Psalm 89 Text

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Simple Reading (Hebrew)
Forthcoming. 		Simple Reading (English)
Forthcoming.
Dramatic Reading (Hebrew)
Forthcoming. 		Dramatic Reading (English)
Forthcoming.

Text Only (Hebrew and English) The text below is divided according to the psalm's poetic lines. For additional information, see our Poetic Structure layer.

Hebrew Line English
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל לְאֵיתָ֥ן הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי׃ 1a A *maskil*. By Ethan the Ezrahite.
חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה עוֹלָ֣ם אָשִׁ֑ירָה 2a I will sing forever about YHWH's acts of loyalty.
לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֓ר ׀ אוֹדִ֖יעַ אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בְּפִֽי׃ 2b I will make your reliability known with my mouth for generations to come.
כִּֽי־אָמַ֗רְתִּי 3a For I said,
ע֭וֹלָם חֶ֣סֶד יִבָּנֶ֑ה 3b Loyalty will be built up forever.
שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם תָּכִ֥ין אֱמוּנָתְךָֽ בָהֶֽם׃ 3c The sky—your reliability will be established in it.
כָּרַ֣תִּי בְרִ֣ית לִבְחִירִ֑י 4a I have made a covenant with my chosen one.
נִ֝שְׁבַּ֗עְתִּי לְדָוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ 4b I have sworn an oath to David, my servant:
עַד־עוֹלָ֥ם אָכִ֑ין זַרְעֶ֥ךָ 4c I will establish your dynasty forever,
וּ֝בָנִ֗יתִי לְדֹ֣ר וָדֹֽר כִּסְאָֽךָ׃ סֶֽלָה 4d and I will build your kingdom for generations to come. *Selah.*
וְיוֹד֣וּ ׀ שָׁמַ֣יִם פִּלְאֲךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה 5a So let the sky praise your wonders, YHWH!
אַ֝ף אֱמוּנָתְךָ֗ בִּקְהַ֥ל קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ 5b [Let them praise] your reliability, too, in the assembly of holy ones!
כִּ֤י מִי־בַשַּׁ֨חַק | יַעֲרֹ֬ךְ לַיהוָ֗ה 6a For who in heaven can compare to YHWH?
יִדְמֶ֣ה לַיהוָ֣ה בִּבְנֵ֣י אֵלִֽים׃ 6b [Who] among the divine beings is like YHWH?
אֵ֤ל נַֽעֲרָץ֙ בְּסוֹד־קְדֹשִׁ֔ים רַ֝בָּ֗ה וְנוֹרָ֥א עַל־כָּל־סְבִיבָֽיו׃ 7a God is terrifying in the council of holy ones, and fearful above everyone around him.
יְהוָ֤ה | אֱלֹהֵ֣י צְבָא֣וֹת מִ֭י כָּמ֣וֹךָ חֲסִ֣ין | יָ֑הּ 8a YHWH, God of armies, who is like you? Mighty Yah,
וֶ֝אֱמוּנָ֗תְךָ סְבִיבֽוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ 8b your reliability surrounds you!
אַתָּ֤ה | מוֹשֵׁ֣ל בִּגְאֵ֣וַת הַיָּ֑ם 9a You rule over the swelling of the sea.
בְּשׂ֣וֹא גַלָּ֣יו אַתָּ֣ה תְשַׁבְּחֵֽם׃ 9b When its waves rise up, you control them.
אַתָּ֣ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָהַ֑ב 10a You crushed Rahab like those who are slain.
בִּזְר֣וֹעַ עֻזְּךָ֣ פִּזַּ֖רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶ֣יךָ׃ 10b With your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
לְךָ֣ שָׁמַ֣יִם | אַ֭ף לְךָ אָ֑רֶץ 11a The sky is yours; the earth also is yours.
תֵּבֵ֥ל וּמְלֹאָ֗הּ אַתָּ֣ה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ 11b The world and all that is in it—you founded them.
צָפ֣וֹן וְיָ֭מִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם 12a North and south—you created them.
תָּב֣וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁ֣מְךָ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ 12b Tabor and Hermon rejoice at your name.
לְךָ֣ זְר֣וֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָ֑ה 13a Strength is yours together with might.
תָּ֝עֹ֗ז יָ֣דְךָ תָּר֥וּם יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ 13b Your hand will be powerful, your right hand victorious.
צֶ֤דֶק וּמִשְׁפָּ֨ט ׀ מְכוֹן֮ כִּסְאֶ֪ךָ 14a The base of your throne is righteousness and justice.
חֶ֤סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֨ת ׀ יְקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃ 14b Loyalty and faithfulness stand in front of your presence!
אַשְׁרֵ֤י הָעָם֙ יֹֽדְעֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֔ה 15a Happy is the people who know the joyful shout!
יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּא֣וֹר פָּנֶ֣יךָ יְהַלֵּכֽוּן׃ 15b YHWH, they walk in the light of your face.
בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְגִיל֗וּן כָּל־הַ֫י֥וֹם 16a They rejoice in your name all day long,
וּבְצִדְקָ֥תְךָ יָרֽוּמוּ׃ 16b and in your righteousness they are exalted.
כִּֽי־תִפְאֶרֶת֮ עֻזָּ֪מוֹ אָ֫תָּ֥ה 17a For you are the splendor of their strength,
וּבִרְצֹ֥נְךָ תָרִ֖ים קַרְנֵ֣נוּ׃ 17b and by your favor you lift up our horn.
כִּֽי־לַ֭יהוָה מָגִנֵּ֑נוּ 18a For our shield belongs to YHWH,
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃ 18b and our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel.
אָ֭ז דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּחָז֣וֹן לַחֲסִידֶ֑יךָ 19a Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one:
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שִׁוִּ֣יתִי עֵ֭זֶר עַל־גִּבּ֑וֹר 19b “I have bestowed help upon a warrior.
הֲרִ֥ימֹתִי בָחֽוּר מֵעָֽם׃ 19c I have raised up one chosen from the people.
מָצָ֣אתִי דָוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י 20a I have found David, my servant;
בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן קָדְשִׁ֣י מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ 20b I have anointed him with my holy oil.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָדִ֣י תִּכּֽוֹן עִמּ֑וֹ 21a My hand will always be with him;
אַ֝ף זְרֹועִ֗י תְּאַמְּצֵֽנֽוּ׃ 21b indeed, my arm will strengthen him.
לֹא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ 22a No enemy will deceive him,
וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹא יַעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃ 22b and no wicked person will afflict him.
