v. 11

Hebrew	Verse	English
אַתָּ֤ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָ֑הַב	11a	You crushed Rahab like those who are slain.
בִּזְר֥וֹעַ עֻ֝זְּךָ֗ פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ׃	11b	With your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

Macula

אַתָּ֤ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָ֑הַב בִּזְר֥וֹעַ עֻ֝זְּךָ֗ פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: דִכִּאתָ crushed
          Object
            noun: רָהַב Rahab
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="like those who are slain">
              Preposition
                preposition: כֶ like
              Object
                noun: חָלָל slain one
                article: הֶ the <status="elided">
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: פִּזַּרְתָּ you scattered
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="your enemies">
              noun: אוֹיְבֶי enemies
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בִּ with
              Object
                ConstructChain <gloss="your strong arm">
                  noun: זְרוֹעַ arm
                  noun: עֻזְּ strength
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: דִכִּאתָ crushed
          Object
            noun: רָהַב Rahab
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="like those who are slain">
              Preposition
                preposition: כֶ like
              Object
                noun: חָלָל slain one
                article: הֶ the <status="elided">
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: פִּזַּרְתָּ you scattered
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="your enemies">
              noun: אוֹיְבֶי enemies
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בִּ with
              Object
                ConstructChain <gloss="your strong arm">
                  noun: זְרוֹעַ arm
                  noun: עֻזְּ strength
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-11-None }}

Grammar Notes

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Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 11

"Rahab is one of the names in the OT of the chaos [sea] monster(s) (cf. also Leviathan, Tannin, Tehom, and Yam" (Spronk 1999, 684; cf. Isa 51:9-10; Job 26:12).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 11

The three-member construct chain in v. 11b is literally "the arm of strength of you." The second member of the construct chain ("strength") characterizes the first member ("arm") (= "arm of strength" >> "strong arm"), and the third member of the chain ("you") indicates possession ("your strong arm," so NIV, CEB, NET, cf. NLT, ESV, CSB, CEV, NJPS).

Note for v. 11

The phrase כֶחָלָל in the Masoretic Text has the definite article, lit.: "like the slain one." The article is generic, not referring to a specific or unique individual but rather to "a kind, species, or class" (Bekins 2017, 31; cf. IBHS §13.5.1f, who note that this use of the article is "especially common in comparisons"). Thus, "like those who are slain" (cf. the Peshitta which also uses the plural: ܐܝܟ ܕܠܩ̈ܛܝܠܐ܂). Note also that the same word occurs in the previous psalm (Ps 88:6): "just like the slain (כְּמוֹ חֲלָלִים) who are lying in the tomb."

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v. 12

Hebrew	Verse	English
לְךָ֣ שָׁ֭מַיִם אַף־לְךָ֥ אָ֑רֶץ	12a	The sky is yours; the earth also is yours.
תֵּבֵ֥ל וּ֝מְלֹאָ֗הּ אַתָּ֥ה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃	12b	The world and all that is in it—you founded them.

Macula

לְךָ֣ שָׁ֭מַיִם אַף־לְךָ֥ אָ֑רֶץ תֵּבֵ֥ל וּ֝מְלֹאָ֗הּ אַתָּ֥ה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: שָׁמַיִם sky
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      particle: אַף also
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אָרֶץ earth
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition 
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: יְסַדְתָּ founded
          Object
            Apposition
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
              Nominal
                noun: תֵּבֵל the world
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: וּ and
                Nominal
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: מְלֹא all that is in
                    suffix-pronoun: ָהּ it

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: שָׁמַיִם sky
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      particle: אַף also
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אָרֶץ earth
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition 
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: יְסַדְתָּ founded
          Object
            Apposition
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
              Nominal
                noun: תֵּבֵל the world
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: וּ and
                Nominal
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: מְלֹא all that is in
                    suffix-pronoun: ָהּ it

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-12-None }}

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Lexical Notes

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Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 12

The lamed prepositions in v. 12 indicate possession: "belong to you" (NET), "are yours" (NIV, NLT, ESV). See also vv. 14a, 19. Cf. BHRG §39.11(1), "relationship of belonging."

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v. 13

Hebrew	Verse	English
צָפ֣וֹן וְ֭יָמִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם	13a	North and south—you created them.
תָּב֥וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃	13b	Tabor and Hermon rejoice at your name.

