Psalm 92/Grammar

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About the Grammar Layer

The grammar layer visually represents the grammar and syntax of each clause. It also displays alternative interpretations of the grammar. (For more information, click "Expand" to the right.)

The grammatical diagram provides a way to visualise how different parts of a sentence work together. It represents the “surface-level” grammar, or morphosyntax, of a sentence. Morphosyntax includes both the form of words (morphology) and their placement in the sentence (syntax). This approach to visualising the text, based on the Reed-Kellogg diagramming method, places the grammatical subject in one slot, the verb in another slot, and modifiers and connectives in other slots.

For a detailed description of our method, see the Grammar Creator Guidelines.

Grammar Visuals for Psalm 92

V. 1

מִזְמ֥וֹר שִׁ֗יר לְי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
      Fragment
        noun: מִזְמוֹר a psalm
      Fragment
        Nominal
          noun: שִׁיר a song
          Adjectival
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ for
              Object
                Nominal
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: יוֹם day
                    Nominal
                      article: הַ the
                      noun: שַּׁבָּת Sabbath


alternative

SimpleGrammar
Fragment 
        Nominal
          ConstructChain
            noun: מִזְמוֹר a psalm
            Nominal
              noun: שִׁיר a song
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: לְ for
                  Object
                    Nominal
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: יוֹם day
                        Nominal
                          article: הַ the
                          noun: שַּׁבָּת Sabbath

Alternative construct chain

v. 1 – The alternative construct chain is represented by the genitive found in the LXX (Ψαλμὸς ᾠδῆς "A psalm of a song"), Symmachus (ᾆσμα ψαλμοῦ "a song of a psalm," from Syro-Hex. ܙܡܝܪܬܐ ܕܡܙܡܘܪܐ), and Jerome, both Gall. and Hebr. (Psalmus cantici "a psalm of a song"), which does not seem to be followed, however, by modern translations.

Targum Psalm's conjunction (שבחא ושירא) has not been represented as an alternative, though it is followed by the DHH ("Salmo y cántico para el sábado").


V. 2

ט֗וֹב לְהֹד֥וֹת לַיהוָ֑ה
וּלְזַמֵּ֖ר לְשִׁמְךָ֣ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: לְ to
                        Object
                          Clause
                            Predicate <gloss="praise YHWH">
                              verb-infinitive: הֹדוֹת praise
                              Adverbial
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: לַ to
                                  Object
                                    noun: יהוָה YHWH
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                adjective: טוֹב right
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Clause
            Subject
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: לְ to
                        Object
                          Clause
                            Predicate
                              verb-infinitive: זַמֵּר sing praise
                              Adverbial
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: לְ to
                                  Object
                                    Nominal <gloss="your name">
                                      ConstructChain
                                        noun: שִׁמְ name
                                        suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
            Predicate <status="elided">
              verb: is
              Complement
                adjective: טוֹב right
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: עֶלְיוֹן Most High

Note for vv. 2-4

vv. 2-4 – Though not reflected in the MT, the LXX distinguishes between the pairs of infinitives in vv. 2-3. In the former, they are the subject of the complement טוֹב, while in the latter, they are read as the purpose of the praise in v. 2. The difficulties arise, therefore, with the meaning of the PPs in v. 4.

LXX (vv. 2-4): Ἀγαθὸν τὸ ἐξομολογεῖσθαι τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ ψάλλειν τῷ ὀνόματί σου, ὕψιστε, τοῦ ἀναγγέλλειν τὸ πρωὶ τὸ ἔλεός σου καὶ τὴν ἀλήθειάν σου κατὰ νύκτα ἐν δεκαχόρδῳ ψαλτηρίῳ μετʼ ᾠδῆς ἐν κιθάρᾳ.

"It is good to acknowledge the Lord and to make music to your name, O Most High, in order to declare your mercy in the morning and your truth every night on a ten-stringed harp, with an ode on a lyre" (NETS)

Note that the Syr. provides a full sentence (without elision) for this verse: ܐܢܐ ܐܩܘܫ ܒܟܢܪܐ ܕܥܣܪ ܘܐܩܘܫ ܒܩܝܬܪܐ ("I will play on a harp of ten strings; I will play on a lyre"; Taylor 2020, 383).


