Psalm 22 Semantics

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About the Grammar & Semantics Layer

What is Semantics?

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.

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 "Show/Hide Grammar Legend" below.)

Grammatical Diagram Legend

Visualization	Description
	The clause is represented by a horizontal line with a vertical line crossing through it, separating the subject and the verb.
	The object is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause. Infinitives and participles may also have objects. If the direct object marker (d.o.m.) is present in the text, it appears in the diagram immediately before the object. If the grammar includes a secondary object, the secondary object will appear after the object, separated by another vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause.
	The subject complement follows the verb (often omitted in Hebrew) separated with a line leaning toward the right. It can be a noun, a whole prepositional phrase or an adjective. The later two appear modifying the complement slot.
	When a noun further describes or renames the object, it is an object complement. The object complement follows the object separated by a line leaning toward the right.
	In a construct chain, the noun in the absolute form modifies the noun in the construct form.
	Participles are indicated in whatever position in the clause they are in with a curved line before the participle. Participles can occur as nominal, where they take the place of a noun, predicate, where they take the place of a verb, or attributive, where they modify a noun or a verb similar to adjectives or adverbs.
	Infinitives are indicated by two parallel lines before the infinitive that cross the horizontal line. Infinitive constructs can appear as the verb in an embedded clause. Infinitive absolutes typically appear as an adverbial.
	The subject of the infinitive often appears in construct to it. In this situation, the infinitive and subject are diagrammed as a construct chain.
	The object of the infinitive is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the infinitival clause.
	Modifiers are represented by a solid diagonal line from the word they modify. They can attach to verbs, adjectives, or nouns. If modifying a verb or adjective, it is an adverb, but if modifying a noun, it is an adjective, a quantifier, or a definite article. If an adverb is modifying a modifier, it is connected to the modifier by a small dashed horizontal line.
	Adverbials are indicated by a dashed diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. These are nouns or infinitives that function adverbially (modifying either a verb or a participle), but are not connected by a preposition.
	Prepositional phrases are indicated by a solid diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. The preposition is to the left of the diagonal line and the dependent of the preposition is on the horizontal line. They can modify verbs (adverbial) or nouns (adjectival).
	Embedded clauses are indicated by a "stand" that looks like an upside-down Y. The stand rests in the grammatical position that the clause fulfills. Extending from the top of the stand is a horizontal line for the clause. If introduced by a complementizer, for example כִּי, the complementizer appears before the stand. Embedded clauses can stand in the place of any noun.
	When clauses are joined by a conjunction, they are compound clauses. These clauses are connected by a vertical dotted line. The conjunction is placed next to the dotted line.
	Within a clause, if two or more parts of speech are compound, these are represented by angled lines reaching to the two compound elements connected by a solid vertical line. If a conjunction is used, the conjunction appears to the left of the vertical line. Almost all parts of speech can be compound.
	Subordinate clauses are indicated by a dashed line coming from the line dividing the subject from the predicate in the independent clause and leading to the horizontal line of the subordinate clause. The subordinating conjunction appears next to the dashed line.
	Relative clauses also have a dashed line, but the line connects the antecedent to the horizontal line of the relative clause. The relative particle appears next to the dashed line.
	Sentence fragments are represented by a horizontal line with no vertical lines. They are most frequently used in superscriptions to psalms. They are visually similar to discourse particles and vocatives, but most often consist of a noun phrase (that does not refer to a person or people group) or a prepositional phrase.
	In the body of the psalm, a horizontal line by itself (with no modifiers or vertical lines) can indicate either a discourse particle or a vocative (if the word is a noun referring to a person or people group). A discourse particle is a conjunction or particle that functions at the discourse level, not at the grammatical level. Vocatives can appear either before or after the clause addressed to them, depending on the word order of the Hebrew.
	Apposition is indicated by an equal sign equating the two noun phrases. This can occur with a noun in any function in a sentence.

Hebrew text colors
Default preferred text	The default preferred reading is represented by a black line. The text of the MT is represented in bold black text.
Dispreferred reading	The dispreferred reading is an alternative interpretation of the grammar, represented by a pink line. The text of the MT is represented in bold pink text, while emendations and revocalizations retain their corresponding colors (see below).
Emended text	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold blue text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
Revocalized text	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold purple text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
(Supplied elided element)	Any element that is elided in the Hebrew text is represented by bold gray text in parentheses.
( )	The position of a non-supplied elided element is represented by empty black parentheses. For example, this would be used in the place of the noun when an adjective functions substantivally or in the place of the antecedent when a relative clause has an implied antecedent.

Gloss text colors
Gloss used in the CBC	The gloss used in the Close-but-Clear translation is represented by bold blue text.
Literal gloss >> derived meaning	A gloss that shows the more literal meaning as well as the derived figurative meaning is represented in blue text with arrows pointing towards the more figurative meaning. The gloss used in the CBC will be bolded.
Supplied elided element	The gloss for a supplied elided element is represented in bold gray text.

About the Lexical Semantics Layer

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.

See our growing collection of Venn Diagrams, not only for Psalm 22, but for all of the psalms.
See SDBH on Psalm 22.

About the Phrase-Level Semantics Layer

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.

Phrasal Diagram Legend

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.

About the Verbal Semantics Layer

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.

Verbal Semantics Explainer

Verbal Diagram Legend

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.

Psalm 22 Verbal Semantics

For an overview of the Verbal Semantics of Psalm 22, click the expandable button below.

Psalm 22 Verbal Semantics Chart

(Click diagram to enlarge)

Psalm 22 Semantic Analysis & Diagrams

The following grammatical diagrams are zoomable, and the lexical and phrasal overlays can be toggled on/off. Notes on the semantic layers can be found beneath each verse's diagram.

v. 1

Hebrew	Verse	English
לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַל־אַיֶּ֥לֶת הַשַּׁ֗חַר מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃	1	For the director. According to "The Doe of the Dawn." A psalm. By David.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
    Fragment
      PrepositionalPhrase
        Preposition
          preposition: לַ for
        Object
          article: ה the <status="elided">
          Nominal
            verb-participle: מְנַצֵּחַ director
    Fragment
      PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="according to the doe who goes out at dawn >> according to the doe of the dawn">
        Preposition
          preposition: עַל according to
        Object
          ConstructChain
            noun: אַיֶּלֶת doe
            Nominal
              article: הַ the
              noun: שַּׁחַר dawn
    Fragment
      noun: מִזְמוֹר a psalm
    Fragment
      Adjectival
        PrepositionalPhrase
          Preposition
            preposition: לְ by
          Object
            noun: דָוִד David

v. 2

Hebrew	Verse	English
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי	2a	My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
רָח֥וֹק מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י דִּבְרֵ֥י שַׁאֲגָתִֽי׃	2b	[Why are you] far from my protection, [far from] my words of groaning?

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
    Fragment 
      Vocative
        Nominal
          ConstructChain <gloss="my God">
            noun: אֵל God
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment 
      Vocative
        Nominal
          ConstructChain <gloss="my God">
            noun: אֵל God
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: עֲזַבְתָּ you have abandoned
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me
          adverb: לָמָה why
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you <status="elided">
        Predicate
          verb: are
          adverb: לָמָה why <status="elided">
          Complement
            adjective: רָחוֹק far
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from the protecting of me >> from my protection">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: ישׁוּעָת protection
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you <status="elided">
        Predicate
          verb: are
          adverb: לָמָה why <status="elided">
          Complement
            adjective: רָחוֹק far <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="the words of groaning performed by me >> my words of groaning">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from <status="elided">
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: דִּבְרֵי the words
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: שֵׁאֲגָת groaning
                      suffix-pronoun: ִי me

v. 2 Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2 alternative]
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      Clause 
        Subject
          ConstructChain
            noun: דִּבְרֵי the words
            ConstructChain
              noun: שֵׁאֲגָת groaning
              suffix-pronoun: ִי me
        Predicate
          verb: are
          Complement
            adjective: רָחוֹק far
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: ישׁוּעָת protection
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me

Notes

Note for v. 2

v. 2 – We understand the function of רָחוֹק to be a predication of "my God" (cf. DCH, 466). Alternatively, as represented by the NASB (cf. Jerome, Theodotion, Quinta, Sexta), one could understand the form as an invariable adverb with a plural subject: "Far (sg.) from my help are the words (pl.) of my groaning" (cf. JM §148b). Nevertheless, since רָחוֹק can inflect for gender and number, adverbial readings may prefer בְּרָחוֹק or מֵרָחוֹק (see our notes on Ps 119:155), and the sense of the NASB is difficult to grasp, the elision of "Why are you...?" has been preferred here.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 3