Macula

צָפ֣וֹן וְ֭יָמִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם תָּב֥וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: בְרָאתָ created
          Object
            Apposition
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
              Nominal
                noun: צָפוֹן north
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: וְ and
                Nominal
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: יָמִין south
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: תָּבוֹר Tabor
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          noun: חֶרְמוֹן Hermon
        Predicate
          verb: יְרַנֵּנוּ rejoice
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בְּ at
              Object
                ConstructChain <gloss="your name">
                  noun: שִׁמְ name
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: בְרָאתָ created
          Object
            Apposition
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
              Nominal
                noun: צָפוֹן north
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: וְ and
                Nominal
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: יָמִין south
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: תָּבוֹר Tabor
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          noun: חֶרְמוֹן Hermon
        Predicate
          verb: יְרַנֵּנוּ rejoice
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בְּ at
              Object
                ConstructChain <gloss="your name">
                  noun: שִׁמְ name
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-13-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 13

The pronominal suffix "them" (ם) resumes the left-dislocated nouns צָפוֹן וְיָמִין (cf. BHRG §36.1.5.2(c)).

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 13

Hermon is a "mountain and mountain range stretching from southern Syria to northern Palestine" (DCH; cf. Röllig 1999, 411-412), also called שִׂיאֹן (Deut 4:48), שִׂרְיֹן (Deut 3:9), and שְׂנִיר (Deut 3:9). It was associated with divine activity (cf. 1 Enoch 6:5; 2 Enoch 18:4) and with the storm god Baal in particular (cf. "Baal of Hermon" in Jdg 3:3; 1 Chr 5:23).
"Tabor is the name of a mountain in Lower Galilee" (Mussies 1999, 827; cf. Jdg 4:6, 12, 14; 8:18; Josh 19:22; Jer 46:18; Hos 5:1). Mount Tabor, like Hermon, might have also been associated with the worship of foreign gods (cf. Hos 5:1; Frankel 1992, 305).
Whereas people worshiped gods other than YHWH on Hermon and Tabor, Ps 89:13b says that these mountains "rejoice in your name," i.e., the mountains recognize YHWH as their creator and Lord and gladly accept his rule.
In light of the mythological mountains mentioned in the b-line, it is tempting to understand the words צפון and ימין in the a-line as referring to mountains as well (rather than simply "north and south," so most English translations). Zaphon (צפון), the Hebrew word for "north," is also the name of a mountain north of Israel, "the sacred mountain of the storm god Baal" (Roth 1992, 1040; cf. COS 1.98: "Temple of Baal-Zaphon"). In fact, it was "the cosmic mountain par excellence in Northwest-Semitic religions" (Niehr 1999, 152). Thus, "the name 'Baal-zaphon' was even transferred to further Baal-sanctuaries outside Ugarit," such as in Egypt (Niehr 1999, 152; cf. "Baal-Zaphon" in Exod 14:2; Num 33:7).
Some have identified "Yamin" (ימין) in Ps 89:13 with the mountain "Amana" (אמנה) mentioned in Song 4:8 where it is associated with Mt. Hermon (so e.g., Dahood 314)—"Come with me from Lebanon, my bride; come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the peak of Amana (אֲמָנָה), from the peak of Senir and Hermon" (Song 4:8). Dahood argues that ימן in Ps 89 is an alternative spelling for אמן. The NEB translators emend וְיָמִין to וַאֲמָנָה (see Brockington 1971, 144): "Thou didst create Zaphon and Amanus; Tabor and Hermon echo thy name" (cf. NAB).
Even if we follow the MT and read "north and south" in v. 13a, it is likely that there is also an allusion to the mountains of Zaphon and Amanus: "Behind the compass directions, especially in connection with Tabor and Hermon, lie the traditional Ugaritic mountains of the gods, Zaphon and Amanus, near the city of Ugarit" (Hossfeld and Zenger 2005, 409).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 13

The bet prepositional phrase "at your name" (בְּשִׁמְךָ) is a bet of cause (Jenni 1992, 107). YHWH's name (i.e., his identity or character) is the cause, or source, of the mountains' joy, and their joy is directed towards it. This construction is normal for verbs of rejoicing (cf. Jenni 1992, 106-108; e.g., 1 Sam 2:1—עָלַץ לִבִּי בַּיהוָה). English can use various prepositions to express this relationship, e.g., "at your name" (NIV, CSB), "in your name" (NET), or "because of your name."

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v. 14

Hebrew	Verse	English
לְךָ֣ זְ֭רוֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָ֑ה	14a	You have a strong arm, together with might.
תָּעֹ֥ז יָ֝דְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם יְמִינֶֽךָ׃	14b	Your hand is powerful, your right hand exalted.

