Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 11תהלים 11

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 11 (7 verses in the MT) opens: [To the chief Musician, of David.] In YHWH put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee a bird to your mountain? The middle of the chapter continues: YHWH in his holy temple, YHWH's throne in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. It closes: For the righteous YHWH loveth righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright.

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 11 comprises 7 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [To the chief Musician, of David. [To the chief Musician, of David.] In YHWH put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? YHWH in his holy temple, YHWH's throne in heaven: his eyes. Movement II (vv. 5-7) — YHWH trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence h. YHWH trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: the portion of their cup. For the righteous YHWH loveth righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ לְדָ֫וִ֥ד בַּֽיהוָ֨ה חָסִ֗יתִי אֵ֭יךְ תֹּאמְר֣וּ לְנַפְשִׁ֑י נודו נ֝֗וּדִי הַרְכֶ֥ם צִפּֽוֹר

[To the chief Musician, of David.] In YHWH put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee a bird to your mountain?

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'excel'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַexcelprep + art + Piel ptc ms · נָצַח (H5329)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָצַח (H5329) 'excel'.
לְדָ֫וִ֥דtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
בַּֽיהוָ֨הagainst YHWHprep + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'against YHWH'.
חָסִ֗יתִיin which they took refugeQal perf 1cs · חָסָה (H2620)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actחָסָה (H2620) 'in which they took refuge'.
אֵ֭יךְhowinterrog. · אֵיכָה (H349)Particle or relational elementאֵיכָה (H349) 'how'.
תֹּאמְר֣וּyou sayQal impf 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalאָמַר (H559) 'you say'.
לְנַפְשִׁ֑יyour soulprep + N com c sg constr + sfx 1cs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'your soul'.
נודוand fugitiveQal impv 2mp · נָד (H5110)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָד (H5110) 'and fugitive'.
נ֝֗וּדִיand fugitiveQal impv 2fs · נָד (H5110)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָד (H5110) 'and fugitive'.
הַרְכֶ֥םthe mountainN c · הַר (H2022)Construct chain (genitival)הַר (H2022) 'the mountain'.
צִפּֽוֹרbirdN c · צִפּוֹר (H6833)Construct chain (genitival)צִפּוֹר (H6833) 'bird'.
2

כִּ֤י הִנֵּ֪ה הָרְשָׁעִ֡ים יִדְרְכ֬וּן קֶ֗שֶׁת כּוֹנְנ֣וּ חִצָּ֣ם עַל יֶ֑תֶר לִיר֥וֹת בְּמוֹ אֹ֝֗פֶל לְיִשְׁרֵי לֵֽב

For, lo, the wicked bend bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he trod'.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּ֤יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
הִנֵּ֪הbeholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
הָרְשָׁעִ֡יםare wickedart + Adj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'are wicked'.
יִדְרְכ֬וּןhe trodQal impf 3mp + Sn · דָּרַךְ (H1869)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדָּרַךְ (H1869) 'he trod'.
קֶ֗שֶׁתa bowN c · קֶשֶׁת (H7198)Construct chain (genitival)קֶשֶׁת (H7198) 'a bow'.
כּוֹנְנ֣וּhave established.Polel perf 3cp · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actכּוּן (H3559) 'have established.'.
חִצָּ֣םmy arrowsN c · חֵץ (H2671)Construct chain (genitival)חֵץ (H2671) 'my arrows'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
יֶ֑תֶרthe remainder ofN c · יֶתֶר (H3499)Construct chain (genitival)יֶתֶר (H3499) 'the remainder of'.
לִיר֥וֹתand to teachprep + Qal inf constr · יָרָה (H3384)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementיָרָה (H3384) 'and to teach'.
בְּמוֹwithprep · בְּמוֹ (H1119)Particle or relational elementבְּמוֹ (H1119) 'with'.
אֹ֝֗פֶלandN c · אֹפֶל (H652)Construct chain (genitival)אֹפֶל (H652) 'and'.
לְיִשְׁרֵיrightprep + Adj · יָשָׁר (H3477)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָשָׁר (H3477) 'right'.
לֵֽבthe heart ofN c · לֵב (H3820)Construct chain (genitival)לֵב (H3820) 'the heart of'.
3

כִּ֣י הַ֭שָּׁתוֹת יֵֽהָרֵס֑וּן צַ֝דִּ֗יק מַה פָּעָֽל

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'did'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
כִּ֣יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
הַ֭שָּׁתוֹתfoundationart + N com m pl abs · שָׁתָה (H8356)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁתָה (H8356) 'foundation'.
יֵֽהָרֵס֑וּןyou overthrowN · הָרַס (H2040)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הָרַס (H2040) 'you overthrow'.
צַ֝דִּ֗יקrighteousAdj · צַדִּיק (H6662)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'.
מַהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
פָּעָֽלdidQal perf 3ms · פָּעַל (H6466)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actפָּעַל (H6466) 'did'.
4