Hebrew	Verse	English
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י אֶקְרָ֣א י֭וֹמָם וְלֹ֣א תַעֲנֶ֑ה	3a	My God, I cry out by day but you do not answer;
וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה וְֽלֹא־דֽוּמִיָּ֥ה לִֽי׃	3b	and by night, and I am not silent.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
    Fragment 
          Vocative
            ConstructChain <gloss="my God">
              noun: אֱלֹה God
              suffix-pronoun: ַי me
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶקְרָא I cry out
            Adverbial
              noun: יוֹמָם by day
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ but
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תַעֲנֶה you answer
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not
    Fragment
      conjunction: וְ and
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶקְרָא I cry out <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              noun: לַיְלָה by night
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause <gloss="silence is not to me >> I have no silence >> I am not silent">
          Subject
            noun: דוּמִיָּה silence
          Predicate
            verb: (is)
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not
            Adverbial <status="alternative">
              noun: לַיְלָה by night
            Complement
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לִ to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: י me

Notes

Note for v. 3

v. 3 – For the adverbial interpretation of וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה, see the grammar notes.

Note for v. 3

v. 3 – The adverbial interpretation of לַיְלָה is evident in all the ancient versions (whether by case—Greek genitive and Latin ablative—or prepositional phrase), as parallel to יוֹמָם. The parallelism between this word pair is explicit in the DHH: "día y noche te llamo, y no respondes." The alternative placement of לַיְלָה follows Targum Psalms' "and by night, I have no quietness" (Stec 2004, 58; cf. the NET's "and during the night my prayers do not let up"), though this interpretation is complicated by the presence of the waw before וְֽלֹא־דֽוּמִיָּ֥ה לִֽי (which, admittedly, is absent in a number of manuscripts—see VTH vol. 4, 322).

Note for v. 3

v. 3 – The word דּוּמִיָּה means silence (SDBH).^[1] Our preferred interpretation involves the cessation of speaking, which the psalmist claims not to have done (see, e.g., the "I cry out" in the previous, parallel, line). An alternative interpretation is that the "silence" is the result of rest offered to the psalmist, so the ESV, for example: "but I find no rest" (cf. NASB, NIV, the German translations [Ruhe] and most French translations [repos]), or the JPS: "[I] have no respite."

Note for v. 3

v. 3 – For the adverbial interpretation of וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה, see the grammar notes.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 4

Hebrew	Verse	English
וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ	4a	But you are holy,
י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃	4b	the one sitting enthroned on Israel’s songs of praise.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: וְ but
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          Apposition
            Nominal
              Clause
                Predicate
                  verb-participle: יוֹשֵׁב the one sitting enthroned upon
                Object
                  Nominal
                    ConstructChain <gloss="the praises sung by Israel >> Israel's songs of praise">
                      noun: תְּהִלּוֹת songs of praise
                      noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
            pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: are
          Complement
            adjective: קָדוֹשׁ holy

Notes

Note for v. 4

v. 4 – Although we might expect a preposition following י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב as a participle of "one who inhabits" (DCH), there are examples with prepositions (see, e.g., יָשַׁ֥בְתָּ לְ֝כִסֵּ֗א שׁוֹפֵ֥ט צֶֽדֶק in Ps 9:5; cf. 29:10; 47:9) and bare nominals (see, e.g., זַמְּר֗וּ לַ֭יהוָה יֹשֵׁ֣ב צִיּ֑וֹן in Ps 9:12; cf. 99:1) without any apparent variation in sense.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 4

v. 4 – Although we might expect a preposition following י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב as a participle of "one who inhabits" (DCH), there are examples with prepositions (see, e.g., יָשַׁ֥בְתָּ לְ֝כִסֵּ֗א שׁוֹפֵ֥ט צֶֽדֶק in Ps 9:5; cf. 29:10; 47:9) and bare nominals (see, e.g., זַמְּר֗וּ לַ֭יהוָה יֹשֵׁ֣ב צִיּ֑וֹן in Ps 9:12; cf. 99:1) without any apparent variation in sense.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

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v. 4 Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4 alternative]
    Fragment
      Clause <status="alternative">
        Subject
          Apposition
            Nominal
              ConstructChain
                noun: תְּהִלַּת praise <status="emendation">
                noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
            pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb-participle: יוֹשֵׁב dwell
          Adverbial
            Nominal
              adjective: קָדוֹשׁ in the holy place

Notes

Note for v. 4

v. 4 – This alternative diagram represents the LXX's "But you, the commendation of Israel, reside in a holy place" (NETS; σὺ δὲ ἐν ἁγίοις κατοικεῖς, ὁ ἔπαινος Ισραηλ). See also the REB's "You, the praise of Israel, are enthroned in the sanctuary." Such an interpretation of the syntax, however, requires the singular "praise" (תְּהִלַּת) for the MT's plural תְּהִלּ֥וֹת, the former of which is found not only in the LXX, but also in Aquila, Symmachus, Quinta, and a number of Kennicott manuscripts (see VTH, vol 4., 322). See, however, the plural תהלות in 5/6HevNum-b f8-9:1.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 5

Hebrew	Verse	English
בְּ֭ךָ בָּטְח֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ	5a	Our ancestors trusted you;
בָּ֝טְח֗וּ וַֽתְּפַלְּטֵֽמוֹ׃	5b	they trusted and you rescued them.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="our ancestors">
            noun: אֲבֹתֵי ancestors
            suffix-pronoun: נוּ us
        Predicate
          verb: בָּטְחוּ trusted
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="you">
              Preposition
                preposition: בְּ in
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: בָּטְחוּ they trusted
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וַ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תְּפַלְּטֵ you rescued
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them

v. 6

Hebrew	Verse	English
אֵלֶ֣יךָ זָעֲק֣וּ וְנִמְלָ֑טוּ	6a	They called to you and they were delivered;
בְּךָ֖ בָטְח֣וּ וְלֹא־בֽוֹשׁוּ׃	6b	they trusted you and they were not disappointed.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: זָעֲקוּ they called
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: אֵל to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ֶיךָ you
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נִמְלָטוּ they were delivered
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: בָטְחוּ they trusted
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="you">
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ in
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: בוֹשׁוּ they were disappointed
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 6

v. 6 – Because Biblical Hebrew contains no example of בטח followed by the stimulus of trust without a preposition,^[2] it is a target language issue whether to translate the verb phrase as "Our ancestors trusted you" (CEV) or "Our ancestors trusted in you" (CSB). As a standard example of "figurative contact (by means of mental process),"^[3] we prefer the former.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 7

Hebrew	Verse	English
וְאָנֹכִ֣י תוֹלַ֣עַת וְלֹא־אִ֑ישׁ	7a	But I am a worm and not a man;
חֶרְפַּ֥ת אָ֝דָ֗ם וּבְז֥וּי עָֽם׃	7b	I am scorned by mankind and despised by people.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: וְ but
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            pronoun: אָנֹכִי I
          Predicate
            verb: am
            Complement
              noun: תוֹלַעַת a worm
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Subject
            pronoun: אָנֹכִי I <status="elided">
          Predicate
            verb: am <status="elided">
            Complement
              noun: אִישׁ man
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אָנֹכִי I <status="elided">
        Predicate
          verb: am <status="elided">
          Complement
            Nominal
              Nominal  <gloss="scorned by mankind">
                ConstructChain
                  noun: חֶרְפַּת object of scorn
                  noun: אָדָם mankind
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וּ and
              Nominal <gloss="despised by people">
                ConstructChain 
                  Nominal
                    verb-participle: בְזוּי  despised
                  noun: עָם people

v. 8

Hebrew	Verse	English
כָּל־רֹ֭אַי יַלְעִ֣גוּ לִ֑י	8a	Everyone who sees me mocks me;
יַפְטִ֥ירוּ בְ֝שָׂפָ֗ה יָנִ֥יעוּ רֹֽאשׁ׃	8b	they open [their] mouth wide; they shake [their] head.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="everyone who sees me">
            Nominal
              quantifier: כָּל all
            ConstructChain
              Nominal
                verb-participle: רֹא seeing
              suffix-pronoun: ַי me
        Predicate
          verb: יַלְעִגוּ mock
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="me">
              Preposition
                preposition: ל at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יַפְטִירוּ they curl
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="they curl with their lip >> they curl their lip >> they open their mouth wide">
              Preposition
                preposition: בְ with
              Object
                noun: שָׂפָה lip
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יָנִיעוּ they shake
          Object
            noun: רֹאשׁ head

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 8

v. 8 – For the idiom "shaking the head" as a mocking gesture, see also 2 Kings 19:21; Psalm 109:25; Lamentations 2:15; Ben Sira 12:18, and with the preposition בְּ "with" in Job 16:4; Ben Sira 13:7.