וְכַתֹּתִ֣י מִפָּנָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו 23a I will crush his foes before him,
וּ֝מְשַׂנְאָ֗יו אֶגֲּפֵֽף׃ 23b and strike down those who hate him.
וֶֽאֱמוּנָתִי֙ וְחַסְדִּ֗י עִמּ֑וֹ 24a My faithfulness and my loyalty will be with him;
וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֽוֹ׃ 24b and by my name his horn will be exalted.
וְשַׁ֥תִּי בַיָּ֗ם יָד֑וֹ 25a I will set his hand on the sea,
וּ֝בַנְּהָר֗וֹת יְֽמִינֽוֹ׃ 25b and his right hand on the rivers.
הוּא־יִקְרָאֵ֥נִי אָבִ֑י 26a He will call out to me, “You are my Father,
אֵ֝לִ֗י וְצ֣וּר יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ 26b my God and the rock of my salvation!”
אַף־אֲנִ֥י בְכוֹר֗וֹ אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ 27a I will make him my firstborn,
עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵ֥י אָֽרֶץ׃ 27b the highest of the kings of the earth.
לְעוֹלָ֣ם אֶשְׁמָר־ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י 28a I will keep my loyalty to him forever,
וּבְרִיתִ֥י נֶ֝אֱמֶ֗נֶת לֽוֹ׃ 28b and my covenant with him will stand firm.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָ֭עַד זַרְע֑וֹ 29a I will establish his offspring forever,
וְכִסְא֖וֹ כִּימֵ֣י שָׁמָֽיִם׃ 29b and his throne as the days of heaven.
אִם־יַ֭עַזְבוּ בָּנָ֣יו תּוֹרָתִ֑י 30a If his sons abandon my instruction
וּ֝בְמִשְׁפָּטַ֗י לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽכוּ׃ 30b and do not walk in my judgments,
אִם־חֻקֹּתַ֥י יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ 31a if they violate my statutes
וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י לֹ֣א יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ׃ 31b and do not keep my commandments—
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י בְשֵֽׁבֶט־פִּשְׁעָ֑ם 32a then I will punish their rebellion with a rod,
וּ֝בִנְגָעִ֗ים עֲוֺנָֽם׃ 32b and their guilt with afflictions.
וְחַסְדִּ֥י לֹֽא־אָפִ֥יר מֵעִמּ֑וֹ 33a But I will not withdraw my loyalty from him,
וְלֹ֥א אֲשַׁקֵּ֖ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִ֣י׃ 33b and I will not betray my faithfulness.
לֹֽא־אֲחַלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתִ֑י 34a I will not violate my covenant,
וּ֝מוֹצָ֗א שְׂפָתַ֥י לֹֽא אֲשַׁנֶּֽה׃ 34b or change what has gone out from my lips.
אַחַ֣ת נִ֭שְׁבַּעְתִּי בְקָדְשִׁ֑י 35a Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness:
אִם־לְדָוִ֥ד אֲכַזֵּֽב׃ 35b I will not lie to David.
זַרְע֥וֹ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה 36a His offspring will endure forever,
וְכִסְא֗וֹ כַּשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ נֶגְדִּֽי׃ 36b and his throne will be like the sun before me.
כְּיָרֵ֣חַ יִכּ֣וֹן עֲלָם֑ 37a Like the moon, it will be established forever—
וְעֵ֥ד בַּשַּׁ֗חַק נֶאֱמָֽן׃ סֶֽלָה 37b and a faithful witness in the sky.” *Selah*
וְאַתָּ֣ה זָנַ֣חְתָּ וַתִּמְאָ֑ס 38a But you have rejected and spurned;
הִ֝תְעַבַּ֗רְתָּ עִם־מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 38b you have become furious with your anointed.
נֵאַרְתָּ֣ה בְרִ֣ית עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ 39a You have renounced the covenant with your servant;
חִלַּ֥לְתָּ לָ֝אָ֗רֶץ נֵזֶרֽוֹ׃ 39b you have defiled his crown in the dust.
פָּרַ֣צְתָּ כָל־גְּדֵרֹתָ֑יו 40a You have broken through all his walls;
שַׂ֖מְתָּ מִבְצָרָ֣יו מְחִתָּֽה׃ 40b you have reduced his strongholds to ruin.
שַׁסֻּ֣הוּ כָל־עֹ֭בְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 41a All who pass by plunder him;
הָיָ֖ה חֶרְפָּ֣ה לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃ 41b he has become a reproach to his neighbors.
הֲרִימֹ֣תָ יְמִ֣ין צָרָ֑יו 42a You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
שִׂמַ֖חְתָּ כָּל־אֹיְבָ֣יו׃ 42b you have made all his enemies rejoice.
אַף־תָּ֭שִׁיב צוּר־חַרְבּ֑וֹ 43a You have turned back the edge of his sword,
וְלֹֽא־הֲקֵימֹת֥וֹ בַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ 43b and did not support him in battle.
הִשְׁבַּ֣תָּ מִטְהָר֣וֹ מִזּ֑הָר 44a You have ended his splendor,
וְכִסְא֖וֹ לָאָ֣רֶץ מִגַּרְתָּֽה׃ 44b and cast his throne down to the ground.
הִקְצַ֣רְתָּ יְמֵ֣י עֲלוּמָ֑יו 45a You have shortened the days of his youth;
הֶעֱטִ֖יתָ עָלָ֣יו בֽוּשָׁה׃ סֶֽלָה 45b you have covered him with shame. *Selah.*
עַד־מָ֤ה ׀ יְֽהוָ֣ה תִּסָּתֵ֣ר לָנֶ֑צַח 46a How long, YHWH? Will you hide forever?
תִּ֝בְעַ֗ר כָּמוֹ־אֵ֥שׁ חֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ 46b Will your wrath blaze like fire?
זְכָר־אָנִ֥י מָ֑ה־חֶ֝לֶד עָ֗לֶם 47a Remember how short my life is!
לָֽמָּה שָׁ֭וְא בְּרָאתָ֣ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָֽם׃ 47b Why did you create every human being for nothing?
מִי־גֶ֭בֶר יִֽחְיֶ֣ה וְלֹֽא־יִרְאֶה־מָ֑וֶת 48a Who can live and not see death?
יְמַלֵּ֥ט נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ מִיַּ֥ד שְׁאֽוֹל׃ סֶֽלָה 48b Can he rescue himself from the power of Sheol? *Selah*
אַיֵּ֣ה חֲסָדֶ֣יךָ הָ֭רִאשֹׁנִים אֲדֹנָ֑י 49a Where are your former acts of loyal love, O Lord,
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתָּ לְדָוִ֣ד בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ 49b that you swore to David in your faithfulness?
זְכֹר־אֲדֹנָ֗י חֶרְפַּ֥ת עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ 50a Remember, Lord, the disgrace of your servants—
שְׂאֵתִ֖י בְּחֵיקִ֣י כָל־רַבִּֽים עַמִּֽים׃ 50b I carry in my heart all the taunts of the nations—
אֲשֶׁר֩ חֵרְפ֨וּ אוֹיְבֶ֜יךָ יְהוָ֗ה 51a with which your enemies, YHWH, have mocked,
חֵ֣רְפ֣וּ עִקְּב֣וֹת מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ 51b mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
בָּר֥וּךְ יְֽהוָ֗ה לְעוֹלָ֫ם אָמֵ֥ן וְאָמֵֽן׃ 52 Blessed be YHWH forever. Amen and amen.

