Psalm 89/Diagrams/21-30
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
vv. 21-22
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| מָ֭צָאתִי דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י | 21a | I have found David, my servant; |
| בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן קָדְשִׁ֣י מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ | 21b | I have anointed him with my holy oil; |
| אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָ֭דִי תִּכּ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ | 22a | My hand will always be with him; |
| אַף־זְרוֹעִ֥י תְאַמְּצֶֽנּוּ׃ | 22b | my arm will also strengthen him. |
Macula
מָ֭צָאתִי דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן קָדְשִׁ֣י מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [vv. 21-22]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: מָצָאתִי I have found
Object
Apposition
Nominal
noun: דָּוִד David
RelativeClause
RelativeParticle
particle: אֲשֶׁר whom
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my hand">
noun: יָדִ hand
suffix-pronoun: י me
Predicate
verb: תִּכּוֹן will be established >> will always be
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my arm">
noun: זְרוֹע arm
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: תְאַמְּצ strengthen
Adverbial
particle: אַף also
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
ConstructChain <gloss="my servant">
noun: עַבְדִּ servant
suffix-pronoun: י me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: מְשַׁחְתִּי I have anointed
Object
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my holy oil">
noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
noun: קָדְשׁ holiness
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
DiscourseUnit [vv. 21-22]
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: מָצָאתִי I have found
Object
Apposition
Nominal
noun: דָּוִד David
RelativeClause
RelativeParticle
particle: אֲשֶׁר whom
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my hand">
noun: יָדִ hand
suffix-pronoun: י me
Predicate
verb: תִּכּוֹן will be established >> will always be
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my arm">
noun: זְרוֹע arm
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: תְאַמְּצ strengthen
Adverbial
particle: אַף also
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
ConstructChain <gloss="my servant">
noun: עַבְדִּ servant
suffix-pronoun: י me
Fragment
Clause
Predicate
verb: מְשַׁחְתִּי I have anointed
Object
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בְּ with
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my holy oil">
noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
noun: קָדְשׁ holiness
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=vv-21-22-None }}
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 22
- The אֲשֶׁר at the beginning of v. 22a has been understood in a number of ways. It could have its normal value as a relative particle: "I found David my servant; with holy oil I anointed him; with whom my hand will be established..." (cf. KJV; so Jerome iuxta Hebr.: cum quo manus meus firma erit) (here preferred). Alternatively, it could be a more loosely connected subordinating conjunction, indicating result (cf. ESV: "so that...") or an explanation (cf. LXX trans. NETS: "for [γὰρ] my hand shall sustain him"). (For these proposed non-prototypical uses of אֲשֶׁר, see the helpful summary in Holmstedt 2016, 233). Because אֲשֶׁר almost always functions as a relative particle (c. 97% of the time; cf. Holmstedt 2016, 232) it is probably best to interpret אֲשֶׁר as a relative particle if this interpretation is plausible in the context. In our specific case, it is plausible that אֲשֶׁר in v. 22a functions as a relative particle with דוד עבדי in v. 21a as its antecedent. Some might object to this interpretation, noting that there is an intervening clause/line (v. 21b) that the relative particle would have to skip over in order to connect back to דוד עבדי. This would be a problem in a prose text, but not in poetry, where the thought units do not occur contiguously, one after another (– – – –), but in parallel groups (= =) (cf. Gray 1915, 54). For a relative particle in one a-line to have its antecedent in the preceding a-line would not be an issue. See Ps 139:19-20 for another possible example. Alternatively, the antecedent could be the 3ms suffix in מְשַׁחְתִּיו.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 21
- "Hand" (יָד) is metonymic for "strength," i.e., an "action by which humans or deities exert strength and power" (SDBH). Similarly, the word "arm" (זְרוֹעַ) in the parallel line is "directly associated with strength and power" (SDBH).
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 21
- The clause יָדִי תִּכּוֹן עִמּוֹ, literally, "With whom my hand shall be established" (KJV, cf. ESV), means that "Yahweh's hand [>> strength] will never leave him without protection" (Baethgen 1904, 277). Hence GNT: "My strength will always be with him."
Note for v. 22
- The phrase שֶׁמֶן קָדְשִׁי, lit.: "oil of holiness of me," describes the "oil" characterized by "holiness" that belongs to "me," i.e., YHWH. Thus, "my holy oil" (NLT, et al.). "Holiness" here refers to a "state in which [an object has] become part of the realm of God and his service" (SDBH).
