1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν πρὸς κύριον ἐν τῷ θλίβεσθαί με ἐκέκραξα καὶ εἰσήκουσέν μου
A Song of Ascents. In my affliction I cried to the Lord, and he heard me.
The song opens with remembered distress and immediately pairs affliction with the Lord's responsive hearing.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ᾠδὴsongN1 NSF · ᾠδήnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceᾠδή: meaning 'song'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναβαθμῶνἀναβαθμόςN2 GPM · ἀναβαθμόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἀναβαθμός: meaning 'ἀναβαθμός'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
κύριονLORDN2 ASM · κύριοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τῷtheRA DSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θλίβεσθαίbeing distressedV1 PMN · θλίβωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementθλίβω: meaning 'being distressed'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
μεmeRP AS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐκέκραξαI cried outVAI AAI1S · κράζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristκράζω: meaning 'I cried out'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
καὶandC · καίconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήκουσένlistened / hearkenedVAI AAI3S · ἀκούω + εἰςverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἀκούω + εἰς: meaning 'listened'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
μουmyRP GS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
2
κύριε ῥῦσαι τὴν ψυχήν μου ἀπὸ χειλέων ἀδίκων καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης δολίας
O Lord, rescue my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue.
The affliction is specified as treacherous speech, so the prayer asks for deliverance from lying mouths.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
κύριεO LordN2 VSM · κύριοςvocative nominal element used in direct address→ direct addressκύριος: meaning 'O Lord'; it serves as vocative nominal element used in direct address.
ῥῦσαιrescueVA AMD2S · ῥύομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateῥύομαι: meaning 'rescue'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνsoulN1 ASF · ψυχήaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationψυχή: meaning 'soul'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
μουmyRP GS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χειλέωνlipN3E GPN · χεῖλοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationχεῖλος: meaning 'lip'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἀδίκωνunjustA1B GPN · ἄδικοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἄδικος: meaning 'unjust'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
καὶandC · καίconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
γλώσσηςtongueN1S GSF · γλῶσσαgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationγλῶσσα: meaning 'tongue'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
δολίαςdeceitfulA1A GSF · δόλιοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationδόλιος: meaning 'deceitful'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
3
τί δοθείη σοι καὶ τί προστεθείη σοι πρὸς γλῶσσαν δολίαν
What may be given to you, and what may be added to you, against a deceitful tongue?
The psalm turns toward the deceitful tongue itself and asks what fitting recompense can meet it.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
τίwhat? who?RI ASN · τίςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceτί: meaning 'what? who?'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
δοθείηmay be givenVC APO3S · δίδωμιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: meaning 'may be given'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
σοιto youRP DS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
καὶandC · καίconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίwhat? who?RI ASN · τίςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceτί: meaning 'what? who?'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
προστεθείηmay be addedVE AAO3S · τίθημι + προςverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateτίθημι + προς: meaning 'may be added'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
σοιto youRP DS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
γλῶσσανtongueN1S ASF · γλῶσσαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationγλῶσσα: meaning 'tongue'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
δολίανdeceitfulA1A ASF · δόλιοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationδόλιος: meaning 'deceitful'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
4
τὰ βέλη τοῦ δυνατοῦ ἠκονημένα σὺν τοῖς ἄνθραξιν τοῖς ἐρημικοῖς
The sharpened arrows of the mighty, with desolating coals.
The answer arrives as compressed imagery: deceit deserves keen arrows and burning coals.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βέληarrowsN3E APN · βέλοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationβέλος: meaning 'arrows'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνατοῦpossibleA1 GSM · δυνατόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationδυνατός: meaning 'possible'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἠκονημέναsharpenedVXI XMPAPNA)KONA/Wverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ participial qualificationἠκονημένα: meaning 'sharpened'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
σὺνwithP · σύνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingσὺν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθραξινcoalsN3K DPM · ἄνθραξdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἄνθραξ: meaning 'coals'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρημικοῖςdesolatingA1 DPM · ἐρημικόςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἐρημικός: meaning 'desolating'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
5
οἴμμοι ὅτι ἡ παροικία μου ἐμακρύνθη κατεσκήνωσα μετὰ τῶν σκηνωμάτων Κηδαρ
Alas for me, that my sojourning was prolonged; I camped among the tents of Kedar.
The singer mourns the extension of his alien dwelling and names Kedar as the scene of estrangement.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
οἴμμοιalasI · οἴμμοιadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοἴμμοι: meaning 'alas'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παροικίαsojournN1A NSF · παροικίαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceπαροικία: meaning 'sojourn'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
μουmyRP GS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐμακρύνθηwas far removedVCI API3S · μακρύνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμακρύνω: meaning 'was far removed'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
κατεσκήνωσαdweltVAI AAI1S · σκηνόω + καταverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristσκηνόω + κατα: meaning 'dwelt'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τῶνof theRA GPN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνωμάτωνtentN3M GPN · σκήνωμαgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationσκήνωμα: meaning 'tent'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ΚηδαρKedarN GSF · Κηδαρadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastΚηδαρ: meaning 'Kedar'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
6
πολλὰ παρῴκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου
My soul has sojourned long enough.
The lament is sharpened into a terse complaint that the inner self has endured exile too long.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
πολλὰmuchA1 APN · πολύςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπολύς: meaning 'much'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
παρῴκησενhad dweltVAI AAI3S · οἰκέω + παραverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristοἰκέω + παρα: meaning 'had dwelt'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήsoulN1 NSF · ψυχήnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceψυχή: meaning 'soul'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
μουmyRP GS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
7
μετὰ τῶν μισούντων τὴν εἰρήνην ἤμην εἰρηνικός ὅταν ἐλάλουν αὐτοῖς ἐπολέμουν με δωρεάν
With those who hate peace I was peaceable; whenever I spoke to them, they warred against me without cause.
The closing contrast exposes the moral imbalance: the speaker offers peace, but the hearers respond with gratuitous hostility.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μισούντωνthose hatingV2 · παπγπμ μισέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπγπμ μισέω: meaning 'those hating'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰρήνηνpeaceN1 ASF · εἰρήνηaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationεἰρήνη: meaning 'peace'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἤμηνI wasA1 ASF · ἐμόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἐμός: meaning 'I was'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
εἰρηνικόςpeaceableA1 NSM · εἰρηνικόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: meaning 'peaceable'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ὅτανwheneverD · ὅτανadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: meaning 'whenever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλουνI spokeV2I IAI1S · λαλέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processλαλέω: meaning 'I spoke'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
αὐτοῖςto themRD DPM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐπολέμουνwere fightingV2I IAI3P · πολεμέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processπολεμέω: meaning 'were fighting'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause.
μεmeRP AS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
δωρεάνwithout causeN1A ASF · δωρεάaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationδωρεά: meaning 'without cause'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.