About the Semantics Layer

Semantics is the study of how language is used to represent meaning. The goal of semantic analysis for interpreting and translating the Bible is to understand the meaning of words and how they relate to each other in context. We want to understand what is implicit about word meaning – and thus assumed by the original audience – and make it explicit – and thus clear for us who are removed by time, language, and culture. The semantics layer is composed of three major branches: lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics and verbal semantics. (Click 'Expand' to the right for more information.)

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About Lexical Semantics

One major branch of semantic study is lexical semantics, which refers to the study of word meanings. It examines semantic range (=possible meanings of a word), the relationship between words (e.g. synonymy, hyponymy), as well as the relationship between words and larger concepts (conceptual domains). One component of our approach involves not only the study of the Hebrew word meaning, but also of our own assumptions about word meaning in modern languages. Because the researcher necessarily starts with their own cultural assumptions (in our case, those of Western-trained scholars), this part of the analysis should be done afresh for every culture.

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

About Phrase-level Semantics

The Phrase-level Semantics layer analyses the meaning of syntactic units which are larger than the level of the word and smaller than the level of the clause. Specifically, this layer analyses the meaning of prepositional phrases (e.g., לְאִישׁ), construct phrases (e.g., אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), phrases formed by a coordinating waw conjunction (e.g., אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה) and noun phrases which consist of a noun plus a determiner (e.g., הָאִישׁ) or a quantifier (e.g., כֹּל אִישׁ).

For a detailed description of our method, see the Phrase-level Semantics Creator Guidelines.

About Verbal Semantics

This sub-layer focuses on the relationship between verbs, time and modality. These are important categories for interpretation and translation, and how one analyses a verb can have a significant effect on how it is rendered. This sub-layer has been through several iterations, as it strives to accomplish two things: (1) Transparency for the native Hebrew structures, and (2) Transparency for the interpretation necessary to translate the verbal semantics into other languages.

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

Semantics Visuals for Psalm 92

Lexical and Phrase-level Semantics Diagram

(For more information, click "Phrase-level Legend" below.)

Visualization	Description
	The prepositional phrase is indicated by a solid green oval.
	The construct chain is indicated by a solid yellow oval.
	When the conjunction ו appears at the phrase-level (not clause-level), it is indicated by a solid light purple oval.
	The article is indicated by a solid blue oval.

See our growing collection of Venn Diagrams, not only for Psalm 92, but for all of the psalms.
See SDBH on Psalm 92.

v. 1

v. 2

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 that, rather than a qualitative judgment, this use of טוֹב refers to a "state in which events are well-performed, morally and ethically correct."^[1] As per Trudinger, "Verse 2 thus implies that it is the natural function of humans in general (cf. v. 7), and the obligation of Israel as the people of God in particular, to praise and sing to Yahweh."^[2]

v. 3

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

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

These instruments in the phrase with a ten-stringred instrument and with a harp appear as one (i.e., a ten-stringed harp––see the CSB, CEB, LUT2017, NIV, NJPS) in Pss 33:2 and 144:9, as reflected in the LXX's ἐν δεκαχόρδῳ ψαλτηρίῳ ("on a ten-stringed harp"), the Syr. ܐܢܐ ܐܩܘܫ ܒܟܢܪܐ ܕܥܣܪ ("I will play on a harp of ten strings")^[3] and TgPs על פום כנורא דעשרתי נימין ("to the sound of the lyre of ten strings")^[4] of our present verse. Nevertheless, such a reading would be more plausible if the two nouns were only conjoined by waw; the repetition of the preposition is intentional, without much Hebrew manuscript variation to speak of (see also in decacordo et in psalterio "on a ten-string and on a harp" in Hebr.; cf. the ELB, EÜ, ESV, KJV, NET, RVC, SG21, ZÜR).
SDBH defines הִגָיוֹן as an “action by which humans play musical instruments with reduced intensity” and glosses as “melody.” Our gloss combines the component of reduced intensity with SDBH's gloss—“soft melody.”

v. 5

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

The causal בְּ is ambiguous between the stimulus causing the psalmist to rejoice in something else, or the object of his rejoicing itself.^[5] The latter is to be preferred in light of the following verse.

v. 6

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

v. 7

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

In the construct chain אִֽישׁ־בַּ֭עַר, although בַּעַר is rendered an an adjective/participle in all the ancient version, it is unambiguously a noun, as shown by its syntactic role in its other instantiations (see Ps 49:11; 73:22; 92:7; Prov 12:1; 30:2).

vv. 8-9

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

For a note on פרח and צוץ, see v. 14.
There are two possible interpretations of the phrase עֲדֵי־עַֽד:

1. As an older form of the preposition עַד "until" followed by the nominal עַד, "eternity, perpetuity" (see Hebr. usque in sempiternum and TgPs עד עלמא; cf. also the form עֲדֵי for the preposition in Num 24:20; Ps 104:23; 147:6; Job 7:4; Job 20:5).

