1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου εἰς τὰ ὄρη πόθεν ἥξει ἡ βοήθειά μου
A Song of Ascents. I lifted up my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come?
The ascent begins with lifted eyes and an urgent question about the true source of help.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 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.
ἦραI raisedVAI AAI1S · αἴρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristαἴρω: meaning 'I raised'; 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.
τοὺςtheRA APM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμούςeyeN2 APM · ὀφθαλμόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: meaning 'eye'; 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.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρηmountainsN3E APN · ὄροςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationὄρος: meaning 'mountains'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
πόθενwhere fromD · πόθενadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastπόθεν: meaning 'where from'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἥξειcome / arriveVF FAI3S · ἥκωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureἥκω: meaning 'come'; 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.
βοήθειάhelpN1A NSF · βοήθειαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceβοήθεια: meaning 'help'; 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.
2
ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ κυρίου τοῦ ποιήσαντος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν
My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The answer grounds confidence in the Lord's identity as maker of the whole ordered world.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοήθειάhelpN1A NSF · βοήθειαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceβοήθεια: meaning 'help'; 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.
παρὰbesideP · παράpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'beside'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
κυρίουκύριοςN2 GSM · κύριοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationκύριος: meaning 'κύριος'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιήσαντοςthe one who madeVA · ααπγσμ ποιέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateααπγσμ ποιέω: meaning 'the one who made'; 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.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸνheavenN2 ASM · οὐρανόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationοὐρανός: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandN1 ASF · γῆaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationγῆ: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
3
μὴ δῷς εἰς σάλον τὸν πόδα σου μηδὲ νυστάξῃ ὁ φυλάσσων σε
May he not give your foot over to shaking, nor may the one who keeps you slumber.
The psalm briefly voices a wish that the pilgrim neither slip nor be neglected by a drowsy guardian.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
μὴnotD · μήadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δῷςyou giveVO AAS2S · δίδωμιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyδίδωμι: meaning 'you give'; 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.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
σάλονshakingN2 ASM · σάλοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationσάλος: meaning 'shaking'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαfootN3D ASM · πούςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπούς: meaning 'foot'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
μηδὲnorC · μηδέconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastμηδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυστάξῃmay ... slumberVA AAS3S · νυστάζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyνυστάζω: meaning 'may ... slumber'; 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.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλάσσωνguard / preserveV1 · παπνσμ φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνσμ φυλάσσω: meaning 'guard'; 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.
σεyouRP AS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσε: meaning '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.
4
ἰδοὺ οὐ νυστάξει οὐδὲ ὑπνώσει ὁ φυλάσσων τὸν Ισραηλ
Behold, the one who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The prayer resolves into assurance: Israel's keeper is vigilant without lapse.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἰδοὺἰδούI · ἰδούadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'ἰδού'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotD · οὐadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυστάξειwill slumberVF FAI3S · νυστάζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureνυστάζω: meaning 'will slumber'; 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.
οὐδὲnorC · οὐδέconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπνώσειwill sleepVF FAI3S · ὑπνόωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureὑπνόω: meaning 'will sleep'; 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.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλάσσωνguard / preserveV1 · παπνσμ φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνσμ φυλάσσω: meaning 'guard'; 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.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelN ASM · Ἰσραήλadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastΙσραηλ: meaning 'Israel'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
5
κύριος φυλάξει σε κύριος σκέπη σου ἐπὶ χεῖρα δεξιάν σου
The Lord will keep you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand.
Protection becomes intimate and immediate as the Lord stands close at hand as shade and cover.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
κύριοςLordN2 NSM · κύριοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
φυλάξειwill guardVF FAI3S · φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureφυλάσσω: meaning 'will guard'; 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.
σεyouRP AS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσε: meaning '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.
κύριοςLordN2 NSM · κύριοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
σκέπηshelterN1 NSF · σκέπηςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceσκέπης: meaning 'shelter'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐπὶoverP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χεῖραhandN3 ASF · χείρaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationχείρ: meaning 'hand'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
δεξιάνright handA1A ASF · δεξιόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationδεξιός: meaning 'right hand'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
6
ἡμέρας ὁ ἥλιος οὐ συγκαύσει σε οὐδὲ ἡ σελήνη τὴν νύκτα
By day the sun will not scorch you, nor the moon by night.
Daylight heat and night danger are both named only to be denied power over the guarded one.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἡμέραςdayN1A GSF · ἡμέραgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥλιοςsunN2 NSM · ἥλιοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἥλιος: meaning 'sun'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
οὐnotD · οὐadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συγκαύσειwill scorchVF FAI3S · καίω + συνverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureκαίω + συν: meaning 'will scorch'; 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.
σεyouRP AS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσε: meaning '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.
οὐδὲnorC · οὐδέconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; 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.
σελήνηmoonN1 NSF · σελήνηnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceσελήνη: meaning 'moon'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightN3 ASF · νύξaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationνύξ: meaning 'night'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
7
κύριος φυλάξει σε ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ φυλάξει τὴν ψυχήν σου
The Lord will keep you from every evil; he will keep your soul.
The promise widens from environmental threats to every evil and to the safeguarding of life itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
κύριοςLordN2 NSM · κύριοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
φυλάξειwill guardVF FAI3S · φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureφυλάσσω: meaning 'will guard'; 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.
σεyouRP AS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσε: meaning '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.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
παντὸςallA3 GSM · πᾶςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
κακοῦevilA1 GSM · κακόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationκακός: meaning 'evil'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
φυλάξειwill guardVF FAI3S · φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureφυλάσσω: meaning 'will guard'; 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.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
8
κύριος φυλάξει τὴν εἴσοδόν σου καὶ τὴν ἔξοδόν σου ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from now and unto the age.
The psalm closes by placing every departure and return under the Lord's enduring care.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
κύριοςLordN2 NSM · κύριοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
φυλάξειwill guardVF FAI3S · φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureφυλάσσω: meaning 'will guard'; 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.
εἴσοδόνcoming inN2 ASF · εἴσοδοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationεἴσοδος: meaning 'coming in'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; 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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔξοδόνgoing outN2 ASF · ἔξοδοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἔξοδος: meaning 'going out'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
σουyourRP GS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; 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.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νῦνnowD · νῦνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastνῦν: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
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.
ἕωςuntilP · ἕωςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰῶνοςage / foreverN3W GSM · αἰώνgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationαἰών: meaning 'age'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.