Note for v. 8

v. 8 – The idiom יַפְטִירוּ בְשָׂפָה only appears here in the Bible, defined by SDBH as "literally: to open with the lip; hence: = action by which humans are curling their lips ► as a mocking gesture." Other similar expressions are found with qal פער and hiphil רחב in "Men have gaped at me with their mouth (פָּעֲרוּ עָלַי בְּפִיהֶם)" (Job 16:10, ESV) and "They open wide their mouths against me (וַיַּרְחִיבוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם)" (Ps 35:21, ESV), respectively.

Note for v. 8

v. 8 – The בְּ in יַפְטִ֥ירוּ בְ֝שָׂפָ֗ה should be understood as instrumental.^[4] See the similar formulation cf. פָּעֲרוּ עָלַי בְּפִיהֶם in Job 16:10; "Men have gaped at me with their mouth," ESV), as discussed in the lexical notes.

Note for v. 8

v. 8 – Because Biblical Hebrew contains no example of hiphil לעג followed by the experiencer without a preposition,^[5] it is a target language issue whether to translate the verb phrase with a construction that does not require a prepositional phrase, such as "Everyone who sees me mocks me" (CSB) or one that does not, such as "All who see me jeer at me" (CJB). As a standard example of לְ as "experienced relationship,"^[6] we prefer the former.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 9

Hebrew	Verse	English
גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָ֣ה יְפַלְּטֵ֑הוּ	9a	"Commit [it] to YHWH! —Let him rescue him;
יַ֝צִּילֵ֗הוּ כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בּֽוֹ׃	9b	let him deliver him, because he is pleased with him."

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: גֹּל commit
          verb: גַּל he committed <status="alternative revocalization">
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: אֶל to
              Object
                noun: יְהוָה YHWH
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יְפַלְּטֵ let him rescue
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יַצִּילֵ let him deliver
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
        SubordinateClause
          Conjunction
            conjunction: כִּי because
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: חָפֵץ he is pleased
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בּ with
                  Object
                    suffix-pronoun: וֹ him

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 9

v. 9 – The verb גלל literally means "to roll," used here as an expression of an "action by which humans show their confidence in a deity by putting difficult matters in that deity's hands, ◄ like a heavy stone is rolled on to someone else who is more able to carry it" (SDBH), for which, see also Psalm 37:5 and Proverbs 16:3.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 9

Following most modern versions, as well as the LXX and Jerome, we understand the two yiqtols in these clauses as jussives, with "Let him..." For detailed discussion, see the exegetical issue, The Text, Grammar and Participants of Psalm 22:9, and our Story Behind the Psalm layer.

Note for v. 9

For the alternatives to the imperative in this clause, see the discussion in the exegetical issue, The Text, Grammar and Participants of Psalm 22:9.

Note for v. 9

v. 9 – For the indicative reading גַּל in place of the MT's imperative, see the full discussion in the exegetical issue, The Text, Grammar and Participants of Psalm 22:9.

v. 10

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה גֹחִ֣י מִבָּ֑טֶן	10a	However, you are the one who took me out of the womb,
מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י עַל־שְׁדֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃	10b	who made me feel secure upon my mother's breasts.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
  Fragment 
    conjunction: כִּי however
  Fragment 
    Clause
      Subject
        pronoun: אַתָּה you
      Predicate
        verb: are
        Complement
          Nominal
            Clause <gloss="the one who took me out of the womb">
              Predicate
                verb-participle: גֹח take out
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: מִ of
                    Object
                      noun: בָּטֶן womb
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        pronoun: אַתָּה <status="elided">
      Predicate
        verb: are
        Complement
          Nominal
            Clause <gloss="the one who made me feel secure upon my mother's breasts">
              Predicate
                verb-participle: מַבְטִיחִ make feel secure
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: י me
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="upon my mother's breasts">
                    Preposition
                      preposition: עַל upon
                    Object
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: שְׁדֵי breasts
                        ConstructChain
                          noun: אִמּ mother
                          suffix-pronoun: ִי me

Notes

Note for v. 10

v. 10 – For the adversative interpretation of כִּי, see Jerome's autem (cf. "but" in the CEB, KJV, REB; and "yet" in the ESV, NASB, NIV). An alternative suggestion by Saadia, however, is that כִּי carries out its more standard function of a complementizer and continues the mockers' speech through to the end of v. 11: "They say that you are the one who took me out of the womb," etc. (see Qafaḥ 1965, 88).

Note for v. 10

v. 10 – The verb גחה only appears here in the Bible, apparently meaning pull out (HALOT) or extract (DCH). Along these lines, the LXX has "draw out"^[7] and Targum Psalms "take out."^[8]

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 11

Hebrew	Verse	English
עָ֭לֶיךָ הָשְׁלַ֣כְתִּי מֵרָ֑חֶם	11a	I have been cast upon you from the womb;
מִבֶּ֥טֶן אִ֝מִּ֗י אֵ֣לִי אָֽתָּה׃	11b	you have been my God from my mother's womb.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 11]
  Fragment 
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: הָשְׁלַכְתִּי I was cast
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: עָל upon
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: ֶיךָ you
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מֵ from
            Object
              noun: רָחֶם womb
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        pronoun: אָתָּה you
      Predicate
        verb: have been
        Complement
          ConstructChain <gloss="my God">
            noun: אֵל God
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from the time I was in my mother's womb >> from my mother's womb">
            Preposition
              preposition: מִ from
            Object
              ConstructChain
                noun: בֶּטֶן womb
                ConstructChain
                  noun: אִמּ mother
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 11

The gloss "you have been" is more suitable than "you are" due to the מִן prepositional phrase, despite being a verbless clause.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 12

Hebrew	Verse	English
אַל־תִּרְחַ֣ק מִ֭מֶּנִּי	12a	Do not be far from me,
כִּי־צָרָ֣ה קְרוֹבָ֑ה	12b	because trouble is near;
כִּי־אֵ֥ין עוֹזֵֽר׃	12c	because there is no one helping.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: תִּרְחַק be far
          Adverbial
            particle: אַל not
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מִמּ from
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ֶנִּי me
        SubordinateClause
          Conjunction
            conjunction: כִּי because
          Clause
            Subject
              noun: צָרָה trouble
            Predicate
              verb: is
              Complement
                noun: קְרוֹבָה near
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: תִּרְחַק be far <status="elided">
          Adverbial
            particle: אַל not <status="elided">
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מִמּ from <status="elided">
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ֶנִּי me <status="elided">
        SubordinateClause
          Conjunction
            conjunction: כִּי because
          Clause <gloss="there is no one helping">
            Subject
              Nominal
                verb-participle: עוֹזֵר helper
            Predicate
              Adverbial
                noun: אֵין there is not

v. 13

Hebrew	Verse	English
סְ֭בָבוּנִי פָּרִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים	13a	Many bulls have surrounded me;
אַבִּירֵ֖י בָשָׁ֣ן כִּתְּרֽוּנִי׃	13b	mighty ones of Bashan have surrounded me.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 13]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: פָּרִים bulls
          adjective: רַבִּים many
        Predicate
          verb: סְבָבוּ have surrounded
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="might ones from Bashan >> mighty ones of Bashan">
            Nominal
              adjective: אַבִּירֵי mighty
            noun: בָשָׁן Bashan
        Predicate
          verb: כִּתְּרוּ have surrounded
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me

v. 14

Hebrew	Verse	English
פָּצ֣וּ עָלַ֣י פִּיהֶ֑ם	14a	They have opened their mouth wide against me
אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג׃	14b	like a mauling and roaring lion.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 14]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: פָּצוּ have opened wide
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עָל against
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ַי me
          Adverbial <gloss=like a mauling and roaring lion">
            Nominal
              noun: אַרְיֵה lion
              Adjectival
                Nominal 
                  Nominal
                    verb-participle: טֹרֵף mauling
                  Conjunction
                    conjunction: וְ and
                  Nominal
                    verb-participle: שֹׁאֵג roaring
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="their mouth">
              noun: פִּי mouth
              suffix-pronoun: הֶם them

Notes

Note for v. 14

v. 14 – For the comparative adverbial reading of אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג, see the "like" in all the ancient versions (ܐܝܟ, ὡς, quasi, היך), as well as Aquila and Symmachus (ὡς), even supplied as כאריה in one medieval manuscript (VTH vol. 4, 322).