Structure Overlay Below, the text has been overlaid with our summary structural analysis. For details on the structure, see the Structure At-a-Glance here.

SpeakerStructure Hebrew Line English Addressee
Superscription
 מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל לְאֵיתָ֥ן הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי׃ 1a A *maskil*. By Ethan the Ezrahite.
Ethan
Loyalty forever
 חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה עוֹלָ֣ם אָשִׁ֑ירָה 2a I will sing forever about YHWH's acts of loyalty.
joy, confidence
YHWH
לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֓ר ׀ אוֹדִ֖יעַ אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בְּפִֽי׃ 2b I will make your reliability known with my mouth for generations to come.
כִּֽי־אָמַ֗רְתִּי 3a For I said,
ע֭וֹלָם חֶ֣סֶד יִבָּנֶ֑ה 3b Loyalty will be built up forever.
שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם תָּכִ֥ין אֱמוּנָתְךָֽ בָהֶֽם׃ 3c The sky—your reliability will be established in it.
YHWH
 כָּרַ֣תִּי בְרִ֣ית לִבְחִירִ֑י 4a I have made a covenant with my chosen one.
determination
Prophets
נִ֝שְׁבַּ֗עְתִּי לְדָוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ 4b I have sworn an oath to David, my servant:
עַד־עוֹלָ֥ם אָכִ֑ין זַרְעֶ֥ךָ 4c I will establish your dynasty forever,
וּ֝בָנִ֗יתִי לְדֹ֣ר וָדֹֽר כִּסְאָֽךָ׃ סֶֽלָה 4d and I will build your kingdom for generations to come. *Selah.*
וְיוֹד֣וּ ׀ שָׁמַ֣יִם פִּלְאֲךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה 5a So let the sky praise your wonders, YHWH!
אַ֝ף אֱמוּנָתְךָ֗ בִּקְהַ֥ל קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ 5b [Let them praise] your reliability, too, in the assembly of holy ones!
Ethan
Kingdom of heaven
 כִּ֤י מִי־בַשַּׁ֨חַק | יַעֲרֹ֬ךְ לַיהוָ֗ה 6a For who in heaven can compare to YHWH?
awe, confidence
YHWH
יִדְמֶ֣ה לַיהוָ֣ה בִּבְנֵ֣י אֵלִֽים׃ 6b [Who] among the divine beings is like YHWH?
אֵ֤ל נַֽעֲרָץ֙ בְּסוֹד־קְדֹשִׁ֔ים רַ֝בָּ֗ה וְנוֹרָ֥א עַל־כָּל־סְבִיבָֽיו׃ 7a God is terrifying in the council of holy ones, and fearful above everyone around him.
יְהוָ֤ה | אֱלֹהֵ֣י צְבָא֣וֹת מִ֭י כָּמ֣וֹךָ חֲסִ֣ין | יָ֑הּ 8a YHWH, God of armies, who is like you? Mighty Yah,
וֶ֝אֱמוּנָ֗תְךָ סְבִיבֽוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ 8b your reliability surrounds you!
אַתָּ֤ה | מוֹשֵׁ֣ל בִּגְאֵ֣וַת הַיָּ֑ם 9a You rule over the swelling of the sea.
בְּשׂ֣וֹא גַלָּ֣יו אַתָּ֣ה תְשַׁבְּחֵֽם׃ 9b When its waves rise up, you control them.
אַתָּ֣ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָהַ֑ב 10a You crushed Rahab like those who are slain.
בִּזְר֣וֹעַ עֻזְּךָ֣ פִּזַּ֖רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶ֣יךָ׃ 10b With your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
לְךָ֣ שָׁמַ֣יִם | אַ֭ף לְךָ אָ֑רֶץ 11a The sky is yours; the earth also is yours.
תֵּבֵ֥ל וּמְלֹאָ֗הּ אַתָּ֣ה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ 11b The world and all that is in it—you founded them.
צָפ֣וֹן וְיָ֭מִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם 12a North and south—you created them.
תָּב֣וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁ֣מְךָ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ 12b Tabor and Hermon rejoice at your name.
לְךָ֣ זְר֣וֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָ֑ה 13a Strength is yours together with might.
תָּ֝עֹ֗ז יָ֣דְךָ תָּר֥וּם יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ 13b Your hand will be powerful, your right hand victorious.
צֶ֤דֶק וּמִשְׁפָּ֨ט ׀ מְכוֹן֮ כִּסְאֶ֪ךָ 14a The base of your throne is righteousness and justice.
חֶ֤סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֨ת ׀ יְקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃ 14b Loyalty and faithfulness stand in front of your presence!
אַשְׁרֵ֤י הָעָם֙ יֹֽדְעֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֔ה 15a Happy is the people who know the joyful shout!
יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּא֣וֹר פָּנֶ֣יךָ יְהַלֵּכֽוּן׃ 15b YHWH, they walk in the light of your face.
בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְגִיל֗וּן כָּל־הַ֫י֥וֹם 16a They rejoice in your name all day long,
וּבְצִדְקָ֥תְךָ יָרֽוּמוּ׃ 16b and in your righteousness they are exalted.
כִּֽי־תִפְאֶרֶת֮ עֻזָּ֪מוֹ אָ֫תָּ֥ה 17a For you are the splendor of their strength,
וּבִרְצֹ֥נְךָ תָרִ֖ים קַרְנֵ֣נוּ׃ 17b and by your favor you lift up our horn.
כִּֽי־לַ֭יהוָה מָגִנֵּ֑נוּ 18a For our shield belongs to YHWH,
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃ 18b and our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel.
אָ֭ז דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּחָז֣וֹן לַחֲסִידֶ֑יךָ 19a Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one:
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שִׁוִּ֣יתִי עֵ֭זֶר עַל־גִּבּ֑וֹר 19b “I have bestowed help upon a warrior.
הֲרִ֥ימֹתִי בָחֽוּר מֵעָֽם׃ 19c I have raised up one chosen from the people.
Kingdom on earth
 מָצָ֣אתִי דָוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י 20a I have found David, my servant;
determination
YHWH
 בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן קָדְשִׁ֣י מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ 20b I have anointed him with my holy oil.
Prophets
אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָדִ֣י תִּכּֽוֹן עִמּ֑וֹ 21a My hand will always be with him;
אַ֝ף זְרֹועִ֗י תְּאַמְּצֵֽנֽוּ׃ 21b indeed, my arm will strengthen him.
לֹא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ 22a No enemy will deceive him,
וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹא יַעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃ 22b and no wicked person will afflict him.
