Isa 22:4; Job 7:19; 14:6) and this unique hiphil instance.[69] Since, however, this reading honors the consonantal text of the MT and reflects the majority of the ancient versions, we find it to be the most plausible, despite its difficulties.
Phrase-Level Notes
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Verbal Notes
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Alternative
(Alternative); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הָשַׁע smear over >> cover
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ me
Object <status="elided">
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noun: עֵינֶי eyes
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
Fragment <status="alternative">
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: הָשַׁע smear over >> cover
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: מִמּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ me
Object <status="elided">
ConstructChain
noun: עֵינֶי eyes
suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=39|DiagramID=v-14-Alternative }}
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Grammar Notes
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Lexical Notes
Note for v. 14
v. 14 – The alternative diagram here represents the apparently face-value reading of the MT's הָשַׁ֣ע, from the verb שׁעע, "to smear over."[70] Compare, for example, Isaiah 6:10: "and blind their eyes (וְעֵינָ֣יו הָשַׁ֑ע); lest they see with their eyes" (ESV), suggesting the elision of "eyes" in the present passage.[71]
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References
- ↑ The Babylonian tradition also reflects the qere either in the consonantal text, or indicated as the qere (e.g., ms BL Or 2373).
- ↑ An exception is יְדִיתוּן in 1 Chr 16:38, but see יְדוּתוֹן in 1 Chr 9:16; 16;41, 42; 25:1; 3, 6; 2 Chr 5:12; 29:14; 35:15.
- ↑ The לְ is translated ὑπέρ by the Greek Revisers here, while the עַל of Pss 62 and 77 are translated δία (Symmachus), περί, and ἐπί (Aquila in Pss 62, 77, respectively). The LXX has ὑπέρ in the other two psalms, though τῷ Ιδιθουν here.
- ↑ Mowinckel 1962:II, 95.
- ↑ Gauthier 2014, 133.
- ↑ See HALOT, 389.
- ↑ על פומיה יידותון.
- ↑ יסבח בה אלמואט׳בין מן אל ידותון אלליואני (Qafaḥ 1965, 118).
- ↑ Mena 2012, 106.
- ↑ See Botha 2017, 242; Böhler 2021, 707.
- ↑ These ancient versions read φυλάξω τὸ στόμα μου φιμῷ. It is also possible to interpret Targum Psalms (אנטור לפומי זממא) in this way, following Aramaic syntax of ל as a marker of the direct object. Alternatively, the Targum may be following the MT's syntax isomorphically and should, therefore, be interpreted in the same manner as the Hebrew text.
- ↑ Some (BHS) have suggested the emendation אָשִׂימָה to reflect the LXX's ἐθέμην τῷ στόματί μου φυλακὴν. Nevertheless, it is likely that "the translator maneuvered around the (presumably) unknown hapax by representing the text differently, though still within the contextual sense of the prayer" (Gauthier 2014, 142)—compare, for example, θοῦ, κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου in Psalm 140(141):3.
- ↑ contra me, ܠܘܩܒܠܝ.
- ↑ Cf. the Phoenician cognate מחסם as an "implement to close lips, bridle" (Hoftijzer and Jongeling 1995, 614).
- ↑ Hardy 2022, 95–97.
- ↑ See Kennicott 38, 43.
- ↑ This rare word did not seem to be recognized by the translator of Targum Psalms, who translates as ממרטיט "pluck out" (Sokoloff 2017, 364; "pluck open" Stec 2004, 84), with the implication that "the pain" is becoming worse, which fits contextually. The LXX provides "was renewed" (ἀνεκαινίσθη; cf. the Peshitta), though Symmachus uses the verb ἀναταράσσω, "stir up" (cf. Jerome's conturbatus est, "is disturbed").
- ↑ Oxford Annotated Mishnah: vol. III, 98.
- ↑ The ancient versions did not seem to recognize this function, with the LXX, Peshitta and Targum Psalms providing a second finite verb, which is quite incompatible with the morphology of ד֭וּמִיָּה.
- ↑ Other interpretations of this nominal adverb, such as "I was dumb with silence" (KJV), are less plausible.
- ↑ Joüon-Muraoka (§154i) erroneously list this example as a rare feminine singular example of the pronominal copula.
- ↑ The same result/purpose interpretation is also possible here even with the lack of waw, as is common in poetry (Brockelmann 1956, §176c).
- ↑ Atkinson 2025, 3–7, following Koev 2022.
