Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 4תהלים 4

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 4 (9 verses in the MT) opens: Excel and psalm to. The middle of the chapter continues: And shall tremble and do not you may sin they said your heart on the bed they are still Selah. It closes: In peace together and he lay and grow long settled for you YHWH alone securely the inhabitants of.

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 4 comprises 9 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Excel and psalm to. Excel and psalm to. And he called and answered the God of just when in distress he enlarges to me pity me and hear prayer. The sons of a man until what my glory to to love in vain you shall seek deceitful Selah. And know for makes a distinction YHWH your loyal one to him YHWH will listen/obey and he called to him. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — And shall tremble and do not you may sin they said your heart on the bed. And shall tremble and do not you may sin they said your heart on the bed they are still Selah. Sacrifice sacrifices of just trusting to YHWH. Many they say who and he saw good lifts up upon us light your face YHWH. You have given with joy his heart at the time grain and new wine and multiply. Movement III (vv. 9) — In peace together and he lay and grow long settled for you YHWH alone se. In peace together and he lay and grow long settled for you YHWH alone securely the inhabitants of. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינ֗וֹת מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד

Excel and 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· 4 words
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַexcelprep + art + Piel ptc ms · נָצַח (H5329)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָצַח (H5329) 'excel'.
בִּנְגִינ֗וֹתandprep + N com f pl abs · נְגִינָה (H5058)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נְגִינָה (H5058) 'and'.
מִזְמ֥וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
לְדָוִֽדtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
2

בְּקָרְאִ֡י עֲנֵ֤נִי אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י צִדְקִ֗י בַּ֭צָּר הִרְחַ֣בְתָּ לִּ֑י חָ֝נֵּ֗נִי וּשְׁמַ֥ע תְּפִלָּתִֽי

And he called and answered the God of just when in distress he enlarges to me pity me and hear prayer.

Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complementwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complement. Lead predicate is 'and he called'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
בְּקָרְאִ֡יand he calledprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 1cs · קָרָא (H7121)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementקָרָא (H7121) 'and he called'.
עֲנֵ֤נִיand answeredQal impv 2ms + sfx 1cs · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeעָנָה (H6030) 'and answered'.
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤יthe God ofN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'the God of'.
צִדְקִ֗יjustN c · צֶדֶק (H6664)Construct chain (genitival)צֶדֶק (H6664) 'just'.
בַּ֭צָּרwhen in distressprep + art + Adj · צַר (H6862)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צַר (H6862) 'when in distress'.
הִרְחַ֣בְתָּhe enlargesHiphil perf 2ms · רָחַב (H7337)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actרָחַב (H7337) 'he enlarges'.
לִּ֑יto meprep + sfx 1csParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to me'.
חָ֝נֵּ֗נִיpity meQal impv 2ms + sfx 1cs · חָנַן (H2603)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeחָנַן (H2603) 'pity me'.
וּשְׁמַ֥עand hearconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁמַע (H8085) 'and hear'.
תְּפִלָּתִֽיprayerN c · תְּפִלָּה (H8605)Construct chain (genitival)תְּפִלָּה (H8605) 'prayer'.
3

בְּנֵ֥י אִ֡ישׁ עַד מֶ֬ה כְבוֹדִ֣י לִ֭כְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן רִ֑יק תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ כָזָ֣ב סֶֽלָה

The sons of a man until what my glory to to love in vain you shall seek deceitful Selah.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'to love'.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'the sons of'.
אִ֡ישׁa manN c · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain (genitival)אִישׁ (H376) 'a man'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Particle or relational elementעַד (H5704) 'until'.
מֶ֬הwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
כְבוֹדִ֣יmy gloryN c · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Construct chain (genitival)כָּבוֹד (H3519) 'my glory'.
לִ֭כְלִמָּהtoprep + N com f sg abs · כְּלִמָּה (H3639)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כְּלִמָּה (H3639) 'to'.
תֶּאֱהָב֣וּןto loveQal impf 2mp + Sn · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalאָהַב (H157) 'to love'.
רִ֑יקin vainN c · רִיק (H7385)Construct chain (genitival)רִיק (H7385) 'in vain'.
תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּyou shall seekPiel impf 2mp · בִּקֵּשׁ (H1245)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבִּקֵּשׁ (H1245) 'you shall seek'.
כָזָ֣בdeceitfulN c · כָּזָב (H3577)Construct chain (genitival)כָּזָב (H3577) 'deceitful'.
סֶֽלָהSelahparticle · סֶלָה (H5542)Particle or relational elementסֶלָה (H5542) 'Selah'.
4

וּדְע֗וּ כִּֽי הִפְלָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה חָסִ֣יד ל֑וֹ יְהוָ֥ה יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע בְּקָרְאִ֥י אֵלָֽיו

And know for makes a distinction YHWH your loyal one to him YHWH will listen/obey and he called to him.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and know'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וּדְע֗וּand knowconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeיָדַע (H3045) 'and know'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
הִפְלָ֣הmakes a distinctionHiphil perf 3ms · פָּלָה (H6395)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actפָּלָה (H6395) 'makes a distinction'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
חָסִ֣ידyour loyal oneAdj · חָסִיד (H2623)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חָסִיד (H2623) 'your loyal one'.
ל֑וֹto himprep + sfx 3msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to him'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
יִ֝שְׁמַ֗עwill listen/obeyQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁמַע (H8085) 'will listen/obey'.
בְּקָרְאִ֥יand he calledprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 1cs · קָרָא (H7121)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementקָרָא (H7121) 'and he called'.
אֵלָֽיוto himprep + sfx 3ms · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to him'.
5