וְכַתֹּתִ֣י מִפָּנָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו 23a I will crush his foes before him,
וּ֝מְשַׂנְאָ֗יו אֶגֲּפֵֽף׃ 23b and strike down those who hate him.
וֶֽאֱמוּנָתִי֙ וְחַסְדִּ֗י עִמּ֑וֹ 24a My faithfulness and my loyalty will be with him;
וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֽוֹ׃ 24b and by my name his horn will be exalted.
וְשַׁ֥תִּי בַיָּ֗ם יָד֑וֹ 25a I will set his hand on the sea,
וּ֝בַנְּהָר֗וֹת יְֽמִינֽוֹ׃ 25b and his right hand on the rivers.
הוּא־יִקְרָאֵ֥נִי אָבִ֑י 26a He will call out to me, “You are my Father,
אֵ֝לִ֗י וְצ֣וּר יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ 26b my God and the rock of my salvation!”
אַף־אֲנִ֥י בְכוֹר֗וֹ אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ 27a I will make him my firstborn,
עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵ֥י אָֽרֶץ׃ 27b the highest of the kings of the earth.
לְעוֹלָ֣ם אֶשְׁמָר־ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י 28a I will keep my loyalty to him forever,
וּבְרִיתִ֥י נֶ֝אֱמֶ֗נֶת לֽוֹ׃ 28b and my covenant with him will stand firm.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָ֭עַד זַרְע֑וֹ 29a I will establish his offspring forever,
וְכִסְא֖וֹ כִּימֵ֣י שָׁמָֽיִם׃ 29b and his throne as the days of heaven.
אִם־יַ֭עַזְבוּ בָּנָ֣יו תּוֹרָתִ֑י 30a If his sons abandon my instruction
וּ֝בְמִשְׁפָּטַ֗י לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽכוּ׃ 30b and do not walk in my judgments,
אִם־חֻקֹּתַ֥י יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ 31a if they violate my statutes
וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י לֹ֣א יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ׃ 31b and do not keep my commandments—
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י בְשֵֽׁבֶט־פִּשְׁעָ֑ם 32a then I will punish their rebellion with a rod,
וּ֝בִנְגָעִ֗ים עֲוֺנָֽם׃ 32b and their guilt with afflictions.
וְחַסְדִּ֥י לֹֽא־אָפִ֥יר מֵעִמּ֑וֹ 33a But I will not withdraw my loyalty from him,
וְלֹ֥א אֲשַׁקֵּ֖ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִ֣י׃ 33b and I will not betray my faithfulness.
לֹֽא־אֲחַלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתִ֑י 34a I will not violate my covenant,
וּ֝מוֹצָ֗א שְׂפָתַ֥י לֹֽא אֲשַׁנֶּֽה׃ 34b or change what has gone out from my lips.
אַחַ֣ת נִ֭שְׁבַּעְתִּי בְקָדְשִׁ֑י 35a Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness:
אִם־לְדָוִ֥ד אֲכַזֵּֽב׃ 35b I will not lie to David.
זַרְע֥וֹ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה 36a His offspring will endure forever,
וְכִסְא֗וֹ כַּשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ נֶגְדִּֽי׃ 36b and his throne will be like the sun before me.
כְּיָרֵ֣חַ יִכּ֣וֹן עֲלָם֑ 37a Like the moon, it will be established forever—
וְעֵ֥ד בַּשַּׁ֗חַק נֶאֱמָֽן׃ סֶֽלָה 37b and a faithful witness in the sky.” *Selah*
וְאַתָּ֣ה זָנַ֣חְתָּ וַתִּמְאָ֑ס 38a But you have rejected and spurned;
הִ֝תְעַבַּ֗רְתָּ עִם־מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 38b you have become furious with your anointed.
Israel
Kingdom in crisis
 נֵאַרְתָּ֣ה בְרִ֣ית עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ 39a You have renounced the covenant with your servant;
anger, shame
YHWH
חִלַּ֥לְתָּ לָ֝אָ֗רֶץ נֵזֶרֽוֹ׃ 39b you have defiled his crown in the dust.
פָּרַ֣צְתָּ כָל־גְּדֵרֹתָ֑יו 40a You have broken through all his walls;
שַׂ֖מְתָּ מִבְצָרָ֣יו מְחִתָּֽה׃ 40b you have reduced his strongholds to ruin.
שַׁסֻּ֣הוּ כָל־עֹ֭בְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 41a All who pass by plunder him;
הָיָ֖ה חֶרְפָּ֣ה לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃ 41b he has become a reproach to his neighbors.
הֲרִימֹ֣תָ יְמִ֣ין צָרָ֑יו 42a You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
שִׂמַ֖חְתָּ כָּל־אֹיְבָ֣יו׃ 42b you have made all his enemies rejoice.
אַף־תָּ֭שִׁיב צוּר־חַרְבּ֑וֹ 43a You have turned back the edge of his sword,
וְלֹֽא־הֲקֵימֹת֥וֹ בַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ 43b and did not support him in battle.
הִשְׁבַּ֣תָּ מִטְהָר֣וֹ מִזּ֑הָר 44a You have ended his splendor,
וְכִסְא֖וֹ לָאָ֣רֶץ מִגַּרְתָּֽה׃ 44b and cast his throne down to the ground.
הִקְצַ֣רְתָּ יְמֵ֣י עֲלוּמָ֑יו 45a You have shortened the days of his youth;
הֶעֱטִ֖יתָ עָלָ֣יו בֽוּשָׁה׃ סֶֽלָה 45b you have covered him with shame. *Selah.*
עַד־מָ֤ה ׀ יְֽהוָ֣ה תִּסָּתֵ֣ר לָנֶ֑צַח 46a How long, YHWH? Will you hide forever?
תִּ֝בְעַ֗ר כָּמוֹ־אֵ֥שׁ חֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ 46b Will your wrath blaze like fire?
זְכָר־אָנִ֥י מָ֑ה־חֶ֝לֶד עָ֗לֶם 47a Remember how short my life is!
לָֽמָּה שָׁ֭וְא בְּרָאתָ֣ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָֽם׃ 47b Why did you create every human being for nothing?
מִי־גֶ֭בֶר יִֽחְיֶ֣ה וְלֹֽא־יִרְאֶה־מָ֑וֶת 48a Who can live and not see death?
יְמַלֵּ֥ט נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ מִיַּ֥ד שְׁאֽוֹל׃ סֶֽלָה 48b Can he rescue himself from the power of Sheol? *Selah*
אַיֵּ֣ה חֲסָדֶ֣יךָ הָ֭רִאשֹׁנִים אֲדֹנָ֑י 49a Where are your former acts of loyal love, O Lord,
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתָּ לְדָוִ֣ד בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ 49b that you swore to David in your faithfulness?
זְכֹר־אֲדֹנָ֗י חֶרְפַּ֥ת עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ 50a Remember, Lord, the disgrace of your servants—
שְׂאֵתִ֖י בְּחֵיקִ֣י כָל־רַבִּֽים עַמִּֽים׃ 50b I carry in my heart all the taunts of the nations—
אֲשֶׁר֩ חֵרְפ֨וּ אוֹיְבֶ֜יךָ יְהוָ֗ה 51a with which your enemies, YHWH, have mocked,
חֵ֣רְפ֣וּ עִקְּב֣וֹת מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ 51b mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
בָּר֥וּךְ יְֽהוָ֗ה לְעוֹלָ֫ם אָמֵ֥ן וְאָמֵֽן׃ 52 Blessed be YHWH forever. Amen and amen.