Macula

לְךָ֣ זְ֭רוֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָ֑ה תָּעֹ֥ז יָ֝דְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם יְמִינֶֽךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: זְרוֹעַ (strong) arm
          Adjectival 
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עִם together with
              Object
                noun: גְּבוּרָה might
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="your hand">
            noun: יָדְ hand
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: תָּעֹז will be powerful
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="your right hand">
            noun: יְמִינֶ right hand
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: זְרוֹעַ (strong) arm
          Adjectival 
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עִם together with
              Object
                noun: גְּבוּרָה might
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="yours">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ belonging to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="your hand">
            noun: יָדְ hand
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: תָּעֹז will be powerful
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="your right hand">
            noun: יְמִינֶ right hand
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-14-None }}

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Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 14

Many modern translations render v. 14a as "You have a mighty arm" (e.g., NRSV). The Hebrew text says more literally, "You have an arm together with (עִם) strength." Normally, Hebrew would express a phrase like "mighty arm" by using a construct chain: זְרוֹעַ גְּבוּרָה ("arm of might," see e.g., זְרוֹעַ עֻזְּךָ in v. 11). In this case, however, it has the preposition "(together) with" (עִם), indicating accompaniment or addition. This use of עִם to join two nouns ("this together with that") occurs "chiefly in poetry" (BDB). E.g., Ps 83:7—"Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia together with (עִם) the inhabitants of Tyre." Thus, we should probably understand "arm" as a figure of speech (metonymy) for "strength" and interpret the whole clause as saying "strength together with might are yours" or "strength is yours, and might in addition." Cf. the Peshitta: "The arm belongs to you (ܕܝܠܟ) and strength belongs to you (ܘܕܝܠܟ)" (Taylor 2020, 365).

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v. 15

Hebrew	Verse	English
צֶ֣דֶק וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ	15a	The base of your throne is righteousness and justice.
חֶ֥סֶד וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת יְֽקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃	15b	Loyalty and faithfulness stand in front of your presence.

Macula

צֶ֣דֶק וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ חֶ֥סֶד וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת יְֽקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 15]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="the base of your throne">
            noun: מְכוֹן base
            noun: כִּסְאֶ throne
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            noun: צֶדֶק righteousness
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וּ and
            noun: מִשְׁפָּט justice
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: חֶסֶד loyalty
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וֶ and
          noun: אֱמֶת faithfulness
        Predicate
          verb: יְקַדְּמוּ stand in front of
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="your presence">
              noun: פָנֶי face >> presence
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 15]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="the base of your throne">
            noun: מְכוֹן base
            noun: כִּסְאֶ throne
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            noun: צֶדֶק righteousness
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וּ and
            noun: מִשְׁפָּט justice
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: חֶסֶד loyalty
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וֶ and
          noun: אֱמֶת faithfulness
        Predicate
          verb: יְקַדְּמוּ stand in front of
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="your presence">
              noun: פָנֶי face >> presence
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-15-None }}

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Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 15

YHWH's "loyalty" and "reliability" are personified as servants in his royal court (cf. Pss 23:6; 40:12; 42:9; 43:3; 57:4; 59:11; 61:8; see also Ps 21:4; cf. Eaton 1975, 153).

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v. 16

Hebrew	Verse	English
אַשְׁרֵ֣י הָ֭עָם יוֹדְעֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֑ה	16a	Happy are the people, those who know the signal,
יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּֽאוֹר־פָּנֶ֥יךָ יְהַלֵּכֽוּן׃	16b	YHWH, who go about in the light of your presence!

Macula

אַשְׁרֵ֣י הָ֭עָם יוֹדְעֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֑ה יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּֽאוֹר־פָּנֶ֥יךָ יְהַלֵּכֽוּן׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 16]
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment
        ConstructChain
          noun: אַשְׁרֵי happiness >> happy are
          Apposition
            Nominal
              noun: עָם people
              article: הָ the
              RelativeClause
                RelativeParticle
                  particle: <status="elided">
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb: יְהַלֵּכוּן go about
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: בְּ in
                        Object
                          ConstructChain <gloss="the light of your presence">
                            noun: אוֹר light
                            noun: פָּנֶי face >> presence
                            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
            Nominal
              ConstructChain <gloss="who know the signal">
                verb-participle: יוֹדְעֵי those knowing
                noun: תְרוּעָה signal

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 16]
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment
        ConstructChain
          noun: אַשְׁרֵי happiness >> happy are
          Apposition
            Nominal
              noun: עָם people
              article: הָ the
              RelativeClause
                RelativeParticle
                  particle: <status="elided">
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb: יְהַלֵּכוּן go about
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: בְּ in
                        Object
                          ConstructChain <gloss="the light of your presence">
                            noun: אוֹר light
                            noun: פָּנֶי face >> presence
                            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
            Nominal
              ConstructChain <gloss="who know the signal">
                verb-participle: יוֹדְעֵי those knowing
                noun: תְרוּעָה signal

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-16-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 16

The b-line could be read as an independent clause or as an asyndetic relative clause: "they shall walk... in the light of thy countenance" (KJV; cf. LXX, Jerome, Targum, CSB, ELB, EÜ, ISV, LUT, NASB, NBS, NET, NFC, NJPS, PDV, SG21, TOB, ZÜR; see v. 16 alternative diagram) or "who walk in the light of your presence" (NIV, cf. ESV; see v. 16 preferred diagram). Our understanding of the nature of parallelism ("one thought/sentence across two lines," cf. Tsumura 2023) leads us to prefer the relative clause interpretation (cf. Ps 112:1). The ESV even continues the relative clause into the next verse: "Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted."