רִגְז֗וּ וְֽאַל תֶּ֫חֱטָ֥אוּ אִמְר֣וּ בִ֭לְבַבְכֶם עַֽל מִשְׁכַּבְכֶ֗ם וְדֹ֣מּוּ סֶֽלָה

And shall tremble and do not you may sin they said your heart on the bed they are still Selah.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and shall tremble'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
רִגְז֗וּand shall trembleQal impv 2mp · רָגַז (H7264)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרָגַז (H7264) 'and shall tremble'.
וְֽאַלand do notconj וְ + neg. · אַל (H408)Particle or relational elementאַל (H408) 'and do not'.
תֶּ֫חֱטָ֥אוּyou may sinQal jussive 2mp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (jussive)→ Jussive: volitionalחָטָא (H2398) 'you may sin'.
אִמְר֣וּthey saidQal impv 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeאָמַר (H559) 'they said'.
בִ֭לְבַבְכֶםyour heartprep + N com m sg constr + sfx 2mp · לֵבָב (H3824)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לֵבָב (H3824) 'your heart'.
עַֽלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
מִשְׁכַּבְכֶ֗םthe bedN c · מִשְׁכָּב (H4904)Construct chain (genitival)מִשְׁכָּב (H4904) 'the bed'.
וְדֹ֣מּוּthey are stillconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · דָּמַם (H1826)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeדָּמַם (H1826) 'they are still'.
סֶֽלָהSelahparticle · סֶלָה (H5542)Particle or relational elementסֶלָה (H5542) 'Selah'.
6

זִבְח֥וּ זִבְחֵי צֶ֑דֶק וּ֝בִטְח֗וּ אֶל יְהוָֽה

Sacrifice sacrifices of just trusting to YHWH.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'sacrifice'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
זִבְח֥וּsacrificeQal impv 2mp · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeזָבַח (H2076) 'sacrifice'.
זִבְחֵיsacrifices ofN c · זֶבַח (H2077)Construct chain (genitival)זֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifices of'.
צֶ֑דֶקjustN c · צֶדֶק (H6664)Construct chain (genitival)צֶדֶק (H6664) 'just'.
וּ֝בִטְח֗וּtrustingconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · בָּטַח (H982)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeבָּטַח (H982) 'trusting'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
7

רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה

Many they say who and he saw good lifts up upon us light your face YHWH.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'they say'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
רַבִּ֥יםmanyAdj · רַב (H7227)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רַב (H7227) 'many'.
אֹמְרִים֮they sayQal ptc mp · אָמַר (H559)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָמַר (H559) 'they say'.
מִֽיwhointerrog. · מִי (H4310)Particle or relational elementמִי (H4310) 'who'.
יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּand he sawHiphil impf 3ms + sfx 1cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalרָאָה (H7200) 'and he saw'.
ט֥וֹבgoodAdj · טוֹב (H2896)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'.
נְֽסָהlifts upQal impv 2ms + Sh · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָשָׂא (H5375) 'lifts up'.
עָ֭לֵינוּupon usprep + sfx 1cp · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'upon us'.
א֨וֹרlightN c · אוֹר (H216)Construct chain (genitival)אוֹר (H216) 'light'.
פָּנֶ֬יךָyour faceN c · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'your face'.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
8

נָתַ֣תָּה שִׂמְחָ֣ה בְלִבִּ֑י מֵעֵ֬ת דְּגָנָ֖ם וְתִֽירוֹשָׁ֣ם רָֽבּוּ

You have given with joy his heart at the time grain and new wine and multiply.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'you have given'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
נָתַ֣תָּהyou have givenQal perf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actנָתַן (H5414) 'you have given'.
שִׂמְחָ֣הwith joyN c · שִׂמְחָה (H8057)Construct chain (genitival)שִׂמְחָה (H8057) 'with joy'.
בְלִבִּ֑יhis heartprep + N com m sg constr + sfx 1cs · לֵב (H3820)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לֵב (H3820) 'his heart'.
מֵעֵ֬תat the timeprep + N com c sg constr · עֵת (H6256)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֵת (H6256) 'at the time'.
דְּגָנָ֖םgrainN c · דָּגָן (H1715)Construct chain (genitival)דָּגָן (H1715) 'grain'.
וְתִֽירוֹשָׁ֣םand new wineconj וְ + N com m sg constr + sfx 3mp · תִּירוֹשׁ (H8492)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תִּירוֹשׁ (H8492) 'and new wine'.
רָֽבּוּand multiplyQal perf 3cp · רָבַב (H7231)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actרָבַב (H7231) 'and multiply'.
9

בְּשָׁל֣וֹם יַחְדָּו֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה וְאִ֫ישָׁ֥ן כִּֽי אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה לְבָדָ֑ד לָ֝בֶ֗טַח תּוֹשִׁיבֵֽנִי

In peace together and he lay and grow long settled for you YHWH alone securely the inhabitants of.

Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitionalasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitional. Lead predicate is 'and he lay'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
בְּשָׁל֣וֹםin peaceprep + N com m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'in peace'.
יַחְדָּו֮togetherart · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Particle or relational elementיַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together'.
אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪הand he layQal cohortative 1cs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalשָׁכַב (H7901) 'and he lay'.
וְאִ֫ישָׁ֥ןand grow long settledconj וְ + Qal impf 1cs · יָשַׁן (H3462)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָשַׁן (H3462) 'and grow long settled'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אַתָּ֣הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
לְבָדָ֑דaloneprep + N com m sg abs · בָּדָד (H910)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בָּדָד (H910) 'alone'.
לָ֝בֶ֗טַחsecurelyprep + N com m sg abs · בֶּטַח (H983)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֶּטַח (H983) 'securely'.
תּוֹשִׁיבֵֽנִיthe inhabitants ofHiphil impf 2ms + sfx 1cs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָשַׁב (H3427) 'the inhabitants of'.