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 14

v. 14 – For the adverbial interpretation of אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג, see the grammar notes.

Note for v. 14

v. 14 – A number of modern translations understand the עַל phrase as directional "at me," such as the RJPS: "They open their mouths at me."^[9] It is preferable, however, to follow "the oppositional sense" (Mena 2012, 96),^[10] as illustrated by the NIV: "open their mouths wide against me."

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 15

Hebrew	Verse	English
כַּמַּ֥יִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮	15a	I am poured out like water
וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ כָּֽל־עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י	15b	and all my bones are disjointed;
הָיָ֣ה לִ֭בִּי כַּדּוֹנָ֑ג	15c	my heart has become like wax—
נָ֝מֵ֗ס בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃	15d	it has melted within my interior.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 15]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי I am poured out
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כַּ like
                Object
                  article: ה <status="elided">
                  noun: מַּיִם water
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="all my bones">
              Nominal
                quantifier: כָּל all
              ConstructChain
                noun: עַצְמוֹת bones
                suffix-pronoun: ָי me
          Predicate
            verb: הִתְפָּרְדוּ are disjointed
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="my heart">
            noun: לִבּ heart
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
        Predicate
          verb: הָיָה has become
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: כַּ like
              Object
                article: ה <status="elided">
                noun: דּוֹנָג wax
          Adverbial <status="alternative">
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: נָמֵס melted
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="within my interior">
                    Preposition
                      preposition: בְּתוֹךְ within
                    Object
                      ConstructChain
                        noun: מֵע interior
                        suffix-pronoun: ָי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <status="elided">
            noun: לִבּ heart
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
        Predicate
          verb: נָמֵס has melted
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="within my interior">
              Preposition
                preposition: בְּתוֹךְ within
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: מֵע interior
                  suffix-pronoun: ָי me

Notes

Note for v. 15

v. 15 – Due to the morphology of נָ֝מֵ֗ס, which is mostly likely a qatal (Blau 2010, 260), rather than a participle, we prefer to read the final two lines of this verse as two finite clauses with "my heart" elided in the second instance. On the other hand, if נָ֝מֵ֗ס were understood as a qatel participle, the fourth line would serve as a predicative adjunct of the third, as reflected in the diagram's alternative. See, for example, the JPS: "my heart is like wax, melting within me."^[11]

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 15

v. 15 – The article on both כַּמַּ֥יִם and כַּדּוֹנָ֑ג should be understood as indicating a class, as illustrated by the Spanish and French versions: "Me voy diluyendo, como el agua ... se me derrite como la cera" (RVC); "Comme l'eau je m'écoule ... Mon cœur est pareil à la cire" (TOB).

Note for v. 15

v. 15 – As a compound preposition, "locative [בְּת֣וֹךְ] mark[s] an INTERIOR- or INSIDE-REGION."^[12] See also v. 23.

Note for v. 15

The explicit היה copula favors the change-of-state "has become," rather than simply "is like wax" (see, e.g., the JPS, among others), which is more readily communicated by a verbless clause.

Note for v. 15

The form נָ֝מֵ֗ס is most likely a qatal,^[13] though some ancient versions seem to have either interpreted this form as a participle or read נָמָס (see, e.g., the LXX, Jerome and Targum Psalms), modifying the "becoming like wax" rather than providing a new, finite clause. See further the grammar note.

Note for v. 15

The stative verb נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮ determines the gloss "I have been poured out" → "I am poured out."

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 16

Hebrew	Verse	English
יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ ׀ כֹּחִ֗י	16a	My strength has dried up like a potsherd
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּ֣ק מַלְקוֹחָ֑י	16b	and my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth;
וְֽלַעֲפַר־מָ֥וֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃	16c	you place me in the dust of death.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 16]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="my strength">
              noun: כֹּח strength
              suffix-pronoun: ִי me
          Predicate
            verb: יָבֵשׁ has dried up
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כַּ like
                Object
                  article: ה <status="elided">
                  noun: חֶרֶשׂ potsherd
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="my tongue">
              noun: לְשׁוֹנ tongue
              suffix-pronoun: ִי me
          Predicate
            verb-participle: מֻדְבָּק clings to
            Adverbial
              Nominal
                ConstructChain <gloss="the roof of my mouth">
                  noun: מַלְקוֹח palate >> roof of mouth
                  suffix-pronoun: ַי me
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תִּשְׁפְּתֵ you place
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לַ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="in the dust which is death >> in the dust of death">
                    noun: עֲפַר dust
                    noun: מָוֶת death

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 16

v. 16 – The noun מַלְקוֹחָי only appears here in the Bible. The ancient versions offer larynx,^[14] palate,^[15] gums or palate,^[16] and "the top of my palate,"^[17] i.e., the roof of my mouth. Drawing upon the more common noun for tongs (מֶלְקָחַ֫יִם) used to snuff out the candles in the Temple,^[18] Radak (Sefer HaShorashim) asserts that our word in question here is "what is above and below the tongue" in the mouth,^[19] also with dual morphology and sharing the same action as moving up and down (like tongs) while chewing. Obviously, the sense is limited to where a tongue can be stuck in a dry mouth, so within the domain of palates and gums, the roof of the mouth is the most likely.

Note for v. 16

v. 16 – The article on כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ should be understood as indicating a class as illustrated by the French of SG21: "Ma force se dessèche comme l’argile."

Note for v. 16

v. 16 – The word dust is also found in v. 30, in the phrase כָּל־יוֹרְדֵ֣י עָפָ֑ר (CBC: "all those going down to dust"), indicates that the construct chain עֲפַר־מָ֥וֶת is composed of an entity and its synonym, i.e., the dust, that is, death.

Note for v. 16

We prefer a habitual reading of the yiqtol תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי "you place me." It is also possible to interpret this yiqtol as preterite, "you placed me" (see, e.g., the LXX, Jerome and the Peshitta, as well as a number of modern translations). This does not explain the preceding statives, however, which would require a perfect "placing" with ongoing effects, or the habitual, which is our preference. The habitual reading is also consistent with the verb forms of vv. 18–19.

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

v. 17

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים	17a	For dogs have surrounded me,
עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי	17b	a company of evildoers has encompassed me,
כָּ֝אֲרוּ יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃	17c	they have pierced my hands and my feet.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 17]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: כִּי because
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: כְּלָבִים dogs
        Predicate
          verb: סְבָבוּ have surrounded
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain
            noun: עֲדַת a company
            Nominal
              verb-participle: מְרֵעִים evildoers
        Predicate
          verb: הִקִּיפוּ have encompassed
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <status="elided">
            noun: עֲדַת a company
            Nominal
              verb-participle: מְרֵעִים evildoers
        Predicate
          verb: כָּאֲרוּ have dug >> have pierced <status="emendation">
          Object
            Nominal
              ConstructChain <gloss="my hands">
                noun: יָד hands
                suffix-pronoun: ַי me
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וְ and
              ConstructChain <gloss="my feet">
                noun: רַגְל feet
                suffix-pronoun: ַי me

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 17

v. 17 – For a full discussion of the MT's כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י and our emendation to כָּאֲרוּ, see the exegetical issue The Text of Psalm 22:17b. Our conclusion favors כָּאֲרוּ, from the verb כרה "to dig," as reflected in the LXX, Peshitta, and the text of 5/6ḤevPs.