Expanded paraphrase The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.

Text (Hebrew) Verse Expanded Paraphrase
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל לְאֵיתָ֥ן הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי׃ 1 A maskil. By Ethan, the prominent Levite and temple musician who worked under David's leadership. He lived among the clan of Zerah and is thus known as Ethan the Ezrahite.
חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה עוֹלָ֣ם אָשִׁ֑ירָה לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֓ר ׀ אוֹדִ֖יעַ אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בְּפִֽי׃ 2 I will commit to sing ing forever and ever about YHWH's acts of covenant loyalty, especially the acts of loyalty that he has done and will do for our king, David. YHWH, you are supremely reliable, and I will make your reliability known to others with my mouth for generations to come.
כִּֽי־אָמַ֗רְתִּי ע֭וֹלָם חֶ֣סֶד יִבָּנֶ֑ה שָׁמַ֓יִם ׀ *תִּכֹּן* אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בָהֶֽם׃ 3 I am committed to singing about YHWH's loyalty forever. For I said to myself, being fully convinced, " YHWH's loyalty to David will be built up forever and ever, like a house built on an unshakable foundation, never to fall. Each act of covenant loyalty is like another stone in the building, making it more and more beautiful and stable. And no one can threaten this house, because it is established in the most secure place imaginable: the sky—your reliability will be established in it, YHWH." And so, because YHWH's loyalty and reliability to David will never end, they deserve to be celebrated with singing that will never end.
כָּרַ֣תִּֽי בְ֭רִית לִבְחִירִ֑י נִ֝שְׁבַּ֗עְתִּי לְדָוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ 4 This is a summary of what YHWH promised to David, which he revealed to Nathan the prophet in a vision (2 Sam 7):"I have made a covenant, an enduring agreement sealed with an oath, with my chosen one, David. I have sworn an oath to David, my servant.
עַד־ע֭וֹלָם אָכִ֣ין זַרְעֶ֑ךָ וּבָנִ֨יתִי לְדֹר־וָד֖וֹר כִּסְאֲךָ֣ סֶֽלָה׃ 5 I have sworn to him,'I will securely establish your descendants so that your dynasty lasts forever and you always have a descendant sitting on your throne, and I will build your throne, a symbol of your kingdom, so that it endures for generations to come.'" Selah.
וְי֘וֹד֤וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם פִּלְאֲךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה אַף־אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ בִּקְהַ֥ל קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ 6 And not only is YHWH supremely loyal and reliable, committed to keeping his promises, but there is nothing that can stop YHWH from doing so. There is no one like him! So let the heavenly beings in the sky praise your wonders, YHWH! [Let them praise] your reliability, too, in the heavenly assembly of angelic holy ones, who gather around you to serve you and carry out your will!
כִּ֤י מִ֣י בַ֭שַּׁחַק יַעֲרֹ֣ךְ לַיהוָ֑ה יִדְמֶ֥ה לַ֝יהוָ֗ה בִּבְנֵ֥י אֵלִים׃ 7 They should praise you because you are far superior to them and worthy of their praise. For who in heaven can compare to YHWH? No one![Who] among the divine beings is like YHWH? None of them!
אֵ֣ל נַ֭עֲרָץ בְּסוֹד־קְדֹשִׁ֣ים רַבָּ֑ה וְ֝נוֹרָ֗א עַל־כָּל־סְבִיבָֽיו׃ 8 [He is] a god who is terrifying in the heavenly council of angelic holy ones, and he is great and fearful above and beyond everyone around him.
יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י צְבָא֗וֹת מִֽי־כָֽמ֖וֹךָ חֲסִ֥ין ׀ יָ֑הּ וֶ֝אֱמֽוּנָתְךָ֗ סְבִיבוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ 9 YHWH, God of armies, who is like you? No one! Mighty Yah, [who is like you] with your reliability around you? No one!
אַתָּ֣ה מ֭וֹשֵׁל בְּגֵא֣וּת הַיָּ֑ם בְּשׂ֥וֹא גַ֝לָּ֗יו אַתָּ֥ה תְשַׁבְּחֵֽם׃ 10 You, and you alone, rule over the swelling of the sea, a symbol of chaos and unruly disorder. Who can rule over something as untamed and powerful as the sea? When its waves rise up, you and you alone are able to control them.
אַתָּ֤ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָ֑הַב בִּזְר֥וֹעַ עֻ֝זְּךָ֗ פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ׃ 11 You and you alone created the world, bringing order out of chaos. You are the one who crushed the chaotic sea monster Rahab, defeating him like those who are slain in battle. You spoke the word, and darkness became light; dry land emerged out of the chaotic waters. With your strong arm you scattered your enemies, every force of chaos and disorder.
לְךָ֣ שָׁ֭מַיִם אַף־לְךָ֥ אָ֑רֶץ תֵּבֵ֥ל וּ֝מְלֹאָ֗הּ אַתָּ֥ה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ 12 As the victorious creator of the world, everything belongs to you. The sky is yours and yours alone; the earth also is yours and yours alone. The world and all that is in it—you are the one who founded them in the same way that a king might found and build a palace after defeating all of his enemies and securing peace for his land.
צָפ֣וֹן וְ֭יָמִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם תָּב֥וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ 13 You are the creator and king not only of Israel, but of the whole world. North and south—you are the one who created them. They are not the territory of another god; they belong to you. Tabor and Hermon, these great mountains in the north, associated with the worship of other gods, rejoice at your name, not at the name of other gods like Baal, for you are the one who created them.
לְךָ֣ זְ֭רוֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָ֑ה תָּעֹ֥ז יָ֝דְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ 14 You are the supreme king over the whole world, and you exhibit the best qualities of a king: strength and power, righteousness and faithfulness. You have a strong arm, together with might. Your hand will be powerful, your strong right hand exalted in victoryover your enemies.
צֶ֣דֶק וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ חֶ֥סֶד וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת יְֽקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃ 15 The base of your throne, the foundation of your kingdom, is secure because it consists of righteousness and justice. Your rule is characterized by loyalty and faithfulness. These attributes come and stand in front of your presence like servants in your royal court. Truly, there is no one like you!
אַשְׁרֵ֣י הָ֭עָם יוֹדְעֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֑ה יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּֽאוֹר־פָּנֶ֥יךָ יְהַלֵּכֽוּן׃ 16 Because you are a supremely just and powerful king, Israel is blessed to be your people! How fortunate and happy are the people of Israel, whom you have chosen for yourself, those who know and recognize the sound used to signal YHWH's presence with them on the battlefield, fighting for them and guaranteeing their victory! YHWH, happy are those who go about in the light of your presence and live under your blessing!
בְּ֭שִׁמְךָ יְגִיל֣וּן כָּל־הַיּ֑וֹם וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ֥ יָרֽוּמוּ׃ 17 They are always celebrating with glad ness because of your name, because of who you are, and they are always exalted over their enemies in battle because of your righteousness, the quality by which you do what is right and give your people victory.
כִּֽי־תִפְאֶ֣רֶת עֻזָּ֣מוֹ אָ֑תָּה וּ֝בִרְצֹנְךָ֗ תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֵֽנוּ׃ 18 They rejoice and exalt in you, for you are the ir source of strength in which they glory, and our horn will be exalted in victory, not because of our strength, but because of your favor.
כִּ֣י לַֽ֭יהוָה מָֽגִנֵּ֑נוּ וְלִקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃ 19 For we are not left to protect ourselves. Rather, our shield, our means of protection and source of victory, belongs to YHWH. YHWH is responsible for protecting us, and he does so by means of his anointed king. And our king is under YHWH's care; he belongs to the holy one of Israel. As long as YHWH is our God and our king is in his care, who can stand against us? Nothing can stop YHWH from keeping his promises.
אָ֤ז דִּבַּ֥רְתָּֽ־בְחָ֡זוֹן לַֽחֲסִידֶ֗יךָ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שִׁוִּ֣יתִי עֵ֭זֶר עַל־גִּבּ֑וֹר הֲרִימ֖וֹתִי בָח֣וּר מֵעָֽם׃ 20 And YHWH's promises to David are unconditional. Long ago, YHWH, you spoke in a vision to your loyal ones, the prophets – in this case, to Nathan the prophet – and said, "I have chosen someone to be king over my people. I have granted help to a warrior, the young boy David. I helped him kill Goliath and win many victories as the leader of Saul's armies. I have set him apart and exalted him as someone chosen to be king from among the people.
מָ֭צָאתִי דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן קָדְשִׁ֣י מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ 21 I have found David, my servant. Through the prophet Samuel, I found him in Bethlehem tending his father's sheep; and through Samuel, I have anointed him with my holy oil, consecrating him for special service to me, to rule over my people, Israel.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָ֭דִי תִּכּ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ אַף־זְרוֹעִ֥י תְאַמְּצֶֽנּוּ׃ 22 My strong hand will always be with him; my powerful arm will also strengthen him. And because of my strength, he will be able to stand strong against his enemies.
לֹֽא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃ 23 No enemy nation will conquer him and exact tribute from him, and no unjust person, no foreign king, will afflict him by imposing a tribute upon him.
