1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιων ἐγενήθημεν ὡς παρακεκλημένοι
A Song of Ascents. When the Lord turned back the captivity of Zion, we became like those who are comforted.
The psalm begins with a remembered reversal so sudden that the restored community feels newly consoled.
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.
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.
ἐπιστρέψαιepiVA AAN · στρέφω + ἐπιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementστρέφω + ἐπι: meaning 'epi'; 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.
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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰχμαλωσίαναἰχμαλωσίαN1A ASF · αἰχμαλωσίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationαἰχμαλωσία: meaning 'αἰχμαλωσία'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ΣιωνZionN GSF · Σιωνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastΣιων: meaning 'Zion'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθημενwe becameVCI API1P · γίγνομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristγίγνομαι: meaning 'we became'; 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.
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.
παρακεκλημένοιcomfortedVM · χμπνπμ καλέω + παραverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateχμπνπμ καλέω + παρα: meaning 'comforted'; 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.
2
τότε ἐπλήσθη χαρᾶς τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα ἡμῶν ἀγαλλιάσεως τότε ἐροῦσιν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐμεγάλυνεν κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μετ' αὐτῶν
Then our mouth was filled with joy and our tongue with exultation; then they will say among the nations, “The Lord magnified himself to deal with them.”
Israel's restored laughter becomes public testimony that even the nations can voice.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
τότεthenD · τότεadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastτότε: meaning 'then'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
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.
χαρᾶςjoyN1A GSF · χαράgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationχαρά: meaning 'joy'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
τὸtheRA NSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthN3M NSN · στόμαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceστόμα: meaning 'mouth'; 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.
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.
γλῶσσαtongueN1S NSF · γλῶσσαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceγλῶσσα: meaning 'tongue'; 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.
ἀγαλλιάσεωςof exultationN3I GSF · ἀγαλλίασιςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἀγαλλίασις: meaning 'of exultation'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
τότεthenD · τότεadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastτότε: meaning 'then'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐροῦσινsaidVF2 FAI3P · εἶπονverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureεἶπον: meaning 'said'; 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.
τοῖςtheRA DPN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsN3E DPN · ἔθνοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: meaning 'nations'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
ἐμεγάλυνενgrowing greatVAI AAI3S · μεγαλύνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμεγαλύνω: meaning 'growing great'; 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.
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.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιῆσαιgrantVA AAN · ποιέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementποιέω: meaning 'grant'; 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.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingμετ': meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
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.
3
ἐμεγάλυνεν κύριος τοῦ ποιῆσαι μεθ' ἡμῶν ἐγενήθημεν εὐφραινόμενοι
The Lord magnified himself to deal with us; we became glad.
The nations' report is claimed as Israel's own confession of joy.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἐμεγάλυνενgrowing greatVAI AAI3S · μεγαλύνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμεγαλύνω: meaning 'growing great'; 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.
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.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιῆσαιgrantVA AAN · ποιέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementποιέω: meaning 'grant'; 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.
μεθ'with / afterP · μετάpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingμεθ': meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
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.
ἐγενήθημενwe becameVCI API1P · γίγνομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristγίγνομαι: meaning 'we became'; 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.
εὐφραινόμενοιrejoicingV1 · πμπνπμ εὐφραίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπμπνπμ εὐφραίνω: meaning 'rejoicing'; 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.
4
ἐπίστρεψον κύριε τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν ἡμῶν ὡς χειμάρρους ἐν τῷ νότῳ
Turn back, O Lord, our captivity, like winter torrents in the south.
Memory gives way to petition as the community asks for a fresh, rushing reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐπίστρεψονturned backVA AAD2S · στρέφω + ἐπιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateστρέφω + ἐπι: meaning 'turned back'; 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.
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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰχμαλωσίαναἰχμαλωσίαN1A ASF · αἰχμαλωσίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationαἰχμαλωσία: meaning 'αἰχμαλωσία'; 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.
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.
χειμάρρουςwadiN2 APM · χειμάρρουςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationχειμάρρους: meaning 'wadi'; 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.
τῷfor theRA DSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νότῳsouthN2 DSM · νότοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceνότος: meaning 'south'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
5
οἱ σπείροντες ἐν δάκρυσιν ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει θεριοῦσιν
Those who sow in tears will reap with exultation.
A compact agricultural proverb ties present grief to future joy.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπείροντεςscatteringV1 · παπνπμ σπείρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ σπείρω: meaning 'scattering'; 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.
δάκρυσινtearsN3 DPN · δάκρυdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceδάκρυ: meaning 'tears'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
ἀγαλλιάσειwith exultationN3I DSF · ἀγαλλίασιςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἀγαλλίασις: meaning 'with exultation'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
θεριοῦσινwill reapVF2 FAI3P · θερίζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureθερίζω: meaning 'will reap'; 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.
6
πορευόμενοι ἐπορεύοντο καὶ ἔκλαιον αἴροντες τὰ σπέρματα αὐτῶν ἐρχόμενοι δὲ ἥξουσιν ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει αἴροντες τὰ δράγματα αὐτῶν
They went out and went on weeping, carrying their seed; but they shall surely come in exultation, carrying their sheaves.
The proverb expands into a full movement from tearful sowing to jubilant return with harvest.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πορευόμενοιwalkingV1 · πμπνπμ πορεύομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπμπνπμ πορεύομαι: meaning 'walking'; 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.
ἐπορεύοντοthey had walkedV1I IMI3P · πορεύομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processπορεύομαι: meaning 'they had walked'; 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.
ἔκλαιονwere weepingV1I IAI3P · κλαίωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processκλαίω: meaning 'were weeping'; 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.
αἴροντεςbearingV1 · παπνπμ αἴρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ αἴρω: meaning 'bearing'; 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.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρματαseedsN3M APN · σπέρμαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationσπέρμα: meaning 'seeds'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
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.
ἐρχόμενοιcome / goV1 · πμπνπμ ἔρχομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπμπνπμ ἔρχομαι: 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.
δὲbutX · δέadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἥξουσινcome / arriveVF FAI3P · 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.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
ἀγαλλιάσειἀγαλλιάομαιVF FAI3S · ἀγαλλιάομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureἀγαλλιάομαι: meaning 'ἀγαλλιάομαι'; 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.
αἴροντεςbearingV1 · παπνπμ αἴρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ αἴρω: meaning 'bearing'; 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.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δράγματαsheafN3M APN · δράγμαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationδράγμα: meaning 'sheaf'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
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.