Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 101תהלים 101

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Psalms 101 (8 verses in the MT) opens: [A Psalm of David.] I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O YHWH, will I sing. The middle of the chapter continues: Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. It closes: I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of YHWH.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Psalms 101 comprises 8 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [A Psalm of David. [A Psalm of David.] I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O YHWH, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that has. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לְדָוִ֗ד מִ֫זְמ֥וֹר חֶֽסֶד וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט אָשִׁ֑ירָה לְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֲזַמֵּֽרָה

[A Psalm of David.] I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O YHWH, will I sing.

Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitional. Lead predicate is 'I will sing'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
לְדָוִ֗דtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
מִ֫זְמ֥וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
חֶֽסֶדkindnessN c · חֶסֶד (H2617)Construct chain (genitival)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'kindness'.
וּמִשְׁפָּ֥טand an ordinance,conj וְ + N com m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'and an ordinance,'.
אָשִׁ֑ירָהI will singQal cohortative 1cs · שִׁיר (H7891)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalשִׁיר (H7891) 'I will sing'.
לְךָ֖to youprep + sfx 2msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to you'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֲזַמֵּֽרָהI will make musicPiel cohortative 1cs · זָמַר (H2167)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalזָמַר (H2167) 'I will make music'.
2

אַשְׂכִּ֤ילָה בְּדֶ֬רֶךְ תָּמִ֗ים מָ֭תַי תָּב֣וֹא אֵלָ֑י אֶתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בְּתָם לְ֝בָבִ֗י בְּקֶ֣רֶב בֵּיתִֽי

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitional. Lead predicate is 'you may prosper'.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אַשְׂכִּ֤ילָהyou may prosperHiphil cohortative 1cs · שָׂכַל (H7919)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalשָׂכַל (H7919) 'you may prosper'.
בְּדֶ֬רֶךְon the wayprep + N com c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'on the way'.
תָּמִ֗יםwithout blemishAdj · תָּמִים (H8549)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תָּמִים (H8549) 'without blemish'.
מָ֭תַיwheninterrog. · מָתַי (H4970)Particle or relational elementמָתַי (H4970) 'when'.
תָּב֣וֹאyou comeQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבּוֹא (H935) 'you come'.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep + sfx 1cs · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to me'.
אֶתְהַלֵּ֥ךְwentHithpael impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
בְּתָםin the integrity ofprep + N com m sg constr · תֹּם (H8537)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תֹּם (H8537) 'in the integrity of'.
לְ֝בָבִ֗יmy heartN c · לֵבָב (H3824)Construct chain (genitival)לֵבָב (H3824) 'my heart'.
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midst ofprep + N com m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'in the midst of'.
בֵּיתִֽיmy houseN c · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'my house'.
3

לֹֽא אָשִׁ֨ית לְנֶ֥גֶד עֵינַ֗י דְּֽבַר בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה סֵטִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי לֹ֖א יִדְבַּ֣ק בִּֽי

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; shall not cleave to me.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'I will put'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אָשִׁ֨יתI will putQal impf 1cs · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשִׁית (H7896) 'I will put'.
לְנֶ֥גֶדat a distanceprep + prep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Particle or relational elementנֶגֶד (H5048) 'at a distance'.
עֵינַ֗יthe eyes ofN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'the eyes of'.
דְּֽבַרthe matter ofN c · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain (genitival)דָּבָר (H1697) 'the matter of'.
בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַלworthlessnessN c · בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100)Construct chain (genitival)בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100) 'worthlessness'.
עֲשֹֽׂהhe didQal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'he did'.
סֵטִ֥יםturn aside toN c · שׂוּט (H7750)Construct chain (genitival)שׂוּט (H7750) 'turn aside to'.
שָׂנֵ֑אתִיhatingQal perf 1cs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'hating'.
לֹ֖אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יִדְבַּ֣קshall clingQal impf 3ms · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדָּבַק (H1692) 'shall cling'.
בִּֽיagainst meprep + sfx 1csParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'against me'.
4

לֵבָ֣ב עִ֭קֵּשׁ יָס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נִּי רָ֝֗ע לֹ֣א אֵדָֽע

A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked .

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'turn aside'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
לֵבָ֣בthe heart ofN c · לֵבָב (H3824)Construct chain (genitival)לֵבָב (H3824) 'the heart of'.
עִ֭קֵּשׁcrookedAdj · עִקֵּשׁ (H6141)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עִקֵּשׁ (H6141) 'crooked'.
יָס֣וּרturn asideQal impf 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalסוּר (H5493) 'turn aside'.
מִמֶּ֑נִּיfrom meprep + sfx 1cs · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from me'.
רָ֝֗עbadAdj · רַע (H7451)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רַע (H7451) 'bad'.
לֹ֣אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אֵדָֽעshall I knowQal impf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָדַע (H3045) 'shall I know'.
5

מלושני מְלָשְׁנִ֬י בַסֵּ֨תֶר רֵעֵהוּ֮ אוֹת֪וֹ אַ֫צְמִ֥ית גְּֽבַהּ עֵ֭ינַיִם וּרְחַ֣ב לֵבָ֑ב אֹ֝ת֗וֹ לֹ֣א אוּכָֽל

