Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 98תהלים 98

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 98 (9 verses in the MT) opens: [A Psalm.] O sing to YHWH a new song; for he has done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory. The middle of the chapter continues: Sing to YHWH with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. It closes: Before YHWH; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

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 98 comprises 9 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — [A Psalm. [A Psalm.] O sing to YHWH a new song; for he has done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory. YHWH has made known his salvation: his righteousness has he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Sing to YHWH with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. Sing to YHWH with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before YHWH, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap hands: let the hills be joyful together Movement III (vv. 9) — Before YHWH; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall. Before YHWH; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

מִזְמ֡וֹר שִׁ֤ירוּ לַֽיהוָ֨ה שִׁ֣יר חָ֭דָשׁ כִּֽי נִפְלָא֣וֹת עָשָׂ֑ה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה לּ֥וֹ יְ֝מִינ֗וֹ וּזְר֥וֹעַ קָדְשֽׁוֹ

[A Psalm.] O sing to YHWH a new song; for he has done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is ''Sing'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
מִזְמ֡וֹרpsalmN c · מִזְמוֹר (H4210)Construct chain (genitival)מִזְמוֹר (H4210) 'psalm'.
שִׁ֤ירוּ'SingQal impv 2mp · שִׁיר (H7891)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשִׁיר (H7891) ''Sing'.
לַֽיהוָ֨הto YHWHprep + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'to YHWH'.
שִׁ֣ירa songN c · שִׁירָה (H7892)Construct chain (genitival)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'a song'.
חָ֭דָשׁnewAdj · חָדָשׁ (H2319)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חָדָשׁ (H2319) 'new'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
נִפְלָא֣וֹתwondersN · פָּלָא (H6381)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּלָא (H6381) 'wonders'.
עָשָׂ֑הhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'he did'.
הוֹשִֽׁיעָהone to saveHiphil perf 3fs · יָשַׁע (H3467)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָשַׁע (H3467) 'one to save'.
לּ֥וֹto himprep + sfx 3msParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to him'.
יְ֝מִינ֗וֹhis rightN c · יָמִין (H3225)Construct chain (genitival)יָמִין (H3225) 'his right'.
וּזְר֥וֹעַthe shoulderconj וְ + N com c sg constr · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)זְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'the shoulder'.
קָדְשֽׁוֹholyN c · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Construct chain (genitival)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy'.
2

הוֹדִ֣יעַ יְ֭הוָה יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם גִּלָּ֥ה צִדְקָתֽוֹ

YHWH has made known his salvation: his righteousness has he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'has made known'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
הוֹדִ֣יעַhas made knownHiphil perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָדַע (H3045) 'has made known'.
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹhis salvationN c · יְשׁוּעָה (H3444)Construct chain (genitival)יְשׁוּעָה (H3444) 'his salvation'.
לְעֵינֵ֥יbefore the eyes ofprep + N com c du constr · עַיִן (H5869)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עַיִן (H5869) 'before the eyes of'.
הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗םthe nationsart + N com m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גּוֹי (H1471) 'the nations'.
גִּלָּ֥הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actגָּלָה (H1540) 'he has uncovered'.
צִדְקָתֽוֹrighteousnessN c · צְדָקָה (H6666)Construct chain (genitival)צְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness'.
3

זָ֘כַ֤ר חַסְדּ֨וֹ וֶֽאֱֽמוּנָתוֹ֮ לְבֵ֪ית יִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל רָא֥וּ כָל אַפְסֵי אָ֑רֶץ אֵ֝֗ת יְשׁוּעַ֥ת אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ

He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'Remember'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
זָ֘כַ֤רRememberQal perf 3ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actזָכַר (H2142) 'Remember'.
חַסְדּ֨וֹhis covenant kindnessN c · חֶסֶד (H2617)Construct chain (genitival)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'his covenant kindness'.
וֶֽאֱֽמוּנָתוֹ֮faithfulnessconj וְ + N com f sg constr + sfx 3ms · אֱמוּנָה (H530)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱמוּנָה (H530) 'faithfulness'.
לְבֵ֪יתby the house ofprep + N com m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בַּיִת (H1004) 'by the house of'.
יִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥לIsraelN · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'.
רָא֥וּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actרָאָה (H7200) 'saw'.
כָלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
אַפְסֵיthe ends ofN c · אֶפֶס (H657)Construct chain (genitival)אֶפֶס (H657) 'the ends of'.
אָ֑רֶץthe land ofN c · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land of'.
אֵ֝֗ת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
יְשׁוּעַ֥תthe salvation ofN c · יְשׁוּעָה (H3444)Construct chain (genitival)יְשׁוּעָה (H3444) 'the salvation of'.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
4

הָרִ֣יעוּ לַֽ֭יהוָה כָּל הָאָ֑רֶץ פִּצְח֖וּ וְרַנְּנ֣וּ וְזַמֵּֽרוּ

Make a joyful noise to YHWH, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'shout!'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
הָרִ֣יעוּshout!Hiphil impv 2mp · רוּעַ (H7321)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרוּעַ (H7321) 'shout!'.
לַֽ֭יהוָהto YHWHprep + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'to YHWH'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
פִּצְח֖וּbreak (forthQal impv 2mp · פָּצַח (H6476)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeפָּצַח (H6476) 'break (forth'.
וְרַנְּנ֣וּshout for joyconj וְ + Piel impv 2mp · רָנַן (H7442)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרָנַן (H7442) 'shout for joy'.
וְזַמֵּֽרוּI will make musicconj וְ + Piel impv 2mp · זָמַר (H2167)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeזָמַר (H2167) 'I will make music'.
5

