1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν πλεονάκις ἐπολέμησάν με ἐκ νεότητός μου εἰπάτω δὴ Ισραηλ
A Song of Ascents. “Many times they fought against me from my youth,” let Israel now say.
Israel is invited to give voice to a long history of repeated aggression.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 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.
πλεονάκιςoftenD · πλεονάκιςadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastπλεονάκις: meaning 'often'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπολέμησάνfightVAI AAI3P · πολεμέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristπολεμέω: meaning 'fight'; 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.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
νεότητόςyouthN3T GSF · νεότηςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationνεότης: meaning 'youth'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
εἰπάτωlet him tellVB AAD3S · εἶπονverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateεἶπον: meaning 'let him tell'; 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.
δὴnow / indeedX · δήadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastδὴ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσραηλIsraelN NSM · 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.
2
πλεονάκις ἐπολέμησάν με ἐκ νεότητός μου καὶ γὰρ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησάν μοι
“Many times they fought against me from my youth, yet indeed they were not able against me.”
The community’s memory includes both frequency of attack and the enemy’s failure to prevail.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
πλεονάκιςoftenD · πλεονάκιςadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastπλεονάκις: meaning 'often'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπολέμησάνfightVAI AAI3P · πολεμέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristπολεμέω: meaning 'fight'; 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.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
νεότητόςyouthN3T GSF · νεότηςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationνεότης: meaning 'youth'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
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.
γὰρforX · γάρadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotD · οὐadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠδυνήθησάνthey were not ableVCI API3P · ἀδυνατέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἀδυνατέω: meaning 'they were not able'; 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.
μοιfrom meRP DS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'from 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.
3
ἐπὶ τοῦ νώτου μου ἐτέκταινον οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί ἐμάκρυναν τὴν ἀνομίαν αὐτῶν
Upon my back the sinners were building; they lengthened their lawlessness.
Oppression is pictured as laboring furrows into a human back, making suffering bodily and prolonged.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 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.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νώτουnotonN2N GSN · νῶτονgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationνῶτον: meaning 'noton'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
ἐτέκταινονwere buildingV1I IAI3P · τεκταίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processτεκταίνω: meaning 'were 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.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτωλοίἁμαρτωλόςA1B NPM · ἁμαρτωλόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἁμαρτωλός: meaning 'ἁμαρτωλός'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἐμάκρυνανthey lengthenedVAI AAI3P · μακρύνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμακρύνω: meaning 'they lengthened'; 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.
ἀνομίανiniquitiesN1A ASF · ἀνομίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἀνομία: meaning 'iniquities'; 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.
4
κύριος δίκαιος συνέκοψεν αὐχένας ἁμαρτωλῶν
The Lord is righteous; he cut through the necks of sinners.
A brief confession declares that the righteous Lord broke the power of the oppressors.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 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.
δίκαιοςrighteousA1A NSM · δίκαιοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceδίκαιος: meaning 'righteous'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
συνέκοψενcut throughVAI AAI3S · κόπτω + συνverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristκόπτω + συν: meaning 'cut through'; 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.
αὐχέναςnecksN3 APF · αὐχήνaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationαὐχήν: meaning 'necks'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἁμαρτωλῶνof sinnersA1B GPM · ἁμαρτωλόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἁμαρτωλός: meaning 'of sinners'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
5
αἰσχυνθήτωσαν καὶ ἀποστραφήτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω πάντες οἱ μισοῦντες Σιων
Let all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward.
The psalm now prays that hostility to Zion recoil upon itself in shame.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
αἰσχυνθήτωσανlet them be put to shameVC APD3P · αἰσχύνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateαἰσχύνω: meaning 'let them be put to shame'; 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.
ἀποστραφήτωσανlet them be turned backVD APD3P · στρέφω + ἀποverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateστρέφω + ἀπο: meaning 'let them be 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.
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.
ὀπίσωafter / behindP · ὀπίσωpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πάντεςallA3 NPM · πᾶςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μισοῦντεςthose hatingV2 · παπνπμ μισέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ 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.
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.
6
γενηθήτωσαν ὡς χόρτος δωμάτων ὃς πρὸ τοῦ ἐκσπασθῆναι ἐξηράνθη
Let them become like grass of the housetops, which dried up before being pulled out,
The enemy’s future is compared to shallow grass that springs up fast and vanishes faster.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
γενηθήτωσανlet them becomeVC APD3P · γίγνομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateγίγνομαι: meaning 'let them become'; 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.
χόρτοςgrassN2 NSM · χόρτοςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceχόρτος: meaning 'grass'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
δωμάτωνroofN3M GPN · δῶμαgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationδῶμα: meaning 'roof'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
πρὸbeforeP · πρόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπρὸ: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκσπασθῆναιto be torn awayVS APN · σπάω + ἐκverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ infinitival complementσπάω + ἐκ: meaning 'to be torn away'; 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.
ἐξηράνθηdried upVCI API3S · ξηραίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristξηραίνω: meaning 'dried up'; 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.
7
οὗ οὐκ ἐπλήρωσεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ὁ θερίζων καὶ τὸν κόλπον αὐτοῦ ὁ τὰ δράγματα συλλέγων
with which the reaper did not fill his hand, nor the gatherer of sheaves his bosom,
The rooftop grass image is extended to a failed harvest that yields nothing worth collecting.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
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.
οὐκnotD · οὐadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπλήρωσενfulfilledVAI AAI3S · πληρόωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristπληρόω: meaning '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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun 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.
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.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θερίζωνreapingV1 · παπνσμ θερίζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνσμ θερίζω: meaning 'reaping'; 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.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κόλπονbosomN2 ASM · κόλποςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationκόλπος: meaning 'bosom'; 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.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
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.
συλλέγωνgatheringV1 · παπνσμ λέγω + συνverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνσμ λέγω + συν: meaning 'gathering'; 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.
8
καὶ οὐκ εἶπαν οἱ παράγοντες εὐλογία κυρίου ἐφ' ὑμᾶς εὐλογήκαμεν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου
and the passersby did not say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.”
The close withholds even the customary spoken blessing, marking the enemies as barren and unhonored.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
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.
οὐκnotD · οὐadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidVAI AAI3P · εἶπονverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristεἶπον: meaning 'they 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.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παράγοντεςpassing byV1 · παπνπμ ἄγω + παραverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπνπμ ἄγω + παρα: meaning 'passing by'; 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.
εὐλογίαblessingN1A NSF · εὐλογίαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceεὐλογία: meaning 'blessing'; 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.
ἐφ'uponP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐφ': meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
ὑμᾶςyouRP AP · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: 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.
εὐλογήκαμενblessedVX XAI1P · εὐλογέωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateεὐλογέω: meaning 'blessed'; 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.
ὑμᾶςyouRP AP · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: 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.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
ὀνόματιnameN3M DSN · ὄνομαdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
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.