Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 99תהלים 99

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 99 (9 verses in the MT) opens: YHWH reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The middle of the chapter continues: Exalt you YHWH our God, and worship at his footstool; he holy. It closes: Exalt YHWH our God, and worship at his holy hill; for YHWH our God holy.

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 99 comprises 9 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — YHWH reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth the cherubims; let the. YHWH reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth the cherubims; let the earth be moved. YHWH great in Zion; and he high above all the people. Let them praise your great and terrible name; it holy. The king's strength also loveth judgment; you dost establish equity, you executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Exalt you YHWH our God, and worship at his footstool; he holy. Exalt you YHWH our God, and worship at his footstool; he holy. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon YHWH, and he answered them. He spake to them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance he gave them. You answeredst them, O YHWH our God: you wast a God that forgavest. Movement III (vv. 9) — Exalt YHWH our God, and worship at his holy hill; for YHWH our God holy. Exalt YHWH our God, and worship at his holy hill; for YHWH our God holy. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

יְהוָ֣ה מָ֭לָךְ יִרְגְּז֣וּ עַמִּ֑ים יֹשֵׁ֥ב כְּ֝רוּבִ֗ים תָּנ֥וּט הָאָֽרֶץ

YHWH reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'reigned'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
מָ֭לָךְreignedQal perf 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actמָלַךְ (H4427) 'reigned'.
יִרְגְּז֣וּand shall trembleQal impf 3mp · רָגַז (H7264)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalרָגַז (H7264) 'and shall tremble'.
עַמִּ֑יםpeoplesN c · עַם (H5971)Construct chain (genitival)עַם (H5971) 'peoples'.
יֹשֵׁ֥בdwellingQal ptc ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָשַׁב (H3427) 'dwelling'.
כְּ֝רוּבִ֗יםthe cherubimN c · כְּרוּב (H3742)Construct chain (genitival)כְּרוּב (H3742) 'the cherubim'.
תָּנ֥וּטbe movedQal impf 3fs · נוּט (H5120)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנוּט (H5120) 'be moved'.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
2

יְ֭הוָה בְּצִיּ֣וֹן גָּד֑וֹל וְרָ֥ם ה֝֗וּא עַל כָּל הָֽעַמִּֽים

YHWH great in Zion; and he high above all the people.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'and tall'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
יְ֭הוָהYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בְּצִיּ֣וֹןZionprep + N proper · צִיּוֹן (H6726)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צִיּוֹן (H6726) 'Zion'.
גָּד֑וֹלgreatAdj · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'.
וְרָ֥םand tallconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · רוּם (H7311)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorרוּם (H7311) 'and tall'.
ה֝֗וּאhepron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'he'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָֽעַמִּֽיםthe peoplesart + N com m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עַם (H5971) 'the peoples'.
3

יוֹד֣וּ שִׁ֭מְךָ גָּד֥וֹל וְנוֹרָ֗א קָד֥וֹשׁ הֽוּא

Let them praise your great and terrible name; it holy.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'I will praise'.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יוֹד֣וּI will praiseHiphil impf 3mp · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalיָדָה (H3034) 'I will praise'.
שִׁ֭מְךָyour nameN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'your name'.
גָּד֥וֹלgreatAdj · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'.
וְנוֹרָ֗אand awesomeconj וְ + Niphal ptc ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָרֵא (H3372) 'and awesome'.
קָד֥וֹשׁholyAdj · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'.
הֽוּאhepron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'he'.
4

וְעֹ֥ז מֶלֶךְ֮ מִשְׁפָּ֪ט אָ֫הֵ֥ב אַ֭תָּה כּוֹנַ֣נְתָּ מֵישָׁרִ֑ים מִשְׁפָּ֥ט וּ֝צְדָקָ֗ה בְּיַעֲקֹ֤ב אַתָּ֬ה עָשִֽׂיתָ

The king's strength also loveth judgment; you dost establish equity, you executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'loved'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְעֹ֥זstrengthconj וְ + N com m sg constr · עֹז (H5797)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֹז (H5797) 'strength'.
מֶלֶךְ֮king ofN c · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (genitival)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king of'.
מִשְׁפָּ֪טjudgmentN c · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Construct chain (genitival)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment'.
אָ֫הֵ֥בlovedQal perf 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָהַב (H157) 'loved'.
אַ֭תָּהyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
כּוֹנַ֣נְתָּreadyPolel perf 2ms · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actכּוּן (H3559) 'ready'.
מֵישָׁרִ֑יםagreementN c · מֵישָׁר (H4339)Construct chain (genitival)מֵישָׁר (H4339) 'agreement'.
מִשְׁפָּ֥טjudgmentN c · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Construct chain (genitival)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment'.
וּ֝צְדָקָ֗הand righteousnessconj וְ + N com f sg abs · צְדָקָה (H6666)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צְדָקָה (H6666) 'and righteousness'.
בְּיַעֲקֹ֤בin Jacobprep + N proper · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'in Jacob'.
אַתָּ֬הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
עָשִֽׂיתָyou have doneQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'you have done'.
5

רֽוֹמְמ֡וּ יְה֘וָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ וְֽ֭הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַהֲדֹ֥ם רַגְלָ֗יו קָד֥וֹשׁ הֽוּא