וְכַתּוֹתִ֣י מִפָּנָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֥יו אֶגּֽוֹף׃ 24 But I will crush and totally defeat his adversaries from before him, and strike down those who are hostile to him.
וֶֽאֶֽמוּנָתִ֣י וְחַסְדִּ֣י עִמּ֑וֹ וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י תָּר֥וּם קַרְנֽוֹ׃ 25 I have made a covenant with him, and so I will be loyal to him. My reliability and my loyalty will be with him, and his horn will be exalted in victory because of my name, because of who I am—a God who is faithful and powerful.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י בַיָּ֣ם יָד֑וֹ וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת יְמִינֽוֹ׃ 26 And just as I rule over the chaotic sea, so I will put his hand on the sea and give him control over its swelling waves, and I will put his right hand on the ocean's currents. He, too, will be master over chaos, subduing his enemies and bringing peace and order to his kingdom, just as I did at creation.
ה֣וּא יִ֭קְרָאֵנִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה אֵ֝לִ֗י וְצ֣וּר יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ 27 He will acknowledge his dependence on me and call out to me, "You are my father, and I am your son, who represents your heavenly rule on earth and resembles your character. You are my god and the giant rock who gives me shelter from my enemies and saves me."
אַף־אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ 28 What's more, he will not be a king like any other king. I will make him supreme, the firstborn son and heir to my universal kingdom. I will make him the highest of the kings of the earth, even as I am "the Most High" and there is no one in heaven who compares to me.
לְ֭עוֹלָ֗ם אֶשְׁמָור־ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י נֶאֱמֶ֥נֶת לֽוֹ׃ 29 Other earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but his will never fall. I will keep my loyalty for him forever, and my covenant will be enduring for him through his line of descendants.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָעַ֣ד זַרְע֑וֹ וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ כִּימֵ֥י שָׁמָֽיִם׃ 30 I will securely establish his descendants so that his dynasty lasts forever, and his throne, the symbol of his kingdom, will last as long as the sky endures. For the same covenant loyalty that upholds the sky upholds my covenant with David.
אִם־יַֽעַזְב֣וּ בָ֭נָיו תּוֹרָתִ֑י וּ֝בְמִשְׁפָּטַ֗י לֹ֣א יֵלֵכֽוּן׃ 31 My promises to him are unconditional. Even if his descendants reject my instruction and do not walk according to my rules;
אִם־חֻקֹּתַ֥י יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י לֹ֣א יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ׃ 32 if they dishonor my decrees and do not keep my commands,
וּפָקַדְתִּ֣י בְשֵׁ֣בֶט פִּשְׁעָ֑ם וּבִנְגָעִ֥ים עֲוֺנָֽם׃ 33 then, yes, to be sure, I will punish their rebellion with a rod and their iniquity with wounds, just as any father would discipline his son for disobedience.
וְ֭חַסְדִּי לֹֽא־אָפִ֣יר מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃ 34 But even then, I will not annul my covenant. I will not remove my loyalty from being with him, and I will not break faith with him and renounce my reliability.
לֹא־אֲחַלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתִ֑י וּמוֹצָ֥א שְׂ֝פָתַ֗י לֹ֣א אֲשַׁנֶּֽה׃ 35 I will not dishonor my covenant with him or change what I promised him, what has come from my lips.
אַ֭חַת נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי בְקָדְשִׁ֑י אִֽם־לְדָוִ֥ד אֲכַזֵּֽב׃ 36 Once and for all I hereby swear an oath to David, and I swear it by my own holiness, for there is nothing higher by which I can swear: 'I will not lie to David. If I lie to him, may I be accursed!
זַ֭רְעוֹ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה וְכִסְא֖וֹ כַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ נֶגְדִּֽי׃ 37 I swear that his descendants will be forever, and his throne [will be] enduring like the sun before me, which is sustained by my power and my covenant loyalty.
כְּ֭יָרֵחַ יִכּ֣וֹן עוֹלָ֑ם וְעֵ֥ד בַּ֝שַּׁ֗חַק נֶאֱמָ֥ן סֶֽלָה׃ 38 Like the moon it, i.e., David's kingdom, will be securely established forever, and [like] the moon, the enduring and reliable witness in heaven,[it will be] enduring. The moon, which was there on the night that I spoke to Nathan the prophet in a vision, is a witness to my oath and evidence of my faithfulness. "If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne" (Jer 33:20–21, ESV).'" Selah.
וְאַתָּ֣ה זָ֭נַחְתָּ וַתִּמְאָ֑ס הִ֝תְעַבַּ֗רְתָּ עִם־מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 39 But you are not doing what you said you would do! You have rejected your anointed one and refused to keep your promises! Your anointed one has sinned against you, and you have become furious with your anointed one. You said you would discipline him and that your covenant loyalty would not leave him. But when will the discipline end? It feels like you have gone too far.
נֵ֭אַרְתָּה בְּרִ֣ית עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ חִלַּ֖לְתָּ לָאָ֣רֶץ נִזְרֽוֹ׃ 40 It seems like you have renounced the"unending" covenant you made with your servant. You have thrown his crown down to the ground as though it were something profane.
פָּרַ֥צְתָּ כָל־גְּדֵרֹתָ֑יו שַׂ֖מְתָּ מִבְצָרָ֣יו מְחִתָּה׃ 41 You have not strengthened him in battle like you said you would. Instead, you have breached all of his defensive walls. You have made his strongholds a ruin. He is completely vulnerable to attacks.
שַׁ֭סֻּהוּ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ הָיָ֥ה חֶ֝רְפָּ֗ה לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃ 42 And so, because he is defenseless, all who pass by have plundered him. He has become an object of scorn to his neighbors. Everyone makes fun of our king, because he is weak and defenseless!
הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ יְמִ֣ין צָרָ֑יו הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ כָּל־אוֹיְבָֽיו׃ 43 You promised to exalt him and make him victorious, but instead, you have done the exact opposite! You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have caused all of his enemies to rejoice in their victory over him.
אַף־תָּ֭שִׁיב צ֣וּר חַרְבּ֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א הֲ֝קֵימֹת֗וֹ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ 44 What's worse, not only did you fight for his enemies, you actually fought against your anointed! You turn ed back his sharp sword so that he could not strike his enemies, and when he fell down injured, you did not even help him up in the battle.
הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ מִטְּהָר֑וֹ וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ לָאָ֥רֶץ מִגַּֽרְתָּה׃ 45 You have put an end to his once radiant splendor and hurled his throne, the symbol of his kingdom, down to the ground.
הִ֭קְצַרְתָּ יְמֵ֣י עֲלוּמָ֑יו הֶֽעֱטִ֨יתָ עָלָ֖יו בּוּשָׁ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃ 46 You have cut short the days of his youth. He is no longer young and strong like he once was. Instead, he is like a weak old man. You have covered him with shame. Selah.
עַד־מָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה תִּסָּתֵ֣ר לָנֶ֑צַח תִּבְעַ֖ר כְּמוֹ־אֵ֣שׁ חֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ 47 How long will you fight against him and humiliate him, YHWH? Where are you? Where is the God that we know? Will you hide yourself from us forever? Will your wrath rage like a fire as you discipline your anointed one[forever]? If your wrath continues to burn like this, we will be completely consumed.
זְכָר־*אֲדֹנָי* מֶה־חָ֑לֶד עַל־מַה־שָּׁ֝֗וְא בָּרָ֥אתָ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָֽם׃ 48 We don't have long, YHWH! Unless you have mercy on us soon, this whole generation will pass away, and we will never get to experience your loyalty and witness you keep your promises. Remember, Lord, what a human lifespan is! Remember how short our lives are! And remember for what futility you created all people, how, in the end, we all die!
מִ֤י גֶ֣בֶר יִֽ֭חְיֶה וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶה־מָּ֑וֶת יְמַלֵּ֨ט נַפְשׁ֖וֹ מִיַּד־שְׁא֣וֹל סֶֽלָה׃ 49 What person can live and not see death, can rescue his life from the power ful hand of Sheol? No one. So, please hurry and keep your promises, before we all die! Selah.
אַיֵּ֤ה ׀ חֲסָדֶ֖יךָ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֥ים ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ לְ֝דָוִ֗ד בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ 50 Where are your former acts of loyalty, Lord, which you swore to David in your reliability? They were supposed to last forever, but now they are nowhere to be found.
זְכֹ֣ר אֲ֭דֹנָי חֶרְפַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ שְׂאֵתִ֥י בְ֝חֵיקִ֗י כָּל־*רִבֵי מֵעַמִּֽים*׃ 51 Remember, Lord, how we, your servants, are scorned by our enemies, how I, Israel, carry around in my bosom, a symbol of my deepest, innermost self, all the burdensome insults of the peoples!
אֲשֶׁ֤ר חֵרְפ֖וּ אוֹיְבֶ֥יךָ ׀ יְהוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר חֵ֝רְפ֗וּ עִקְּב֥וֹת מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 52 [Remember] that your enemies have scorned, YHWH, that they have scorned your anointed king every step of the way; they have scorned the footsteps of your anointed one! Do something, YHWH!
בָּר֖וּךְ יְהוָ֥ה לְ֝עוֹלָ֗ם אָ֘מֵ֥ן ׀ וְאָמֵֽן׃ 53 Yet, despite all this, we do not curse YHWH. We continue to trust him and bless him: Blessed be YHWH forever! Amen and Amen.

