1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν πρὸς σὲ ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου τὸν κατοικοῦντα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ
A Song of Ascents. To you I lifted up my eyes, to you who dwell in heaven.
The community's posture is established at once: eyes lifted toward the heavenly Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 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.
σὲyouRP AS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσὲ: 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.
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.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦνταdwellingV2 · παπασμ οἰκέω + καταverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπασμ οἰκέω + κατα: meaning 'dwelling'; 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.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τῷfor theRA DSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανῷheavenN2 DSM · οὐρανόςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceοὐρανός: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
2
ἰδοὺ ὡς ὀφθαλμοὶ δούλων εἰς χεῖρας τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν ὡς ὀφθαλμοὶ παιδίσκης εἰς χεῖρας τῆς κυρίας αὐτῆς οὕτως οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν πρὸς κύριον τὸν θεὸν ἡμῶν ἕως οὗ οἰκτιρήσαι ἡμᾶς
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until he has mercy on us.
A sustained simile makes waiting itself the act of faith, with all expectation fixed on the Lord's merciful hand.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 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.
ὡςwhenC · ὡςconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyeN2 NPM · ὀφθαλμόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: meaning 'eye'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
δούλωνservantsN2 GPM · δοῦλοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationδοῦλος: meaning 'servants'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χεῖραςhandsN3 APF · χείρaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationχείρ: meaning 'hands'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίωνLordN2 GPM · κύριοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
αὐτῶνthemRP GPM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning '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.
ὡςwhenC · ὡςconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyeN2 NPM · ὀφθαλμόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: meaning 'eye'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
παιδίσκηςmaidservantN1 GSF · παιδίσκηgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationπαιδίσκη: meaning 'maidservant'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χεῖραςhandsN3 APF · χείρaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationχείρ: meaning 'hands'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
τῆςtheRA GSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίαςmistressN1A GSF · κυρίαgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationκυρία: meaning 'mistress'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
αὐτῆςherRP GSF · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
οὕτωςthusD · οὕτωςadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyeN2 NPM · ὀφθαλμόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: meaning 'eye'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἡμῶνourRP GP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; 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.
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.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodN2 ASM · θεόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἡμῶνourRP GP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἕωςuntilP · ἕωςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
οὗwhereRR GSM · ὅςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
οἰκτιρήσαιhas mercyVA AAS3S · οἰκτείρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyοἰκτείρω: meaning 'has mercy'; 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.
ἡμᾶςusRP AP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
3
ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς κύριε ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς ὅτι ἐπὶ πολὺ ἐπλήσθημεν ἐξουδενώσεως
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have been filled exceedingly with contempt.
The prayer interrupts the simile directly, doubling the plea because contempt has become overwhelming.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐλέησονhave mercyVA AAD2S · ἐλεέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateἐλεέω: meaning 'have mercy'; 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.
ἡμᾶςusRP AP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
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.
ἐλέησονhave mercyVA AAD2S · ἐλεέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateἐλεέω: meaning 'have mercy'; 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.
ἡμᾶςusRP AP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
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.
ἐπὶoverP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πολὺmuchA1P ASN · πολύςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπολύς: meaning 'much'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἐπλήσθημενwe were filledVSI API1P · πίμπλημιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristπίμπλημι: meaning 'we were filled'; 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.
ἐξουδενώσεωςof contemptN3I GSF · ἐξουδένωσιςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἐξουδένωσις: meaning 'of contempt'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
4
ἐπὶ πλεῖον ἐπλήσθη ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν τὸ ὄνειδος τοῖς εὐθηνοῦσιν καὶ ἡ ἐξουδένωσις τοῖς ὑπερηφάνοις
Even more has our soul been filled with the reproach of those at ease and the contempt of the proud.
The closing line identifies the source of humiliation as the easy contempt of the prosperous and arrogant.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐπὶoverP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πλεῖονmoreA3C ASN · πολύςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπολύς: meaning 'more'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἐπλήσθηwas fulfilledVSI API3S · πίμπλημιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristπίμπλημι: meaning 'was fulfilled'; 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.
ψυχὴsoulN1 NSF · ψυχήnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceψυχή: meaning 'soul'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἡμῶνourRP GP · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνειδοςa reproachN3E ASN · ὄνειδοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationὄνειδος: meaning 'a reproach'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐθηνοῦσινprosperV2 PAI3P · εὐθηνέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processεὐθηνέω: meaning 'prosper'; 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.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξουδένωσιςcontemptN3I NSF · ἐξουδένωσιςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἐξουδένωσις: meaning 'contempt'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπερηφάνοιςthe proudA1B DPM · ὑπερήφανοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceὑπερήφανος: meaning 'the proud'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.