Verbal Notes
Note for vv. 21-22
The yiqtol's (and weqatal's) in vv. 20-38 refer to future promises. Thus, unlike the habitual yiqtol's in the previous section, these yiqtols are simple futures with reference point movement.
Textual Notes
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Add Exegetical Note
v. 23
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| לֹֽא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ | 23a | No enemy will exact tribute from him, |
| וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃ | 23b | and no unjust person will afflict him. |
Macula
לֹֽא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 23]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
noun: אוֹיֵב enemy
Predicate
verb: יַשִּׁא will exact tribute
Adverbial
adverb: לֹא not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="unjust person">
noun: בֶן son
noun: עַוְלָה injustice
Predicate
verb: יְעַנּ will afflict
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
Adverbial
adverb: לֹא not
DiscourseUnit [v. 23]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
noun: אוֹיֵב enemy
Predicate
verb: יַשִּׁא will exact tribute
Adverbial
adverb: לֹא not
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בּ from
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="unjust person">
noun: בֶן son
noun: עַוְלָה injustice
Predicate
verb: יְעַנּ will afflict
Object
suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
Adverbial
adverb: לֹא not
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-23-None }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 23
- Translations disagree on the meaning of יַשִּׁא. E.g.,
- "The enemy shall not outwit him" (ESV)
- "No enemy will be able to exact tribute from him" (NET)
- According to the ESV, יַשִּׁא means "outwit" or "deceive" (so Symmachus: ἐξαπατήσει; Jerome [iuxta Hebr.]: decipiet; see e.g., Ob 7).
- According to the NET, יַשִּׁא is a different, identically sounding verb, that means "to act as a creditor" (so BDB: "an enemy shall not act the creditor against him, make exactions of him").
- The NET interpretation makes the most sense in the context (cf. the parallel line: "oppress," cf. Exod 1:11; 2 Kgs 17:20) and works the best with the bet preposition (see e.g., Deut 15:2—אֲשֶׁר יַשֶּׁה בְּרֵעֵהוּ; Deut 24:10—כִּֽי־תַשֶּׁ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ מַשַּׁ֣את מְא֑וּמָה; cf. Isa 24:2 [נֹשֶׁא בֹו]; Neh 5:7 [מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו אַתֶּ֣ם נֹשִׁ֑אים]). By contrast, the verb "deceive" takes a direct object (e.g., 2 Chr 32:1) or a lamed preposition (e.g., 2 Kgs 18:28). Cf. LXX: "an enemy shall not profit (ὠφελήσει) by him" (LXX trans. NETS).
- A potential problem with our view is that the other uses of נשׁה + ב in the hiphil (Deut 15:2; 24:10) are trivalent constructions, having a subject (the lender), a bet preposition (the borrower), and a direct object (the loan), whereas the construction in Ps 89:23 is bivalent, having only the subject and the bet preposition. But in the qal stem, the verb נשׁה can be either trivalent (Neh 5:7) or bivalent (Deut 24:11). It is plausible that the same is true of the hiphil.
- Verse 23b alludes to the promise in 2 Sam 7:10—וְלֹֽא־יֹסִ֤יפוּ בְנֵֽי־עַוְלָה֙ לְעַנֹּותֹ֔ו כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בָּרִאשֹׁונָֽה
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 23
- The phrase "unjust person" is, literally, "son of injustice" or "son of wickedness" (NASB, cf. ELB). This is a common Hebrew idiom. In Hebrew, the word "son" is often "followed by [a] word of quality, characteristic, etc." (BDB) to describe a particular kind of person. A "son of injustice" is a person characterized by injustice, i.e., "an unjust person" (cf. the phrase בְנֵי־עַוְלָה in 2 Sam 3:34; 7:10; Hos 10:9).
Note for v. 23
- On the meaning of the bet preposition in the clause יַשִּׁא בוֹ, see note on lexical semantics.
