Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 8תהלים 8

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 8 (10 verses in the MT) opens: Excel on Gittith psalm to. The middle of the chapter continues: You will lack a little God and the glory of majesty compass. It closes: YHWH my lord what waters. your name in all the land.

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 8 comprises 10 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Excel on Gittith psalm to. Excel on Gittith psalm to. YHWH my lord what waters. your name in all the land that give some of your authority on the heavens. From the mouth of from nursing infant it was founded strength so that and it will besiege you shall rest the enemy he shall be punished. For let me see your heavens the work of with his finger and the moon the stars that ready. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — What from mankind for and you shall remember and the son of man for thei. What from mankind for and you shall remember and the son of man for their mustered (men). You will lack a little God and the glory of majesty compass. Ruling the work of your hands all is imposed under his feet. For your flocks your cattle all of them and also beasts the field. Movement III (vv. 9-10) — Bird heaven fish of the sea is crossing caravan-routes the seas. Bird heaven fish of the sea is crossing caravan-routes the seas. YHWH my lord what waters. your name in all the land. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל הַגִּתִּ֗ית מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד

Excel on Gittith 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· 5 words
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַexcelprep + art + Piel ptc ms · נָצַח (H5329)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָצַח (H5329) 'excel'.
עַֽלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
הַגִּתִּ֗יתGittithart + N com f sg abs · גִּתִּית (H1665)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גִּתִּית (H1665) 'Gittith'.
מִזְמ֥וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
לְדָוִֽדtoprep + N proper · דָּוִד (H1732)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּוִד (H1732) 'to'.
2

יְהוָ֤ה אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ מָֽה אַדִּ֣יר שִׁ֭מְךָ בְּכָל הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּנָ֥ה ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ עַל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם

YHWH my lord what waters. your name in all the land that give some of your authority on the heavens.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'give'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּmy lordN c · אָדוֹן (H113)Construct chain (genitival)אָדוֹן (H113) 'my lord'.
מָֽהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
אַדִּ֣ירwaters.Adj · אַדִּיר (H117)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַדִּיר (H117) 'waters.'.
שִׁ֭מְךָyour nameN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'your name'.
בְּכָלin allprep + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'in all'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
תְּנָ֥הgiveQal impv 2ms + Sh · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָתַן (H5414) 'give'.
ה֝וֹדְךָ֗some of your authorityN c · הוֹד (H1935)Construct chain (genitival)הוֹד (H1935) 'some of your authority'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִםthe heavensart + N com m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'the heavens'.
3

מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים וְֽיֹנְקִים֮ יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם

From the mouth of from nursing infant it was founded strength so that and it will besiege you shall rest the enemy he shall be punished.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'nursing infant'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
מִפִּ֤יfrom the mouth ofprep + N com m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פֶּה (H6310) 'from the mouth of'.
עֽוֹלְלִ֨יםfromN c · עוֹלֵל (H5768)Construct chain (genitival)עוֹלֵל (H5768) 'from'.
וְֽיֹנְקִים֮nursing infantconj וְ + Qal ptc mp · יָנַק (H3243)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָנַק (H3243) 'nursing infant'.
יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫it was foundedPiel perf 2ms · יָסַד (H3245)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָסַד (H3245) 'it was founded'.
עֹ֥זstrengthN c · עֹז (H5797)Construct chain (genitival)עֹז (H5797) 'strength'.
לְמַ֥עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Particle or relational elementלְמַעַן (H4616) 'so that'.
צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָand it will besiegeQal ptc mp + sfx 2ms · צָרַר (H6887)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorצָרַר (H6887) 'and it will besiege'.
לְהַשְׁבִּ֥יתyou shall restprep + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁבַת (H7673)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementשָׁבַת (H7673) 'you shall rest'.
א֝וֹיֵ֗בthe enemyQal ptc ms · אֹיֵב (H341)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאֹיֵב (H341) 'the enemy'.
וּמִתְנַקֵּֽםhe shall be punishedconj וְ + Hithpael ptc ms · נָקַם (H5358)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָקַם (H5358) 'he shall be punished'.
4

כִּֽי אֶרְאֶ֣ה שָׁ֭מֶיךָ מַעֲשֵׂ֣י אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ יָרֵ֥חַ וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה

For let me see your heavens the work of with his finger and the moon the stars that ready.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'let me see'.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אֶרְאֶ֣הlet me seeQal impf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalרָאָה (H7200) 'let me see'.
שָׁ֭מֶיךָyour heavensN c · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'your heavens'.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣יthe work ofN c · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Construct chain (genitival)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'the work of'.
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָwith his fingerN c · אֶצְבַּע (H676)Construct chain (genitival)אֶצְבַּע (H676) 'with his finger'.
יָרֵ֥חַand the moonN c · יָרֵחַ (H3394)Construct chain (genitival)יָרֵחַ (H3394) 'and the moon'.
וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗יםthe starsconj וְ + N com m pl abs · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כּוֹכָב (H3556) 'the stars'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּהreadyPolel perf 2ms · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actכּוּן (H3559) 'ready'.
5

מָֽה אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי תִזְכְּרֶ֑נּוּ וּבֶן אָ֝דָ֗ם כִּ֣י תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ

What from mankind for and you shall remember and the son of man for their mustered (men).