V. 3

לְהַגִּ֣יד בַּבֹּ֣קֶר חַסְֽדֶּ֑ךָ
וֶ֝אֱמֽוּנָתְךָ֗ בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
      Fragment
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Subject
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: לְ to
                        Object
                          Clause
                            Predicate
                              verb-infinitive: הַגִּיד declare
                              Object
                                Nominal <gloss="your loyalty">
                                  ConstructChain
                                    noun: חַסְדֶּ loyalty
                                    suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
                              Adverbial
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: בַּ in
                                  Object
                                    article: ה the <status="elided">
                                    noun: בֹּקֶר morning
                              Adverbial <status="alternative">
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: עֲלֵי  with
                                  Object
                                    noun: עָשׂוֹר a ten-stringed instrument
                                Conjunction
                                  conjunction: וַ and
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: עֲלֵי with
                                  Object
                                    noun: נָבֶל a harp
                              Adverbial <status="alternative">
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: עֲלֵי with
                                  Object
                                    noun: הִגָּיוֹן a soft melody
                                    Adjectival
                                      PrepositionalPhrase
                                        Preposition
                                          preposition: בְּ on
                                        Object
                                          noun: כִנּוֹר a lyre
            Predicate
              verb: is <status="elided">
              Complement
                adjective: טוֹב right <status="elided">
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וֶ and
          Clause
            Subject
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: לְ to <status="elided">
                        Object
                          Clause
                            Predicate
                              verb-infinitive: הַגִּיד declare <status="elided">
                              Object
                                Nominal <gloss="your faithfulness">
                                  ConstructChain
                                    noun: אֱמוּנָתְ faithfulness
                                    suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
                              Adverbial <gloss="at night">
                                PrepositionalPhrase
                                  Preposition
                                    preposition: בַּ in
                                  Object
                                    article: ה the <status="elided">
                                    noun: לֵּילוֹת night
            Predicate
              verb: is <status="elided">
              Complement
                adjective: טוֹב right <status="elided">


V. 4

עֲֽלֵי־עָ֭שׂוֹר וַעֲלֵי־נָ֑בֶל
עֲלֵ֖י הִגָּי֣וֹן בְּכִנּֽוֹר׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Clause
              Predicate
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: לְ to <status="elided">
                    Object
                      Clause
                        Predicate
                          verb-infinitive: הֹדוֹת praise <status="elided">
                          Adverbial <status="elided">
                            PrepositionalPhrase
                              Preposition
                                preposition: לַ to
                              Object
                                noun: יהוָה YHWH
                          Adverbial
                            PrepositionalPhrase
                              Preposition
                                preposition: עֲלֵי with
                              Object
                                noun: עָשׂוֹר a ten-stringed instrument
                            Conjunction
                              conjunction: וַ and
                            PrepositionalPhrase
                              Preposition
                                preposition: עֲלֵי with
                              Object
                                noun: נָבֶל a harp
                          Adverbial
                            PrepositionalPhrase
                              Preposition
                                preposition: עֲלֵי with
                              Object
                                noun: הִגָּיוֹן a soft melody
                                Adjectival
                                  PrepositionalPhrase
                                    Preposition
                                      preposition: בְּ  on
                                    Object
                                      noun: כִנּוֹר a lyre
          Predicate
            verb: is <status="elided">
            Complement
              adjective: טוֹב right <status="elided">
          SubordinateClause <status="alternative">
            Conjunction
              conjunction: כִּי because
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: שִׂמַּחְתַּ you have made rejoice
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: נִי me
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: בְּ by
                    Object
                      Nominal <gloss="your action">
                        ConstructChain
                          noun: פָעֳלֶ action
                          suffix-pronoun: ךָ you


V. 5

כִּ֤י שִׂמַּחְתַּ֣נִי יְהוָ֣ה בְּפָעֳלֶ֑ךָ
בְּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖י יָדֶ֣יךָ אֲרַנֵּֽן׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שִׂמַּחְתַּ you have made rejoice
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ by
                Object
                  Nominal <gloss="your action">
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: פָעֳלֶ action
                      suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֲרַנֵּן I shout for joy >> rejoice
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  Nominal <gloss="the work of your hands">
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: מַעֲשֵׂה work <status="emendation">
                      noun: מַעֲשֵׂי works <status="alternative">
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: יָדֶי hands
                        suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Note for V. 5

v. 5 – There is significant variation between the singular and plural interpretation of both פעלך and מעשׂי/ה.

