Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 121תהלים 121

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 121 (8 verses in the MT) opens: [A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. The middle of the chapter continues: YHWH your keeper: YHWH your shade upon your right hand. It closes: YHWH shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

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 121 comprises 8 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [A Song of degrees. [A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help from YHWH, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keepeth you will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — YHWH your keeper: YHWH your shade upon your right hand. YHWH your keeper: YHWH your shade upon your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. YHWH shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul. YHWH shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי

[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'can I bear'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
שִׁ֗ירa songN c · שִׁירָה (H7892)Construct chain (genitival)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'a song'.
לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹתby stepsprep + art + N com f pl abs · מַעֲלָה (H4609)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מַעֲלָה (H4609) 'by steps'.
אֶשָּׂ֣אcan I bearQal impf 1cs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָשָׂא (H5375) 'can I bear'.
עֵ֭ינַיthe eyes ofN c · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'the eyes of'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
הֶהָרִ֑יםthe mountainsart + N com m pl abs · הַר (H2022)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הַר (H2022) 'the mountains'.
מֵ֝אַ֗יִןfrom whereprep + interrog. · אַיִן (H370)Particle or relational elementאַיִן (H370) 'from where'.
יָבֹ֥אshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבּוֹא (H935) 'shall enter'.
עֶזְרִֽיa helperN c · עֵזֶר (H5828)Construct chain (genitival)עֵזֶר (H5828) 'a helper'.
2

עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ

My help from YHWH, which made heaven and earth.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'he did'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
עֶ֭זְרִיa helperN c · עֵזֶר (H5828)Construct chain (genitival)עֵזֶר (H5828) 'a helper'.
מֵעִ֣םfrom withprep + prep · עִם (H5973)Particle or relational elementעִם (H5973) 'from with'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗הhe didQal ptc ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorעָשָׂה (H6213) 'he did'.
שָׁמַ֥יִםheavenN c · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heaven'.
וָאָֽרֶץand earthconj וְ + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'and earth'.
3

אַל יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹֽׁמְרֶֽךָ

He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keepeth you will not slumber.

Jussive — volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Jussive — volitional. Lead predicate is 'would give'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
אַלdo notneg. · אַל (H408)Particle or relational elementאַל (H408) 'do not'.
יִתֵּ֣ןwould giveQal jussive 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (jussive)→ Jussive: volitionalנָתַן (H5414) 'would give'.
לַמּ֣וֹטthe carrying-frameprep + art + Qal inf constr · מוֹט (H4132)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementמוֹט (H4132) 'the carrying-frame'.
רַגְלֶ֑ךָyour footN c · רֶגֶל (H7272)Construct chain (genitival)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'your foot'.
אַלdo notneg. · אַל (H408)Particle or relational elementאַל (H408) 'do not'.
יָ֝נ֗וּםsleepQal jussive 3ms · נוּם (H5123)Predicate verb (jussive)→ Jussive: volitionalנוּם (H5123) 'sleep'.
שֹֽׁמְרֶֽךָand you shall keepQal ptc ms + sfx 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
4

הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedhinneh
Presentative hinneh, putting a new scene or surprise on stage. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'sleep'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
הִנֵּ֣הbeholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יָ֭נוּםsleepQal impf 3ms · נוּם (H5123)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנוּם (H5123) 'sleep'.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + neg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'and not'.
יִישָׁ֑ןand grow long settledQal impf 3ms · יָשַׁן (H3462)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָשַׁן (H3462) 'and grow long settled'.
שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗רand you shall keepQal ptc ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'.
5

יְהוָ֥ה שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ יְהוָ֥ה צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ

YHWH your keeper: YHWH your shade upon your right hand.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'and you shall keep'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָand you shall keepQal ptc ms + sfx 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
צִ֝לְּךָ֗in the shadow ofN c · צֵל (H6738)Construct chain (genitival)צֵל (H6738) 'in the shadow of'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
יַ֥דthe hand ofN c · יָד (H3027)Construct chain (genitival)יָד (H3027) 'the hand of'.
יְמִינֶֽךָYour right hand,N c · יָמִין (H3225)Construct chain (genitival)יָמִין (H3225) 'Your right hand,'.
6

יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא יַכֶּ֗כָּה וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה

The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he will strike you'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יוֹמָ֗םby dayart · יוֹמָם (H3119)Particle or relational elementיוֹמָם (H3119) 'by day'.
הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁthe sunart + N com c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'the sun'.
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יַכֶּ֗כָּהhe will strike youHiphil impf 3ms + sfx 2ms · הִכָּה (H5221)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהִכָּה (H5221) 'he will strike you'.
וְיָרֵ֥חַand moonconj וְ + N com m sg abs · יָרֵחַ (H3394)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָרֵחַ (H3394) 'and moon'.
בַּלָּֽיְלָהin the nightprep + art + N com m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'in the night'.
7

יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת נַפְשֶֽׁךָ

YHWH shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul.

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· 7 words
יְֽהוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥and you shall keepQal impf 3ms + sfx 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
מִכָּלfrom allprep + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'from all'.
רָ֑עbadAdj · רַע (H7451)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רַע (H7451) 'bad'.
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗רand you shall keepQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
נַפְשֶֽׁךָyour soulN c · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'your soul'.
8

יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָר צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד עוֹלָֽם

YHWH shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and you shall keep'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
יְֽהוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
יִשְׁמָרand you shall keepQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
צֵאתְךָ֥your going outQal inf constr + sfx 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementיָצָא (H3318) 'your going out'.
וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָand they cameconj וְ + Qal inf constr + sfx 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementבּוֹא (H935) 'and they came'.
מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗הand nowprep + art · עַתָּה (H6258)Particle or relational elementעַתָּה (H6258) 'and now'.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Particle or relational elementעַד (H5704) 'and to'.
עוֹלָֽםperpetuityN c · עוֹלָם (H5769)Construct chain (genitival)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'perpetuity'.