- ↑ Although explicit coordination, as the "and" at the beginning of the second line of this verse, is not present in prototypical parenthetical statements, it is indeed attested among the broad category of parentheticals in general, albeit more peripheral instantiations (see Atkinson 2025, 6; cf. Ezek 21:18; 28:2, 9; Ps 95:5; 109:4; 139:19).
- ↑ Some manuscripts of Ps 89:48, however, contain חדל for the חָ֑לֶד found in Codex Leningradensis (see VTH vol. 4, 386).
- ↑ The LXX seems to have read the verbal form here, with τί ὑστερῶ ἐγώ "what I lack." For the use of ὑστερέω for the verb חדל elsewhere, see καὶ ὑστερήσῃ ποιῆσαι τὸ πασχα for וְחָדַל֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הַפֶּ֔סַח in Num 9:13. Similarly, Jerome contains a verb (quid mihi desit), though understands the personal pronoun as the direct object (that is, the experiencer of lack).
- ↑ As in other places in Targum Psalms, however (see, e.g., Ps 22:17), there may be a conflation of reading traditions represented here, with both חדל and חלד "world, lifespan," as found in the following verse.
- ↑ It is absent in JTS 611, added by a second hand in Bodleian Library MS. Oppenheim Add. 4° 154, and added in the margin in BL Or 2373 and Or 1477.
- ↑ Fassberg 2019, §294.
- ↑ ζῶν, stans. The perfect participle, ἑστώς, as read in Symmachus, is best read predicatively.
- ↑ Cf. Cohen-Tzemach 1996, 175. Similarly, Weiss (1994, 636) notes that the intended sense here "according to the context, is durable, permanent, firm" (הפועל ׳נצב׳ בשמשו בנפעל מורה לעתים, מכוח ההקשר, כמו כאן על עמידה, קבועה איתנה).
- ↑ Cf. LXX; Ḥakham 1979, 224 n. 4; Ramond 2017, 494.
- ↑ It is presumably unrelated to the obscure architectural term found in 1 Kgs 7:9 (וּמִמַּסָּד֙ עַד־הַטְּפָח֔וֹת "from the foundation to the ?").
- ↑ This suggestion is followed by Cohen-Tzemach (1996, 174–175), who notes the analogy of a possible reading of הֲבֵ֥ל הֲבָלִ֖ים הַכֹּ֥ל הָֽבֶל in Eccl. 1:2: "Complete futility is altogether futile" (despite the glaring tautology).
- ↑ Cf. Craigie 2004, 307.
- ↑ Kraus 1993, 415. Such an interpretation is perhaps represented by the Peshitta (ܡܛܠ ܕܟܠܗܘܢ ܒܢܝܢܫ̈ܐ ܐܝܟ ܠܗܓܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܩܝܡܝܢ "all human beings rise like vapor," Taylor 2020, 151), though it may also simply reflect translation technique or a struggle with a difficult passage.
- ↑ The LXX has ταράσσονται, "be in turmoil" (NETS), Jerome turbatur "be agitated," Targum Psalms משתגשין "be disturbed," and the Peshitta ܚܡܐ "wither, fade," though this probably represents the common practise of the Syriac translator replacing a word he did not fully understand with a similar-sounding Syriac lexeme (Weitzman 1999, 37), here hamah ➞ khamah.
- ↑ For modern translations along these lines, consider "they are in turmoil" (ESV), "They certainly make an uproar" (NASB), "they are disquieted" (KJV). Closer to the intended sense seem to be "they hustle and bustle" (CEB), "they rush around" (CSB).
- ↑ Saadia; GKC §119i; Delitzsch 1871, 29; Böhler 2021, 709; Sjörs & Canu Højgaard 2026, 167.
- ↑ See Weiss (1994, 636–637). Ḥakham (1979, 224) paraphrases, "in the situation of an image" (במצב של צלם). Ibn Ezra offers the explanation: "humankind is similar to an image; just as the image is changed, thus he is changed" (האדם דומה לצלם וכאשר ישתנה הצלם כן ישתנה הוא).
- ↑ "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image (בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ), in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image (בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ), in the image (בְּצֶ֥לֶם) of God he created them; male and female he created them" (NIV).
- ↑ ותצבר כברזל זהב וכעפרת הרבית כסף.
- ↑ If gold was in view, it may be a modified by a cardinal number, such as מֵ֝אַלְפֵ֗י זָהָ֥ב וָכָֽסֶף "thousands of gold and silver pieces" in Psalm 119:72.
- ↑ The LXX makes this interpretation explicit with the dative case: "a reproach to a fool (ἄφρονι)," as do Jerome and the Peshitta. Targum Psalms has a slightly different construal of the MT's resultative שׂים construction do not make me (אַל־תְּשִׂימֵֽנִי), with "lay not the reproach of the fool on me" (Stec 2004, 84; חסודי סכלא לא תשוי עלי), which is, likewise, only compatible with the agentive interpretation of "fool."