Beginning with פעלך, since it is a pausal form (Revell 2004), it is most plausible that the plural readings have crept in because of the long vowel. See, e.g., the Syr. ܒܥܒ̈ܕܝܟ "your works," as well as the plene yod פעליך in many medieval Hebrew manuscripts (see VTH, 388), including the Babylonian manuscripts Neubauer 2484; BL Or 1477 and JTS 631. The preferred singular is attested in the LXX's ἐν τῷ ποιήματί σου, Jerome's in opere tuo, and TgPs's בעובדך.

On the מעשה/מעשי interchange, the he (and thus singular) is attested in the Syr. ܒܥܒܕ "work", as well as 1Q10, 4Q84, the majority of the attested Babylonian tradition (Berlin QU 680; JTS 611; JTS 631; Neubauer 2484; and BL Or 1477), and a number of other medieval manuscripts (VTH, 388). It could be posited, however, that the yod found in the Tiberian MT is assimilated to the following yod in יָדֶ֣יךָ, such that the diversely-attested and less-expected reading מַעֲשֵׂה has been preferred.

Note also that

  • there is a strong tendency in the tradition to change the singular to plural (see, e.g., 11Q5, which does this systematically throughout the psalter), and
  • the plural מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ in v. 6 may also have influenced the reading of the plural here.


V. 6

מַה־גָּדְל֣וּ מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה
מְ֝אֹ֗ד עָמְק֥וּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="your works">
              ConstructChain
                noun: מַעֲשֶׂי works
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Predicate
            verb: גָּדְלוּ great
            adverb: מַה how
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="your plans">
              ConstructChain
                noun: מַחְשְׁבֹתֶי plans
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Predicate
            verb: עָמְקוּ are deep
            adverb: מְאֹד so

Note for V. 6

v. 6 – The exclamative מָה ("How...!") could be considered elided in the second clause, as read by the CEB: How magnificent are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! (cf. the DHH, EÜ, NIV, ZÜR). A second overt מָה is not attested in any Hebrew manuscripts or ancient versions and has not been represented as an alternative in light of the constituent order of the second clause (which is not verb-initial, which would be expected with an elided constituent such as an exclamative marker governing the entire clause; see Miller 2007).


V. 7

אִֽישׁ־בַּ֭עַר לֹ֣א יֵדָ֑ע
וּ֝כְסִ֗יל לֹא־יָבִ֥ין אֶת־זֹֽאת׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
  Fragment
    ClauseCluster
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal <gloss="stupid people">
            ConstructChain
              noun: אִישׁ man
              noun: בַּעַר stupid man
            adjective: בַּעַר stupid <status="alternative">
        Predicate
          verb: יֵדָע know
          adverb: לֹא not
          Object <status="elided">
            particle: אֶת
            noun: זֹאת this
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וּ and
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
            adjective: כְסִיל a fool >> fools
        Predicate
          verb: יָבִין understand
          adverb: לֹא not
          Object
            Nominal
              particle: אֶת
              noun: זֹאת this

Note for V. 7

v. 7 – The elision of the object in the first clause has been included in light of the tight parallelism between the two lines. In both cases אֶת־זֹֽאת has been understood as cataphoric, i.e., forward pointing. (Note that the LXX takes the liberty of rendering plural ταῦτα "these things," cf. the Gallican Psalter's haec). For the elision of אֶת־זֹֽאת see Ḥakham's (1979, 181) paraphrase of the verse: איש בער וכסיל לא ידע את זאת ולא יבין את זאת.