Verbal Notes
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Textual Notes
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v. 24
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| וְכַתּוֹתִ֣י מִפָּנָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו | 24a | But I will crush his adversaries from before him, |
| וּמְשַׂנְאָ֥יו אֶגּֽוֹף׃ | 24b | and strike down those who are hostile to him. |
Macula
וְכַתּוֹתִ֣י מִפָּנָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֥יו אֶגּֽוֹף׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 24]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: כַתּוֹתִי I will crush
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his adversaries">
noun: צָרָי adversaries
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from before him">
Preposition
preposition: מִ from
Object
ConstructChain
noun: פָּנָי face
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶגּוֹף I will strike down
Object
ConstructChain
verb-participle: מְשַׂנְאָי those who are hostile to
suffix-pronoun: ו him
DiscourseUnit [v. 24]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: כַתּוֹתִי I will crush
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his adversaries">
noun: צָרָי adversaries
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from before him">
Preposition
preposition: מִ from
Object
ConstructChain
noun: פָּנָי face
suffix-pronoun: ו him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶגּוֹף I will strike down
Object
ConstructChain
verb-participle: מְשַׂנְאָי those who are hostile to
suffix-pronoun: ו him
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-24-None }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 24
- The preposition מִפְּנֵי typically occurs in contexts of "hostility and/or threat" (BHRG §39.15), describing how "trajectory x [here = David's adversaries] moves away (e.g., flees or hides) from the presence of a landmark y [here = David]" (BHRG §39.15). In this case, the adversaries are defeated "from before David's presence," i.e., they are defeated and thereby removed from his presence (cf. Staszak 2024, 267-268 on מִן with verbs of destruction, e.g., Ps 9:4—וְיֹאבְדוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ; Deut 2:12—וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם מִפְּנֵיהֶם).
Verbal Notes
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Textual Notes
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v. 25
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| וֶֽאֶֽמוּנָתִ֣י וְחַסְדִּ֣י עִמּ֑וֹ | 25a | And my reliability and my loyalty will be with him, |
| וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֽוֹ׃ | 25b | and his horn will be exalted because of my name. |
Macula
וֶֽאֶֽמוּנָתִ֣י וְחַסְדִּ֣י עִמּ֑וֹ וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֽוֹ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 25]
Fragment
particle: וֶ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my reliability">
noun: אֶמוּנָת reliability
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
ConstructChain <gloss="my loyalty">
noun: חַסְדּ loyalty
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: will be
Complement
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="his horn">
noun: קַרְנ horn
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Predicate
verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִ because of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my name">
noun: שְׁמ name
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
DiscourseUnit [v. 25]
Fragment
particle: וֶ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my reliability">
noun: אֶמוּנָת reliability
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
ConstructChain <gloss="my loyalty">
noun: חַסְדּ loyalty
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: will be
Complement
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: עִמּ with
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="his horn">
noun: קַרְנ horn
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Predicate
verb: תָּרוּם will be exalted
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בִ because of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my name">
noun: שְׁמ name
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-25-None }}
Grammar Notes
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Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 25
- The prepositional phrase "with him" (עִמּוֹ) "profiles a landmark y [here = David] who is the human recipient (often beneficiary) of the activity of trajector x [here: YHWH, acting in loyalty]" (BHRG §38.21(2b); cf. Gen 24:12—וַעֲשֵׂה־חֶ֕סֶד עִ֖ם אֲדֹנִ֥י אַבְרָהָֽם).
- On the phrase "because of my name" (בִשְׁמִי), see the note on בְּשִׁמְךָ in v. 13. Cf. NIV, NJPS: "through my name" (ELB, NGÜ: "durch meinen Namen").
Verbal Notes
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Textual Notes
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v. 26
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י בַיָּ֣ם יָד֑וֹ | 26a | And I will put his hand on the sea |
| וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת יְמִינֽוֹ׃ | 26b | and his right hand on the currents. |
Macula
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י בַיָּ֣ם יָד֑וֹ וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת יְמִינֽוֹ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 26]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will put
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַ on
Object
noun: יָּם sea
article: הַ the <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his hand">
noun: יָד hand
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will put <status="elided">
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַ on
Object
noun: נְּהָרוֹת currents
article: הַ the <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his right hand">
noun: יְמִינ right hand
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
DiscourseUnit [v. 26]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will put
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַ on
Object
noun: יָּם sea
article: הַ the <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his hand">
noun: יָד hand
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will put <status="elided">
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: בַ on
Object
noun: נְּהָרוֹת currents
article: הַ the <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his right hand">
noun: יְמִינ right hand
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-26-None }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 26
- The word נְהָרוֹת, parallel with "sea" (יָם), probably refers to "sea-currents" (HALOT; Gesenius 2013, 789: "Meeresströmmungen oder mythische Strömungen"; cf. Isa 44:27; Ps 24:2) rather than to fresh-water rivers. Cf. Jonah 2:4(3): "You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents (וְנָהָר) swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me" (NIV). Alternatively, according to TDOT, the plural נהרות might be "a plural of amplification or extension," referring to "the great river, the sea (Isa. 44:27; 50:2; Ps. 78:16; 137:1), or the deep (24:2; 74:15; Hab. 3:8)." In either case, the reference is sea-related and has associations with chaos.