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v. 17 Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 17 alternative]
  Fragment <status="alternative">
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain <status="elided">
          noun: עֲדַת a company
          Nominal
            verb-participle: מְרֵעִים evildoers
      Predicate
        verb: הִקִּיפוּ have encompassed <status="elided">
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: כָּ like
            Object
              article: ה <status="elided">
              noun: אֲרִי lion
        Object
          Nominal
            ConstructChain
              noun: יָד hands
              suffix-pronoun: ַי me
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וְ and
            ConstructChain
              noun: רַגְל feet
              suffix-pronoun: ָי me

Notes

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No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

Alternative

v. 17 – For the MT's כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י "like a lion" in place of our preferred כָּאֲרוּ, see the full discussion in the exegetical issue, The Text of Psalm 22:17b.

v. 18

Hebrew	Verse	English
אֲסַפֵּ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑י	18a	I can count all my bones;
הֵ֥מָּה יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ־בִֽי׃	18b	they look, gazing at me.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 18]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲסַפֵּר I can count
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="all my bones">
              Nominal
                quantifier: כָּל all
              ConstructChain
                noun: עַצְמוֹת bones
                suffix-pronoun: ָי me
    Fragment
      Clause 
        Subject
          pronoun: הֵמָּה they
        Predicate <gloss="they look, staring at me">
          Predicate
            verb: יַבִּיטוּ stare
          Predicate
            verb: יִרְאוּ look
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: ב at
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: הֵמָּה they
        Predicate
          verb: יַבִּיטוּ look
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יִרְאוּ they gaze
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: ב at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ִי me

Notes

Note for v. 18

v. 18 – For the preferred monoclausal interpretation of הֵ֥מָּה יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ־בִֽי, see Jerome's ipsi respicientes viderunt in me ("they, gazing, look at me") Like other serial verb constructions, the two finite verbs are adjacent and lack any intervening conjunction, they share one explicit pronoun, and the first verb provides the adverbial of manner. Similar is the NFC's "Mes adversaires me regardent fixement" (cf. PDV). Alternatively, of course, they could be considered two distinct, finite clauses.

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Note for v. 18

v. 18 – The verbs יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ should be understood as a serial verb construction (see Aikhenvald 2018).^[20] As is typical of serial verb constructions in Biblical Hebrew, there is no conjunction between the two verbs, they share person, number, tense-aspect-modality values and follow only one explicit pronoun. For this analysis elsewhere, see the notes at Pss 45:5; 46:4; 78:6, 34, 41, 56.

Note for v. 18

In agreement with most modern versions, we understand the yiqtol אֲסַפֵּ֥ר to contain root modality, i.e., ability based on the current circumstances. Alternatively, the LXX has an aorist (ἐξηρίθμησα) and Jerome a perfect (numeravi), apparently interpreting the yiqtol as preterite, "I counted" (cf. v. 16c, though this pattern in both Greek and Latin continues throughout the yiqtols of vv. 18–19).

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v. 19

Hebrew	Verse	English
יְחַלְּק֣וּ בְגָדַ֣י לָהֶ֑ם	19a	They divide my clothes among themselves
וְעַל־לְ֝בוּשִׁ֗י יַפִּ֥ילוּ גוֹרָֽל׃	19b	and cast a lot for my garment.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 19]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְחַלְּקוּ they divide
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="my clothes">
                noun: בְגָד clothes
                suffix-pronoun: ַי me
            Adverbial <gloss="for themselves >> among themselves">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לָ for
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: הֶם themselves
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="for my garment">
                Preposition
                  preposition: עַל for
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: לְבוּשׁ garment
                    suffix-pronoun: ִי me
            verb: יַפִּילוּ they cast
            Object
              noun: גוֹרָל lot

Notes

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Note for v. 19

v. 19 – Following most modern English translations, we understand the לְ of לָהֶ֑ם as the recipient,^[21] most likely with a partitive sense borrowed from the verbal semantics of piel חלק, among themselves.^[22] Alternatively one could interpret לָהֶ֑ם as benefactive, "for themselves."^[23]

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v. 20

Hebrew	Verse	English
וְאַתָּ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אַל־תִּרְחָ֑ק	20a	But you, YHWH, don’t be far!
אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה׃	20b	My strength, hurry to my aid!

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 20]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: וְ but
    Fragment
      Vocative
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Clause
        Subject
          pronoun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: תִּרְחָק be far
          Adverbial
            particle: אַל not
    Fragment
      Vocative
        Nominal
          ConstructChain <gloss="the one strengthening me >> my strength">
            noun: אֱיָלוּתִ strength
            suffix-pronoun: י me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: חוּשָׁה hurry
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="in order to help me >> to my aid">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ to
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: עֶזְרָת help
                  suffix-pronoun: ִי me

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 20

v. 20 – The noun אֱיָלוּת is unique in the Bible, though in all likelihood related to אֱיָל, as found in Psalm 88:5 (see the notes there). Jerome and Targum Psalms understand the same sense of "my strength" in the present instance, as is also our preference.^[24]

Note for v. 20

v. 20 – For the construction לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה, see also Pss 38:23; 40:14; 70:2; 71:12.

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v. 21

Hebrew	Verse	English
הַצִּ֣ילָה מֵחֶ֣רֶב נַפְשִׁ֑י	21a	Rescue my life from a sword,
מִיַּד־כֶּ֝֗לֶב יְחִידָתִֽי׃	21b	my only [life] from a dog’s power.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 21]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הַצִּילָה rescue
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מֵ from
              Object
                noun: חֶרֶב sword
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="my life">
              noun: נַפְשׁ life
              suffix-pronoun: ִי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הַצִּילָה <status="elided">
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from a dog's power">
              Preposition
                preposition: מִ from
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: יַּד hand >> power
                  noun: כֶּלֶב dog
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="my only one">
              Nominal
                adjective: יְחִידָת only
              suffix-pronoun: ִי me

v. 22

Hebrew	Verse	English
ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּ֣י אַרְיֵ֑ה	22a	Save me from a lion’s mouth!
וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י רֵמִ֣ים עֲנִיתָֽנִי׃	22b	And from wild oxen's horns —you have answered me!

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 22]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: הוֹשִׁיעֵ save
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from a lion's mouth">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: פִּי mouth
                    noun: אַרְיֵה lion
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from wild oxen's horns">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: קַּרְנֵי horns
                    noun: רֵמִים wild oxen
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: עֲנִיתָ you answered
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נִי me

Notes

Note for v. 22

v. 22 – Our preferred interpretation of the unexpected form עֲנִיתָֽנִי "you answered me" is that of anacoluthon, which is "a syntactic break in the expected grammatical sequence within a sentence, as when a sentence begins with one construction and remains unfinished” (Crystal 2024, 23). See, e.g., Luther 2017: Hilf mir aus dem Rachen des Löwen und vor den Hörnern der wilden Stiere—du hast mich erhört! ("Rescue me from the jaws of the lion, and from the horns of the wild bulls—you have heard me!"). Similar are the new sentences indicated by the punctuation in the CSB and NET,^[25] though such presentation does less justice to the line division and independent contribution of "from wild oxen's horns," after which another imperative would be expected, if not for the indicative verb form, signaling the anacoluthon.

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Note for v. 22

Although there is no finite verb in the clause וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י רֵמִ֣ים, an imperative is expected, though anacoluthon causes a shift in discourse before the clause's conclusion (see the grammar notes).

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v. 22 Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 22 alternative 1]
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      ClauseCluster
        Clause 
          Predicate
            verb: הוֹשִׁיעֵ save
            Object
              Nominal
                suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from 
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: פִּי mouth
                    noun: אַרְיֵה lion
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause        
          Predicate
            verb: הוֹשִׁיעָה save <status="elided">
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="my misery">
                noun: עֲנְוָת misery <status="emendation">
                suffix-pronoun: ִי me <status="emendation">
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: קַּרְנֵי horns
                    noun: רֵמִים wild oxen

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

No Phrase-level notes to display for this diagram.

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 22

v. 22 – For the emended alternative text, see the LXX's "and my lowliness from the horns of unicorns" (NETS; καὶ ἀπὸ κεράτων μονοκερώτων τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου), which has apparently read עֲנְוָתִי "my misery," in place of the MT's עֲנִיתָֽנִי "you answered me."^[26]

Alternative 2

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 22 alternative 2]
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: הוֹשַׁע save
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from a lion's mouth">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: פִּי mouth
                    noun: אַרְיֵה lion
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: עֲנִיתָ you answered
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: נִי me
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="from wild oxen's horns">
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִ from
                Object
                  ConstructChain
                    noun: קַּרְנֵי horns
                    noun: רֵמִים wild oxen

Notes

Note for v. 22

v. 22 – Perhaps the most common interpretation of the second line of this verse is "From the horns of the wild oxen you have answered me!" (CEB), which, unfortunately, makes little sense of the מִן preposition "from" as the origin or source of YHWH's answering and saving action.