The construct dependent בַּ֭עַר has been offered alternatively as an adjective (as the ancient versions). The attestation of this lexeme as a noun is quite well-supported, however, by other texts. See the nominal function of בַּעַר most clearly in Ps. 49.11 (כִּ֤י יִרְאֶ֨ה׀ חֲכָ֘מִ֤ים יָמ֗וּתוּ יַ֤חַד כְּסִ֣יל וָבַ֣עַר יֹאבֵ֑דוּ); quite plausibly in Ps 73.22 (וַאֲנִי־בַ֭עַר) and Prov. 12.1 (אֹהֵ֣ב מ֖וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת וְשֹׂנֵ֖א תוֹכַ֣חַת בָּֽעַר). Prov. 30.2 (כִּ֤י בַ֣עַר אָנֹכִ֣י מֵאִ֑ישׁ), however, seems to favor a predicative adjectival reading, while Ps 94:8 draws upon the ptc. בֹּעֲרִ֣ים, rather than, presumably, an available mpl nominal form.

Note that 4Q84 reads איש בער ולא ידע "a man is stupid and/so that he does not know."

GKC (§136a) notes that the primary distinction between proximal and distal ("near" and "far") demonstratives is that the proximal demonstrative “almost always points out a (new) person or thing present, while הוּא (like is, ille, αὐτός, ἐκεῖνος) refers to a person or thing already mentioned or known.” Nevertheless, a clear-cut semantic distinction between proximal and distal demonstratives is elusive, so the boundaries on their respective discourse functions is equally fuzzy in this regard. There is typological evidence, however, for a prototypical anaphoric/cataphoric division between proximal and distal demonstrative, as in "I can’t believe he said that" vs. "I’ll tell you this: it’s going to be tough" (Næss et al. (2020, 7-8)); cf. זֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ (2 Chr 23:4; "This is what you will do…"); וְזֶ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָא־לָ֖הּ יְהוָ֥ה׀ צִדְקֵֽנוּ (Jer 33:16; "This is what it shall be called: the Lord is our righteousness").


Vv. 8-9

בִּפְרֹ֤חַ רְשָׁעִ֨ים ׀ כְּמ֥וֹ עֵ֗שֶׂב
וַ֭יָּצִיצוּ כָּל־פֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן
לְהִשָּֽׁמְדָ֥ם עֲדֵי־עַֽד׃
וְאַתָּ֥ה מָר֗וֹם לְעֹלָ֥ם יְהוָֽה׃
כִּ֤י הִנֵּ֪ה אֹיְבֶ֡יךָ ׀ יְֽהוָ֗ה


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [vv. 8-9]
  Fragment
    ClauseCluster
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: זֹאת this <status="elided">
        Predicate
        Predicate
          verb: is <status="elided">
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בִּ when
              Object
                ClauseCluster
                  Clause
                    Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
                    Predicate
                      ConstructChain
                        verb-infinitive: פְרֹחַ flourish
                        Nominal
                          adjective: רְשָׁעִים wicked people
                      Adverbial
                        PrepositionalPhrase
                          Preposition
                            preposition: כְּמוֹ like
                          Object
                            noun: עֵשֶׂב a green plant
                  Conjunction
                    conjunction: וַ and
                  Clause
                    Subject
                      ConstructChain
                        Nominal
                          quantifier: כָּל all >> any
                          verb-participle: פֹּעֲלֵי doers
                        noun: אָוֶן evil
                    Predicate
                      verb: יָּצִיצוּ blossom >> prosper
          Complement
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לְ for
                Object
                  ClauseCluster
                    Clause
                      Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
                      Predicate
                        ConstructChain
                          verb-infinitive: הִשָּׁמְדָ be destroyed
                          suffix-pronoun: ם them
                        Adverbial <gloss="forever">
                          PrepositionalPhrase
                            Preposition
                              preposition: עֲדֵי until
                            Object
                              noun: עַד forever
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וְ but
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: are
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ for
              Object
                noun: עֹלָם ever
          Complement
            Adverbial <gloss="on high">
              noun: מָרוֹם high
  Fragment
    Vocative
      noun: יְהוָה YHWH

Note for V. 9

v. 9 – The status of מָר֗וֹם has been interpreted either as a divine epithet (≈ exalted one)[1] or as an adverbial (preferred)[2]. The lexicons recognize both functions of מָר֗וֹם as "high, meaning lofty" (HALOT) and "height> divine title, "Exalted One" (DCH). The ancient versions, likewise, exhibit the same diversity.[3]

In light of the similar constructions found in 2 Kgs 19:22 (= Isa 37:23), Isa 40:26, and other instances with the verb שׁכן, "to dwell," we have favored the adverbial reading of the nominal here.