Participant Tracking Text Participant Analysis focuses on the characters in the psalm and asks, “Who are the main participants (or characters) in this psalm, and what are they saying or doing? Our full analysis can be found in the Participant Analysis layer.

  Participant Color-Coding

There are 6 participants/characters in Psalm 89:

Profile List

Ethan the Ezrahite
"Ethan the Ezrahite" (v. 1)
Israel
"the people" (vv. 16, 20)
"those who know the signal" (v. 16)
"YHWH's servants" (v. 51)
Prophets
"YHWH's loyal ones" (v. 20)

YHWH
"YHWH" (vv. 2, 6, 7, 9, 16, 19, 47, 52, 53)
"YHWH, God of armies" (v. 9)
"Mighty Yah" (v. 9)
"The holy one of Israel" (v. 19)
"The king's father, god, and the rock who saves him" (v. 27)
"Lord" (vv. 58, 50, 51)

David
"David" (vv. 4, 21, 36, 50)
"YHWH's servant" (vv. 4, 21)
"YHWH's chosen one" (vv. 4, 20)
"warrior" (v. 20)
"The firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth" (v. 28)
David's descendant(s)
"David's descendants" (lit: "seed") (vv. 5, 30, 37)
"Israel's king" (v. 19)
"David's descendants" (lit: "sons") (v. 31)
"YHWH's anointed one" (vv. 39, 52)
"YHWH's servant" (v. 40)

Enemies
"Enemy" (v. 23)
"Unjust person" (v. 23)
"David's adversaries" (v. 24)
"Those who are hostile to David" (v. 24)
"All who pass by" (v. 42)
"The king's neighbors" (v. 42)
"The king's enemies" (v. 43)
"The king's adversaries" (v. 43)
"The nations" (v. 51)
"YHWH's enemies" (v. 52)
The Sea
"The sea" (vv. 10, 26)
"The sea's waves" (v. 10)
"The currents" (v. 26)
"Rahab" (the sea monster) (v. 11)
"YHWH's enemies" (v. 11)

Divine beings
"The sky" (v. 6)
"Holy ones" (vv. 6, 8)
"Divine beings" (v. 7)
"Everyone around YHWH" (v. 8)
"Tabor and Hermon" (v. 13)

Humanity
"People" (v. 48)
"Person" (v. 49)