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'accuse'.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
מלושניaccusePoel ptc ms · לָשַׁן (H3960)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorלָשַׁן (H3960) 'accuse'.
מְלָשְׁנִ֬יaccusePoel ptc ms · לָשַׁן (H3960)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorלָשַׁן (H3960) 'accuse'.
בַסֵּ֨תֶרin secretprep + art + N com m sg abs · סֵתֶר (H5643)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)סֵתֶר (H5643) 'in secret'.
רֵעֵהוּ֮his neighborN c · רֵעַ (H7453)Construct chain (genitival)רֵעַ (H7453) 'his neighbor'.
אוֹת֪וֹhimobj marker + sfx 3ms · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) 'him'.
אַ֫צְמִ֥יתandHiphil impf 1cs · צָמַת (H6789)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalצָמַת (H6789) 'and'.
גְּֽבַהּandAdj · גָּבָהּ (H1362)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גָּבָהּ (H1362) 'and'.
עֵ֭ינַיִםeyesN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'eyes'.
וּרְחַ֣בbroad ofconj וְ + Adj · רָחָב (H7342)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָחָב (H7342) 'broad of'.
לֵבָ֑בthe heart ofN c · לֵבָב (H3824)Construct chain (genitival)לֵבָב (H3824) 'the heart of'.
אֹ֝ת֗וֹhimobj marker + sfx 3ms · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) 'him'.
לֹ֣אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אוּכָֽלI am ableQal impf 1cs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָכֹל (H3201) 'I am able'.
6

עֵינַ֤י בְּנֶֽאֶמְנֵי אֶרֶץ֮ לָשֶׁ֪בֶת עִמָּ֫דִ֥י הֹ֭לֵךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ תָּמִ֑ים ה֝֗וּא יְשָׁרְתֵֽנִי

Mine eyes upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'faithful'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
עֵינַ֤יthe eyes ofN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'the eyes of'.
בְּנֶֽאֶמְנֵיfaithfulprep + Niphal ptc mp · אָמַן (H539)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָמַן (H539) 'faithful'.
אֶרֶץ֮the land ofN c · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land of'.
לָשֶׁ֪בֶתto dwellprep + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'.
עִמָּ֫דִ֥יwith meprep + sfx 1cs · עִמָּד (H5978)Particle or relational elementעִמָּד (H5978) 'with me'.
הֹ֭לֵךְwentQal ptc ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְon the wayprep + N com c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'on the way'.
תָּמִ֑יםwithout blemishAdj · תָּמִים (H8549)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תָּמִים (H8549) 'without blemish'.
ה֝֗וּאhepron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'he'.
יְשָׁרְתֵֽנִיto ministerPiel impf 3ms + sfx 1cs · שָׁרַת (H8334)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁרַת (H8334) 'to minister'.
7

לֹֽא יֵשֵׁ֨ב בְּקֶ֥רֶב בֵּיתִי֮ עֹשֵׂ֪ה רְמִ֫יָּ֥ה דֹּבֵ֥ר שְׁקָרִ֑ים לֹֽא יִ֝כּ֗וֹן לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָֽי

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'dwelling'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יֵשֵׁ֨בdwellingQal impf 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָשַׁב (H3427) 'dwelling'.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבin the midst ofprep + N com m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'in the midst of'.
בֵּיתִי֮my houseN c · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'my house'.
עֹשֵׂ֪הhe didQal ptc ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorעָשָׂה (H6213) 'he did'.
רְמִ֫יָּ֥הdeceit(-fulN c · רְמִיָּה (H7423)Construct chain (genitival)רְמִיָּה (H7423) 'deceit(-ful'.
דֹּבֵ֥רspeakQal ptc ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'speak'.
שְׁקָרִ֑יםfalsehoodN c · שֶׁקֶר (H8267)Construct chain (genitival)שֶׁקֶר (H8267) 'falsehood'.
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יִ֝כּ֗וֹןreadyN · כּוּן (H3559)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כּוּן (H3559) 'ready'.
לְנֶ֣גֶדat a distanceprep + prep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Particle or relational elementנֶגֶד (H5048) 'at a distance'.
עֵינָֽיthe eyes ofN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'the eyes of'.
8

לַבְּקָרִ֗ים אַצְמִ֥ית כָּל רִשְׁעֵי אָ֑רֶץ לְהַכְרִ֥ית מֵֽעִיר יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of YHWH.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
לַבְּקָרִ֗יםin the morningprep + art + N com m pl abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'in the morning'.
אַצְמִ֥יתandHiphil impf 1cs · צָמַת (H6789)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalצָמַת (H6789) 'and'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
רִשְׁעֵיthe wickedAdj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
אָ֑רֶץthe land ofN c · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land of'.
לְהַכְרִ֥יתto cut offprep + Hiphil inf constr · כָּרַת (H3772)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off'.
מֵֽעִירfrom the city ofprep + N com f sg constr · עִיר (H5892)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עִיר (H5892) 'from the city of'.
יְ֝הוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
פֹּ֥עֲלֵיdidQal ptc mp · פָּעַל (H6466)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorפָּעַל (H6466) 'did'.
אָֽוֶןiniquityN c · אוֹן (H205)Construct chain (genitival)אוֹן (H205) 'iniquity'.