Exalt you YHWH our God, and worship at his footstool; he holy.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and tall'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
רֽוֹמְמ֡וּand tallPolel impv 2mp · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרוּם (H7311) 'and tall'.
יְה֘וָ֤הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
וְֽ֭הִשְׁתַּחֲווּand bow themselves downconj וְ + Hishtaphel impv 2mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁחָה (H7812) 'and bow themselves down'.
לַהֲדֹ֥ם(foot-) stoolprep + N com m sg constr · הֲדֹם (H1916)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הֲדֹם (H1916) '(foot-) stool'.
רַגְלָ֗יוhis feetN c · רֶגֶל (H7272)Construct chain (genitival)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'his feet'.
קָד֥וֹשׁholyAdj · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'.
הֽוּאhepron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'he'.
6

מֹ֘שֶׁ֤ה וְאַהֲרֹ֨ן בְּֽכֹהֲנָ֗יו וּ֭שְׁמוּאֵל בְּקֹרְאֵ֣י שְׁמ֑וֹ קֹרִ֥אים אֶל יְ֝הוָ֗ה וְה֣וּא יַעֲנֵֽם

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon YHWH, and he answered them.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'and he called'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
מֹ֘שֶׁ֤הMosesN · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'.
וְאַהֲרֹ֨ןand Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַהֲרֹן (H175) 'and Aaron'.
בְּֽכֹהֲנָ֗יוthe priestprep + N com m pl constr + sfx 3ms · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'the priest'.
וּ֭שְׁמוּאֵלShemuelconj וְ + N proper · שְׁמוּאֵל (H8050)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שְׁמוּאֵל (H8050) 'Shemuel'.
בְּקֹרְאֵ֣יand he calledprep + Qal ptc mp · קָרָא (H7121)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorקָרָא (H7121) 'and he called'.
שְׁמ֑וֹhis nameN c · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'his name'.
קֹרִ֥איםand he calledQal ptc mp · קָרָא (H7121)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorקָרָא (H7121) 'and he called'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְ֝הוָ֗הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
וְה֣וּאand heconj וְ + pron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'and he'.
יַעֲנֵֽםand answeredQal impf 3ms + sfx 3mp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָנָה (H6030) 'and answered'.
7

בְּעַמּ֣וּד עָ֭נָן יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם שָׁמְר֥וּ עֵ֝דֹתָ֗יו וְחֹ֣ק נָֽתַן לָֽמוֹ

He spake to them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance he gave them.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'speaks'.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
בְּעַמּ֣וּדin a pillar ofprep + N com m sg constr · עַמּוּד (H5982)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עַמּוּד (H5982) 'in a pillar of'.
עָ֭נָןcloudN c · עָנָן (H6051)Construct chain (genitival)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
יְדַבֵּ֣רspeaksPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'speaks'.
אֲלֵיהֶ֑םto themprep + sfx 3mp · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to them'.
שָׁמְר֥וּthey keptQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשָׁמַר (H8104) 'they kept'.
עֵ֝דֹתָ֗יוas a witnessN c · עֵדוּת (H5713)Construct chain (genitival)עֵדוּת (H5713) 'as a witness'.
וְחֹ֣קand the portion ofconj וְ + N com m sg abs · חֹק (H2706)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֹק (H2706) 'and the portion of'.
נָֽתַןis givingQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actנָתַן (H5414) 'is giving'.
לָֽמוֹfor themprep + sfx 3mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'for them'.
8

יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵינוּ֮ אַתָּ֪ה עֲנִ֫יתָ֥ם אֵ֣ל נֹ֭שֵׂא הָיִ֣יתָ לָהֶ֑ם וְ֝נֹקֵ֗ם עַל עֲלִילוֹתָֽם

You answeredst them, O YHWH our God: you wast a God that forgavest them, though you tookest vengeance of their inventions.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'and answered'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֱלֹהֵינוּ֮our GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
אַתָּ֪הyoupron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'.
עֲנִ֫יתָ֥םand answeredQal perf 2ms + sfx 3mp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actעָנָה (H6030) 'and answered'.
אֵ֣לGodN c · אֵל (H410)Construct chain (genitival)אֵל (H410) 'God'.
נֹ֭שֵׂאlifts upQal ptc ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָשָׂא (H5375) 'lifts up'.
הָיִ֣יתָyou wereQal perf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actהָיָה (H1961) 'you were'.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep + sfx 3mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to them'.
וְ֝נֹקֵ֗םhe shall be punishedconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · נָקַם (H5358)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorנָקַם (H5358) 'he shall be punished'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
עֲלִילוֹתָֽםoccasions/pretexts ofN c · עֲלִילָה (H5949)Construct chain (genitival)עֲלִילָה (H5949) 'occasions/pretexts of'.
9

רֽוֹמְמ֡וּ יְה֘וָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ וְ֭הִֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְהַ֣ר קָדְשׁ֑וֹ כִּֽי קָ֝ד֗וֹשׁ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ

Exalt YHWH our God, and worship at his holy hill; for YHWH our God holy.

Imperative — volitional addresswə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'and tall'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
רֽוֹמְמ֡וּand tallPolel impv 2mp · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeרוּם (H7311) 'and tall'.
יְה֘וָ֤הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.
וְ֭הִֽשְׁתַּחֲווּand bow themselves downconj וְ + Hishtaphel impv 2mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשָׁחָה (H7812) 'and bow themselves down'.
לְהַ֣רof Mountprep + N com m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הַר (H2022) 'of Mount'.
קָדְשׁ֑וֹholyN c · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Construct chain (genitival)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
קָ֝ד֗וֹשׁholyAdj · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּour GodN c · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'our God'.