יְהוָ֤ה בְּֽהֵ֘יכַ֤ל קָדְשׁ֗וֹ יְהוָה֮ בַּשָּׁמַ֪יִם כִּ֫סְא֥וֹ עֵינָ֥יו יֶחֱז֑וּ עַפְעַפָּ֥יו יִ֝בְחֲנ֗וּ בְּנֵ֣י אָדָֽם

YHWH in his holy temple, YHWH's throne in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he sees/beholds'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בְּֽהֵ֘יכַ֤לpalaceprep + N com m sg constr · הֵיכָל (H1964)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הֵיכָל (H1964) 'palace'.
קָדְשׁ֗וֹholyN c · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Construct chain (genitival)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy'.
יְהוָה֮YHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בַּשָּׁמַ֪יִםin the heavensprep + art + N com m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'in the heavens'.
כִּ֫סְא֥וֹhis throneN c · כִּסֵּא (H3678)Construct chain (genitival)כִּסֵּא (H3678) 'his throne'.
עֵינָ֥יוhis eyesN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'his eyes'.
יֶחֱז֑וּhe sees/beholdsQal impf 3mp · חָזָה (H2372)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalחָזָה (H2372) 'he sees/beholds'.
עַפְעַפָּ֥יוandN c · עַפְעַף (H6079)Construct chain (genitival)עַפְעַף (H6079) 'and'.
יִ֝בְחֲנ֗וּyou will be testedQal impf 3mp · בָּחַן (H974)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבָּחַן (H974) 'you will be tested'.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'the sons of'.
אָדָֽםmanN c · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.
5

יְהוָה֮ צַדִּ֪יק יִ֫בְחָ֥ן וְ֭רָשָׁע וְאֹהֵ֣ב חָמָ֑ס שָֽׂנְאָ֥ה נַפְשֽׁוֹ

YHWH trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'you will be tested'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
יְהוָה֮YHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
צַדִּ֪יקrighteousAdj · צַדִּיק (H6662)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'.
יִ֫בְחָ֥ןyou will be testedQal impf 3ms · בָּחַן (H974)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבָּחַן (H974) 'you will be tested'.
וְ֭רָשָׁעthe wickedconj וְ + Adj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
וְאֹהֵ֣בand lovingconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · אָהַב (H157)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָהַב (H157) 'and loving'.
חָמָ֑סviolenceN c · חָמָס (H2555)Construct chain (genitival)חָמָס (H2555) 'violence'.
שָֽׂנְאָ֥הhatingQal perf 3fs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'hating'.
נַפְשֽׁוֹhis soulN c · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'his soul'.
6

יַמְטֵ֥ר עַל רְשָׁעִ֗ים פַּ֫חִ֥ים אֵ֣שׁ וְ֭גָפְרִית וְר֥וּחַ זִלְעָפ֗וֹת מְנָ֣ת כּוֹסָֽם

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: the portion of their cup.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'about to rain down'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
יַמְטֵ֥רabout to rain downHiphil impf 3ms · מָטַר (H4305)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמָטַר (H4305) 'about to rain down'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
רְשָׁעִ֗יםthe wickedAdj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
פַּ֫חִ֥יםplatesN c · פַּח (H6341)Construct chain (genitival)פַּח (H6341) 'plates'.
אֵ֣שׁfireN c · אֵשׁ (H784)Construct chain (genitival)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
וְ֭גָפְרִיתsulfurconj וְ + N com f sg abs · גָּפְרִית (H1614)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גָּפְרִית (H1614) 'sulfur'.
וְר֥וּחַand the wind ofconj וְ + N com c sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רוּחַ (H7307) 'and the wind of'.
זִלְעָפ֗וֹתhorribleN c · זַלְעָפָה (H2152)Construct chain (genitival)זַלְעָפָה (H2152) 'horrible'.
מְנָ֣תportionN c · מְנָת (H4521)Construct chain (genitival)מְנָת (H4521) 'portion'.
כּוֹסָֽםcup ofN c · כּוֹס (H3563)Construct chain (genitival)כּוֹס (H3563) 'cup of'.
7

כִּֽי צַדִּ֣יק יְ֭הוָה צְדָק֣וֹת אָהֵ֑ב יָ֝שָׁ֗ר יֶחֱז֥וּ פָנֵֽימוֹ

For the righteous YHWH loveth righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'loved'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
צַדִּ֣יקrighteousAdj · צַדִּיק (H6662)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
צְדָק֣וֹתrighteous acts ofN c · צְדָקָה (H6666)Construct chain (genitival)צְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteous acts of'.
אָהֵ֑בlovedQal perf 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָהַב (H157) 'loved'.
יָ֝שָׁ֗רrightAdj · יָשָׁר (H3477)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָשָׁר (H3477) 'right'.
יֶחֱז֥וּhe sees/beholdsQal impf 3mp · חָזָה (H2372)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalחָזָה (H2372) 'he sees/beholds'.
פָנֵֽימוֹbeforeN c · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'before'.