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 16

The noun תּרוּעָה describes a "loud sound... used to express an emotion or to communicate something to a community" (SDBH). It could simply be an expression of joyful emotion (cf. the following verse יגילון, but the fact that it is the object of the verb "know" (ידע) suggests that it has a communicative function; it is a "signal" (cf. Symmachus: σημασίαν, "the giving a signal or command" [LSJ]), the significance of which is "known" only to YHWH's people. The תּרוּעָה probably signals "victory" (Jerome, trans. Risse) or, more specifically, YHWH's royal presence on the battlefield with his people to give them victory. This interpretation makes sense in the context: the parallel line mentions the light of YHWH's presence (v. 16b), and the following lines use military language (vv. 18-19). This interpretation also coheres well with the use of תּרוּעָה outside of this psalm. In 1 Sam 4:5-6, the people shout to signal YHWH's presence with them in battle: "As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout (תְּרוּעָה), so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting (הַתְּרוּעָה), they said, 'What does this great shouting (הַתְּרוּעָה) in the camp of the Hebrews mean?'" In 1 Sam 4, only YHWH's people understand the significance of the "shout;" the Philistines do not understand. Thus, in Ps 89, "those who know the signal" is a way of referring to YHWH's people, who experience his presence with them in battle.
Shouting (or blowing a horn) to signal YHWH's presence is probably related to the practice of hailing a king (cf. 1 Sam 10:24; Num 23:21; cf. Gesenius 2013, 1458: "Königsjubel;" so Ibn Ezra, Radak). Thus, the word is used "especially in contexts where Yahweh is acclaimed as king" (TDOT) (cf. Num 23:21; Pss 47:2, 6; 95:1; 98:4; 150:5). YHWH's kingship is clear in this context as well; the previous verse of Ps 89 mentioned YHWH's "throne" (v. 15).

Note for v. 16

Whereas the qal verb הלך simply means "walk" or "go," in the (pluractional) piel stem it means "go about" or "walk around" (Penney 2023, 84-87). The action of "walking" is "repeated or extended in different locations" (Penney 2023, 84).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 16

Verse 16 is essentially one big construct chain: "The happiness of the people, those knowing the signal, who go about in the light of your presence, YHWH!" On the meaning and function of אַשְׁרֵי at the head of a construct chain, see notes on Ps 1:1.

Verbal Notes

Verbal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 16

Note the nun suffix in vv. 16b, 17a, 31b.

Textual Notes

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

Add Exegetical Note

Alternative

(Alternative); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה
      Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְהַלֵּכוּן go about
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: אוֹר light
                    noun: פָּנֶי face >> presence
                    suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 Fragment <status="alternative">
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה
      Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְהַלֵּכוּן go about
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: אוֹר light
                    noun: פָּנֶי face >> presence
                    suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-16-Alternative }}

Grammar Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 16

Note for v. 16

Associate with v-16-Alternative

The b-line could be read as an independent clause or as an asyndetic relative clause: "they shall walk... in the light of thy countenance" (KJV; cf. LXX, Jerome, Targum, CSB, ELB, EÜ, ISV, LUT, NASB, NBS, NET, NFC, NJPS, PDV, SG21, TOB, ZÜR; see v. 16 alternative diagram) or "who walk in the light of your presence" (NIV, cf. ESV; see v. 16 preferred diagram). Our understanding of the nature of parallelism ("one thought/sentence across two lines," cf. Tsumura 2023) leads us to prefer the relative clause interpretation (cf. Ps 112:1). The ESV even continues the relative clause into the next verse: "Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted."