- It is also possible that "sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea and "rivers" refers to the Tigris and Euphrates (cf. Goldingay 2006, 678). But in light of vv. 10-11, this verse is more likely about the king's divine-like power over chaos and his control over political enemies (depicted here as the sea; cf. Ps 46).
Phrase-Level
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Verbal Notes
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Textual Notes
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v. 27
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| ה֣וּא יִ֭קְרָאֵנִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה | 27a | He will call out to me, 'You are my father, |
| אֵ֝לִ֗י וְצ֣וּר יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ | 27b | my god and the rock who saves me. |
Macula
ה֣וּא יִ֭קְרָאֵנִי אָ֑תָּה אָ֣בִי אֵ֝לִ֗י וְצ֣וּר יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 27]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: הוּא he
Predicate
verb: יִקְרָאֵ will call out
Adverbial
Nominal
suffix-pronoun: נִי to me
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָתָּה you
Predicate
verb: are
Complement
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="my father">
noun: אָב father
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
ConstructChain <gloss="my god">
noun: אֵל god
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
ConstructChain <gloss="the rock who saves me">
noun: צוּר rock
noun: יְשׁוּעָת salvation
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
DiscourseUnit [v. 27]
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: הוּא he
Predicate
verb: יִקְרָאֵ will call out
Adverbial
Nominal
suffix-pronoun: נִי to me
Object
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָתָּה you
Predicate
verb: are
Complement
Apposition
ConstructChain <gloss="my father">
noun: אָב father
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
ConstructChain <gloss="my god">
noun: אֵל god
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
ConstructChain <gloss="the rock who saves me">
noun: צוּר rock
noun: יְשׁוּעָת salvation
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-27-None }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 27
- The phrase "the rock who saves me" (צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי) is a three-part construct chain: (1) rock, (2) salvation, (3) me. YHWH is "the Rock of my salvation" (NLT, ESV, CSB) in the sense that he is a rock—i.e., a "mass of rock projecting and forming an elevation" (SDBH)—that provides salvation or protection for David. Cf. CEV: "the mighty rock where I am safe" (CEV); NET: "the protector who delivers me."
Verbal Notes
No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.
Textual Notes
No Textual notes to display for this diagram.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 28
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| אַף־אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ | 28a | What's more, I will make him the firstborn, |
| עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ | 28b | the highest of the kings of the earth. |
Macula
אַף־אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 28]
Fragment
particle: אַף what's more
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנִי I
Predicate
verb: אֶתְּנֵ will make
Object
suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
Complement
Apposition
noun: בְּכוֹר firstborn
Nominal
noun: עֶלְיוֹן highest
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the kings of the earth">
noun: מַלְכֵי kings
noun: אָרֶץ earth
DiscourseUnit [v. 28]
Fragment
particle: אַף what's more
Fragment
Clause
Subject
pronoun: אָנִי I
Predicate
verb: אֶתְּנֵ will make
Object
suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
Complement
Apposition
noun: בְּכוֹר firstborn
Nominal
noun: עֶלְיוֹן highest
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ of
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="the kings of the earth">
noun: מַלְכֵי kings
noun: אָרֶץ earth
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-28-None }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Lexical Notes
Note for v. 28
- The firstborn is "the main heir of estate and blessing" (SDBH), meaning here that the king will inherit YHWH's estate, i.e., the whole world (cf. Ps 2:7-8).
- As such, he will be "the highest king" (HALOT; cf. Deut 26:19; 28:1), sharing in a title that, elsewhere in the Psalter, belongs uniquely to YHWH: "Most High" (cf. Pss 7:18; 9:3; 18:14; 21:8; 46:5; 47:3; 50:14; 57:3; 73:11; 77:11; 78:17, 35, 56; 82:6; 83:19; 87:5; 91:1, 9; 92:2; 97:9; 107:11).
