1
ψαλμὸς τῷ Ασαφ ὁ θεὸς ἔστη ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν ἐν μέσῳ δὲ θεοὺς διακρίνει
A psalm for Asaph. God stood in the assembly of gods, and in their midst he judges the gods.
After the superscription, the psalm immediately presents God as the presiding judge who takes his stand within the council in order to render judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ψαλμὸςpsalmN2 NSM · ψαλμόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceψαλμός: meaning 'psalm'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τῷfor theRA DSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑσαφAsaphN DSM · Ασαφadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastΑσαφ: meaning 'Asaph'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodN2 NSM · θεόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἔστηstoodVHI AAI3S · ἵστημιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἵστημι: meaning 'stood'; 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.
συναγωγῇassemblyN1 DSF · συναγωγήdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceσυναγωγή: meaning 'assembly'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
θεῶνof godsN2 GPM · θεόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationθεός: meaning 'of gods'; 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.
μέσῳmidstA1 DSM · μέσοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceμέσος: meaning 'midst'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
δὲandX · δέadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θεοὺςgodsN2 APM · θεόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationθεός: meaning 'gods'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
διακρίνειjudgesV1 PAI3S · κρίνω + διαverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processκρίνω + δια: meaning 'judges'; 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
ἕως πότε κρίνετε ἀδικίαν καὶ πρόσωπα ἁμαρτωλῶν λαμβάνετε διάψαλμα
How long will you judge injustice and accept the persons of sinners? Pause.
God's speech begins with a sharp question that exposes both corrupt verdicts and favoritism toward the wicked.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἕωςuntilC · ἕωςconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: meaning 'until'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πότεwhenX · πότεadverbial or particle element shaping the clause or phrase→ discourse linkage or contrastπότε: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίνετεyou judgeV1 PAI2P · κρίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processκρίνω: meaning 'you judge'; 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.
ἀδικίανinjusticeN1A ASF · ἀδικίαaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationἀδικία: meaning 'injustice'; 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.
πρόσωπαfacesN2N APN · πρόσωπονaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπρόσωπον: meaning 'faces'; 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.
λαμβάνετεyou acceptV1 PAI2P · λαμβάνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processλαμβάνω: meaning 'you accept'; 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.
διάψαλμαpauseN3M NSN · διάψαλμαnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceδιάψαλμα: meaning 'pause'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
3
κρίνατε ὀρφανὸν καὶ πτωχόν ταπεινὸν καὶ πένητα δικαιώσατε
Judge for the orphan and the poor; justify the humble and the needy.
The rebuke pivots into the positive obligations of rule: right judgment must be exercised on behalf of society's vulnerable members.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
κρίνατεjudgeVA AAD2P · κρίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateκρίνω: meaning 'judge'; 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.
ὀρφανὸνorphanA1 ASM · ὀρφανόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationὀρφανός: meaning 'orphan'; 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.
πτωχόνpoorN2 ASM · πτωχόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπτωχός: meaning 'poor'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ταπεινὸνhumbleA1 ASM · ταπεινόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationταπεινός: meaning 'humble'; 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.
πένηταneedyN3T ASM · πένηςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπένης: meaning 'needy'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
δικαιώσατεjustifyVA AAD2P · δικαιόωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateδικαιόω: meaning 'justify'; 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
ἐξέλεσθε πένητα καὶ πτωχόν ἐκ χειρὸς ἁμαρτωλοῦ ῥύσασθε
Rescue the needy and poor; deliver them from the hand of the sinner.
Justice is not merely declarative; it requires active intervention to pull the vulnerable out of the wicked person's grasp.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἐξέλεσθεdeliverVB AMD2P · αἱρέω + ἐκverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateαἱρέω + ἐκ: meaning 'deliver'; 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.
πένηταneedyN3T ASM · πένηςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπένης: meaning 'needy'; 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.
πτωχόνpoorN2 ASM · πτωχόςaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationπτωχός: meaning 'poor'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
χειρὸςhandN3 GSF · χείρgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationχείρ: meaning 'hand'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ἁμαρτωλοῦof the sinnerA1B GSM · ἁμαρτωλόςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἁμαρτωλός: meaning 'of the sinner'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
ῥύσασθεrescueVA AMD2P · ῥύομαιverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateῥύομαι: meaning 'rescue'; 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
οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οὐδὲ συνῆκαν ἐν σκότει διαπορεύονται σαλευθήσονται πάντα τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς
They did not know, nor did they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth will be shaken.