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· 8 words
מָֽהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
אֱנ֥וֹשׁfrom mankindN c · אֱנוֹשׁ (H582)Construct chain (genitival)אֱנוֹשׁ (H582) 'from mankind'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
תִזְכְּרֶ֑נּוּand you shall rememberQal impf 2ms + sfx 3ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalזָכַר (H2142) 'and you shall remember'.
וּבֶןand the son ofconj וְ + N com m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'and the son of'.
אָ֝דָ֗םmanN c · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.
כִּ֣יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּtheir mustered (men)Qal impf 2ms + sfx 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalפָּקַד (H6485) 'their mustered (men)'.
6

וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ מְּ֭עַט מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְכָב֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ

You will lack a little God and the glory of majesty compass.

Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential actionwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential action. Lead predicate is 'you will lack'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּyou will lackconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 2ms + sfx 3ms · חָסֵר (H2637)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָסֵר (H2637) 'you will lack'.
מְּ֭עַטa littleN c · מְעַט (H4592)Construct chain (genitival)מְעַט (H4592) 'a little'.
מֵאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodprep + N com m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
וְכָב֖וֹדand the glory ofconj וְ + N com c sg abs · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כָּבוֹד (H3519) 'and the glory of'.
וְהָדָ֣רmajestyconj וְ + N com m sg abs · הָדָר (H1926)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הָדָר (H1926) 'majesty'.
תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּcompassPiel impf 2ms + sfx 3ms · עָטַר (H5849)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָטַר (H5849) 'compass'.
7

תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָדֶ֑יךָ כֹּ֝ל שַׁ֣תָּה תַֽחַת רַגְלָֽיו

Ruling the work of your hands all is imposed under his feet.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'ruling'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּrulingHiphil impf 2ms + sfx 3ms · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמָשַׁל (H4910) 'ruling'.
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣יthe work ofprep + N com m pl constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'the work of'.
יָדֶ֑יךָyour handsN c · יָד (H3027)Construct chain (genitival)יָד (H3027) 'your hands'.
כֹּ֝לallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
שַׁ֣תָּהis imposedQal perf 2ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשִׁית (H7896) 'is imposed'.
תַֽחַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Particle or relational elementתַּחַת (H8478) 'under'.
רַגְלָֽיוhis feetN c · רֶגֶל (H7272)Construct chain (genitival)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'his feet'.
8

צֹנֶ֣ה וַאֲלָפִ֣ים כֻּלָּ֑ם וְ֝גַ֗ם בַּהֲמ֥וֹת שָׂדָֽי

For your flocks your cattle all of them and also beasts the field.

Nominal or particle frameasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Nominal or particle frame.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
צֹנֶ֣הfor your flocksN c · צֹנֶא (H6792)Construct chain (genitival)צֹנֶא (H6792) 'for your flocks'.
וַאֲלָפִ֣יםyour cattleconj וְ + N com m pl abs · אֶלֶף (H504)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶלֶף (H504) 'your cattle'.
כֻּלָּ֑םall of themN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all of them'.
וְ֝גַ֗םand alsoconj וְ + particle · גַּם (H1571)Particle or relational elementגַּם (H1571) 'and also'.
בַּהֲמ֥וֹתbeastsN c · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Construct chain (genitival)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beasts'.
שָׂדָֽיthe fieldN c · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Construct chain (genitival)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'the field'.
9

צִפּ֣וֹר שָׁ֭מַיִם וּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם עֹ֝בֵ֗ר אָרְח֥וֹת יַמִּֽים

Bird heaven fish of the sea is crossing caravan-routes the seas.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'is crossing'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
צִפּ֣וֹרbirdN c · צִפּוֹר (H6833)Construct chain (genitival)צִפּוֹר (H6833) 'bird'.
שָׁ֭מַיִםheavenN c · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heaven'.
וּדְגֵ֣יfish ofconj וְ + N com m pl constr · דָּג (H1709)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דָּג (H1709) 'fish of'.
הַיָּ֑םthe seaart + N com m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָם (H3220) 'the sea'.
עֹ֝בֵ֗רis crossingQal ptc ms · עָבַר (H5674)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorעָבַר (H5674) 'is crossing'.
אָרְח֥וֹתcaravan-routesN c · אֹרַח (H734)Construct chain (genitival)אֹרַח (H734) 'caravan-routes'.
יַמִּֽיםthe seasN c · יָם (H3220)Construct chain (genitival)יָם (H3220) 'the seas'.
10

יְהוָ֥ה אֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ מָֽה אַדִּ֥יר שִׁ֝מְךָ֗ בְּכָל הָאָֽרֶץ

YHWH my lord what waters. your name in all the land.

Nominal or particle frameasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Nominal or particle frame. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּmy lordN c · אָדוֹן (H113)Construct chain (genitival)אָדוֹן (H113) 'my lord'.
מָֽהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
אַדִּ֥ירwaters.Adj · אַדִּיר (H117)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַדִּיר (H117) 'waters.'.
שִׁ֝מְךָ֗your nameN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'your name'.
בְּכָלin allprep + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'in all'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.