Lexical Notes

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 16

Note for v. 16

Associate with v-16-Alternative

The noun תּרוּעָה describes a "loud sound... used to express an emotion or to communicate something to a community" (SDBH). It could simply be an expression of joyful emotion (cf. the following verse יגילון, but the fact that it is the object of the verb "know" (ידע) suggests that it has a communicative function; it is a "signal" (cf. Symmachus: σημασίαν, "the giving a signal or command" [LSJ]), the significance of which is "known" only to YHWH's people. The תּרוּעָה probably signals "victory" (Jerome, trans. Risse) or, more specifically, YHWH's royal presence on the battlefield with his people to give them victory. This interpretation makes sense in the context: the parallel line mentions the light of YHWH's presence (v. 16b), and the following lines use military language (vv. 18-19). This interpretation also coheres well with the use of תּרוּעָה outside of this psalm. In 1 Sam 4:5-6, the people shout to signal YHWH's presence with them in battle: "As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout (תְּרוּעָה), so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting (הַתְּרוּעָה), they said, 'What does this great shouting (הַתְּרוּעָה) in the camp of the Hebrews mean?'" In 1 Sam 4, only YHWH's people understand the significance of the "shout;" the Philistines do not understand. Thus, in Ps 89, "those who know the signal" is a way of referring to YHWH's people, who experience his presence with them in battle.
Shouting (or blowing a horn) to signal YHWH's presence is probably related to the practice of hailing a king (cf. 1 Sam 10:24; Num 23:21; cf. Gesenius 2013, 1458: "Königsjubel;" so Ibn Ezra, Radak). Thus, the word is used "especially in contexts where Yahweh is acclaimed as king" (TDOT) (cf. Num 23:21; Pss 47:2, 6; 95:1; 98:4; 150:5). YHWH's kingship is clear in this context as well; the previous verse of Ps 89 mentioned YHWH's "throne" (v. 15).

Note for v. 16

Associate with v-16-Alternative

Whereas the qal verb הלך simply means "walk" or "go," in the (pluractional) piel stem it means "go about" or "walk around" (Penney 2023, 84-87). The action of "walking" is "repeated or extended in different locations" (Penney 2023, 84).

Phrase-Level

No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 16

Note for v. 16

Associate with v-16-Alternative

Verse 16 is essentially one big construct chain: "The happiness of the people, those knowing the signal, who go about in the light of your presence, YHWH!" On the meaning and function of אַשְׁרֵי at the head of a construct chain, see notes on Ps 1:1.

Verbal Notes

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 16

Note for v. 16

Associate with v-16-Alternative

Note the nun suffix in vv. 16b, 17a, 31b.

Textual Notes

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

Add Exegetical Note

v. 17

Hebrew	Verse	English
בְּ֭שִׁמְךָ יְגִיל֣וּן כָּל־הַיּ֑וֹם	17a	They are always glad because of your name,
וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ֥ יָרֽוּמוּ׃	17b	and exalted because of your righteousness.

Macula

בְּ֭שִׁמְךָ יְגִיל֣וּן כָּל־הַיּ֑וֹם וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ֥ יָרֽוּמוּ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 17]
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: יְגִילוּן they are glad
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְּ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your name">
                      noun: שִׁמְ name
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
              Adverbial 
                Nominal <gloss="always">
                  noun: יּוֹם day
                  article: הַ the
                  quantifier: כָּל all
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: יָרוּמוּ they are exalted
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your righteousness">
                      noun: צִדְקָתְ righteousness
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 17]
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: יְגִילוּן they are glad
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְּ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your name">
                      noun: שִׁמְ name
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
              Adverbial 
                Nominal <gloss="always">
                  noun: יּוֹם day
                  article: הַ the
                  quantifier: כָּל all
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: יָרוּמוּ they are exalted
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your righteousness">
                      noun: צִדְקָתְ righteousness
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-17-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 17

BHS proposes emending יָרוּמוּ to either יְרַנֵּנוּ ("they shout for joy;" cf. v. 13) or יָרוּמוּ קוֹלָם ("they raise their voices"). But there is no manuscript evidence for these emendations. The MT is clearly supported by all of the ancient witnesses (see Barthélemy 2005, 622-3), and it makes sense in the context. The clause either says that the people are/will be "exalted by your righteousness" (CSB, cf. KJV, CEV, NET, NJPS; so LXX, Targum, Jerome [iuxta Hebr.]) or that the people "celebrate your righteousness" (NIV, cf. NRSV, NLT; cf. Dahood 1966, 315).

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 17

יָרוּמוּ: "literally: to be, become high; hence: = process by which humans or deities acquire an elevated status" (SDBH). Cf. LXX: ὑψωθήσονται.

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 17

For the bet prepositional phrase "because of your name" (בְּשִׁמְךָ), see note above on v. 13.
The bet preposition in the phrase וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ is similarly causal: "because of your righteousness" (Jenni 1992, rubric 1635). Cf. NJPS: "they are exalted through Your righteousness."
The adverbial phrase translated always (כָּל־הַיּוֹם) is, literally, "all day long" (NIV, ESV, GNT, NJPS), which is a figurative way of saying "always" (cf. EÜ, ZÜR: allezeit; see e.g., Ps 37:26).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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v. 18

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּֽי־תִפְאֶ֣רֶת עֻזָּ֣מוֹ אָ֑תָּה	18a	For you are the strength in which they glory,
וּ֝בִרְצֹנְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֵֽנוּ׃	18b	and our horn will be exalted because of your favor.