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 28
- The lamed preposition in the phrase לְמַלְכֵי־אָרֶץ indicates a general relationship between the word "highest" (עֶלְיוֹן) and the phrase "kings of earth" (מַלְכֵי־אָרֶץ), i.e., "the highest in relation to the kings of the earth" or "the highest of the kings of the earth" (ESV). This use of lamed is roughly equivalent to a construct-chain relationship (cf. Jenni 2000, 65-66).
Verbal Notes
No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.
Textual Notes
No Textual notes to display for this diagram.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 29
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| לְ֭עוֹלָ֗ם אֶשְׁמָר־ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י | 29a | I will keep my loyalty for him forever, |
| וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י נֶאֱמֶ֥נֶת לֽוֹ׃ | 29b | and my covenant will be enduring for him. |
Macula
לְ֭עוֹלָ֗ם אֶשְׁמָר־ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י נֶאֱמֶ֥נֶת לֽוֹ׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 29]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמָר I will keep
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever">
Preposition
preposition: לְ for
Object
noun: עוֹלָם forever
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: ל for
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my loyalty">
noun: חַסְדּ loyalty
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my covenant">
noun: בְרִית covenant
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: will be
Complement
verb-participle: נֶאֱמֶנֶת enduring
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: ל for
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
DiscourseUnit [v. 29]
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: אֶשְׁמָר I will keep
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever">
Preposition
preposition: לְ for
Object
noun: עוֹלָם forever
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: ל for
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="my loyalty">
noun: חַסְדּ loyalty
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Conjunction
conjunction: וּ and
Clause
Subject
ConstructChain <gloss="my covenant">
noun: בְרִית covenant
suffix-pronoun: ִי me
Predicate
verb: will be
Complement
verb-participle: נֶאֱמֶנֶת enduring
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: ל for
Object
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-29-None }}
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 29
- There is an insignificant ketiv-qere issue in v. 29. The ketiv ("what is written," i.e., the consonants) reads אשמור, and the qere ("what is read," i.e., the vowels) reads אֶשְׁמָר. The distinction is only orthographic; the morphology is the same in either case (1cs yiqtol).
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
Note for v. 29
- The lamed preposition in the first לוֹ is the so-called "dative lamed", common with the verb שׁמר and its synonyms (Jenni 2000, rubric 2721). It indicates the one for whom covenant loyalty is "kept," the beneficiary of the act of "keeping" (e.g., Deut 7:9—שֹׁמֵ֧ר הַבְּרִ֣ית וְהַחֶ֗סֶד לְאֹהֲבָ֛יו; I Kgs 3:6—וַתִּשְׁמָר־ל֗וֹ אֶת־הַחֶ֤סֶד). ESV: "I will keep for him."
- The second לוֹ has a slightly different nuance, referring to the one who experiences the enduring state of YHWH's covenant (Jenni 2000, rubric 4365). ESV: "will stand firm for him" (cf. ZÜR: für ihn). Translations that render the lamed phrase as "my covenant with him" (NIV, NLT, CSB, NET, cf. HFA, NGÜ, EÜ) accurately convey the sense of the clause but not the precise sense of the lamed. It does not modify "covenant" but is adverbial, modifying the predicate and indicating the experiencer of the state described.
Verbal Notes
Note for v. 29
Most translations render נֶאֱמֶנֶת as future tense: "will stand firm" (ESV, cf. KJV, NIV, NLT, NJPS, LUT, HFA, NGÜ, ELB; so Symmachus [πιστωθήσεται αὐτῶ̣]). Others have a present-tense: "is secure" (NET, cf. EÜ, GNB, ZÜR; so LXX [πιστή]). The former interpretation seems to make the most sense in the context, while the latter best respects the participle form. We can take the best from both interpretations by reading the participle as a present-tense predicate complement ("enduring") and assuming a elided future-tense copula ("will be"). So Jerome: fidele...erit.
Textual Notes
No Textual notes to display for this diagram.