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v. 23

Hebrew	Verse	English
אֲסַפְּרָ֣ה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְאֶחָ֑י	23a	I will announce your name to my brothers;
בְּת֖וֹךְ קָהָ֣ל אֲהַלְלֶֽךָּ׃	23b	I will praise you in the midst of the community.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 23]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲסַפְּרָה I will announce
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="your name">
              noun: שִׁמְ name
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="to my brothers">
              Preposition
                preposition: לְ to
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: אֶח brothers* >> fellow Israelites
                  suffix-pronoun: ָי me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲהַלְלֶ I will praise
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: ךָּ you-
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="in the midst of the community" >
              Preposition
                preposition: בְּ in
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: תוֹךְ midst
                  noun: קָהָל community

v. 24

Hebrew	Verse	English
יִרְאֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ הַֽלְל֗וּהוּ	24a	You who fear YHWH, praise him!
כָּל־זֶ֣רַע יַעֲקֹ֣ב כַּבְּד֑וּהוּ	24b	All you offspring of Jacob, honor him!
וְג֥וּרוּ מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ כָּל־זֶ֥רַע יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃	24c	And be in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 24]
    Fragment 
      Vocative
        ConstructChain <gloss="you who fear YHWH">
          Nominal
            adjective: יִרְאֵי fearers
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הַלְלוּ praise
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
    Fragment
      Vocative
        ConstructChain <gloss="all you offspring of Jacob">
          Nominal
            quantifier: כָּל all
          ConstructChain
            noun: זֶרַע offspring
            noun: יַעֲקֹב Jacob
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: כַּבְּדוּ honor
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: הוּ him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: גוּרוּ be in awe
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמּ of
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
    Fragment
      Vocative
        ConstructChain <gloss="all you offspring of Israel">
          Nominal
            quantifier: כָּל all
          ConstructChain
            noun: זֶרַע offspring
            noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel

v. 25

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָזָ֨ה וְלֹ֪א שִׁקַּ֡ץ עֱנ֬וּת עָנִ֗י	25a	Because he has not regarded as worthless nor detestable the sufferer's affliction
וְלֹא־הִסְתִּ֣יר פָּנָ֣יו מִמֶּ֑נּוּ	25b	and he has not hidden his face from him;
וּֽבְשַׁוְּע֖וֹ אֵלָ֣יו שָׁמֵֽעַ׃	25c	but he heard when he cried to him for help.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 25]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: כִּי because
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            Predicate
              verb: בָזָה he has regarded as worthless
              Adverbial
                particle: לֹא not
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וְ and
            Predicate
              verb: שִׁקַּץ he has regarded as detestable
              Adverbial
                particle: לֹא not
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="the affliction that the afflicted suffer >> the sufferer's affliction">
                noun: עֱנוּת affliction
                Nominal
                  adjective: עָנִי sufferer
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: הִסְתִּיר he has hidden
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמּ from
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ֶנּוּ him
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="his face">
                noun: פָּנ face
                suffix-pronoun: ָיו him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ but
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שָׁמֵעַ he heard
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="when he cried to him for help">
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְ when
                Object
                  Clause
                    Subject <located="after infinitive construct">
                    Predicate
                      ConstructChain
                        verb-infinitive: שַׁוְּע cry for help
                        suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
                      Adverbial
                        PrepositionalPhrase
                          Preposition
                            preposition: אֵל to
                          Object
                            suffix-pronoun: ָיו him

v. 26

Hebrew	Verse	English
מֵ֥אִתְּךָ֗ תְֽהִלָּ֫תִ֥י בְּקָהָ֥ל רָ֑ב	26a	My praise among a great community is because of you;
נְדָרַ֥י אֲ֝שַׁלֵּ֗ם נֶ֣גֶד יְרֵאָֽיו׃	26b	I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear him.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 26]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="my praising among a great community">
            Nominal
              noun: תְהִלָתּ praise
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בְּ among
                  Object
                    noun: קָהָל community
                    adjective: רָב great
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me
        Predicate
          verb: is
          Complement
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מֵאִתְּ from
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲשַׁלֵּם I will fulfill
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="the vowing done by me >> my vows">
              noun: נְדָר vows
              suffix-pronoun: ַי me
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="in the presence of the fearers of him >> in the presence of those who fear him">
              Preposition
                preposition: נֶגֶד in front of
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  Nominal
                    adjective: יְרֵאָי fearers
                  suffix-pronoun: ו him

Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Note for v. 26

v. 26 – Although it is possible to read מֵ֥אִתְּךָ֗ as source or origin, such as the ESV's "from you comes my praise in the great congregation," it is better understood as causal, such as the CSB: "I will give praise in the great assembly because of you" (cf. NET; RJPS).

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v. 27

Hebrew	Verse	English
יֹאכְל֬וּ עֲנָוִ֨ים ׀ וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ	27a	The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;
יְהַֽלְל֣וּ יְ֭הוָה דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו	27b	those who seek him will praise YHWH—
יְחִ֖י לְבַבְכֶ֣ם לָעַֽד׃	27c	may your heart live forever!

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 27]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
            adjective: עֲנָוִים the afflicted
        Predicate
          Predicate
            verb: יֹאכְלוּ will eat
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          Predicate
            verb: יִשְׂבָּעוּ will be satisfied
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="those who seek him">
            Nominal
              verb-participle: דֹּרְשָׁי seekers
            suffix-pronoun: ו him
        Predicate
          verb: יְהַלְלוּ will praise
          Object
            noun: יְהוָה YHWH
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="your heart">
            noun: לְבַבְ heart
            suffix-pronoun: כֶם you
        Predicate
          verb: יְחִי may live
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="to eternity >> forever">
              Preposition
                preposition: לָ for
              Object
                noun: עַד eternity

Notes

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Note for v. 27

Some modern translations (e.g., the JPS), understand the yiqtols יֹאכְל֬וּ and יִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ as jussives: "Let the lowly eat and be satisfied." Nevertheless, we prefer the indicative interpretation of the first, while וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ seems best read as a weyiqtol of result → "so that they will be satisfied" (though "and" is a sufficient gloss to communicate such in English).

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v. 28

Hebrew	Verse	English
יִזְכְּר֤וּ ׀ וְיָשֻׁ֣בוּ אֶל־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ	28a	Let all the ends of the earth consider so that they will turn to YHWH,
וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לְ֝פָנֶ֗יךָ כָּֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת גּוֹיִֽם׃	28b	so that all the families of the nations will worship before you,

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 28]
    Fragment 
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="all the ends of the earth">
              Nominal
                quantifier: כָּל all
              ConstructChain
                noun: אַפְסֵי ends
                noun: אָרֶץ earth
          Predicate
            Predicate
              verb: יִזְכְּרוּ let consider
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ so that
        Clause
            Predicate
              verb: יָשֻׁבוּ they will turn
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: אֶל to
                  Object
                    noun: יְהוָה YHWH
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ so that
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="all the families of the nations">
              Nominal
                quantifier: כָּל all
              ConstructChain
                noun: מִשְׁפְּחוֹת families
                noun: גּוֹיִם nations
          Predicate
            verb: יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ will worship
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לְפָנֶי before
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Notes

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Note for v. 28

v. 28 – The construct chain כָּֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת גּוֹיִֽם communicates "all the families of the nations," i.e.," all the families found among the nations," as found explicitly in the RJPS: "and the peoples of all nations."

Note for v. 28

It is possible to read the verbs in v. 28 as a series of future yiqtols, such as the ESV: "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you." Nevertheless, the jussive interpretation of the first yiqtol has been preferred (see, e.g., the JPS: "Let all the ends of the earth pay heed and turn to GOD"), followed by a pair of resultative weyiqtols.

