Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 12תהלים 12

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 12 (9 verses in the MT) opens: Excel on Sheminith psalm to. The middle of the chapter continues: That they said by their languages prevailed the edge of with us who my lord to us. It closes: All around the wicked went and tall vilest of the sons of man.

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 12 comprises 9 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Excel on Sheminith psalm to. Excel on Sheminith psalm to. One to save YHWH for cease your loyal one for cease faithful from the sons of man. Falsehood and he spoke a man with his neighbor the edge of the portion of in the heart of his heart and he spoke. Shall be cut off YHWH all the edge of the portion of tongue and he spoke great. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — That they said by their languages prevailed the edge of with us who my l. That they said by their languages prevailed the edge of with us who my lord to us. Desolation poor and poor now and he arose he says YHWH I will put safety blow to him. My speech YHWH my speech clean silver and in for the land fine sevenfold. You YHWH and you shall keep he guarded him from the generation whom forever. Movement III (vv. 9) — All around the wicked went and tall vilest of the sons of man. All around the wicked went and tall vilest of the sons of man. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל הַשְּׁמִינִ֗ית מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד

Excel on Sheminith psalm to.

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· 5 words
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַexcelprep + art + Piel ptc ms · נָצַח (H5329)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָצַח (H5329) 'excel'.
עַֽלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
הַשְּׁמִינִ֗יתSheminithart + Adj · שְׁמִינִית (H8067)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שְׁמִינִית (H8067) 'Sheminith'.
מִזְמ֥וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
לְדָוִֽדtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
2

הוֹשִׁ֣יעָה יְ֭הוָה כִּי גָמַ֣ר חָסִ֑יד כִּי פַ֥סּוּ אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים מִבְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם

One to save YHWH for cease your loyal one for cease faithful from the sons of man.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'one to save'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
הוֹשִׁ֣יעָהone to saveHiphil impv 2ms + Sh · יָשַׁע (H3467)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeיָשַׁע (H3467) 'one to save'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כִּיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
גָמַ֣רceaseQal perf 3ms · גָּמַר (H1584)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actגָּמַר (H1584) 'cease'.
חָסִ֑ידyour loyal oneAdj · חָסִיד (H2623)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חָסִיד (H2623) 'your loyal one'.
כִּיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
פַ֥סּוּceaseQal perf 3cp · פָּסַס (H6461)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actפָּסַס (H6461) 'cease'.
אֱ֝מוּנִ֗יםfaithfulAdj · אָמַן (H539)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָמַן (H539) 'faithful'.
מִבְּנֵ֥יfrom the sons ofprep + N com m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'from the sons of'.
אָדָֽםmanN c · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.
3

שָׁ֤וְא יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮ אִ֤ישׁ אֶת רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּ שְׂפַ֥ת חֲלָק֑וֹת בְּלֵ֖ב וָלֵ֣ב יְדַבֵּֽרוּ

Falsehood and he spoke a man with his neighbor the edge of the portion of in the heart of his heart and he spoke.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and he spoke'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
שָׁ֤וְאfalsehoodN c · שָׁוְא (H7723)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁוְא (H7723) 'falsehood'.
יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮and he spokePiel impf 3mp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'and he spoke'.
אִ֤ישׁa manN c · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain (genitival)אִישׁ (H376) 'a man'.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H854) 'with'.
רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּhis neighborN c · רֵעַ (H7453)Construct chain (genitival)רֵעַ (H7453) 'his neighbor'.
שְׂפַ֥תthe edge ofN c · שָׂפָה (H8193)Construct chain (genitival)שָׂפָה (H8193) 'the edge of'.
חֲלָק֑וֹתthe portion ofAdj · חֶלְקָה (H2513)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֶלְקָה (H2513) 'the portion of'.
בְּלֵ֖בin the heart ofprep + N com m sg abs · לֵב (H3820)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לֵב (H3820) 'in the heart of'.
וָלֵ֣בhis heartconj וְ + N com m sg abs · לֵב (H3820)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לֵב (H3820) 'his heart'.
יְדַבֵּֽרוּand he spokePiel impf 3mp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'and he spoke'.
4

יַכְרֵ֣ת יְ֭הוָה כָּל שִׂפְתֵ֣י חֲלָק֑וֹת לָ֝שׁ֗וֹן מְדַבֶּ֥רֶת גְּדֹלֽוֹת

Shall be cut off YHWH all the edge of the portion of tongue and he spoke great.

Jussive — volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Jussive — volitional. Lead predicate is 'shall be cut off'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
יַכְרֵ֣תshall be cut offHiphil jussive 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (jussive)→ Jussive: volitionalכָּרַת (H3772) 'shall be cut off'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
שִׂפְתֵ֣יthe edge ofN c · שָׂפָה (H8193)Construct chain (genitival)שָׂפָה (H8193) 'the edge of'.
חֲלָק֑וֹתthe portion ofAdj · חֶלְקָה (H2513)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֶלְקָה (H2513) 'the portion of'.
לָ֝שׁ֗וֹןtongueN c · לָשׁוֹן (H3956)Construct chain (genitival)לָשׁוֹן (H3956) 'tongue'.
מְדַבֶּ֥רֶתand he spokePiel ptc fs · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'and he spoke'.
גְּדֹלֽוֹתgreatAdj · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'.
5

אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָֽמְר֨וּ לִלְשֹׁנֵ֣נוּ נַ֭גְבִּיר שְׂפָתֵ֣ינוּ אִתָּ֑נוּ מִ֖י אָד֣וֹן לָֽנוּ