2. As an intensive construct chain of the nominal עַד, "eternity, perpetuity" (see the LXX's εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος = in saeculum saeculi and the Peshitta's ܠܥܠܡ ܥܠܡܝܢ), that is, "to eternity of eternity" or "forever and ever."

The proposed construct chain is only attested in this form, though עַד as a noun is everywhere else the dependent of either a construct phrase or prepositional phrase. It is uncertain why a plural construct form would be employed for a noun otherwise only attested in the singular, and there is no manuscript variation or evidence of any lack of yod on עֲדֵי. In light of the other attestations of עֲדֵי as a by-form of the preposition עַד, the interpretation of עֲדֵי as a prepositional phrase has been preferred.^[6]

v. 10

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

v. 11

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

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

The MT's בַּ֝לֹּתִ֗י has been glossed as "be anointed," despite בלל never occurring intransitively. For further discussion, see the exegetical issue The Grammar and Meaning of Ps 92:11b.
On the combination of שֶׁמֶן with רַעֲנָן, Goldingay notes that "it implies a metonymy or ellipse: it is as if Yhwh applied to this exhausted person the oil from a green olive tree and brought refreshment."^[7]
Although read as an attribute adjective, if שֶׁמֶן רַעֲנָֽן were a construct phrase, it would be possible to read it as "oil which renews the beauty of a person and gives him a fresh look" (שׁמן המחדשׁ את יפיו של האדם ומשׁוה לו מראה רענן).^[8]

v. 12

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

On the singular "eye" for "sight >> (both) eyes" see the lexical notes on Ps 88:10.
Although the construction נבט plus ב (and also ראה) often communicates "looking upon someone in victory," as here in וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּשׁוּרָי, the same sense with שׁמע בְּ is rare. Here, BDB suggest a unique instance of "hear exultantly of their fate," though probably imitating the previous clause.^[9] As noted by Goldingay, "The implication of 'hear' follows from that [the previous clause]; the foes can be heard crying out in panic instead of in a battle shout",^[10] and Tanner & Jacobson: "Evil may rise up, but eventually one will hear something different."^[11]
On בְּשׁוּרָי: There are three different analyses of the form and meaning of בְּשׁוּרָי:

1. It is derived from the nominal שׁוּר meaning "wall" (cf. Gen. 49.22, 2 Sam. 22.30; Ps 18.30). This is probably reflected by both Symmachus' and Theodotion's τοῖς ἀποτειχνίζουσί με ('to wall off'; LSJ) = "those who wall me in."

2. It is an otherwise-unattested by-form of the participle שׁוֹרֵר.^[12] This reading is attested in

• And my eye has looked at my enemies (NASB) ≈ CEB, CEV, CSB, GNT, KJV NIV, NLT, NRSV

• Mit Freude sieht mein Auge auf meine Feinde herab (Luther 2017 ≈ ELB)

• Mes yeux voient mes adversaires (NFC ≈ PDV)

• Mis ojos mirarán sobre mis enemigos (RVA ≈ DHH).

This view is attractive because of the very similar expression found in Ps 59:11: אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים יַרְאֵ֥נִי בְשֹׁרְרָֽי.

It is found in a number of the ancient versions, perhaps all dependent on the LXX, however (LXX: τοῖς ἐχθροῖς μου > Gall. inimicis meis, CPA ܒܥܝܠ ܕܒܒܝ; Syr. ܒ̈ܥܠܕܒܒܝ ("my enemies").