The psalm explains why the commands have been ignored: the rulers move in moral darkness, and their failure destabilizes the ordered world itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
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.
ἔγνωσανthey knewVZI AAI3P · γιγνώσκωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristγιγνώσκω: meaning 'they knew'; 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.
οὐδὲnorC · οὐδέconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνῆκανthey understoodVAI AAI3P · ἵημι + συνverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristἵημι + συν: meaning 'they understood'; 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.
σκότειdarknessN3E DSN · σκότοςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceσκότος: meaning 'darkness'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
διαπορεύονταιthey walk aboutV1 PMI3P · πορεύομαι + διαverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processπορεύομαι + δια: meaning 'they walk about'; 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.
σαλευθήσονταιwill be shakenVC FPI3P · σαλεύωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureσαλεύω: meaning 'will be shaken'; 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.
πάνταallA3 NPN · πᾶςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τὰtheRA NPN · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεμέλιαfoundationsN2N NPN · θεμέλιονnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceθεμέλιον: meaning 'foundations'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
τῆςof theRA GSF · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthN1 GSF · γῆgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
6
ἐγὼ εἶπα θεοί ἐστε καὶ υἱοὶ ὑψίστου πάντες
I said, 'You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.'
God recalls the exalted status once conferred on these rulers, which makes their collapse into injustice even more severe.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἐγὼIRP NS · ἐγώpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as pronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause.
εἶπαsaidVAI AAI1S · εἶπονverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ constative aoristεἶπον: 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.
θεοίgodsN2 NPM · θεόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'gods'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἐστεyou areV9 PAI2P · εἰμίverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processεἰμί: meaning 'you are'; 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.
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.
ὑψίστουof the Most HighA1 GSM · ὕψιστοςgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationὕψιστος: meaning 'of the Most High'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
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.
7
ὑμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἄνθρωποι ἀποθνῄσκετε καὶ ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀρχόντων πίπτετε
But you die like men, and like one of the rulers you fall.
The conjunction turns the remembered honor into a verdict: despite exalted titles, these rulers will meet the ordinary fate of fallen human authorities.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ὑμεῖςyouRP NP · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: 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.
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.
ὡςlikeC · ὡςconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'like'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄνθρωποιmenN2 NPM · ἄνθρωποςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'men'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
ἀποθνῄσκετεyou dieV1 PAI2P · θνήσκω + ἀποverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processθνήσκω + ἀπο: meaning 'you die'; 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.
ὡςlikeC · ὡςconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'like'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἷςoneA3 NSM · εἷςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ measure or countεἷς: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχόντωνrulersN3 GPM · ἄρχωνgenitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality→ relational specificationἄρχων: meaning 'rulers'; it serves as genitive nominal element defining relation, possession, source, or quality.
πίπτετεyou fallV1 PAI2P · πίπτωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ ongoing verbal processπίπτω: meaning 'you fall'; 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
ἀνάστα ὁ θεός κρῖνον τὴν γῆν ὅτι σὺ κατακληρονομήσεις ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν
Rise up, O God; judge the earth, for you will inherit among all the nations.
The psalm answers failed human rule by calling on God to act directly as universal judge and heir of every nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἀνάσταrise upVH AAD2S · ἵστημι + ἀναverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateἵστημι + ἀνα: meaning 'rise 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.
ὁORA NSM · ὁarticle marking the following noun phrase→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodN2 NSM · θεόςnominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative element functioning as subject, predicate, or apposition.
κρῖνονjudgeVA AAD2S · κρίνωverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ verbal action or stateκρίνω: meaning 'judge'; 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.
γῆνearthN1 ASF · γῆaccusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal→ object specificationγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as accusative element functioning as object, extent, or goal.
ὅτιforC · ὅτιconnective or conjunction linking the clause to its context→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouRP NS · σύpronominal form marking person, reference, or participant role within the clause→ participant referenceσὺ: 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.
κατακληρονομήσειςwill inheritVF FAI2S · κληρονομέω + καταverbal form carrying the action, process, or state of the clause→ futureκληρονομέω + κατα: meaning 'will inherit'; 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.
ἐνamongP · ἐνpreposition governing its complement phrase→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing its complement phrase.
πᾶσινallA3 DPN · πᾶςdative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as dative nominal element marking relation, instrument, sphere, or recipient.
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.