Macula

כִּֽי־תִפְאֶ֣רֶת עֻזָּ֣מוֹ אָ֑תָּה וּ֝בִרְצֹנְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֵֽנוּ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 18]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              pronoun: אָתָּה you
            Predicate
              verb: are
              Complement
                ConstructChain <gloss="the glory of their strength >> the strength in which they glory">
                  noun: תִפְאֶרֶת glory
                  noun: עֻזָּ strength
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our horn">
                noun: קַרְנֵ horn
                suffix-pronoun: נוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted
              verb: תָּרִים you will exalt <status="alternative revocalization">
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בִ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your favor">
                      noun: רְצֹנְ favor
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
              Object <status="alternative">
                ConstructChain
                  noun: קַרְנֵ horn
                  suffix-pronoun: נוּ us

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 18]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              pronoun: אָתָּה you
            Predicate
              verb: are
              Complement
                ConstructChain <gloss="the glory of their strength >> the strength in which they glory">
                  noun: תִפְאֶרֶת glory
                  noun: עֻזָּ strength
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our horn">
                noun: קַרְנֵ horn
                suffix-pronoun: נוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted
              verb: תָּרִים you will exalt <status="alternative revocalization">
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בִ because of
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="your favor">
                      noun: רְצֹנְ favor
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
              Object <status="alternative">
                ConstructChain
                  noun: קַרְנֵ horn
                  suffix-pronoun: נוּ us

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-18-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 18

There is a ketiv-qere issue in the MT of v. 18. The ketiv ("what is written," i.e., the consonantal text) reads תרים (hiphil, תָּרִים), but the qere ("what is read," i.e., the vowels) reads תָּרוּם (qal). Some translations follow the ketiv: "you exalt our horn" (NIV; so Jerome: elevabis cornu nostrum). Others follow the qere: "our horn is exalted" (ESV, cf. KJV, CSB, CEV, NET; so LXX: ὑψωθήσεται τὸ κέρας ἡμῶν). The qere has the earliest attestation (LXX) and makes for a good parallel with the b-line of the previous clause: "in your righteousness they rise... // in your favor our horn rises." The qere reading also appears in some Hebrew manuscripts outside of the Tiberian tradition (e.g., JTS 631, BL Or 1477).

Lexical Notes

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 18

In the construct chain תִפְאֶרֶת עֻזָּמֹו, literally, "the glory/beauty of their strength" (ESV, NRSV, cf. CEB), it is difficult to determine how the two nouns "glory/beauty" and "strength" are related semantically. The NIV simply coordinates the two nouns: "You are their glory and strength" (NIV; cf. Ps 96:6—עֹז וְתִפְאֶרֶת). The NLT thinks that the first noun "glory" specifies the characteristic of the second noun "strength": "their glorious strength" (cf. CSB). But, in construct chains, it is more typical for the second noun to specify some characteristic of the first (e.g., הַר קָדְשִׁי in Ps 2:6). Thus, it is plausible that the second noun "strength" would characterizes the first noun "glory": "their strong glory" (cf. Symmachus: "their unconquerable glory" [ἀγλάϊσμα ἀήττητον αὐτῶν]; cf. Isa 13:9—תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת גְּאֹ֣ון כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים "the proud glory of the Chaldaeans" [HALOT]). This interpretation might make sense if "glory" (תִּפְאֶרֶת) is understood as "object of glory, pride, boasting" (so DCH). Thus, it would mean "the strong object of their glory >> the strong one in which they glory." Slightly differently, DCH suggests that it means "the strength in which they glory" (so also Hupfeld 1860, 473). Radak seems to hold a similar view: "They had no strength (עוז) except with you, and it was in your strength that they gloried/boasted (מתפארים) over the nations" (cf. Judg 7:2).

Note for v. 18

The bet preposition in the phrase וּבִרְצֹנְךָ is causal: "because of your favor" (Jenni 1992, rubric 1685; cf. notes on vv. 13, 17).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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v. 19

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּ֣י לַֽ֭יהוָה מָֽגִנֵּ֑נוּ	19a	For our shield belongs to YHWH,
וְלִקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃	19b	and our king belongs to the holy one of Israel.

Macula

כִּ֣י לַֽ֭יהוָה מָֽגִנֵּ֑נוּ וְלִקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 19]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our shield">
                noun: מָגִנּ shield
                suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="YHWH's">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ belonging to
                  Object
                    noun: יהוָה YHWH
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our king">
                noun: מַלְכּ king
                suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="the holy one of Israel's">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לִ belonging to
                  Object
                    ConstructChain
                      Nominal
                        adjective: קְדוֹשׁ holy one
                      noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 19]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our shield">
                noun: מָגִנּ shield
                suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="YHWH's">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ belonging to
                  Object
                    noun: יהוָה YHWH
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          Clause
            Subject
              ConstructChain <gloss="our king">
                noun: מַלְכּ king
                suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="the holy one of Israel's">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לִ belonging to
                  Object
                    ConstructChain
                      Nominal
                        adjective: קְדוֹשׁ holy one
                      noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-19-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 19