זַמְּר֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה בְּכִנּ֑וֹר בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹר וְק֣וֹל זִמְרָֽה

Sing to YHWH with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'I will make music'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
זַמְּר֣וּI will make musicPiel impv 2mp · זָמַר (H2167)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeזָמַר (H2167) 'I will make music'.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'to YHWH'.
בְּכִנּ֑וֹרand with lyreprep + N com m sg abs · כִּנּוֹר (H3658)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כִּנּוֹר (H3658) 'and with lyre'.
בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹרand with lyreprep + N com m sg abs · כִּנּוֹר (H3658)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כִּנּוֹר (H3658) 'and with lyre'.
וְק֣וֹלto the voice ofconj וְ + N com m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קוֹל (H6963) 'to the voice of'.
זִמְרָֽהmelodyN c · זִמְרָה (H2172)Construct chain (genitival)זִמְרָה (H2172) 'melody'.
6

בַּ֭חֲצֹ֣צְרוֹת וְק֣וֹל שׁוֹפָ֑ר הָ֝רִ֗יעוּ לִפְנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֬לֶךְ יְהוָֽה

With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before YHWH, the King.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'shout!'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
בַּ֭חֲצֹ֣צְרוֹתthe trumpetsprep + N com f pl abs · חֲצוֹצְרָה (H2689)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֲצוֹצְרָה (H2689) 'the trumpets'.
וְק֣וֹלto the voice ofconj וְ + N com m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קוֹל (H6963) 'to the voice of'.
שׁוֹפָ֑רthe horn ofN c · שׁוֹפָר (H7782)Construct chain (genitival)שׁוֹפָר (H7782) 'the horn of'.
הָ֝רִ֗יעוּshout!Hiphil impv 2mp · רוּעַ (H7321)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרוּעַ (H7321) 'shout!'.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep + N com c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'before'.
הַמֶּ֬לֶךְthe kingart + N com m sg abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'the king'.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
7

יִרְעַ֣ם הַ֭יָּם וּמְלֹא֑וֹ תֵּ֝בֵ֗ל וְיֹ֣שְׁבֵי בָֽהּ

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'make to fret'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יִרְעַ֣םmake to fretQal impf 3ms · רָעַם (H7481)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalרָעַם (H7481) 'make to fret'.
הַ֭יָּםthe seaart + N com m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָם (H3220) 'the sea'.
וּמְלֹא֑וֹthe fullness ofconj וְ + N com m sg constr + sfx 3ms · מְלֹא (H4393)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְלֹא (H4393) 'the fullness of'.
תֵּ֝בֵ֗לhabitable partN c · תֵּבֵל (H8398)Construct chain (genitival)תֵּבֵל (H8398) 'habitable part'.
וְיֹ֣שְׁבֵיand the inhabitants ofconj וְ + Qal ptc mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָשַׁב (H3427) 'and the inhabitants of'.
בָֽהּin itprep + sfx 3fsParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'in it'.
8

נְהָר֥וֹת יִמְחֲאוּ כָ֑ף יַ֝֗חַד הָרִ֥ים יְרַנֵּֽנוּ

Let the floods clap hands: let the hills be joyful together

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'clap'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
נְהָר֥וֹתthe riverN c · נָהָר (H5104)Construct chain (genitival)נָהָר (H5104) 'the river'.
יִמְחֲאוּclapQal impf 3mp · מָחָא (H4222)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalמָחָא (H4222) 'clap'.
כָ֑ףa pan ofN c · כַּף (H3709)Construct chain (genitival)כַּף (H3709) 'a pan of'.
יַ֝֗חַדtogetherart · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Particle or relational elementיַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together'.
הָרִ֥יםhillsN c · הַר (H2022)Construct chain (genitival)הַר (H2022) 'hills'.
יְרַנֵּֽנוּshout for joyPiel impf 3mp · רָנַן (H7442)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalרָנַן (H7442) 'shout for joy'.
9

לִֽפְֽנֵי יְהוָ֗ה כִּ֥י בָא֮ לִשְׁפֹּ֪ט הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ יִשְׁפֹּֽט תֵּבֵ֥ל בְּצֶ֑דֶק וְ֝עַמִּ֗ים בְּמֵישָׁרִֽים

Before YHWH; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'came'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
לִֽפְֽנֵיbeforeprep + N com c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'before'.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כִּ֥יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
בָא֮cameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actבּוֹא (H935) 'came'.
לִשְׁפֹּ֪טto judgeprep + Qal inf constr · שָׁפַט (H8199)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'.
הָ֫אָ֥רֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
יִשְׁפֹּֽטmay he judgeQal impf 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁפַט (H8199) 'may he judge'.
תֵּבֵ֥לhabitable partN c · תֵּבֵל (H8398)Construct chain (genitival)תֵּבֵל (H8398) 'habitable part'.
בְּצֶ֑דֶקin righteousnessprep + N com m sg abs · צֶדֶק (H6664)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צֶדֶק (H6664) 'in righteousness'.
וְ֝עַמִּ֗יםthe peopleconj וְ + N com m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עַם (H5971) 'the people'.
בְּמֵישָׁרִֽיםagreementprep + N com m pl abs · מֵישָׁר (H4339)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מֵישָׁר (H4339) 'agreement'.