V. 10

כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֣ה אֹיְבֶ֣יךָ יֹאבֵ֑דוּ
יִ֝תְפָּרְד֗וּ כָּל־פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        particle: הִנֵּה look
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="your enemies">
              ConstructChain
                noun: אֹיְבֶי enemies
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Predicate <status="elided">
            verb: יֹאבֵדוּ will perish
      Fragment
        Vocative
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment
        particle: כִּי for
      Fragment
        particle: הִנֵּה look
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="your enemies">
              ConstructChain
                noun: אֹיְבֶי enemies
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Predicate
            verb: יֹאבֵדוּ will perish
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain
              Nominal <gloss="all evildoers">
                quantifier: כָּל all
                verb-participle: פֹּעֲלֵי doers
              noun: אָוֶן evil
          Predicate
            verb: יִתְפָּרְדוּ will be scattered

Note for V. 10a

v. 10a – Note that the first line, backwards elided according to the MT, is absent in Vaticanus and Alexandrinus. See further Rahlfs' apparatus (1931, 242).


Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit  [v. 10b-c alternative]
  Fragment <status="alternative">
    ClauseCluster
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal <gloss="your enemies">
            ConstructChain
              noun: אֹיְבֶי enemies
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Predicate
          verb: יֹאבֵדוּ will perish
      Conjunction  
        conjunction: וְ and <status="emendation">
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain
            Nominal <gloss="all evildoers">
              quantifier: כָּל all
              verb-participle: פֹּעֲלֵי doers
            noun: אָוֶן evil
        Predicate
          verb: יִתְפָּרְדוּ will be scattered

Note for V. 10bc

v. 10b-c – The waw is present in all the ancient versions, Kennicott 38, 42(?), 73, and JTS 611 (read with a shewa in the latter).


V. 11

וַתָּ֣רֶם כִּרְאֵ֣ים קַרְנִ֑י
בְּלֹתִי כְּשֶׁמֶן רַעֲנָֽן׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
      Fragment
        particle: וַ and
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תָּרֶם you will lift up
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כִּ like
                Object
                  noun: רְאֵים a wild ox
            Object
              Nominal <gloss="my horn">
                ConstructChain
                  noun: קַרְנִ horn
                  suffix-pronoun: י me


Alternative ("horn" elided)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: בַּלֹּתִי I anointed
              Object <status="elided">
                Nominal <gloss="my horn">
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: קַרְנ horn
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְּ with
                  Object
                    noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                    adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh


alternative

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Subject 
            Nominal <gloss="my horn">
              ConstructChain
                noun: קַרְנִ horn
                suffix-pronoun: י me
          Predicate
            verb: תָּרֹם is lifted up <status="alternative revocalization">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כִּ like
                Object
                  noun: רְאֵים a wild ox


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Clause
              Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
              Predicate
                ConstructChain
                  verb-infinitive: בְּלֹת old age<status="revocalization">
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me
          Predicate
            verb: will be
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
            Complement
              Adjectival
                adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh

Note for V. 11b

v. 11b – The preferred reading of v. 11b involves revocalizing בַּ֝לֹּתִ֗י as an infinitive construct, בְּלֹתִי, from בלה, "my old age" (BDB), as found in the LXX, Symmachus and both of Jerome's translations. The emended prepositional phrase, as found in Symmachus, is also preferred over the MT's בְּ, in light of the similes found elsewhere (see, e.g., Ps 52:10), the previous line, and the easy בְּ/כְּ interchange (cf. Aquila's ὡς ἀτμὸν for the MT's בַּהֶ֥בֶל in Ps 78:33; the LXX and Syr.' ἐν τῇ γῇ and ܒܐܪܥܐ for the MT's כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ in Ps 78:69; and TgPss' היך בנפשיה for בְּנַפְשׁ֑וֹ in Ps 105:22). Due to the fragmentary nature of Symmachus (ἡ παλαίωσίς μου ὡς ἐλαία εὐθαλής), it may be read as a verbless clause (requiring also the revocalization of the infinitive—see above—and the emendation of בְּ with כְּ). We have followed this verbless clause as our preferred syntax. Furthermore, we have preferred to read רַעֲנָֽן as the adjectival complement of the copula, "to be," rather than modifying שֶׁמֶן, which never occurs elsewhere in the Bible. For a full discussion of the issue, see the exegetical issue The_Grammar_and_Meaning_of_Ps_92:11b.