Add Exegetical Note
v. 30
| Hebrew | Verse | English |
|---|---|---|
| וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָעַ֣ד זַרְע֑וֹ | 30a | I will establish his descendants forever |
| וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ כִּימֵ֥י שָׁמָֽיִם׃ | 30b | and his throne as long as the sky endures. |
Macula
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָעַ֣ד זַרְע֑וֹ וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ כִּימֵ֥י שָׁמָֽיִם׃
Preferred
(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 30]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will establish
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever">
Preposition
preposition: לָ for
Object
noun: עַד forever
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his descendants">
noun: זַרְע offspring >> descendants
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will establish <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his throne">
noun: כִסְא throne
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="as long as the sky endures">
Preposition
preposition: כִּ like
Object
ConstructChain
noun: ימֵי days
noun: שָׁמָיִם sky
DiscourseUnit [v. 30]
Fragment
particle: וְ and
Fragment
ClauseCluster
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will establish
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="forever">
Preposition
preposition: לָ for
Object
noun: עַד forever
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his descendants">
noun: זַרְע offspring >> descendants
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Conjunction
conjunction: וְ and
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will establish <status="elided">
Object
ConstructChain <gloss="his throne">
noun: כִסְא throne
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
Adverbial
PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="as long as the sky endures">
Preposition
preposition: כִּ like
Object
ConstructChain
noun: ימֵי days
noun: שָׁמָיִם sky
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-30-None }}
Grammar Notes
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficulty.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ. (See v. 30 alternative diagram.)
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י; see v. 30 preferred diagram). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b (see v. 30 alternative diagram).
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficutly.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ.
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b.
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficutly.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ.
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram.
Verbal Notes
No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.
Textual Notes
No Textual notes to display for this diagram.
Add Exegetical Note
Alternative
(Alternative); edit diagram
SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will make
Object
ConstructChain
noun: זַרְע offspring >> dynasty
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
SecondObject
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לָ into
Object
noun: עַד perpetuity
Adjectival <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ into
Object
noun: עֵד a witness <status="alternative revocalization">
Fragment <status="alternative">
Clause
Predicate
verb: שַׂמְתִּי I will make
Object
ConstructChain
noun: זַרְע offspring >> dynasty
suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
SecondObject
Adjectival
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לָ into
Object
noun: עַד perpetuity
Adjectival <status="alternative">
PrepositionalPhrase
Preposition
preposition: לְ into
Object
noun: עֵד a witness <status="alternative revocalization">
{{Diagram/Display | Chapter=89|DiagramID=v-30-Alternative }}
Grammar Notes
No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficulty.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ. (See v. 30 alternative diagram.)
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י; see v. 30 preferred diagram). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b (see v. 30 alternative diagram).
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficutly.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ.
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b.
Note for v. 30
- The clause in v. 30a seems incomplete: "I will make/put his offspring forever." There are three ways to resolve the difficutly.
- Assume some kind of elision. E.g., KJV: "His seed also will I make to endure for ever;" Radak: "I will put his offspring in power forever" (במלכות אשים זרעו לעד).
- Interpret לָעַד not as an adverbial but as the predicate complement of the שִׂים construction: "I will make his offspring perpetual." Cf. Jerome: et ponam perpetuum semen eius; Symmachus: καὶ ποιήσω διηνεκὲς τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ.
- Interpret the verb שִׂים to mean "establish." E.g., "I will establish his offspring forever" (ESV, cf. NIV, ELB, GNB, ZÜR; so BDB, DCH; cf. Exod 15:25; Deut 12:5; Josh 24:25; Isa 44:7; Ps 104:9; see esp. 2 Sam 23:5—בְרִ֨ית עֹולָ֜ם שָׂ֣ם לִ֗י). This last option is the most likely. It does not require any elision, and it allows us to interpret לָעַד according to its normal sense and שִׂים according to a fairly well-attested sense. Note also the parallel clause in v. 5: "I will establish his offspring" (אָכִין זַרְעֶךָ).
- Another option worth mentioning is that לָעַד might be revocalized to לְעֵד: "I will make his offspring a witness," anticipating the "witness" language in v. 38b.
Lexical Notes
No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.
Phrase-Level
No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram.
Verbal Notes
No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.
Textual Notes
No Textual notes to display for this diagram.