Most modern translations agree on the syntax of this verse: "For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel" (NET, cf. NIV, ESV, NRSV, CSB, NJPS, REB, LUT, ELB, EÜ, ZÜR; see v. 19 preferred diagram). According to this interpretation, "shield >> protection" = "king" (so Radak; cf. HFA: "to you belongs our king who protects us;" cf. NGÜ). The Septuagint gives a different interpretation of the grammar when it translates the phrase the whole verse as a single clause in which "our king" is in apposition to "the Holy one of Israel": "because support is of the Lord and of the Holy one of Israel, our king" (LXX, trans. NETS; cf. Jerome [iuxta Hebr.]; see v. 19 alternative diagram). The parallelism and the focus in the following verses on the human "king" support the interpretation of the modern translations above.

Lexical Notes

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Phrase-Level

No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram.

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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Alternative

(Alternative); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 19 alternative]
      Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain
              noun: מָגִנּ shield
              suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
          Predicate
            verb: is
            Complement
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ belonging to
                  Object
                    noun: יהוָה YHWH
                Conjunction <status="alternative">
                  conjunction: וְ and
                PrepositionalPhrase <status="alternative">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לִ belonging to
                  Object
                    Apposition
                      ConstructChain
                        Nominal
                          adjective: קְדוֹשׁ holy one
                        noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: מַלְכּ king
                        suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 19 alternative]
      Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain
              noun: מָגִנּ shield
              suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us
          Predicate
            verb: is
            Complement
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ belonging to
                  Object
                    noun: יהוָה YHWH
                Conjunction <status="alternative">
                  conjunction: וְ and
                PrepositionalPhrase <status="alternative">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לִ belonging to
                  Object
                    Apposition
                      ConstructChain
                        Nominal
                          adjective: קְדוֹשׁ holy one
                        noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: מַלְכּ king
                        suffix-pronoun: ֵנוּ us

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-19-Alternative }}

Grammar Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 19

Note for v. 19

Associate with v-19-Alternative

Most modern translations agree on the syntax of this verse: "For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel" (NET, cf. NIV, ESV, NRSV, CSB, NJPS, REB, LUT, ELB, EÜ, ZÜR; see v. 19 preferred diagram). According to this interpretation, "shield >> protection" = "king" (so Radak; cf. HFA: "to you belongs our king who protects us;" cf. NGÜ). The Septuagint gives a different interpretation of the grammar when it translates the phrase the whole verse as a single clause in which "our king" is in apposition to "the Holy one of Israel": "because support is of the Lord and of the Holy one of Israel, our king" (LXX, trans. NETS; cf. Jerome [iuxta Hebr.]; see v. 19 alternative diagram). The parallelism and the focus in the following verses on the human "king" support the interpretation of the modern translations above.

Lexical Notes

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Phrase-Level

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Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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v. 20

Hebrew	Verse	English
אָ֤ז דִּבַּ֥רְתָּֽ־בְחָ֡זוֹן לַֽחֲסִידֶ֗יךָ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר	20a	Long ago, you spoke in a vision to your loyal ones and said,
שִׁוִּ֣יתִי עֵ֭זֶר עַל־גִּבּ֑וֹר	20b	"I have granted help to a warrior
הֲרִימ֖וֹתִי בָח֣וּר מֵעָֽם׃	20c	I have exalted someone chosen from the people.

Macula

אָ֤ז דִּבַּ֥רְתָּֽ־בְחָ֡זוֹן לַֽחֲסִידֶ֗יךָ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שִׁוִּ֣יתִי עֵ֭זֶר עַל־גִּבּ֑וֹר הֲרִימ֖וֹתִי בָח֣וּר מֵעָֽם׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 20]
      Fragment  
        particle: אָז long ago
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: דִּבַּרְתָּ you spoke
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְ in
                  Object
                    noun: חָזוֹן a vision
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="your loyal ones">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ to
                  Object
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: חֲסִידֶי loyal ones
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וַ and
          Clause 
            Predicate
              verb: תֹּאמֶר you said
              Object 
                particle: (vv. 20c-38)
      Fragment
        Clause 
          Predicate
            verb: שִׁוִּיתִי I have bestowed >> I have granted
            Object
              noun: עֵזֶר help
            Object
              noun: נֵזֶר a crown <status="alternative emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: עַל upon >> to
                Object
                  noun: גִּבּוֹר a warrior
      Fragment
        Clause 
          Predicate
            verb: הֲרִימוֹתִי I have exalted
            Object
              noun: בָחוּר a young man <status="alternative">
              Nominal
                verb-participle: בָחוּר someone chosen
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: מֵ from
                    Object
                      noun: עָם people
            Adverbial <status="alternative">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מֵ from
                Object
                  noun: עָם people