alternative (LXX, Jerome)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תָּרֶם you will lift up <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh
            Adverbial <status="alternative">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh
            Object
              Clause
                Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
                Predicate
                  ConstructChain
                    verb-infinitive: בְּלֹת old age <status="revocalization">
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me


Alternative (TgPs, Syr)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        Clause
          Subject
          Predicate
            verb: בַּלֹּתַ you anointed <status="emendation">
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me <status="emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh


Alternative (MT)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: בַּלֹּתִי I am anointed
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: בְּ with
                    Object
                      noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                      adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh


V. 11b


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Clause
              Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
              Predicate
                ConstructChain
                  verb-infinitive: בְּלֹת old age<status="revocalization">
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me
          Predicate
            verb: will be
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
            Complement
              Adjectival
                adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh

Note for V. 11b

v. 11b – The preferred reading of v. 11b involves revocalizing בַּ֝לֹּתִ֗י as an infinitive construct, בְּלֹתִי, from בלה, "my old age" (BDB), as found in the LXX, Symmachus and both of Jerome's translations. The emended prepositional phrase, as found in Symmachus, is also preferred over the MT's בְּ, in light of the similes found elsewhere (see, e.g., Ps 52:10), the previous line, and the easy בְּ/כְּ interchange (cf. Aquila's ὡς ἀτμὸν for the MT's בַּהֶ֥בֶל in Ps 78:33; the LXX and Syr.' ἐν τῇ γῇ and ܒܐܪܥܐ for the MT's כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ in Ps 78:69; and TgPss' היך בנפשיה for בְּנַפְשׁ֑וֹ in Ps 105:22). Due to the fragmentary nature of Symmachus (ἡ παλαίωσίς μου ὡς ἐλαία εὐθαλής), it may be read as a verbless clause (requiring also the revocalization of the infinitive—see above—and the emendation of בְּ with כְּ). We have followed this verbless clause as our preferred syntax. Furthermore, we have preferred to read רַעֲנָֽן as the adjectival complement of the copula, "to be," rather than modifying שֶׁמֶן, which never occurs elsewhere in the Bible. For a full discussion of the issue, see the exegetical issue The_Grammar_and_Meaning_of_Ps_92:11b.


alternative (LXX, Jerome)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תָּרֶם you will lift up <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כְּ like <status="emendation">
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh
            Adverbial <status="alternative">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh
            Object
              Clause
                Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
                Predicate
                  ConstructChain
                    verb-infinitive: בְּלֹת old age <status="revocalization">
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me


Alternative (TgPs, Syr)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        Clause
          Subject
          Predicate
            verb: בַּלֹּתַ you anointed <status="emendation">
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me <status="emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                  adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh


Alternative (MT)

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative"> 
        ClauseCluster
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: בַּלֹּתִי I am anointed
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: בְּ with
                    Object
                      noun: שֶׁמֶן oil
                      adjective: רַעֲנָן fresh


V. 12

וַתַּבֵּ֥ט עֵינִ֗י בְּשׁ֫וּרָ֥י
בַּקָּמִ֖ים עָלַ֥י מְרֵעִ֗ים
תִּשְׁמַ֥עְנָה אָזְנָֽי׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
      Fragment
        particle: וַ and
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="my eyes">
              ConstructChain
                noun: עֵינִ eye >> eyes
                suffix-pronoun: י me
          Predicate
            verb: תַּבֵּט will look
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ upon
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: שׁוּר enemies
                    suffix-pronoun: ָי me
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal <gloss="my ears">
              ConstructChain
                noun: אָזְנ ears
                suffix-pronoun: ָ י me
          Subject <status="alternative">
            ConstructChain
              noun: אָזְנ ear
              suffix-pronoun: ִ י me <status="revocalization">
          Predicate
            verb: תִּשְׁמַעְנָה will hear
            verb: שָׁמְעָה heard <status="alternative emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בַּ
                Object
                  Apposition
                    Nominal
                      article: ה those <status="elided">
                      Clause
                        Predicate
                          verb-participle: קָּמִים rising up
                          Adverbial
                            PrepositionalPhrase
                              Preposition
                                preposition: עָל against
                              Object
                                suffix-pronoun: ָי me
                          Adverbial <status="alternative">
                            verb-participle: מְרֵעִים acting wickedly
                    Nominal
                      verb-participle: מְרֵעִים wicked people