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v. 29

Hebrew	Verse	English
כִּ֣י לַ֭יהוָה הַמְּלוּכָ֑ה	29a	because kingship belongs to YHWH
וּ֝מֹשֵׁ֗ל בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃	29b	and he rules over the nations.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 29]
    Fragment 
      conjunction: כִּי because
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            article: הַ the
            noun: מְּלוּכָה kingship
          Predicate
            verb: is >> belongs
            Complement
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לַ to
                Object
                  noun: יהוָה YHWH
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb-participle: מֹשֵׁל he rules
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בַּ over
                Object
                  article: ה the <status="elided">
                  noun: גּוֹיִם nations

v. 30

Hebrew	Verse	English
אָכְל֬וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ ׀ כָּֽל־דִּשְׁנֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ	30a	All the strong ones of the earth have eaten and worshiped;
לְפָנָ֣יו יִ֭כְרְעוּ כָּל־יוֹרְדֵ֣י עָפָ֑ר	30b	all those going down to dust will kneel before him,
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ לֹ֣א חִיָּֽה׃	30c	and he did not preserve their life.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 30]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          ConstructChain <gloss="all the strong ones of the earth">
            Nominal
              quantifier: כָּל every
            ConstructChain
              Nominal
                adjective: דִּשְׁנֵי strong
              noun: אֶרֶץ earth
        Predicate
          Predicate
            verb: אָכְלוּ have eaten
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וַ and
          Predicate
            verb: יִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ have worshiped
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="all those going down to dust">
              Nominal
                quantifier: כָּל all
              ConstructChain
                Nominal
                  verb-participle: יוֹרְדֵי going down
                noun: עָפָר dust
          Predicate
            verb: יִכְרְעוּ will kneel
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לְפָנָי before
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: ו him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: חִיָּה he preserved
            Adverbial
              particle: לֹא not
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="their life">
                noun: נַפְשׁ life
                suffix-pronoun: וֹ him >> them

Notes

Note for v. 30

v. 30 – There are a number of textual issues with the last line of this verse. For details, see the exegetical issue, The Text and Grammar of Psalm 22:30.

Grammatically, the syntactic connection with the preceding and following clauses have been understood in a number of ways. One could understand the clause וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ לֹ֣א חִיָּֽה to expand upon the previous clause as an elaboration, i.e., following an explicative waw (see, e.g., Baker 1980, Wilton 1994; cf. Gen 4:4; Num 27:21; Deut 23:1), or as a relative clause (Delitzsch 1871, 326), such as the NIV: "all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive." One disadvantage of these readings is that the final line follows the strongest disjunctive accent of the verse, so one could argue that this unit is too prosodically significant to contain a mere elaboration, whether relative or not. On the other hand, some understand a stronger connection between this clause and the first clause of v. 31. This could also be relative, though as a headless relative clause: "And he who did not keep his life—his descendants shall serve him" (Craigie 2004, 195). Other possibilities are that of a conditional protasis, "And if his soul no longer lives, posterity will serve him,"^[27] or a temporal clause, "When the man himself is no longer among the living, his seed ... will serve."^[28] In support of these interpretations, both clauses (vv. 30c, 31a) are on the same line in Codex Sinaiticus.^[29]

Nevertheless, all of these are logical implicatures open to interpretation, where the text itself contains only a waw. Thus, we have preferred to leave the text as it stands and leave the interpretations open within the possibilities outlined above.

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v. 30 Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 30 alternative]
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      Clause 
        Subject
          ConstructChain
            noun: נַפְשׁ soul
            suffix-pronoun: ִי me <status="emendation">
        Predicate
          verb: חָיָה lives <status="revocalization"> 
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: ל for <status="revocalization"> 
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: וֹ him <status="emendation">

Notes

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Note for v. 30

v. 30 – The alternative diagram represents the LXX (cf. Peshitta): "And my soul lives for him" (NETS; καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου αὐτῷ ζῇ). For a complete discussion, see the exegetical issue, The Text and Grammar of Psalm 22:30.

v. 31

Hebrew	Verse	English
זֶ֥רַע יַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ	31a	Future generations will serve him;
יְסֻפַּ֖ר לַֽאדֹנָ֣י לַדּֽוֹר׃	31b	it will be proclaimed concerning the Lord to that generation—

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 31]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: זֶרַע offspring >> a future generation
        Predicate
          verb: יַעַבְדֶ will serve
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: נּוּ him
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: יְסֻפַּר it will be proclaimed
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לַ concerning
              Object
                noun: אדֹנָי Lord
          Adverbial <gloss="to that generation">
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לַ to
              Object
                article: ה the <status="elided">
                noun: דּוֹר generation

Alternative

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 31 alternative]
  Fragment <status="alternative">
    Clause
      Subject
        Nominal
          article: ה the <status="elided">
          noun: דּוֹר generation <status="emendation">
          RelativeClause 
            RelativeParticle
              particle: who
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: יָבֹאוּ will come
      Predicate
        verb: יְסֻפַּר will be proclaimed
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: לַ concerning
            Object
              noun: אדֹנָי Lord

Notes

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Note for v. 31

v. 31 – For the alternative diagram of v. 31, see the LXX: "the coming generation" (γενεὰ ἡ ἐρχομένη), which reads יָבֹאוּ from the beginning of v. 32 as the end of this verse, as modifying "the generation," which also requires the loss of the preposition לַדּֽוֹר to read as the nominative γενεὰ "the generation."

v. 32

Hebrew	Verse	English
יָ֭בֹאוּ וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ צִדְקָת֑וֹ	32a	Let them come so that they tell his righteous deed
לְעַ֥ם נ֝וֹלָ֗ד כִּ֣י עָשָֽׂה׃	32b	to a people who will be born—what he has done.

Preferred

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 32]
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Predicate
          Predicate
            verb: יָבֹאוּ let them come
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ so that
          Predicate
            verb: יַגִּידוּ they will tell
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לְ to
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="a people who will be born">
                    noun: עַם people
                    Nominal
                      verb-participle: נוֹלָד being born
            Object
              Apposition
                ConstructChain <gloss="his righteous deed">
                  Nominal
                    noun: צִדְקָת righteous deed
                    Adjectival <status="alternative">
                      PrepositionalPhrase
                        Preposition
                          preposition: לְ for
                        Object
                          ConstructChain
                            noun: עַם people
                            Nominal
                              verb-participle: נוֹלָד being born
                  suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
                Nominal
                  ComplementClause
                    Conjunction
                      conjunction: כִּי what
                    Clause
                      Predicate
                        verb: עָשָׂה he has done
        SubordinateClause <status="alternative">
          Conjunction
            conjunction: כִּי because
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb: עָשָׂה he has acted

Notes

Note for v. 32

v. 32 – In both Biblical Hebrew and modern languages, the sentence "they shall tell of His beneficence to people yet to be born" (JPS) is ambiguous as to whether לְעַ֥ם נ֝וֹלָ֗ד refers to the addressee of the "announcing," or the benefactor of the "righteous deed." Nevertheless, the addressee interpreted has been preferred in light of the preceding verse's "it shall be told to that generation."

Note for v. 32

v. 32 – Causal grounds are a very natural function of כִּי, as perhaps reflected in the LXX: "because the Lord acted" (NETS; ὅτι ἐποίησεν ὁ κύριος; cf. the Peshitta); see also the JPS: "for He has acted." Nevertheless, as a complementizer, it naturally functions as an elaboration of "his righteous deed" to be announced—namely, that which he has done. Of course, this function overlaps with that of relativizers, which we also read in Jerome (quas fecit), Symmachus (ἣν ἐποίησε), and Codex Sinaiticus of the LXX.^[30] See, e.g., the NET (which supplies a second "they will tell"): "they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished."

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Note for v. 32

v. 32 – For the apposition introduced by the complementizer כִּ֣י, preceding עָשָֽׂה, see the grammar notes.

Note for v. 32

The unambiguously future reference time of the participle נ֝וֹלָ֗ד—reflected, for example, in the LXX's future participle, τῷ τεχθησομένῳ, and Jerome's "who will be born" (qui nascetur)—license the gloss supplied here. Grammatically, the form could be analyzed as the so-called "imminent future" function of the participle.

Note for v. 32

Although it is a minority position among modern translations, we prefer to understand the yiqtol יָ֭בֹאוּ as jussive, followed by a resultative weyiqtol (cf. v. 28).

No Textual notes to display for this diagram.