A couple of cognates are also widely recognized. See Akkadian šāru, a substantive adjective hostile > n. enemy^[13] and šwr from the Old Canaanite qal širti (1cs) 'to be maligned.'^[14]

3. It is an instance of the root שׁוּר , most prototypically as "look, see," but also "watch stealthily, lie in wait" (BDB, 1003) and "watch with evil intent, lurk" (DCH, vol. 8, 311). See, e.g.,

• Mon œil voit ceux qui m’espionnent (SG21 ≈ TOB)

• I gloat in triumph over those who tried to ambush me (NET)

• mein Auge blickt herab auf meine Verfolger (EÜ)

• Mit Lust blickt mein Auge auf die, die mich belauern (ZÜR)

• those who lie in wait for me (AMPC)

• those waiting to attack me (ERV)

• those who spy on me (GW):::• those who lie in wait for me (ISV)

• those who spy on me (NOG).

Such an interpretation is reflected in the Hebr. eos qui insidiantur mihi ("those who lie in wait / ambush me") and TgPss בהובדנא דמעיקי ("the destruction of my oppressors").^[15]

Despite a number of clear instance of the prototypical "look" in Job (see 7:8; 17:15; 20:9; 24:15; 33:14; 34:29; 35:5, 13, 14), Ringren comments "The LXX does not translate šûr I consistently. In more than one instance it uses prosnoeín and horán; other translations include periblépein, katamanthánein, horatḗs, and makarízein (Nu. 24:17!). In the uncertain passages the LXX either read a different text or misunderstood the text."^[16] The hesitation by the LXX––and those translations dependent on it (see above)––is therefore not surprising.

For other instances of this (albeit rare) nuance of the root, see Jeremiah 5:26 כִּי־נִמְצְא֥וּ בְעַמִּ֖י רְשָׁעִ֑ים יָשׁוּר֙ כְּשַׁ֣ךְ יְקוּשִׁ֔ים ("For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait," ESV), probably as a 3ms impersonal, and Hosea 13:7 וָאֱהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם כְּמוֹ־שָׁ֑חַל כְּנָמֵ֖ר עַל־דֶּ֥רֶךְ אָשֽׁוּר׃ ("So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way," ESV). Such has also been suggested for the difficult אַ֭שֻּׁרֵינוּ (MT) in Ps 17:11, if emended to יְשֻׁרוּנִי (DCH), though see our grammar notes on this verse.

This use fits well with the parallel of those rising up against me in the following line (presumably, from the ambush in which they are lurking).

v. 13

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

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

Both the hiphil of צוץ and פרח in v. 14 are denominal hiphils (derived from the nouns צִיץ and פֶרָח, respectively), a category of hiphils which "may be truly ambitransitive – depending on the argument structure of its clause."^[17]

Note that, just as in English (flower >> flourish), the verb פרח is extended from the contextual domain of plant to human. Translations of v. 14 include:

• they flourish in the courts of our God (ESV)

• they grow in the courts of our God (NET)

• they thrive in the courts of our God (CEB)

While evidently drawn from the contextual domain of plants, most English translations move to the target domain of human flourishing in v. 14, though maintain the source domain in vv. 8 and 13 in light of the explicit similes:

• the wicked sprout like grass... The righteous bloom like a date-palm (NJPS)

v. 15

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

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">
                          Predicate
                            verb: there is
                            adverb: לֹא not
                            Complement
                              Adjectival
                              PrepositionalPhrase
                                Preposition
                                  preposition: בּ in
                                Object
                                  suffix-pronoun: וֹ him

v. 16

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">
                          Predicate
                            verb: there is
                            adverb: לֹא not
                            Complement
                              Adjectival
                              PrepositionalPhrase
                                Preposition
                                  preposition: בּ in
                                Object
                                  suffix-pronoun: וֹ him

Despite Symmachus's participle ἀπαγγέλλοντες ("declaring"), the LXX is correct to read the infinitive לְהַגִּיד as purpose τοῦ ἀναγγεῖλαι ("in order to declare").

Verbal Semantics Chart

(For more information, click "Verbal Legend" below.)

Conjugations
qatal	yiqtol-jussive
wayyiqtol (following qatal)*	cohortative
yiqtol	participle
wayyiqtol (following yiqtol)*	wayyiqtol (following participle)*
weyiqtol	inf. construct
weqatal	inf. absolute
*Wayyiqtol is colored a darker version of the conjugation it follows.