Note for V. 12b

v. 12b – The alternative adverbial reading of מְרֵעִ֗ים represents Targum Psalms' infinitive לאבאשא. The apposition (restrictive relative) is found in the other ancient versions, and discussed in GKC §132b.

The alternative qatal 3fs verb שמעה is found in 1Q10, presumably read with the singular ear (אָזְנִי), and in parallel with the singular עֵינִ֗י in the A-line.


V. 13

צַ֭דִּיק כַּתָּמָ֣ר יִפְרָ֑ח
כְּאֶ֖רֶז בַּלְּבָנ֣וֹן יִשְׂגֶּֽה׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal
              adjective: צַדִּיק the righteous
          Predicate
            verb: יִפְרָח will flourish
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כַּ like
                Object
                  article: ה the <status="elided">
                  noun: תָּמָר palm tree
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יִשְׂגֶּה he will grow
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כְּ like
                Object
                  noun: אֶרֶז a cedar tree
                    Adjectival
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: בַּ in
                        Object
                          article: ה <status="elided">
                          noun: לְּבָנוֹן Lebanon


V. 14

שְׁ֭תוּלִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה
בְּחַצְר֖וֹת אֱלֹהֵ֣ינוּ יַפְרִֽיחוּ׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
      Fragment 
        Clause
          Subject
            adjective: צַדִּיקִים righteous people <status="elided">
          Predicate
            verb: יִהְיוּ will be <status="elided">
            Complement
              Nominal
                Adjectival
                  verb-participle: שְׁתוּלִים transplanted
                  Adverbial
                    PrepositionalPhrase
                      Preposition
                        preposition: בְּ in
                      Object
                        Nominal <gloss="the house of YHWH">
                          ConstructChain
                            noun: בֵית house
                            noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Fragment 
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יַפְרִיחוּ they will flourish
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  Nominal <gloss="the courtyards of our God">
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: חַצְרוֹת courtyards
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: אֱלֹהֵי God
                        suffix-pronoun: נוּ us

Note for V. 14

The preferred two separate clauses are found in the ESV, DHH, RVC. See the symmetry of the two locative prepositional phrases, which indicate the status of שְׁ֭תוּלִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה as an independent clause. For a similar, future referring verbless clause with both subject and copula elided, see Ps 1:4b.

For a similar shift from singular צָדִּיק to collective reference, see Job 36:7 – לֹֽא־יִגְרַ֥ע מִצַּדִּ֗יק עֵ֫ינָ֥יו וְאֶת־מְלָכִ֥ים לַכִּסֵּ֑א וַיֹּשִׁיבֵ֥ם לָ֝נֶ֗צַח וַיִּגְבָּֽהוּ (cf. Ps 78:1-4). Alternatively, for lack of a subject, TgPs provides בנוי ("his sons").


alternative 2

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 14 alt. #2] 
      Fragment <status="alternative">
        Clause
          Subject
            Nominal
              Adjectival
                verb-participle: שְׁתוּלִים those transplanted
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: בְּ in
                    Object
                      Nominal <gloss="the house of YHWH">
                        ConstructChain
                          noun: בֵית house
                          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
          Predicate
            verb: יַפְרִיחוּ will flourish
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  Nominal <gloss="the courtyards of our God">
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: חַצְרוֹת courtyards
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: אֱלֹהֵי God
                        suffix-pronoun: נוּ us

Note for V. 14

Alternative interpretations of the grammar include reading שְׁ֭תוּלִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה either as an adverbial of manner or as a subject nominal.

• The adverbial reading of שְׁ֭תוּלִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה, found in the CSB, NASB, NET, NIV, NJPS, SG21, TOB (read as a singular participle in both of these French versions) and supported by GKC §118p.