- ↑ Compare, for example, “stop striking me” (NLT) and “stop wounding me” (NET). Other translations offer “plague” (RJPS, NASB), “torment” (CSB), “sickness” (GWT), “scourge” (NIV), and “stroke” (KJV, ESV).
- ↑ The LXX seems to have translated according to the expected sense, "strength" (ἀπὸ τῆς ἰσχύος τῆς χειρός σου), perhaps without recognizing the word תִּגְרָה. Some have suggested the emendation מִגְּבוּרַת (see BHS) to account for the LXX, as well as Targum Psalms (ממחת גבורת ידך "at the blow of the might of your hand"). Once again, however, it is just as likely that they translated according to the expected sense of the previous clause (especially in light of the Targum's conflation of two terms—cf. v. 5 above).
- ↑ Jastrow 1903, 1647.
- ↑ Cf. "zerstören" (Gesenius 2013, 701).
- ↑ See, for example, Symmachus' διαλύεις.
- ↑ But see the lack of article in the TOB, for example: comme une teigne tu corromps ce qu'il chérit.
- ↑ These reflect four lines in this verse: εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, κύριε, καὶ τῆς δεήσεώς μου //ἐνώτισαι· τῶν δακρύων μου μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς // ὅτι πάροικος ἐγώ εἰμι παρὰ σοὶ // καὶ παρεπίδημος καθὼς πάντες οἱ πατέρες μου.
- ↑ Radak: עמך רוצה לומר: לפניך. The same sense is probably intended in בְּ֝הֵמ֗וֹת הָיִ֥יתִי עִמָּֽךְ lit. "I was a beast with you" (Ps 73:22), for example.
- ↑ כִּֽי־גֵרִ֨ים אֲנַ֧חְנוּ לְפָנֶ֛יךָ וְתוֹשָׁבִ֖ים כְּכָל־אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ.
- ↑ Ḥakham 1979, 226.
- ↑ HaEdut; כי אני חסר זכויות אצלך.
- ↑ הכינוי "עִמָּךְ" מבטא קרבה לה׳ (Cohen-Tzemach 1996, 175).
- ↑ As reflected in the grammatical diagram, if an alternative clause division were proposed, the preposition would modify the verb הַאֲזִינָה֮ quite simply: "listen to." Nevertheless, our analysis of the poem's line divisions and poetic structure supports the clausal divisions preferred here. Further, a large number of medieval Hebrew manuscripts contain a conjunction waw before the preposition (וְאֶל), unambiguously indicating a new clause (see VTH, 339; though see the conjunction in και μη π̣[α]ρασιωπησης in Ra 2110, that is, preceding the MT's אַֽל־תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ).
- ↑ BHRG §39.3.1.c.
- ↑ Cf. ¡no te quedes callado ante mis lágrimas! (DHH; cf. RVR 95, RVC) and "ne te tais pas devant mes pleurs!" (NBS).
- ↑ Jacobson & Tanner (2014, 369) suggest the interpretation: "do not be deaf → my tears (meaning the sound of my weeping)."
- ↑ SDBH.
- ↑ Cf. the Arabic root بلج, "shine bright" ➞ "become joyful, glad" (Lane's Dictionary).
- ↑ SDBH. See, for example, the LXX: ἄνες μοι "let me be" (NETS); Aquila: ἔκκλινον ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ "turn away from me"; Symmachus: ἀπόσχου μου "keep away from me"; Jerome: parce mihi "spare me"; Targum Psalms: אשלי מיני "lay off me" (Stec 2004, 84). The Peshitta is an outlier with ܦܪܘܩܝܢܝ "save me" (Taylor 2020, 153), having apparently read הָשַׁ֣ע from the root ישׁע.
- ↑ Kraus 1993, 416; cf. TDOT; BHS; HALOT; DCH; SDBH; BDB.
- ↑ GKC §75gg; cf. Bauer & Leander 1922, 427 §t' '; see the form in Isa 6:10, referred to in Codex Aleppo of our present psalm.
- ↑ Ḥakham 1979, 227.
- ↑ Blau 2010, §4.3.8.6.7.
- ↑ Delitzsch 1871, 32.
- ↑ So Delitzsch 1871, 32; Ḥakham 1979, 227; SDBH.
- ↑ So GKC §75gg; Bauer & Leander 1922, 427 §t' '.
- ↑ See Goldingay 2006, 563.