Relative tense arrows
Relative tense arrows (placed within the appropriate 'Fut/Pres/Past' column) are color coded according to the conjugation of the verb. The arrows in the table below are colored according to the typical uses of the conjugations.
After/posterior/future	Imminent future	Simultaneous/right now	Recent past	Before/anterior/past
← ←	↤	↓↓↓	↦	→ →

Aspect
	Continuous	Habitual or iterative	Stative	Perfective
Encoded in words	⟲	⟲⟲⟲	⎯	•
Inferable from context	⟲	⟲⟲⟲	⎯	•

Reference point movement
Movement	No movement
⇐	⇍

Modality
indicative	purpose/result
jussive	necessity
imperative	possible
cohortative	probable
wish	ability
(past) conditional	interrogative, etc.

If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.

Emendations/Revocalizations legend
Emended text	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation.
Revocalized text	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization.

Bibliography

BDB = Brown, Francis, Driver, Samuel R. & Briggs, Charles A. 1977. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Bratcher, Robert G. & Reyburn, William D. 1991. A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms, UBS Handbook Series. New York: United Bible Societies.

Briggs, Charles A. & Briggs, Emilie G. 1906-1907. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. New York, NY: C. Scribner’s Sons.

CAD = The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago: Vol. 17. Chicago, IL: The Oriental Institute, 1989.

Garr, R. Forthcoming. "Binyan: Hiphil," in The Cambridge Grammar of Biblical Hebrew: Cambridge: Open Book Publishers & University of Cambridge.

Gesenius, W. Donner, H. Rüterswörden, U. Renz, J. Meyer, R. (eds.). 2013. Hebräisches und aramäisches Handwörterbuch über das Alte Testament. 18. Auflage Gesamtausgabe. Berlin: Springer.

Goldingay, John. 2008. Psalms 90-150. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Ḥakham, Amos. 1979. ספר תהלים: ספרים ג–ה (in Hebrew; The Book of Psalms: Books 3-5). Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook.

Hoftijzer , J & Jongeling, K. 1995. Dictionary of the North-west Semitic Inscriptions. Leiden: Brill.

Khan, Geoffrey, and Christo H.J. Van Der Merwe. 2020. “Towards A Comprehensive Model For Interpreting Word Order In Classical Biblical Hebrew.” Journal of Semitic Studies 65, no. 2 (September 1, 2020): 347–90.

Tanner, B. L. & Jacobson, R. A. "Psalm 92," in N. DeClaissé-Walford, R. A. Jacobson & B. L. Tanner (eds.) The Book of Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

TDOT = Botterweck, G. Johannes & Ringgren, Helmer (eds.). 2004. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Volume XIV. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Trudinger, Peter. 2003. The Psalms of the Tamid Service: A Liturgical Text from the Second Temple. Boston: Brill.

Tucker, W. D. 2019. "The Ordered World of Psalm 92," OTE 32, no. 2: 358-377.

References

↑ SDBH.
↑ Trudinger 2003, 153.
↑ Taylor 2020, 383.
↑ Stec 2004, 176.
↑ See BHRG 39(6.3b).
↑ Cf. Khan 2020, 104.
↑ Goldingay 2008, 59.
↑ Ḥakham 1979, 182.
↑ BDB, 1033.
↑ Goldingay 2006, 59; cf. Briggs & Briggs 1906-7, 285; Bratcher & Reyburn 1991, 812.
↑ Tanner & Jacobson 2014, 704.
↑ So Ḥakham 1979, 181; cf. Gesenius' Handwörterbuch 2013, 1337.
↑ CAL vol. 17, 132-133.
↑ Hoftijzer & Jongeling 1995, 1118.
↑ Stec 2004, 176.
↑ TDOT, vol. 14, 544.
↑ Garr, forthcoming.

[1] SDBH.

[2] Trudinger 2003, 153.

[3] Taylor 2020, 383.

[4] Stec 2004, 176.

[5] See BHRG 39(6.3b).

[6] Cf. Khan 2020, 104.

[7] Goldingay 2008, 59.

[8] Ḥakham 1979, 182.

[9] BDB, 1033.

[10] Goldingay 2006, 59; cf. Briggs & Briggs 1906-7, 285; Bratcher & Reyburn 1991, 812.

[11] Tanner & Jacobson 2014, 704.

[12] So Ḥakham 1979, 181; cf. Gesenius' Handwörterbuch 2013, 1337.

[13] CAL vol. 17, 132-133.

[14] Hoftijzer & Jongeling 1995, 1118.

[15] Stec 2004, 176.

[16] TDOT, vol. 14, 544.

[17] Garr, forthcoming.

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Psalm 92 Semantics