Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 20תהלים 20

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 20 (10 verses in the MT) opens: Excel psalm to. The middle of the chapter continues: Shout for joy his salvation and in the name of our God (set up is ordained YHWH all desire. It closes: YHWH one to save the king would answer him on the day we call.

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 20 comprises 10 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Excel psalm to. Excel psalm to. And answered YHWH on the day and troubles was too high the name of the God of Jacob. He will send your help from the most holy of Zion and refresh. And you shall remember all your grain offering the burnt offering and grow fat Selah. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Would give to you your heart and all counsel is ordained. Would give to you your heart and all counsel is ordained. Shout for joy his salvation and in the name of our God (set up is ordained YHWH all desire. Now I know for one to save YHWH the anointed and answered the heavens holy and like your mighty acts safety his right. These with chariots and these on the horses and we in the name of YHWH our God and you. Movement III (vv. 9-10) — They he knelt and they shall fall and we and he arose I call to witness. They he knelt and they shall fall and we and he arose I call to witness. YHWH one to save the king would answer him on the day we call. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד

Excel 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· 3 words
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַexcelprep + art + Piel ptc ms · נָצַח (H5329)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָצַח (H5329) 'excel'.
מִזְמ֥וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
לְדָוִֽדtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
2

יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְךָ֗ שֵׁ֤ם אֱלֹהֵ֬י יַעֲקֹֽב

And answered YHWH on the day and troubles was too high the name of the God of Jacob.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and answered'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
יַֽעַנְךָ֣and answeredQal impf 3ms + sfx 2ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָנָה (H6030) 'and answered'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בְּי֣וֹםon the dayprep + N com m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יוֹם (H3117) 'on the day'.
צָרָ֑הand troublesN c · צָרָה (H6869)Construct chain (genitival)צָרָה (H6869) 'and troubles'.
יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְךָ֗was too highPiel impf 3ms + sfx 2ms · שָׂגַב (H7682)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׂגַב (H7682) 'was too high'.
שֵׁ֤םthe name ofN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'the name of'.
אֱלֹהֵ֬יthe God ofN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'the God of'.
יַעֲקֹֽבJacobN · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob'.
3

יִשְׁלַֽח עֶזְרְךָ֥ מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן יִסְעָדֶֽךָּ

He will send your help from the most holy of Zion and refresh.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'he will send'.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
יִשְׁלַֽחhe will sendQal impf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁלַח (H7971) 'he will send'.
עֶזְרְךָ֥your helpN c · עֵזֶר (H5828)Construct chain (genitival)עֵזֶר (H5828) 'your help'.
מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁfrom the most holy ofprep + N com m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'from the most holy of'.
וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹןZionconj וְ + prep + N proper · צִיּוֹן (H6726)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צִיּוֹן (H6726) 'Zion'.
יִסְעָדֶֽךָּand refreshQal impf 3ms + sfx 2ms · סָעַד (H5582)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalסָעַד (H5582) 'and refresh'.
4

יִזְכֹּ֥ר כָּל מִנְחֹתֶ֑ךָ וְעוֹלָתְךָ֖ יְדַשְּׁנֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה

And you shall remember all your grain offering the burnt offering and grow fat Selah.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and you shall remember'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יִזְכֹּ֥רand you shall rememberQal impf 3ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalזָכַר (H2142) 'and you shall remember'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
מִנְחֹתֶ֑ךָyour grain offeringN c · מִנְחָה (H4503)Construct chain (genitival)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'your grain offering'.
וְעוֹלָתְךָ֖the burnt offeringconj וְ + N com f sg constr + sfx 2ms · עֹלָה (H5930)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֹלָה (H5930) 'the burnt offering'.
יְדַשְּׁנֶ֣הand grow fatPiel impf 3ms + Sh · דָּשֵׁן (H1878)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדָּשֵׁן (H1878) 'and grow fat'.
סֶֽלָהSelahparticle · סֶלָה (H5542)Particle or relational elementסֶלָה (H5542) 'Selah'.
5

יִֽתֶּן לְךָ֥ כִלְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְֽכָל עֲצָתְךָ֥ יְמַלֵּֽא

Would give to you your heart and all counsel is ordained.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'would give'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יִֽתֶּןwould giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָתַן (H5414) 'would give'.
לְךָ֥to youprep + sfx 2msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to you'.
כִלְבָבֶ֑ךָyour heartprep + N com m sg constr + sfx 2ms · לֵבָב (H3824)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לֵבָב (H3824) 'your heart'.
וְֽכָלand allconj וְ + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'and all'.
עֲצָתְךָ֥counselN c · עֵצָה (H6098)Construct chain (genitival)עֵצָה (H6098) 'counsel'.
יְמַלֵּֽאis ordainedPiel impf 3ms · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמָלֵא (H4390) 'is ordained'.
6

נְרַנְּנָ֤ה בִּ֘ישׁ֤וּעָתֶ֗ךָ וּבְשֵֽׁם אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּ נִדְגֹּ֑ל יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ

Shout for joy his salvation and in the name of our God (set up is ordained YHWH all desire.

Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitional. Lead predicate is 'shout for joy'.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
נְרַנְּנָ֤הshout for joyPiel cohortative 1cp · רָנַן (H7442)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalרָנַן (H7442) 'shout for joy'.
בִּ֘ישׁ֤וּעָתֶ֗ךָhis salvationprep + N com f sg constr + sfx 2ms · יְשׁוּעָה (H3444)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְשׁוּעָה (H3444) 'his salvation'.
וּבְשֵֽׁםand in the name ofconj וְ + prep + N com m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שֵׁם (H8034) 'and in the name of'.
אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
נִדְגֹּ֑ל(set upQal cohortative 1cp · דָּגַל (H1713)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalדָּגַל (H1713) '(set up'.
יְמַלֵּ֥אis ordainedPiel impf 3ms · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמָלֵא (H4390) 'is ordained'.
יְ֝הוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָdesireN c · מִשְׁאָלָה (H4862)Construct chain (genitival)מִשְׁאָלָה (H4862) 'desire'.
7

עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ יַ֭עֲנֵהוּ מִשְּׁמֵ֣י קָדְשׁ֑וֹ בִּ֝גְבֻר֗וֹת יֵ֣שַׁע יְמִינֽוֹ

Now I know for one to save YHWH the anointed and answered the heavens holy and like your mighty acts safety his right.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'I know'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
עַתָּ֤הnowart · עַתָּה (H6258)Particle or relational elementעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'.
יָדַ֗עְתִּיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָדַע (H3045) 'I know'.
כִּ֤יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
הוֹשִׁ֥יעַone to saveHiphil perf 3ms · יָשַׁע (H3467)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָשַׁע (H3467) 'one to save'.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹthe anointedN c · מָשִׁיחַ (H4899)Construct chain (genitival)מָשִׁיחַ (H4899) 'the anointed'.
יַ֭עֲנֵהוּand answeredQal impf 3ms + sfx 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָנָה (H6030) 'and answered'.
מִשְּׁמֵ֣יthe heavensprep + N com m pl constr · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'the heavens'.
קָדְשׁ֑וֹholyN c · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Construct chain (genitival)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy'.
בִּ֝גְבֻר֗וֹתand like your mighty actsprep + N com f pl constr · גְּבוּרָה (H1369)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גְּבוּרָה (H1369) 'and like your mighty acts'.
יֵ֣שַׁעsafetyN c · יֶשַׁע (H3468)Construct chain (genitival)יֶשַׁע (H3468) 'safety'.
יְמִינֽוֹhis rightN c · יָמִין (H3225)Construct chain (genitival)יָמִין (H3225) 'his right'.
8

אֵ֣לֶּה בָ֭רֶכֶב וְאֵ֣לֶּה בַסּוּסִ֑ים וַאֲנַ֓חְנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣ינוּ נַזְכִּֽיר

These with chariots and these on the horses and we in the name of YHWH our God and you shall remember.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and you shall remember'.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedem. pron xcp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'.
בָ֭רֶכֶבwith chariotsprep + art + N com m sg abs · רֶכֶב (H7393)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'with chariots'.
וְאֵ֣לֶּהand theseconj וְ + dem. pron xcp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'and these'.
בַסּוּסִ֑יםon the horsesprep + art + N com m pl abs · סוּס (H5483)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)סוּס (H5483) 'on the horses'.
וַאֲנַ֓חְנוּand weconj וְ + pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'and we'.
בְּשֵׁםin the name ofprep + N com m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שֵׁם (H8034) 'in the name of'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֱלֹהֵ֣ינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
נַזְכִּֽירand you shall rememberHiphil impf 1cp · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalזָכַר (H2142) 'and you shall remember'.
9

הֵ֭מָּה כָּרְע֣וּ וְנָפָ֑לוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ קַּ֝֗מְנוּ וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽד

They he knelt and they shall fall and we and he arose I call to witness.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'he knelt'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
הֵ֭מָּהtheypron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הֵמָּה (H1992) 'they'.
כָּרְע֣וּhe kneltQal perf 3cp · כָּרַע (H3766)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actכָּרַע (H3766) 'he knelt'.
וְנָפָ֑לוּand they shall fallconj וְ + Qal q 3cp · נָפַל (H5307)Particle or relational elementנָפַל (H5307) 'and they shall fall'.
וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּand weconj וְ + pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'and we'.
קַּ֝֗מְנוּand he aroseQal perf 1cp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actקוּם (H6965) 'and he arose'.
וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽדI call to witnessconj וְ + Hithpolel wayyiqtol 1cp · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעוּד (H5749) 'I call to witness'.
10

יְהוָ֥ה הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵֽנוּ

YHWH one to save the king would answer him on the day we call.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'one to save'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
הוֹשִׁ֑יעָהone to saveHiphil impv 2ms + Sh · יָשַׁע (H3467)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeיָשַׁע (H3467) 'one to save'.
הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְthe kingart + N com m sg abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'the king'.
יַעֲנֵ֥נוּwould answer himQal impf 3ms + sfx 1cp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָנָה (H6030) 'would answer him'.
בְיוֹםon the dayprep + N com m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יוֹם (H3117) 'on the day'.
קָרְאֵֽנוּwe callQal inf constr + sfx 1cp · קָרָא (H7121)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementקָרָא (H7121) 'we call'.