Profile Notes

  • Ethan was a Levite, a contemporary of King David, whom David put in charge of early temple music, together with Asaph and Heman (1 Chr 6:16-32; 15:16-19). He was an "Ezrahite" in the sense that he was associated with the Judahite family of Zerah (cf. 1 Chr 2:6), not as a biological descendant, but as a sojourner (cf. Judg 17:7; 1 Sam 1:1). In addition to being a leader of worship, he was also renowned for his wisdom (cf. 1 Kgs 5:10-11). See further: The Identity of Ethan the Ezrahite in Ps 89:1.
  • YHWH's heavenly court consists of lesser divine beings (cf. 1 Kgs 22:19; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Ps 82). These heavenly creatures surround YHWH's throne (see v. 8b) and worship him (v. 6; cf. Ps 29). In terms of power and majesty, they do not even compare to YHWH (see vv. 7–8).
Hebrew Line English
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל לְאֵיתָ֥ן הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי׃ 1 A maskil. By Ethan the Ezrahite.
חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה עוֹלָ֣ם אָשִׁ֑ירָה 2a I will sing forever about YHWH's acts of loyalty.
לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֓ר ׀ אוֹדִ֖יעַ אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בְּפִֽי׃ 2b I will make your reliability known with my mouth for generations to come.
כִּֽי־אָמַ֗רְתִּי ע֭וֹלָם חֶ֣סֶד יִבָּנֶ֑ה 3a For I said, Loyalty will be built up forever.
שָׁמַ֓יִם ׀ תִכֹן אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בָהֶֽם׃ 3b sky—your reliability will be established in it."
כָּרַ֣תִּֽי בְ֭רִית לִבְחִירִ֑י 4a I have made a covenant with my chosen one.
נִ֝שְׁבַּ֗עְתִּי לְדָוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ 4b I have sworn an oath to David, my servant:
עַד־ע֭וֹלָם אָכִ֣ין זַרְעֶ֑ךָ 5a I will establish your descendants forever,
וּבָנִ֨יתִי לְדֹר־וָד֖וֹר כִּסְאֲךָ֣ סֶֽלָה׃ 5b and I will build your throne for generations to come.'" Selah.
וְי֘וֹד֤וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם פִּלְאֲךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה 6a So let the sky praise your wonders, YHWH!
אַף־אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ בִּקְהַ֥ל קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ 6b your reliability, too, in the assembly of holy ones!
כִּ֤י מִ֣י בַ֭שַּׁחַק יַעֲרֹ֣ךְ לַיהוָ֑ה 7a For who in heaven can compare to YHWH?
יִדְמֶ֥ה לַ֝יהוָ֗ה בִּבְנֵ֥י אֵלִים׃ 7b among the divine beings is like YHWH?
אֵ֣ל נַ֭עֲרָץ בְּסוֹד־קְדֹשִׁ֣ים 8a a god who is terrifying in the council of holy ones,
רַבָּ֑ה וְ֝נוֹרָ֗א עַל־כָּל־סְבִיבָֽיו׃ 8b great and fearful above everyone around him.
יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י צְבָא֗וֹת מִֽי־כָֽמ֖וֹךָ 9a YHWH, God of armies, who is like you?
חֲסִ֥ין ׀ יָ֑הּ וֶ֝אֱמֽוּנָתְךָ֗ סְבִיבוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ 9b Mighty Yah, [who is like you] with your reliability around you?
אַתָּ֣ה מ֭וֹשֵׁל בְּגֵא֣וּת הַיָּ֑ם 10a You rule over the swelling of the sea.
בְּשׂ֥וֹא גַ֝לָּ֗יו אַתָּ֥ה תְשַׁבְּחֵֽם׃ 10b When its waves rise up, you control them.
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.
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.
צָפ֣וֹן וְ֭יָמִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם 13a North and south—you created them.
תָּב֥וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ 13b Tabor and Hermon rejoice at your name.
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.
צֶ֣דֶק וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ 15a base of your throne is righteousness and justice.
חֶ֥סֶד וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת יְֽקַדְּמ֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃ 15b Loyalty and faithfulness stand in front of your presence.
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!
בְּ֭שִׁמְךָ יְגִיל֣וּן כָּל־הַיּ֑וֹם 17a They are always glad because of your name,
וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ֥ יָרֽוּמוּ׃ 17b and exalted because of your righteousness.
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.
כִּ֣י לַֽ֭יהוָה מָֽגִנֵּ֑נוּ 19a For our shield belongs to YHWH,
וְלִקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מַלְכֵּֽנוּ׃ 19b and our king belongs to the holy one of Israel.
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.
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.
לֹֽא־יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ 23a No enemy will exact tribute from him,
וּבֶן־עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ׃ 23b and no unjust person will afflict him.
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.
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.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י בַיָּ֣ם יָד֑וֹ 26a And I will put his hand on the sea
וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת יְמִינֽוֹ׃ 26b and his right hand on the currents.
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."
אַף־אָ֭נִי בְּכ֣וֹר אֶתְּנֵ֑הוּ 28a What's more, I will make him the firstborn,
עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ 28b highest of the kings of the earth.
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.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י לָעַ֣ד זַרְע֑וֹ 30a I will establish his descendants forever
וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ כִּימֵ֥י שָׁמָֽיִם׃ 30b and his throne as long as the sky endures.
אִם־יַֽעַזְב֣וּ בָ֭נָיו תּוֹרָתִ֑י 31a If his descendants reject my instruction
וּ֝בְמִשְׁפָּטַ֗י לֹ֣א יֵלֵכֽוּן׃ 31b and do not walk according to my rules;
אִם־חֻקֹּתַ֥י יְחַלֵּ֑לוּ 32a if they dishonor my decrees
וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י לֹ֣א יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ׃ 32b and do not keep my commands,
וּפָקַדְתִּ֣י בְשֵׁ֣בֶט פִּשְׁעָ֑ם 33a then I will punish their rebellion with a rod
וּבִנְגָעִ֥ים עֲוֺנָֽם׃ 33b and their iniquity with wounds.
וְ֭חַסְדִּי לֹֽא־אָפִ֣יר מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ 34a But I will not annul my loyalty from being with him,
וְלֹֽא־אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃ 34b and I will not deal falsely with my reliability.
לֹא־אֲחַלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתִ֑י 35a I will not dishonor my covenant
וּמוֹצָ֥א שְׂ֝פָתַ֗י לֹ֣א אֲשַׁנֶּֽה׃ 35b or change what has come from my lips.
אַ֭חַת נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי בְקָדְשִׁ֑י 36a Once and for all I swear an oath by my holiness:
אִֽם־לְדָוִ֥ד אֲכַזֵּֽב׃ 36b I will not lie to David.
זַ֭רְעוֹ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה 37a His descendants will be forever,
וְכִסְא֖וֹ כַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ נֶגְדִּֽי׃ 37b and his throne [will be] like the sun before me.
כְּ֭יָרֵחַ יִכּ֣וֹן עוֹלָ֑ם 38a Like the moon it will be established forever,
וְעֵ֥ד בַּ֝שַּׁ֗חַק נֶאֱמָ֥ן סֶֽלָה׃ 38b and [like] the witness in heaven [it will be] enduring.'" Selah.
וְאַתָּ֣ה זָ֭נַחְתָּ וַתִּמְאָ֑ס 39a But you have rejected and refused!
הִ֝תְעַבַּ֗רְתָּ עִם־מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 39b You have become furious with your anointed one.
נֵ֭אַרְתָּה בְּרִ֣ית עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ 40a You have renounced the covenant with your servant.
חִלַּ֖לְתָּ לָאָ֣רֶץ נִזְרֽוֹ׃ 40b You have thrown his crown down to the ground as something profane.
פָּרַ֥צְתָּ כָל־גְּדֵרֹתָ֑יו 41a You have breached all of his walls.
שַׂ֖מְתָּ מִבְצָרָ֣יו מְחִתָּה׃ 41b You have made his strongholds a ruin.
שַׁ֭סֻּהוּ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ 42a All who pass by have plundered him.
הָיָ֥ה חֶ֝רְפָּ֗ה לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃ 42b He has become an object of scorn to his neighbors.
הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ יְמִ֣ין צָרָ֑יו 43a You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries.
הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ כָּל־אוֹיְבָֽיו׃ 43b You have caused all of his enemies to rejoice.
אַף־תָּ֭שִׁיב צ֣וּר חַרְבּ֑וֹ 44a What's worse, you turn back his sharp sword,
וְלֹ֥א הֲ֝קֵימֹת֗וֹ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ 44b and you did not help him up in the battle.
הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ מִטְּהָר֑וֹ 45a You have put an end to his splendor
וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ לָאָ֥רֶץ מִגַּֽרְתָּה׃ 45b and hurled his throne down to the ground.
הִ֭קְצַרְתָּ יְמֵ֣י עֲלוּמָ֑יו 46a You have cut short the days of his youth.
הֶֽעֱטִ֨יתָ עָלָ֖יו בּוּשָׁ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃ 46b You have covered him with shame. Selah.
עַד־מָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה תִּסָּתֵ֣ר לָנֶ֑צַח 47a How long, YHWH? Will you hide yourself forever?
תִּבְעַ֖ר כְּמוֹ־אֵ֣שׁ חֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ 47b Will your wrath rage like a fire
זְכָר־אֲדֹנָי מֶה־חָ֑לֶד 48a Remember, Lord, what a lifespan
עַל־מַה־שָּׁ֝֗וְא בָּרָ֥אתָ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָֽם׃ 48b for what futility you created all people!
מִ֤י גֶ֣בֶר יִֽ֭חְיֶה וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶה־מָּ֑וֶת 49a What person can live and not see death,
יְמַלֵּ֨ט נַפְשׁ֖וֹ מִיַּד־שְׁא֣וֹל סֶֽלָה׃ 49b can rescue his life from the power of Sheol? Selah.
אַיֵּ֤ה ׀ חֲסָדֶ֖יךָ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֥ים ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י 50a Where are your former acts of loyalty, Lord,
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ לְ֝דָוִ֗ד בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ 50b you swore to David in your reliability?
זְכֹ֣ר אֲ֭דֹנָי חֶרְפַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ 51a Remember, Lord, how your servants are scorned,
שְׂאֵתִ֥י בְ֝חֵיקִ֗י כָּל־רִבֵי מֵעַמִים׃ 51b I carry in my bosom all the insults of the peoples!
אֲשֶׁ֤ר חֵרְפ֖וּ אוֹיְבֶ֥יךָ ׀ יְהוָ֑ה 52a that your enemies have scorned, YHWH,
אֲשֶׁ֥ר חֵ֝רְפ֗וּ עִקְּב֥וֹת מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ 52b that they have scorned the footsteps of your anointed one!
בָּר֖וּךְ יְהוָ֥ה לְ֝עוֹלָ֗ם אָ֘מֵ֥ן ׀ וְאָמֵֽן׃ 53 Blessed be YHWH forever! Amen and Amen.