Add Exegetical Note
Appendix
Files
Diagrams
Notes
- Grammar.v. 10.207897
- Grammar.v. 13.876028
- Grammar.v. 16.531942
- Grammar.v. 17.360581
- Grammar.v. 18.684345
- Grammar.v. 19.678482
- Grammar.v. 2.138915
- Grammar.v. 20.368600
- Grammar.v. 20.559180
- Grammar.v. 22.285615
- Grammar.v. 29.548204
- Grammar.v. 30.345337
- Grammar.v. 30.600943
- Grammar.v. 30.808163
- Grammar.v. 36.408372
- Grammar.v. 36.658719
- Grammar.v. 38.722784
- Grammar.v. 40.513963
- Grammar.v. 44.125264
- Grammar.v. 44.881728
- Grammar.v. 45.44562
- Grammar.v. 45.857278
- Grammar.v. 47.60751
- Grammar.v. 47.730644
- Grammar.v. 48.277131
- Grammar.v. 48.714468
- Grammar.v. 49.757993
- Grammar.v. 50.157084
- Grammar.v. 51.619282
- Grammar.v. 52.664625
- Grammar.v. 8.273344
- Grammar.v. 8.659972
- Grammar.v. 9.352959
- Grammar.vv. 3-5.687627
- Grammar.vv. 3-5.69361
- Lexical.v. 1.873868
- Lexical.v. 10.924159
- Lexical.v. 11.74540
- Lexical.v. 13.388041
- Lexical.v. 15.180206
- Lexical.v. 16.541812
- Lexical.v. 16.80987
- Lexical.v. 17.903245
- Lexical.v. 20.777950
- Lexical.v. 21.304115
- Lexical.v. 23.938186
- Lexical.v. 26.524079
- Lexical.v. 28.375337
- Lexical.v. 34.935681
- Lexical.v. 39.509588
- Lexical.v. 4.712945
- Lexical.v. 40.561110
- Lexical.v. 44.131914
- Lexical.v. 45.247038
- Lexical.v. 49.362315
- Lexical.v. 52.736397
- Lexical.v. 6.110242
- Lexical.v. 6.468441
- Lexical.v. 7.583345
- Lexical.v. 9.66764
- Lexical.vv. 2, 3, 6, 9, 25, 34, 50.688169
- Lexical.vv. 2-3, 15, 20, 25, 29, 34, 50.954496
- Lexical.vv. 3, 5.147233
- Lexical.vv. 5, 15, 30, 37, 45.925579
- Lexical.vv. 6, 8.993353
- Lexical.vv. 7, 38.318143
- Phrasal.v. 11.41283
- Phrasal.v. 11.42923
- Phrasal.v. 12.961786
- Phrasal.v. 13.502928
- Phrasal.v. 14.998124
- Phrasal.v. 16.197750
- Phrasal.v. 17.166173
- Phrasal.v. 18.364801
- Phrasal.v. 18.453828
- Phrasal.v. 2.59062
- Phrasal.v. 20.338748
- Phrasal.v. 20.884315
- Phrasal.v. 21.69202
- Phrasal.v. 22.424133
- Phrasal.v. 23.255016
- Phrasal.v. 23.614058
- Phrasal.v. 24.540677
- Phrasal.v. 25.958066
- Phrasal.v. 27.516881
- Phrasal.v. 28.843225
- Phrasal.v. 29.938624
- Phrasal.v. 31.253936
- Phrasal.v. 34.948581
- Phrasal.v. 36.359953
- Phrasal.v. 4.983719
- Phrasal.v. 40.216648
- Phrasal.v. 40.781903
- Phrasal.v. 41.283078
- Phrasal.v. 42.435649
- Phrasal.v. 44.750881
- Phrasal.v. 45.776814
- Phrasal.v. 47.295098
- Phrasal.v. 48.828590
- Phrasal.v. 49.485743
- Phrasal.v. 7.289739
- Phrasal.v. 7.706763
- Phrasal.v. 8.925215
- Phrasal.v. 9.923290
- Verbal.v. 10.568289
- Verbal.v. 16.878489
- Verbal.v. 2.441395
- Verbal.v. 20.778986
- Verbal.v. 29.233482
- Verbal.v. 39.103704
- Verbal.v. 39.159884
- Verbal.v. 44.465299
- Verbal.v. 53.890660
- Verbal.v. 6.907002
- Verbal.vv. 21-22.416209
- Verbal.vv. 3-5.446520
- Verbal.vv. 3-5.85994
- Verbal.vv. 36-38.806886
- Verbal.vv. 7-8.16568
- Verbal.vv. 7-8.272262
Approvals
Current Grammar status is not set for version not set. Current Lexical status is not set for version not set.