Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 127תהלים 127

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 127 (5 verses in the MT) opens: [A Song of degrees for Solomon.] Except YHWH build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except YHWH keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. The middle of the chapter continues: Lo, children an heritage of YHWH: the fruit of the womb reward. It closes: Happy the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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 127 comprises 5 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [A Song of degrees for Solomon. [A Song of degrees for Solomon.] Except YHWH build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except YHWH keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children an heritage of YHWH: the fruit of the womb reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty. Movement II (vv. 5) — Happy the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashame. Happy the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם יְהוָ֤ה לֹא יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם יְהוָ֥ה לֹֽא יִשְׁמָר עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר

[A Song of degrees for Solomon.] Except YHWH build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except YHWH keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he builds up'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
שִׁ֥ירa songN c · שִׁירָה (H7892)Construct chain (genitival)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'a song'.
הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹתby stepsart + N com f pl abs · מַעֲלָה (H4609)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מַעֲלָה (H4609) 'by steps'.
לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥הSolomonprep + N proper · שְׁלֹמֹה (H8010)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שְׁלֹמֹה (H8010) 'Solomon'.
אִםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
לֹאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יִבְנֶ֬הhe builds upQal impf 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבָּנָה (H1129) 'he builds up'.
בַ֗יִתthe house ofN c · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'the house of'.
שָׁ֤וְאfalsehoodN c · שָׁוְא (H7723)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁוְא (H7723) 'falsehood'.
עָמְל֣וּtoilQal perf 3cp · עָמַל (H5998)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actעָמַל (H5998) 'toil'.
בוֹנָ֣יוand he builtQal ptc mp + sfx 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorבָּנָה (H1129) 'and he built'.
בּ֑וֹin itprep + sfx 3msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'in it'.
אִםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יִשְׁמָרand you shall keepQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
עִ֝֗ירthe city ofN c · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (genitival)עִיר (H5892) 'the city of'.
שָׁ֤וְאfalsehoodN c · שָׁוְא (H7723)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁוְא (H7723) 'falsehood'.
שָׁקַ֬דhastenQal perf 3ms · שָׁקַד (H8245)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשָׁקַד (H8245) 'hasten'.
שׁוֹמֵֽרand you shall keepQal ptc ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁמַר (H8104) 'and you shall keep'.
2

שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵי ק֡וּם מְאַֽחֲרֵי שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִֽידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא

vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'and he rose early'.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
שָׁ֤וְאfalsehoodN c · שָׁוְא (H7723)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁוְא (H7723) 'falsehood'.
לָכֶ֨םto youprep + sfx 2mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to you'.
מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵיand he rose earlyHiphil ptc mp · שָׁכַם (H7925)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁכַם (H7925) 'and he rose early'.
ק֡וּםriseQal inf constr · קוּם (H6965)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementקוּם (H6965) 'rise'.
מְאַֽחֲרֵיyou shall delayPiel ptc mp · אָחַר (H309)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָחַר (H309) 'you shall delay'.
שֶׁ֗בֶתdwelling/stayingQal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementיָשַׁב (H3427) 'dwelling/staying'.
אֹ֭כְלֵיyou shall eatQal ptc mp · אָכַל (H398)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָכַל (H398) 'you shall eat'.
לֶ֣חֶםbreadN c · לֶחֶם (H3899)Construct chain (genitival)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread'.
הָעֲצָבִ֑יםin painart + N com m pl abs · עֶצֶב (H6089)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֶצֶב (H6089) 'in pain'.
כֵּ֤ןsoadv. · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'so'.
יִתֵּ֖ןwould giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָתַן (H5414) 'would give'.
לִֽידִיד֣וֹthe beloved ofprep + Adj + sfx 3ms · יָדִיד (H3039)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָדִיד (H3039) 'the beloved of'.
שֵׁנָֽאfrom his sleepN c · שֵׁנָה (H8142)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁנָה (H8142) 'from his sleep'.
3

הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן

Lo, children an heritage of YHWH: the fruit of the womb reward.

Linked non-verbal clausehinneh
Presentative hinneh, putting a new scene or surprise on stage. Linked non-verbal clause.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
הִנֵּ֤הbeholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
נַחֲלַ֣תthe inheritance ofN c · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Construct chain (genitival)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'the inheritance of'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בָּנִ֑יםsonsN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'sons'.
שָׂ֝כָ֗רthe wage ofN c · שָׂכָר (H7939)Construct chain (genitival)שָׂכָר (H7939) 'the wage of'.
פְּרִ֣יthe fruit ofN c · פְּרִי (H6529)Construct chain (genitival)פְּרִי (H6529) 'the fruit of'.
הַבָּֽטֶןyour wombart + N com f sg abs · בֶּטֶן (H990)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֶּטֶן (H990) 'your womb'.
4

כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֝֗ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so children of the youth.

Nominal or particle frameasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Nominal or particle frame.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
כְּחִצִּ֥יםmy arrowsprep + N com m pl abs · חֵץ (H2671)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֵץ (H2671) 'my arrows'.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep + N com c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָד (H3027) 'by the hand of'.
גִּבּ֑וֹרmightyAdj · גִּבּוֹר (H1368)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גִּבּוֹר (H1368) 'mighty'.
כֵּ֝֗ןsoadv. · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'so'.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'the sons of'.
הַנְּעוּרִֽיםin her youthart + N com c pl abs · נַעַר (H5271)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נַעַר (H5271) 'in her youth'.
5

אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ מֵ֫הֶ֥ם לֹֽא יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת אוֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר

Happy the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'he wholly followed'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אַשְׁרֵ֤יhappy are youN c · אֶשֶׁר (H835)Construct chain (genitival)אֶשֶׁר (H835) 'happy are you'.
הַגֶּ֗בֶרthe manart + N com m sg abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גֶּבֶר (H1397) 'the man'.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
מִלֵּ֥אhe wholly followedPiel perf 3ms · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actמָלֵא (H4390) 'he wholly followed'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹquiverN c · אַשְׁפָּה (H827)Construct chain (genitival)אַשְׁפָּה (H827) 'quiver'.
מֵ֫הֶ֥םfrom themprep + sfx 3mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'from them'.
לֹֽאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יֵבֹ֑שׁוּwere ashamedQal impf 3mp · בּוּשׁ (H954)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבּוּשׁ (H954) 'were ashamed'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
יְדַבְּר֖וּand he spokePiel impf 3mp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'and he spoke'.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H854) 'with'.
אוֹיְבִ֣יםyour enemiesQal ptc mp · אֹיֵב (H341)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאֹיֵב (H341) 'your enemies'.
בַּשָּֽׁעַרin the gate ofprep + art + N com m sg abs · שַׁעַר (H8179)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'in the gate of'.