• The subject reading is provided by the Syr. headless relative clause ܕܢܨܝܒܝܢ ܒܒܝܬܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ("those who are planted in the house of the Lord," Taylor 2020, 385) and the nominative πεφυτευμένοι in the LXX's πεφυτευμένοι ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ κυρίου (cf. also the CEB, KJV, and the German translations).


V. 15a


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 15a]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְנוּבוּן they will bear fruit >> they will thrive
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  noun: שֵׂיבָה old age
            adverb: עוֹד still

Note for V. 15a

v. 15a – Note that an addition of the adjective טובה is found in 4Q84's עוד ינבון בשיבה טובה and that the LXX reads דְּשֵׁנִ֖ים as modifying בְּשֵׂיבָ֑ה (ἔτι πληθυνθήσονται ἐν γήρει πίονι), requiring the feminine singular form דְּשֵׁנָה, neither of which are present in any (other) Hebrew manuscript evidence.


Vv. 15b-16

לְ֭הַגִּיד כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה
צ֝וּרִ֗י וְֽלֹא־עַוְלָ֥תָה בּֽוֹ׃


Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [vv. 15b-16]
  Fragment 
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: יִהְיוּ they will be
        Complement
          Adjectival
            adjective: דְּשֵׁנִים fat >> vigorous
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וְ and
            adjective: רַעֲנַנִּים fresh
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: לְ in order that
            Object
              Clause
                Predicate
                  verb-infinitive: הַגִּיד people declare
                  Object
                    ComplementClause
                      Conjunction
                        conjunction: כִּי that
                      ClauseCluster
                        Clause
                          Subject
                            Apposition
                              Nominal <gloss="my rock">
                                ConstructChain
                                  noun: צוּר rock
                                  suffix-pronoun: ִ י me
                              noun: יְהוָה YHWH
                          Predicate
                            verb: is
                            Complement
                              adjective: יָשָׁר upright >> fair
                        Conjunction
                          conjunction: וְ and
                        Clause
                          Subject
                            noun: עַוְלָתָה injustice <status="emendation">
                            noun: עֹלָתָה injustice <status="alternative">
                          Predicate
                            verb: there is
                            adverb: לֹא not
                            Complement
                              Adjectival
                              PrepositionalPhrase
                                Preposition
                                  preposition: בּ in
                                Object
                                  suffix-pronoun: וֹ him


  1. ↑ For support of reading מָר֗וֹם as a divine epithet (Ibn Ezra; Tate 1998, 462, cf. KJV), see the מְר֥וֹם עַם־הָאָֽרֶץ in Isa 24:4 (though only מרום הארץ in 1QIsaª). One argument in favor here is the possibility of employing the polal participle (מְרוֹמַם) to disambiguate the first (preferred) interpretation.
  2. ↑ For support of the nominal adverb reading (Briggs & Briggs 1906-1907, 285; Brueggemann & Bellinger 2014, 398; Ḥakham 1979, 181; Tanner & Jacobson 2014, 703; cf. CSB, ESV, NASB, NIV), see the prepositional-less מָרוֹם in 2 Kgs 19:22 (= Isa 37:23) and Isa 40:26. For the complement of a שׁכן verb phrase, see Isa 33:5, 57:15, and the suffixed בִּמְרוֹמָֽיו in Job 25:2. See also the similar co-text of Ps 97:9 – כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָ֗ה עֶלְי֥וֹן עַל־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ מְאֹ֥ד נַ֝עֲלֵ֗יתָ עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים.
  3. ↑ • σὺ δὲ ὕψιστος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, κύριε· (LXX; 'exalted one') = tu autem Altissimus in aeternum Domine (Gall.) = tu autem Excelsus in aeternum Domine (Hebr.; differing from the rendering of עֶלְיֽוֹן in v. 2 as 'Altissime') • ואת רמא (TgPs; adj. high) • ܘܐܢܬ ܡܪܝܐ ܡܪܝܡܐ ܠܥܠܡ (adj. high, exalted' ;CAL) • The Christian Palestinian Aramaic version alternates from the emphatic form ܡܪܘܡܡܐ for עֶלְיֽוֹן in v. 2 to the absolute ܡܪܘܡܡ here, though both nominal.