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 20]
      Fragment  
        particle: אָז long ago
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: דִּבַּרְתָּ you spoke
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְ in
                  Object
                    noun: חָזוֹן a vision
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="your loyal ones">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לַ to
                  Object
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: חֲסִידֶי loyal ones
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וַ and
          Clause 
            Predicate
              verb: תֹּאמֶר you said
              Object 
                particle: (vv. 20c-38)
      Fragment
        Clause 
          Predicate
            verb: שִׁוִּיתִי I have bestowed >> I have granted
            Object
              noun: עֵזֶר help
            Object
              noun: נֵזֶר a crown <status="alternative emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: עַל upon >> to
                Object
                  noun: גִּבּוֹר a warrior
      Fragment
        Clause 
          Predicate
            verb: הֲרִימוֹתִי I have exalted
            Object
              noun: בָחוּר a young man <status="alternative">
              Nominal
                verb-participle: בָחוּר someone chosen
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: מֵ from
                    Object
                      noun: עָם people
            Adverbial <status="alternative">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מֵ from
                Object
                  noun: עָם people

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-20-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 20

The word בָּחוּר could be either a qal passive participle from the verb בחר ("chosen one," cf. NLT, KJV, ESV, CSB, CEB; so LXX; Jerome iuxta Hebr.) (here preferred) or a noun ("young man," cf. NIV, NET; so Targum). Several arguments support the "chosen one" interpretation. (1) The word בחיר ("chosen one") has already appeared in the psalm's introduction, referring to David (v. 4); (2) Elsewhere, "chosen one" (בחור) and "warrior" (גבור) occur in the same context (e.g., Josh 8:3; cf. 2 Chr 13:3); (3) The following min prepositional phrase makes the most sense if it modifies בחור in the sense of "chosen from among" (cf. 2 Sam 6:21; 10:9; Job 36:21).

Note for v. 20

Most translations follow the Hebrew text attested by all of our witnesses (שִׁוִּיתִי עֵזֶר) and say "I have granted help to a warrior" (REB, cf. ESV, CSB, GNT, NET, LUT, NGÜ, ELB, EÜ, ZÜR) or "I have bestowed strength on a warrior" (NIV, cf. NJPS) (here preferred). Compare the similar expression ה֥וֹד וְ֝הָדָר תְּשַׁוֶּ֥ה עָלָֽיו in Ps 21:6. Some translations, however, emend עֵזֶר ("help") to נֵזֶר ("crown") and say, "I have set the crown on one who is mighty" (NRSV). The emendation requires the change of one letter (נ vs ע) and fits well in the context of the psalm (see esp. v. 40: "you have defiled his crown [נִזְרוֹ] in the dust." But, as mentioned above, the Hebrew text עֵזֶר is supported by all of our witnesses (see Barthélemy 2005, 623–5, who gives it an "A" rating; cf. the idiosyncratic manuscript 4QPs89: שת עו[זר על]).

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 20

The word חָזוֹן refers to a prophetic vision (see e.g., Isa 1:1; Ob 1; Nah 1:1; Dan 8:1). YHWH's "loyal ones" here must be the prophets who communicated YHWH's promises to David and his descendants, perhaps "Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer" (Rashi; cf. 2 Sam 7), and/or "Samuel the prophet" (Radak).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 20

The min preposition probably modifies the participle בָּחוּר and has a partitive sense: "one chosen from the people" (ESV; so Staszak 2024, 169). Compare the phrase "one of the people" (אִישׁ מֵהָעָם) in 1 Sam 14:28 (cf. Isa 63:3).

Note for v. 20

The phrase "granted... to" (שִׁוִּיתִי עַל) is, more literally, "bestowed... on" (NIV). The preposition עַל has its prototypical meaning "over, upon, on" (so Mena 2012, 120). Compare the similar phrase in Ps 21:6—הוֹד וְהָדָר תְּשַׁוֶּה עָלָיו. Because "bestow help upon [someone]" is not natural English, other translations have "granted... to" (ESV, CSB) or "given... to" (GNT).

Verbal Notes

Verbal Notes for this diagram

On the use of isolated wayyiqtol's in poetry, see Cook 2024, 150, who claims it is used in "instances in which the [wayyiqtol] is closely (or immediately) juxtaposed with a [qatal] form that is synonymous, antithetical, or otherwise forms a poetic word pair or expresses an isolated past event." In this case, דִּבַּרְתָּֽ and וַתֹּאמֶר are synonymous.

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Appendix

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Psalm 89/Diagrams/11-20

v. 11

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v. 12

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v. 13

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v. 14

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v. 15

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v. 16

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v. 17

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v. 18

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v. 19

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