Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 142תהלים 142

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 142 (8 verses in the MT) opens: Maschil to and it happened in the cave prayer. The middle of the chapter continues: He has beheld right shall examine and there is no to me recognize him utterly and from me there is not I will require your soul. It closes: And he went out and my soul I will praise your name against me surround the righteous for do you repay against me.

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 142 comprises 8 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Maschil to and it happened in the cave prayer. Maschil to and it happened in the cave prayer. My voice to YHWH and they cried out my voice to YHWH I must plead. He shall pour out before him babbling my distress before him and it was told. But when feeble against me my Spirit and you you know my paths the way of whom went hidden sheets of to me. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — He has beheld right shall examine and there is no to me recognize him ut. He has beheld right shall examine and there is no to me recognize him utterly and from me there is not I will require your soul. And they cried out to you YHWH I said you hope portion in the land of life. To to cry for and very Deliver me and they pursued for and be courageous from me. And he went out and my soul I will praise your name against me surround. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִ֑ד בִּהְיוֹת֖וֹ בַמְּעָרָ֣ה תְפִלָּֽה

Maschil to and it happened in the cave prayer.

Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complementasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complement. Wayyehî scene-setting or temporal hinge. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
מַשְׂכִּ֥ילMaschilN c · מַשְׂכִּיל (H4905)Construct chain (genitival)מַשְׂכִּיל (H4905) 'Maschil'.
לְדָוִ֑דtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
בִּהְיוֹת֖וֹand it happenedprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementהָיָה (H1961) 'and it happened'.
בַמְּעָרָ֣הin the caveprep + art + N com f sg abs · מְעָרָה (H4631)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְעָרָה (H4631) 'in the cave'.
תְפִלָּֽהprayerN c · תְּפִלָּה (H8605)Construct chain (genitival)תְּפִלָּה (H8605) 'prayer'.
2

ק֭וֹלִי אֶל יְהוָ֣ה אֶזְעָ֑ק ק֝וֹלִ֗י אֶל יְהוָ֥ה אֶתְחַנָּֽן

My voice to YHWH and they cried out my voice to YHWH I must plead.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and they cried out'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ק֭וֹלִיmy voiceN c · קוֹל (H6963)Construct chain (genitival)קוֹל (H6963) 'my voice'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֶזְעָ֑קand they cried outQal impf 1cs · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalזָעַק (H2199) 'and they cried out'.
ק֝וֹלִ֗יmy voiceN c · קוֹל (H6963)Construct chain (genitival)קוֹל (H6963) 'my voice'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֶתְחַנָּֽןI must pleadHithpael impf 1cs · חָנַן (H2603)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalחָנַן (H2603) 'I must plead'.
3

אֶשְׁפֹּ֣ךְ לְפָנָ֣יו שִׂיחִ֑י צָ֝רָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֥יו אַגִּֽיד

He shall pour out before him babbling my distress before him and it was told.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he shall pour out'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אֶשְׁפֹּ֣ךְhe shall pour outQal impf 1cs · שָׁפַךְ (H8210)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'he shall pour out'.
לְפָנָ֣יוbefore himprep + N com c pl constr + sfx 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'before him'.
שִׂיחִ֑יbabblingN c · שִׂיחַ (H7879)Construct chain (genitival)שִׂיחַ (H7879) 'babbling'.
צָ֝רָתִ֗יmy distressN c · צָרָה (H6869)Construct chain (genitival)צָרָה (H6869) 'my distress'.
לְפָנָ֥יוbefore himprep + N com c pl constr + sfx 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'before him'.
אַגִּֽידand it was toldHiphil impf 1cs · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָגַד (H5046) 'and it was told'.
4

בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֬ף עָלַ֨י רוּחִ֗י וְאַתָּה֮ יָדַ֪עְתָּ נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥י בְּאֹֽרַח ז֥וּ אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ טָמְנ֖וּ פַ֣ח לִֽי

But when feeble against me my Spirit and you you know my paths the way of whom went hidden sheets of to me.

Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complementasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complement. Lead predicate is 'but when feeble'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֬ףbut when feebleprep + Hithpael inf constr · עָטַף (H5848)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementעָטַף (H5848) 'but when feeble'.
עָלַ֨יagainst meprep + sfx 1cs · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'against me'.
רוּחִ֗יmy SpiritN c · רוּחַ (H7307)Construct chain (genitival)רוּחַ (H7307) 'my Spirit'.
וְאַתָּה֮and youconj וְ + pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'and you'.
יָדַ֪עְתָּyou knowQal perf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָדַע (H3045) 'you know'.
נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥יmy pathsN c · נְתִיבָה (H5410)Construct chain (genitival)נְתִיבָה (H5410) 'my paths'.
בְּאֹֽרַחthe way ofprep + N com c sg abs · אֹרַח (H734)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֹרַח (H734) 'the way of'.
ז֥וּwhomrel. שֶׁ · זוּ (H2098)Particle or relational elementזוּ (H2098) 'whom'.
אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְwentPiel impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
טָמְנ֖וּhiddenQal perf 3cp · טָמַן (H2934)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actטָמַן (H2934) 'hidden'.
פַ֣חsheets ofN c · פַּח (H6341)Construct chain (genitival)פַּח (H6341) 'sheets of'.
לִֽיto meprep + sfx 1csParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to me'.
5

הַבֵּ֤יט יָמִ֨ין וּרְאֵה֮ וְאֵֽין לִ֪י מַ֫כִּ֥יר אָבַ֣ד מָנ֣וֹס מִמֶּ֑נִּי אֵ֖ין דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשִֽׁי

He has beheld right shall examine and there is no to me recognize him utterly and from me there is not I will require your soul.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'he has beheld'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הַבֵּ֤יטhe has beheldHiphil impv 2ms · נָבַט (H5027)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָבַט (H5027) 'he has beheld'.
יָמִ֨יןrightN c · יָמִין (H3225)Construct chain (genitival)יָמִין (H3225) 'right'.
וּרְאֵה֮shall examineconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרָאָה (H7200) 'shall examine'.
וְאֵֽיןand there is noconj וְ + neg. · אַיִן (H369)Particle or relational elementאַיִן (H369) 'and there is no'.
לִ֪יto meprep + sfx 1csParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to me'.
מַ֫כִּ֥ירrecognize himHiphil ptc ms · נָכַר (H5234)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָכַר (H5234) 'recognize him'.
אָבַ֣דutterlyQal perf 3ms · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָבַד (H6) 'utterly'.
מָנ֣וֹסandN c · מָנוֹס (H4498)Construct chain (genitival)מָנוֹס (H4498) 'and'.
מִמֶּ֑נִּיfrom meprep + sfx 1cs · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from me'.
אֵ֖יןthere is notneg. · אַיִן (H369)Particle or relational elementאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'.
דּוֹרֵ֣שׁI will requireQal ptc ms · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'I will require'.
לְנַפְשִֽׁיyour soulprep + N com c sg constr + sfx 1cs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'your soul'.
6

זָעַ֥קְתִּי אֵלֶ֗יךָ יְה֫וָ֥ה אָ֭מַרְתִּי אַתָּ֣ה מַחְסִ֑י חֶ֝לְקִ֗י בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחַיִּים

And they cried out to you YHWH I said you hope portion in the land of life.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'and they cried out'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
זָעַ֥קְתִּיand they cried outQal perf 1cs · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actזָעַק (H2199) 'and they cried out'.
אֵלֶ֗יךָto youprep + sfx 2ms · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to you'.
יְה֫וָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אָ֭מַרְתִּיI saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָמַר (H559) 'I said'.
אַתָּ֣הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
מַחְסִ֑יhopeN c · מַחֲסֶה (H4268)Construct chain (genitival)מַחֲסֶה (H4268) 'hope'.
חֶ֝לְקִ֗יportionN c · חֵלֶק (H2506)Construct chain (genitival)חֵלֶק (H2506) 'portion'.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep + N com c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'in the land of'.
הַֽחַיִּיםlifeart + Adj · חַי (H2416)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חַי (H2416) 'life'.
7

הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה אֶֽל רִנָּתִי֮ כִּֽי דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י מְאֹ֥ד הַצִּילֵ֥נִי מֵרֹדְפַ֑י כִּ֖י אָמְצ֣וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי

To to cry for and very Deliver me and they pursued for and be courageous from me.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'to'.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
הַקְשִׁ֤יבָהtoHiphil impv 2ms + Sh · קָשַׁב (H7181)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeקָשַׁב (H7181) 'to'.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
רִנָּתִי֮cryN c · רִנָּה (H7440)Construct chain (genitival)רִנָּה (H7440) 'cry'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫יandQal perf 1cs · דָּלַל (H1809)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actדָּלַל (H1809) 'and'.
מְאֹ֥דveryart · מְאֹד (H3966)Particle or relational elementמְאֹד (H3966) 'very'.
הַצִּילֵ֥נִיDeliver meHiphil impv 2ms + sfx 1cs · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָצַל (H5337) 'Deliver me'.
מֵרֹדְפַ֑יand they pursuedprep + Qal ptc mp + sfx 1cs · רָדַף (H7291)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorרָדַף (H7291) 'and they pursued'.
כִּ֖יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אָמְצ֣וּand be courageousQal perf 3cp · אָמַץ (H553)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָמַץ (H553) 'and be courageous'.
מִמֶּֽנִּיfrom meprep + sfx 1cs · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from me'.
8

ה֘וֹצִ֤יאָה מִמַּסְגֵּ֨ר נַפְשִׁי֮ לְהוֹד֪וֹת אֶת שְׁ֫מֶ֥ךָ בִּ֭י יַכְתִּ֣רוּ צַדִּיקִ֑ים כִּ֖י תִגְמֹ֣ל עָלָֽי

And he went out and my soul I will praise your name against me surround the righteous for do you repay against me.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and he went out'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ה֘וֹצִ֤יאָהand he went outHiphil impv 2ms + Sh · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeיָצָא (H3318) 'and he went out'.
מִמַּסְגֵּ֨רandprep + N com m sg abs · מַסְגֵּר (H4525)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מַסְגֵּר (H4525) 'and'.
נַפְשִׁי֮my soulN c · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'my soul'.
לְהוֹד֪וֹתI will praiseprep + Hiphil inf constr · יָדָה (H3034)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementיָדָה (H3034) 'I will praise'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
שְׁ֫מֶ֥ךָyour nameN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'your name'.
בִּ֭יagainst meprep + sfx 1csParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'against me'.
יַכְתִּ֣רוּsurroundHiphil impf 3mp · כָּתַר (H3803)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalכָּתַר (H3803) 'surround'.
צַדִּיקִ֑יםthe righteousAdj · צַדִּיק (H6662)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'the righteous'.
כִּ֖יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
תִגְמֹ֣לdo you repayQal impf 2ms · גָּמַל (H1580)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalגָּמַל (H1580) 'do you repay'.
עָלָֽיagainst meprep + sfx 1cs · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'against me'.