Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 43תהלים 43

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 43 (5 verses in the MT) opens: Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. The middle of the chapter continues: O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill, and to your tabernacles. It closes: Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, the health of my countenance, and my God.

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 43 comprises 5 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For you the God of my strength: why dost you cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill, and to your tabernacles. Then will I go. Movement II (vv. 5) — Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me?. Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, the health of my countenance, and my God. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

שָׁפְטֵ֤נִי אֱלֹהִ֨ים וְרִ֘יבָ֤ה רִיבִ֗י מִגּ֥וֹי לֹא חָסִ֑יד מֵ֤אִישׁ מִרְמָ֖ה וְעַוְלָ֣ה תְפַלְּטֵֽנִי

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and judge'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
שָׁפְטֵ֤נִיand judgeQal impv 2ms + sfx 1cs · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁפַט (H8199) 'and judge'.
אֱלֹהִ֨יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
וְרִ֘יבָ֤הand quarreledconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms + Sh · רִיב (H7378)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרִיב (H7378) 'and quarreled'.
רִיבִ֗יdisputeN c · רִיב (H7379)Construct chain (genitival)רִיב (H7379) 'dispute'.
מִגּ֥וֹיthe nationsprep + N com m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גּוֹי (H1471) 'the nations'.
לֹאnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
חָסִ֑ידyour loyal oneAdj · חָסִיד (H2623)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חָסִיד (H2623) 'your loyal one'.
מֵ֤אִישׁfrom manprep + N com m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אִישׁ (H376) 'from man'.
מִרְמָ֖הwith deceitN c · מִרְמָה (H4820)Construct chain (genitival)מִרְמָה (H4820) 'with deceit'.
וְעַוְלָ֣הinjusticeconj וְ + N com c sg abs · עָוֶל (H5766)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָוֶל (H5766) 'injustice'.
תְפַלְּטֵֽנִיandPiel impf 2ms + sfx 1cs · פָּלַט (H6403)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalפָּלַט (H6403) 'and'.
2

כִּֽי אַתָּ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י מָֽעוּזִּי֮ לָמָ֪ה זְנַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי לָֽמָּה קֹדֵ֥ר אֶתְהַלֵּ֗ךְ בְּלַ֣חַץ אוֹיֵֽב

For you the God of my strength: why dost you cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Qatal — perfective or stative predication.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אַתָּ֤הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'the God of'.
מָֽעוּזִּי֮strongholdN c · מָעוֹז (H4581)Construct chain (genitival)מָעוֹז (H4581) 'stronghold'.
לָמָ֪הwhyprep + interrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'why'.
זְנַ֫חְתָּ֥נִיandQal perf 2ms + sfx 1cs · זָנַח (H2186)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actזָנַח (H2186) 'and'.
לָֽמָּהwhyprep + interrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'why'.
קֹדֵ֥רbe blackQal ptc ms · קָדַר (H6937)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorקָדַר (H6937) 'be black'.
אֶתְהַלֵּ֗ךְwentHithpael impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
בְּלַ֣חַץour oppressionprep + N com m sg constr · לַחַץ (H3906)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)לַחַץ (H3906) 'our oppression'.
אוֹיֵֽבthe enemyQal ptc ms · אֹיֵב (H341)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאֹיֵב (H341) 'the enemy'.
3

שְׁלַח אוֹרְךָ֣ וַ֭אֲמִתְּךָ הֵ֣מָּה יַנְח֑וּנִי יְבִיא֥וּנִי אֶל הַֽר קָ֝דְשְׁךָ֗ וְאֶל מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶֽיךָ

O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill, and to your tabernacles.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'let go'.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
שְׁלַחlet goQal impv 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁלַח (H7971) 'let go'.
אוֹרְךָ֣lightN c · אוֹר (H216)Construct chain (genitival)אוֹר (H216) 'light'.
וַ֭אֲמִתְּךָtrueconj וְ + N com f sg constr + sfx 2ms · אֱמֶת (H571)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱמֶת (H571) 'true'.
הֵ֣מָּהtheypron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הֵמָּה (H1992) 'they'.
יַנְח֑וּנִיled himHiphil impf 3mp + sfx 1cs · נָחָה (H5148)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָחָה (H5148) 'led him'.
יְבִיא֥וּנִיand they cameHiphil impf 3mp + sfx 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבּוֹא (H935) 'and they came'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
הַֽרMountN c · הַר (H2022)Construct chain (genitival)הַר (H2022) 'Mount'.
קָ֝דְשְׁךָ֗your holyN c · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Construct chain (genitival)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'your holy'.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'and to'.
מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶֽיךָthe tabernacleN c · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Construct chain (genitival)מִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'the tabernacle'.
4

וְאָב֤וֹאָה אֶל מִזְבַּ֬ח אֱלֹהִ֗ים אֶל אֵל֮ שִׂמְחַ֪ת גִּ֫ילִ֥י וְאוֹדְךָ֥ בְכִנּ֗וֹר אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֱלֹהָֽי

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise you, O God my God.

Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitionalwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Weqatal / cohortative — sequential or volitional. Lead predicate is 'and I may go in'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאָב֤וֹאָהand I may go inconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (weqatal / cohortative)→ Weqatal/cohortative: sequential or volitionalבּוֹא (H935) 'and I may go in'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
מִזְבַּ֬חthe altar ofN c · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'the altar of'.
אֱלֹהִ֗יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
אֵל֮GodN c · אֵל (H410)Construct chain (genitival)אֵל (H410) 'God'.
שִׂמְחַ֪תwith joyN c · שִׂמְחָה (H8057)Construct chain (genitival)שִׂמְחָה (H8057) 'with joy'.
גִּ֫ילִ֥יandN c · גִּיל (H1524)Construct chain (genitival)גִּיל (H1524) 'and'.
וְאוֹדְךָ֥I will praiseconj וְ + Hiphil impf 1cs + sfx 2ms · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָדָה (H3034) 'I will praise'.
בְכִנּ֗וֹרand with lyreprep + N com m sg abs · כִּנּוֹר (H3658)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כִּנּוֹר (H3658) 'and with lyre'.
אֱלֹהִ֥יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
אֱלֹהָֽיthe God ofN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'the God of'.
5

מַה תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י נַפְשִׁי֮ וּֽמַה תֶּהֱמִ֪י עָ֫לָ֥י הוֹחִ֣ילִי לֵֽ֭אלֹהִים כִּי ע֣וֹד אוֹדֶ֑נּוּ יְשׁוּעֹ֥ת פָּ֝נַ֗י וֵֽאלֹהָֽי

Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, the health of my countenance, and my God.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מַהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨יandHithpolel impf 2fs · שָׁחַח (H7817)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁחַח (H7817) 'and'.
נַפְשִׁי֮my soulN c · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Construct chain (genitival)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'my soul'.
וּֽמַהand whatconj וְ + interrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'and what'.
תֶּהֱמִ֪יclamorousQal impf 2fs · הָמָה (H1993)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָמָה (H1993) 'clamorous'.
עָ֫לָ֥יagainst meprep + sfx 1cs · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'against me'.
הוֹחִ֣ילִיand he waitedHiphil impv 2fs · יָחַל (H3176)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeיָחַל (H3176) 'and he waited'.
לֵֽ֭אלֹהִיםas Godprep + N com m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'as God'.
כִּיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
ע֣וֹדagainart · עוֹד (H5750)Particle or relational elementעוֹד (H5750) 'again'.
אוֹדֶ֑נּוּI will praiseHiphil impf 1cs + sfx 3ms · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָדָה (H3034) 'I will praise'.
יְשׁוּעֹ֥תthe salvation ofN c · יְשׁוּעָה (H3444)Construct chain (genitival)יְשׁוּעָה (H3444) 'the salvation of'.
פָּ֝נַ֗יthe face ofN c · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'the face of'.
וֵֽאלֹהָֽיand the God ofconj וְ + N com m pl constr + sfx 1cs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'and the God of'.