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↑ Cf. Jerome's silentium.
↑ As well as בְּ here, there are also examples of אֶל, לְ and עַל, apparently somewhat interchangeable.
↑ BHRG (§39.6.(1).b.2); cf. GKC §119l; object of trust (IBHS §11.2.5f).
↑ See GKC (§119q), BHRG (§39.6.3.a), IBHS (§11.2.5.d).
↑ As well as לְ here, there are also examples of עַל and בְּ, sometimes by the same authors (see, e.g., Neh 2:19; 3:33).
↑ BHRG (§39.11(5a).2); cf. IBHS (§11.2.10.b, d g).
↑ LSJ; ἐκσπάω.
↑ אפקתני. Jerome (Hebr.), the Peshitta and Aquila seem to have read כֹּחִי "my strength" (cf. v. 16) instead of the MT's גֹחִ֣י, perhaps not recognizing the hapax legomenon of גחה (propugnator meus, ܬܘܟܠܢܝ; παλαίων ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ).
↑ Cf. LXX and Jerome's "over me" (super me).
↑ Malefactive (BHRG §39.20.2.b, GKC §119dd); "disadvantage" (IBHS §11.2.13.c; Joüon §133c.
↑ Both the LXX and Jerome provide participles for נָמֵס, as a modification of the "wax" (ὡσεὶ κηρὸς τηκόμενος; sicut cera liquefacta), while Targum Psalms conflates the two verbal forms into one clause: "my heart is melted like wax within my breast" (Stec 2004, 59; הוה לבי מתמסי היך שעוא‬ בגו מעיי).
↑ Hardy (2022, 141).
↑ Blau 2010, 260.
↑ λάρυγξ (LXX).
↑ palatum (Jerome).
↑ מוריג (Targum Psalms).
↑ ܫܡ̈ܝ ܚܟܝ (Peshitta).
↑ Cf. Punic mlqḥ as "pincers or candle-snuffer" (Hoftijzer and Jongeling 1995, 645).
↑ מה שעל הלשון ומתחתיו.
↑ For this interpretation, see, e.g., the participle in Jerome's ipsi respicientes viderunt in me; the gerund in the CEB: "they just stare at me, watching me"; and the adverbials in the RVC: "ellos se regodean al verme" and NFC: "Mes adversaires me regardent fixement" (cf. PDV).
↑ Jenni (2000, 84).
↑ As explicit in the Peshitta's ܒܝܢܬܗܘܢ "among themselves" (cf. Malul 1996, 103; מחלקים אותו ביניהם).
↑ See, e.g., "cause a relation of belonging" (BHRG §39.11.1.a).
↑ The LXX, somewhat similarly, reads "my help" (τὴν βοήθειάν μου), though as the object of a transitive (presumably of the piel binyan) רחק. This is unlikely, however, in light of the identical phrase in v. 12.
↑ CSB: "Save me from the lion’s mouth, from the horns of wild oxen. You answered me!" NET: "Rescue me from the mouth of the lion, and from the horns of the wild oxen. You have answered me."
↑ See also τὴν κάκωσίν μου in Symmachus, though Aquila reads as the MT: εἰσήκουσάς με.
↑ «Et (si) son âme ne vit plus, la postérité Le servira» (Lipinski 1969, 161; cf. Saadia). See also Ps 95:7–8 for a conditional construction crossing verse boundaries.
↑ So Malul (1996, 105; כשהאדם עצמו כבר לא יהיה בין החיים, זרעו ... ויעבדו).
↑ καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου αὐτῷ ζῇ, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα μου δουλεύσει αὐτῷ.
↑ ΟΝΕΠΟΙΗΣΕΝΚΣ → ὅν ἐποίησεν κύριος.

[1] Cf. Jerome's silentium.

[2] As well as בְּ here, there are also examples of אֶל, לְ and עַל, apparently somewhat interchangeable.

[3] BHRG (§39.6.(1).b.2); cf. GKC §119l; object of trust (IBHS §11.2.5f).

[4] See GKC (§119q), BHRG (§39.6.3.a), IBHS (§11.2.5.d).

[5] As well as לְ here, there are also examples of עַל and בְּ, sometimes by the same authors (see, e.g., Neh 2:19; 3:33).

[6] BHRG (§39.11(5a).2); cf. IBHS (§11.2.10.b, d g).

[7] LSJ; ἐκσπάω.

[8] אפקתני. Jerome (Hebr.), the Peshitta and Aquila seem to have read כֹּחִי "my strength" (cf. v. 16) instead of the MT's גֹחִ֣י, perhaps not recognizing the hapax legomenon of גחה (propugnator meus, ܬܘܟܠܢܝ; παλαίων ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ).

[9] Cf. LXX and Jerome's "over me" (super me).

[10] Malefactive (BHRG §39.20.2.b, GKC §119dd); "disadvantage" (IBHS §11.2.13.c; Joüon §133c.

[11] Both the LXX and Jerome provide participles for נָמֵס, as a modification of the "wax" (ὡσεὶ κηρὸς τηκόμενος; sicut cera liquefacta), while Targum Psalms conflates the two verbal forms into one clause: "my heart is melted like wax within my breast" (Stec 2004, 59; הוה לבי מתמסי היך שעוא‬ בגו מעיי).

[12] Hardy (2022, 141).

[13] Blau 2010, 260.

[14] λάρυγξ (LXX).

[15] palatum (Jerome).

[16] מוריג (Targum Psalms).

[17] ܫܡ̈ܝ ܚܟܝ (Peshitta).

[18] Cf. Punic mlqḥ as "pincers or candle-snuffer" (Hoftijzer and Jongeling 1995, 645).

[19] מה שעל הלשון ומתחתיו.

[20] For this interpretation, see, e.g., the participle in Jerome's ipsi respicientes viderunt in me; the gerund in the CEB: "they just stare at me, watching me"; and the adverbials in the RVC: "ellos se regodean al verme" and NFC: "Mes adversaires me regardent fixement" (cf. PDV).

[21] Jenni (2000, 84).

[22] As explicit in the Peshitta's ܒܝܢܬܗܘܢ "among themselves" (cf. Malul 1996, 103; מחלקים אותו ביניהם).

[23] See, e.g., "cause a relation of belonging" (BHRG §39.11.1.a).

[24] The LXX, somewhat similarly, reads "my help" (τὴν βοήθειάν μου), though as the object of a transitive (presumably of the piel binyan) רחק. This is unlikely, however, in light of the identical phrase in v. 12.

[25] CSB: "Save me from the lion’s mouth, from the horns of wild oxen. You answered me!" NET: "Rescue me from the mouth of the lion, and from the horns of the wild oxen. You have answered me."

[26] See also τὴν κάκωσίν μου in Symmachus, though Aquila reads as the MT: εἰσήκουσάς με.

[27] «Et (si) son âme ne vit plus, la postérité Le servira» (Lipinski 1969, 161; cf. Saadia). See also Ps 95:7–8 for a conditional construction crossing verse boundaries.

[28] So Malul (1996, 105; כשהאדם עצמו כבר לא יהיה בין החיים, זרעו ... ויעבדו).

[29] καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου αὐτῷ ζῇ, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα μου δουλεύσει αὐτῷ.

[30] ΟΝΕΠΟΙΗΣΕΝΚΣ → ὅν ἐποίησεν κύριος.

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P2 TEST SITE

Psalm 22 Semantics

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

Book 5

Have you forsaken me?

Psalm 22

About the Grammar & Semantics Layer

About the Grammar Layer

About the Lexical Semantics Layer

About the Phrase-Level Semantics Layer

About the Verbal Semantics Layer

Psalm 22 Verbal Semantics

Psalm 22 Semantic Analysis & Diagrams

v. 1

Preferred

v. 2

Preferred

v. 2 Alternative

Notes

v. 3

Preferred

Notes

v. 4

Preferred

Notes

v. 4 Alternative

Notes

v. 5

Preferred

v. 6

Preferred

Notes

v. 7

Preferred

v. 8

Preferred

Notes

v. 9

Preferred

Notes

v. 10

Preferred

Notes

v. 11

Preferred

Notes

v. 12

Preferred

v. 13

Preferred

v. 14

Preferred

Notes

v. 15

Preferred

Notes

v. 16

Preferred

Notes

v. 17

Preferred

Notes

v. 17 Alternative

Notes

v. 18

Preferred

Notes

v. 19

Preferred

Notes

v. 20

Preferred

Notes

v. 21

Preferred

v. 22

Preferred