1
ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σε κύριε
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cried out to you, O Lord.
The psalm begins with a condensed but urgent appeal rising from the depths to the Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 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.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
βαθέωνdepthsA3U GPM · βαθύςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationβαθύς: meaning 'depths'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἐκέκραξάI cried outVAI AAI1S · κράζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristκράζω: meaning 'I cried 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.
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.
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.
2
κύριε εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου
O Lord, hear my voice; let your ears become attentive to the voice of my supplication.
The speaker asks not only to be heard, but to have the Lord’s full attention turned toward the plea.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
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.
εἰσάκουσονlisten toVA AAD2S · ἀκούω + εἰςverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateἀκούω + εἰς: meaning 'listen to'; 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.
τῆςtheRA GSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceN1 GSF · φωνήgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationφωνή: meaning 'voice'; 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.
γενηθήτωbecome / happenVC APD3S · γίγνομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateγίγνομαι: meaning '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.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦτάearN3T APN · οὖςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationοὖς: meaning 'ear'; 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.
προσέχονταattendingV1 · παπαπν ἔχω + προςverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateπαπαπν ἔχω + προς: meaning 'attending'; 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.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνvoiceN1 ASF · φωνήaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationφωνή: meaning 'voice'; 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.
δεήσεώςpetitionN3I GSF · δέησιςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationδέησις: meaning 'petition'; 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.
3
ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃ κύριε κύριε τίς ὑποστήσεται
If you should mark lawless deeds, O Lord, O Lord, who will stand?
The prayer confronts the impossibility of surviving if the Lord keeps account of sins.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
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.
ἀνομίαςlawlessnessN1A APF · ἀνομίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἀνομία: meaning 'lawlessness'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
παρατηρήσῃshould markVA AMS2S · τηρέω + παραverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ subjunctive contingencyτηρέω + παρα: meaning 'should mark'; 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.
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.
τίςwho / whatRI NSM · τίςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceτίς: 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.
ὑποστήσεταιὑποVF FMI3S · ἵστημι + ὑποverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureἵστημι + ὑπο: meaning 'ὑπο'; 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
ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν
For with you there is atonement.
The turning point is concise: the Lord’s presence includes pardon rather than scrutiny alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
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.
παρὰbesideP · παράpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'beside'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
σοὶyouRP DS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestσοὶ: 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.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱλασμόςatonementN2 NSM · ἱλασμόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἱλασμός: meaning 'atonement'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
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.
5
ἕνεκεν τοῦ νόμου σου ὑπέμεινά σε κύριε ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου
For the sake of your law I waited for you, O Lord; my soul waited for your word.
Forgiveness gives rise to endurance, so the soul learns to wait on God’s promised word.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofP · ἕνεκενpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν: meaning 'for the sake of'; 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.
νόμουlawN2 GSM · νόμοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationνόμος: meaning 'law'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
ὑπέμεινάI waited forVAI AAI1S · μένω + ὑποverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμένω + ὑπο: meaning 'I waited for'; 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.
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.
ὑπέμεινενenduredVAI AAI3S · μένω + ὑποverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristμένω + ὑπο: meaning 'endured'; 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.
ψυχήsoulN1 NSF · ψυχήnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceψυχή: meaning 'soul'; 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.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγονλόγοςN2 ASM · λόγοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationλόγος: meaning 'λόγος'; 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
ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωίας μέχρι νυκτός ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωίας ἐλπισάτω Ισραηλ ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον
My soul hoped in the Lord; from the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
The psalm stretches one watcher’s hope across the long night and then extends that waiting to Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἤλπισενhe hopedVAI AAI3S · ἐλπίζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἐλπίζω: meaning 'he hoped'; 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.
ψυχήsoulN1 NSF · ψυχήnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceψυχή: meaning 'soul'; 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.
ἐπὶoverP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun 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.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
φυλακῆςprisonN1 GSF · φυλακήgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationφυλακή: meaning 'prison'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
πρωίαςmorning watchN1A GSF · πρωί̈αgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationπρωί̈α: meaning 'morning watch'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
μέχριuntilP · μέχριpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingμέχρι: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
νυκτόςnightN3 GSF · νύξgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationνύξ: meaning 'night'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
φυλακῆςprisonN1 GSF · φυλακήgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationφυλακή: meaning 'prison'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
πρωίαςmorning watchN1A GSF · πρωί̈αgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationπρωί̈α: meaning 'morning watch'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἐλπισάτωlet ... hopeVA AAD3S · ἐλπίζωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateἐλπίζω: meaning 'let ... hope'; 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.
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.
ἐπὶoverP · ἐπίpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun 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.
7
ὅτι παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρ' αὐτῷ λύτρωσις
For with the Lord is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.
Hope is justified by the Lord’s own character: mercy and plentiful release belong with him.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
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.
παρὰbesideP · παράpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'beside'; 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.
κυρίῳLordN2 DSM · κύριοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος: meaning 'Lord'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔλεοςmercyN3E ASN · ἔλεοςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἔλεος: meaning 'mercy'; 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.
πολλὴgreatA1 NSF · πολύςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceπολύς: meaning 'great'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
παρ'withP · παράpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingπαρ': meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
αὐτῷfor himselfRP DSM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
λύτρωσιςredemptionN3I NSF · λύτρωσιςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceλύτρωσις: meaning 'redemption'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
8
καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ισραηλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ
And he himself will redeem Israel from all his lawless deeds.
The psalm ends with confidence that the Lord will act comprehensively against Israel’s sins.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 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.
αὐτὸςhe himselfRP NSM · αὐτόςpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
λυτρώσεταιshall redeemVF FMI3S · λυτρόωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureλυτρόω: meaning 'shall redeem'; 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.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πασῶνallA1S GPF · 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.
τῶνtheRA GPF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνομιῶνlawless deedsN1A GPF · ἀνομίαgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἀνομία: meaning 'lawless deeds'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.