That they said by their languages prevailed the edge of with us who my lord to us.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'they said'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
אָֽמְר֨וּthey saidQal perf 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָמַר (H559) 'they said'.
לִלְשֹׁנֵ֣נוּby their languagesprep + N com c sg constr + sfx 1cp · לָשׁוֹן (H3956)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לָשׁוֹן (H3956) 'by their languages'.
נַ֭גְבִּירprevailedHiphil impf 1cp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalגָּבַר (H1396) 'prevailed'.
שְׂפָתֵ֣ינוּthe edge ofN c · שָׂפָה (H8193)Construct chain (genitival)שָׂפָה (H8193) 'the edge of'.
אִתָּ֑נוּwith usprep + sfx 1cp · אֵת (H854)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H854) 'with us'.
מִ֖יwhointerrog. · מִי (H4310)Particle or relational elementמִי (H4310) 'who'.
אָד֣וֹןmy lordN c · אָדוֹן (H113)Construct chain (genitival)אָדוֹן (H113) 'my lord'.
לָֽנוּto usprep + sfx 1cpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to us'.
6

מִשֹּׁ֥ד עֲנִיִּים֮ מֵאַנְקַ֪ת אֶבְי֫וֹנִ֥ים עַתָּ֣ה אָ֭קוּם יֹאמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אָשִׁ֥ית בְּ֝יֵ֗שַׁע יָפִ֥יחַֽ לֽוֹ

Desolation poor and poor now and he arose he says YHWH I will put safety blow to him.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and he arose'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
מִשֹּׁ֥דdesolationprep + N com m sg constr · שֹׁד (H7701)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שֹׁד (H7701) 'desolation'.
עֲנִיִּים֮poorAdj · עָנִי (H6041)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָנִי (H6041) 'poor'.
מֵאַנְקַ֪תandprep + N com f sg constr · אֲנָקָה (H603)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנָקָה (H603) 'and'.
אֶבְי֫וֹנִ֥יםpoorAdj · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶבְיוֹן (H34) 'poor'.
עַתָּ֣הnowart · עַתָּה (H6258)Particle or relational elementעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'.
אָ֭קוּםand he aroseQal impf 1cs · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalקוּם (H6965) 'and he arose'.
יֹאמַ֣רhe saysQal impf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalאָמַר (H559) 'he says'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אָשִׁ֥יתI will putQal impf 1cs · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשִׁית (H7896) 'I will put'.
בְּ֝יֵ֗שַׁעsafetyprep + N com m sg abs · יֶשַׁע (H3468)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יֶשַׁע (H3468) 'safety'.
יָפִ֥יחַֽblowHiphil impf 3ms · פּוּחַ (H6315)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalפּוּחַ (H6315) 'blow'.
לֽוֹto himprep + sfx 3msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to him'.
7

אִֽמֲר֣וֹת יְהוָה֮ אֲמָר֪וֹת טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם

My speech YHWH my speech clean silver and in for the land fine sevenfold.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אִֽמֲר֣וֹתmy speechN c · אִמְרָה (H565)Construct chain (genitival)אִמְרָה (H565) 'my speech'.
יְהוָה֮YHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֲמָר֪וֹתmy speechN c · אִמְרָה (H565)Construct chain (genitival)אִמְרָה (H565) 'my speech'.
טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹתcleanAdj · טָהוֹר (H2889)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean'.
כֶּ֣סֶףsilverN c · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Construct chain (genitival)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'.
צָ֭רוּףandQal ptc ms · צָרַף (H6884)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorצָרַף (H6884) 'and'.
בַּעֲלִ֣ילinprep + N com m sg abs · עֲלִיל (H5948)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֲלִיל (H5948) 'in'.
לָאָ֑רֶץfor the landprep + art + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'for the land'.
מְ֝זֻקָּ֗קfinePual ptc ms · זָקַק (H2212)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorזָקַק (H2212) 'fine'.
שִׁבְעָתָֽיִםsevenfoldAdj · שִׁבְעָתַיִם (H7659)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שִׁבְעָתַיִם (H7659) 'sevenfold'.
8

אַתָּֽה יְהוָ֥ה תִּשְׁמְרֵ֑ם תִּצְּרֶ֓נּוּ מִן הַדּ֖וֹר ז֣וּ לְעוֹלָֽם

You YHWH and you shall keep he guarded him from the generation whom forever.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and you shall keep'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אַתָּֽהyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
תִּשְׁמְרֵ֑םand you shall keepQal impf 2ms + sfx 3mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
תִּצְּרֶ֓נּוּhe guarded himQal impf 2ms + sfx 3ms · נָצַר (H5341)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָצַר (H5341) 'he guarded him'.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from'.
הַדּ֖וֹרthe generationart + N com m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דּוֹר (H1755) 'the generation'.
ז֣וּwhomrel. שֶׁ · זוּ (H2098)Particle or relational elementזוּ (H2098) 'whom'.
לְעוֹלָֽםforeverprep + N com m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever'.
9

סָבִ֗יב רְשָׁעִ֥ים יִתְהַלָּכ֑וּן כְּרֻ֥ם זֻ֝לּ֗וּת לִבְנֵ֥י אָדָֽם

All around the wicked went and tall vilest of the sons of man.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'went'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
סָבִ֗יבall aroundN c · סָבִיב (H5439)Construct chain (genitival)סָבִיב (H5439) 'all around'.
רְשָׁעִ֥יםthe wickedAdj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
יִתְהַלָּכ֑וּןwentHithpael impf 3mp + Sn · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
כְּרֻ֥םand tallprep + Qal inf constr · רוּם (H7311)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementרוּם (H7311) 'and tall'.
זֻ֝לּ֗וּתvilestN c · זֻלּוּת (H2149)Construct chain (genitival)זֻלּוּת (H2149) 'vilest'.
לִבְנֵ֥יof the sons ofprep + N com m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'of the sons of'.
אָדָֽםmanN c · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.