Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 117תהלים 117

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 117 (2 verses in the MT) opens: O praise YHWH, all you nations: praise him, all you people. The middle of the chapter continues: For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of YHWH for ever. Praise you YHWH. It closes: For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of YHWH for ever. Praise you 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 117 comprises 2 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-2) — O praise YHWH, all you nations: praise him, all you people. O praise YHWH, all you nations: praise him, all you people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of YHWH for ever. Praise you YHWH. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

הַֽלְל֣וּ אֶת יְ֭הוָה כָּל גּוֹיִ֑ם שַׁ֝בְּח֗וּהוּ כָּל הָאֻמִּֽים

O praise YHWH, all you nations: praise him, all you people.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and they praised'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
הַֽלְל֣וּand they praisedPiel impv 2mp · הָלַל (H1984)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeהָלַל (H1984) 'and they praised'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
גּוֹיִ֑םnationsN c · גּוֹי (H1471)Construct chain (genitival)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nations'.
שַׁ֝בְּח֗וּהוּcommendPiel impv 2mp + sfx 3ms · שָׁבַח (H7623)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁבַח (H7623) 'commend'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָאֻמִּֽיםaccording to their peoplesart + N com f pl abs · אֻמָּה (H523)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֻמָּה (H523) 'according to their peoples'.
2

כִּ֥י גָ֘בַ֤ר עָלֵ֨ינוּ חַסְדּ֗וֹ וֶֽאֱמֶת יְהוָ֥ה לְעוֹלָ֗ם הַֽלְלוּ יָֽהּ

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of YHWH for ever. Praise you YHWH.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'prevailed'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כִּ֥יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
גָ֘בַ֤רprevailedQal perf 3ms · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actגָּבַר (H1396) 'prevailed'.
עָלֵ֨ינוּupon usprep + sfx 1cp · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'upon us'.
חַסְדּ֗וֹhis covenant kindnessN c · חֶסֶד (H2617)Construct chain (genitival)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'his covenant kindness'.
וֶֽאֱמֶתand faithfulnessconj וְ + N com f sg constr · אֱמֶת (H571)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱמֶת (H571) 'and faithfulness'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
לְעוֹלָ֗םforeverprep + N com m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever'.
הַֽלְלוּand they praisedPiel impv 2mp · הָלַל (H1984)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeהָלַל (H1984) 'and they praised'.
יָֽהּYahN · יָהּ (H3050)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָהּ (H3050) 'Yah'.