Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 82תהלים 82

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 82 (8 verses in the MT) opens: [A Psalm of Asaph.] God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. The middle of the chapter continues: They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. It closes: Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.

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 82 comprises 8 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [A Psalm of Asaph. [A Psalm of Asaph.] God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid out of the hand of the wicked. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: a. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, You gods; and all of you children of the most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

מִזְמ֗וֹר לְאָ֫סָ֥ף אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים נִצָּ֥ב בַּעֲדַת אֵ֑ל בְּקֶ֖רֶב אֱלֹהִ֣ים יִשְׁפֹּֽט

[A Psalm of Asaph.] God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'may he judge'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
מִזְמ֗וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
לְאָ֫סָ֥ףAsaphprep + N proper · אָסָף (H623)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָסָף (H623) 'Asaph'.
אֱֽלֹהִ֗יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
נִצָּ֥בstandingN · נָצַב (H5324)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נָצַב (H5324) 'standing'.
בַּעֲדַתin the company ofprep + N com f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֵדָה (H5712) 'in the company of'.
אֵ֑לGodN c · אֵל (H410)Construct chain (genitival)אֵל (H410) 'God'.
בְּקֶ֖רֶבin the midst ofprep + N com m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'in the midst of'.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
יִשְׁפֹּֽטmay he judgeQal impf 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁפַט (H8199) 'may he judge'.
2

עַד מָתַ֥י תִּשְׁפְּטוּ עָ֑וֶל וּפְנֵ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים תִּשְׂאוּ סֶֽלָה

How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and judge'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Particle or relational elementעַד (H5704) 'until'.
מָתַ֥יwheninterrog. · מָתַי (H4970)Particle or relational elementמָתַי (H4970) 'when'.
תִּשְׁפְּטוּand judgeQal impf 2mp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁפַט (H8199) 'and judge'.
עָ֑וֶלinjusticeN c · עָוֶל (H5766)Construct chain (genitival)עָוֶל (H5766) 'injustice'.
וּפְנֵ֥יbut my faceconj וְ + N com c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'but my face'.
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםthe wickedAdj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
תִּשְׂאוּyou shall bearQal impf 2mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָשָׂא (H5375) 'you shall bear'.
סֶֽלָהSelahparticle · סֶלָה (H5542)Particle or relational elementסֶלָה (H5542) 'Selah'.
3

שִׁפְטוּ דַ֥ל וְיָת֑וֹם עָנִ֖י וָרָ֣שׁ הַצְדִּֽיקוּ

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and judge'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
שִׁפְטוּand judgeQal impv 2mp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁפַט (H8199) 'and judge'.
דַ֥לpoorAdj · דַּל (H1800)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דַּל (H1800) 'poor'.
וְיָת֑וֹםor orphanconj וְ + N com m sg abs · יָתוֹם (H3490)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָתוֹם (H3490) 'or orphan'.
עָנִ֖יpoorAdj · עָנִי (H6041)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָנִי (H6041) 'poor'.
וָרָ֣שׁlackconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · רוּשׁ (H7326)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorרוּשׁ (H7326) 'lack'.
הַצְדִּֽיקוּand they justifyHiphil impv 2mp · צָדַק (H6663)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeצָדַק (H6663) 'and they justify'.
4

פַּלְּטוּ דַ֥ל וְאֶבְי֑וֹן מִיַּ֖ד רְשָׁעִ֣ים הַצִּֽילוּ

Deliver the poor and needy: rid out of the hand of the wicked.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
פַּלְּטוּandPiel impv 2mp · פָּלַט (H6403)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeפָּלַט (H6403) 'and'.
דַ֥לpoorAdj · דַּל (H1800)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)דַּל (H1800) 'poor'.
וְאֶבְי֑וֹןand needyconj וְ + Adj · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶבְיוֹן (H34) 'and needy'.
מִיַּ֖דfrom the hand ofprep + N com c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָד (H3027) 'from the hand of'.
רְשָׁעִ֣יםthe wickedAdj · רָשָׁע (H7563)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'the wicked'.
הַצִּֽילוּhe had delivered themHiphil impv 2mp · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeנָצַל (H5337) 'he had delivered them'.
5

לֹ֤א יָֽדְע֨וּ וְלֹ֥א יָבִ֗ינוּ בַּחֲשֵׁכָ֥ה יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ יִ֝מּ֗וֹטוּ כָּל מ֥וֹסְדֵי אָֽרֶץ

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'have known'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹ֤אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יָֽדְע֨וּhave knownQal perf 3cp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָדַע (H3045) 'have known'.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'and not'.
יָבִ֗ינוּthey would discernQal impf 3mp · בִּין (H995)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalבִּין (H995) 'they would discern'.
בַּחֲשֵׁכָ֥הdarknessprep + N com f sg abs · חֲשֵׁכָה (H2825)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֲשֵׁכָה (H2825) 'darkness'.
יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּgoingHithpael impf 3mp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָלַךְ (H1980) 'going'.
יִ֝מּ֗וֹטוּshall slipN · מוֹט (H4131)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מוֹט (H4131) 'shall slip'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
מ֥וֹסְדֵיfoundationN c · מוֹסָד (H4144)Construct chain (genitival)מוֹסָד (H4144) 'foundation'.
אָֽרֶץthe land ofN c · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land of'.
6

אֲֽנִי אָ֭מַרְתִּי אֱלֹהִ֣ים אַתֶּ֑ם וּבְנֵ֖י עֶלְי֣וֹן כֻּלְּכֶֽם

I have said, You gods; and all of you children of the most High.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'I said'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
אֲֽנִיIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'.
אָ֭מַרְתִּיI saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָמַר (H559) 'I said'.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
אַתֶּ֑םyoupron 2mp · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
וּבְנֵ֖יand the sons ofconj וְ + N com m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'and the sons of'.
עֶלְי֣וֹןMost HighAdj · עֶלְיוֹן (H5945)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֶלְיוֹן (H5945) 'Most High'.
כֻּלְּכֶֽםall of youN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all of you'.
7

אָ֭כֵן כְּאָדָ֣ם תְּמוּת֑וּן וּכְאַחַ֖ד הַשָּׂרִ֣ים תִּפֹּֽלוּ

But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and he died'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אָ֭כֵןsurelyart · אָכֵן (H403)Particle or relational elementאָכֵן (H403) 'surely'.
כְּאָדָ֣םmanprep + N com m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.
תְּמוּת֑וּןand he diedQal impf 2mp + Sn · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמוּת (H4191) 'and he died'.
וּכְאַחַ֖דoneconj וְ + prep + Adj c · אֶחָד (H259)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'.
הַשָּׂרִ֣יםchief ofart + N com m pl abs · שַׂר (H8269)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שַׂר (H8269) 'chief of'.
תִּפֹּֽלוּand he fellQal impf 2mp · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָפַל (H5307) 'and he fell'.
8

קוּמָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים שָׁפְטָ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּֽי אַתָּ֥ה תִ֝נְחַ֗ל בְּכָל הַגּוֹיִֽם

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'Arise!'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
קוּמָ֣הArise!Qal impv 2ms + Sh · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeקוּם (H6965) 'Arise!'.
אֱ֭לֹהִיםGodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'.
שָׁפְטָ֣הwas judgingQal impv 2ms + Sh · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁפַט (H8199) 'was judging'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אַתָּ֥הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
תִ֝נְחַ֗לyou will inheritQal impf 2ms · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָחַל (H5157) 'you will inherit'.
בְּכָלin allprep + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'in all'.
הַגּוֹיִֽםthe nationsart + N com m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גּוֹי (H1471) 'the nations'.