1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν τῷ Σαλωμων ἐὰν μὴ κύριος οἰκοδομήσῃ οἶκον εἰς μάτην ἐκοπίασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες αὐτόν ἐὰν μὴ κύριος φυλάξῃ πόλιν εἰς μάτην ἠγρύπνησεν ὁ φυλάσσων
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labored in vain; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman kept awake in vain.
House-building and city-guarding are both declared futile when severed from the Lord's agency.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 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.
τῷfor theRA DSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαλωμωνSalomonN DSM · Σαλωμώνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastΣαλωμων: meaning 'Salomon'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐὰνifC · ἐάνconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
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.
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.
οἰκοδομήσῃbuildsVA AAS3S · οἰκοδομέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyοἰκοδομέω: meaning 'builds'; 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.
οἶκονhouse / householdN2 ASM · οἶκοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationοἶκος: meaning 'house'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
μάτηνin vainD · μάτηνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastμάτην: meaning 'in vain'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκοπίασανgrow wearyVAI AAI3P · κοπιάωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristκοπιάω: meaning 'grow weary'; 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.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκοδομοῦντεςbuildingV2 · παπνπμ οἰκοδομέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ οἰκοδομέω: meaning 'building'; 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.
αὐτόνitRP ASM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐὰνifC · ἐάνconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
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.
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.
φυλάξῃguardsVA AAS3S · φυλάσσωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyφυλάσσω: meaning 'guards'; 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.
πόλινcityN3I ASF · πόλιςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπόλις: meaning 'city'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
μάτηνin vainD · μάτηνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastμάτην: meaning 'in vain'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠγρύπνησενkept watchVAI AAI3S · ἀγρυπνέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἀγρυπνέω: meaning 'kept watch'; 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.
2
εἰς μάτην ὑμῖν ἐστιν τοῦ ὀρθρίζειν ἐγείρεσθαι μετὰ τὸ καθῆσθαι οἱ ἔσθοντες ἄρτον ὀδύνης ὅταν δῷ τοῖς ἀγαπητοῖς αὐτοῦ ὕπνον
It is in vain for you to rise early, to get up after sitting down, you who eat the bread of pain, when he gives sleep to his beloved.
The psalm rebukes exhausting self-reliance and contrasts it with the rest God grants.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
μάτηνin vainD · μάτηνadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastμάτην: meaning 'in vain'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑμῖνwith youRP DP · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'with 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.
ἐστινisV9 PAI3S · εἰμίverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processεἰμί: meaning 'is'; 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.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρθρίζεινto rise earlyV1 PAN · ὀρθρίζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementὀρθρίζω: meaning 'to rise early'; 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.
ἐγείρεσθαιto riseV1 PMN · ἐγείρωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementἐγείρω: meaning 'to rise'; 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.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καθῆσθαιto sit downV5 PMN · ἧμαι + καταverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementἧμαι + κατα: meaning 'to sit down'; 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.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔσθοντεςesthontesV1 · παπνπμ ἐσθίωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ ἐσθίω: meaning 'esthontes'; 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.
ἄρτονbreadN2 ASM · ἄρτοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἄρτος: meaning 'bread'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ὀδύνηςgriefN1 GSF · ὀδύνηgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationὀδύνη: meaning 'grief'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
δῷhe giveVO AAS3S · δίδωμιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyδίδωμι: meaning 'he 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.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαπητοῖςbelovedA1 DPM · ἀγαπητόςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἀγαπητός: meaning 'beloved'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
αὐτοῦhisRP GSM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ὕπνονsleepN2 ASM · ὕπνοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationὕπνος: meaning 'sleep'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
3
ἰδοὺ ἡ κληρονομία κυρίου υἱοί ὁ μισθὸς τοῦ καρποῦ τῆς γαστρός
Behold, sons are the inheritance of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb.
The argument shifts from frustrated labor to the received gift of offspring.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 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.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κληρονομίαinheritanceN1A NSF · κληρονομίαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceκληρονομία: meaning 'inheritance'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
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.
υἱοίsonN2 NPM · υἱόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceυἱός: meaning 'son'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μισθὸςrewardN2 NSM · μισθόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceμισθός: meaning 'reward'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρποῦfruitN2 GSM · καρπόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationκαρπός: meaning 'fruit'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
τῆςtheRA GSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γαστρόςwombN3 GSF · γαστήρgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationγαστήρ: meaning 'womb'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
4
ὡσεὶ βέλη ἐν χειρὶ δυνατοῦ οὕτως οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἐκτετιναγμένων
Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of the cast-out.
The comparison presents sons as sources of strength and readiness in a threatening world.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὡσεὶlikeX · ὡσείadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεὶ: meaning 'like'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
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.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χειρὶwith handN3 DSF · χείρdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceχείρ: meaning 'with hand'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
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.
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.
υἱοὶsonsN2 NPM · υἱόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceυἱός: meaning 'sons'; 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.
ἐκτετιναγμένωνof the cast-outVK · χππγπμ τινάσσω + ἐκverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateχππγπμ τινάσσω + ἐκ: meaning 'of the cast-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.
5
μακάριος ἄνθρωπος ὃς πληρώσει τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν αὐτοῦ ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ καταισχυνθήσονται ὅταν λαλῶσι τοῖς ἐχθροῖς αὐτῶν ἐν πύλῃ
Blessed is the man who will fulfill his desire from them; they shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
A full household yields honor and resilience in the place of civic contest and judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
μακάριοςblessedA1A NSM · μακάριοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceμακάριος: meaning 'blessed'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἄνθρωποςman / human beingN2 NSM · ἄνθρωποςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ὃςwhoRR NSM · ὅςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceὃς: meaning '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.
πληρώσειwill fillVF FAI3S · πληρόωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureπληρόω: meaning 'will fill'; 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.
ἐπιθυμίανdesireN1A ASF · ἐπιθυμίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἐπιθυμία: meaning 'desire'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
αὐτοῦhisRP GSM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
ἐξfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; 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.
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.
καταισχυνθήσονταιthey will be ashamedVC FPI3P · αἰσχύνω + καταverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureαἰσχύνω + κατα: meaning 'they will be ashamed'; 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.
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.
λαλῶσιλαλέωV2 PAS3P · λαλέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyλαλέω: meaning 'λαλέω'; 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.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροῖςenemiesN2 DPM · ἐχθρόςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceἐχθρός: meaning 'enemies'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
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.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πύλῃgateN1 DSF · πύληdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceπύλη: meaning 'gate'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.