Showing posts with label Psalm 119. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 119. Show all posts

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 22 Grammar

תִּקְרַב רִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהוָה
כִּדְבָרְךָ הֲבִינֵנִי 
To your presence let my cry come near יְהוָה
in your word give me understanding
 תָּבוֹא תְּחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ
כְּאִמְרָתְךָ הַצִּילֵנִי
To your presence let my supplication come
in your promise deliver me
תַּבַּעְנָה שְׂפָתַי תְּהִלָּה
כִּי תְלַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ
Tumble will my lips with praise
for you teach me your statutes
תַּעַן לְשׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶךָ
כִּי כָל מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ צֶּדֶק
Testify will my tongue of your promise
for all your commandments are righteous
תְּהִי יָדְךָ לְעָזְרֵנִי
כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ בָחָרְתִּי
There your hand will be to help me
for I have chosen your precepts
תָּאַבְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ יְהוָה
וְתוֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי
To your salvation I have longed to come יְהוָה
and your teaching is my delight
תְּחִי נַפְשִׁי וּתְהַלְלֶךָּ
וּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ יַעְזְרֻנִי
To live let my being and it will praise you
and you will help me from your judgments
תָּעִיתִי כְּשֶׂה אֹבֵד
בַּקֵּשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ
כִּי מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי
Time and again I am straying like a sheep that has perished
seek your servant
for your commandments I do not forget

The 22nd part. And notice how that lost sheep knows what it says. Baaahhh ! And I managed to avoid saying the opposite of what I meant most of the time.

BTW, the blogger editor is full of bugs in the Firefox browser. I have no idea where to report them, but the keyboard and mouse in the WSIWIG component will not allow typing in a null table cell, but it will allow paste and then typing. They changed it a few weeks ago much for the worse. I wonder who's using this besides me. Certainly they have let loose a programmer on it who does not have adequate testers (I know the feeling).

Details - I am sure we could predict taf as the prefix to the verb in this poem - and sure enough, we get it. Taf occurs as the first letter of the second and third person singular and plural of the imperfect - right across the board.
tiqràbתִּקְרַבlet come nearthird person singular qal imperfect - read as jussive - must be feminine
rinatyרִנָּתִיmy crysingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun
lpaneykaלְפָנֶיךָto your presencepreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
yyיְהוָהO LORDDivine name
kidbarkaכִּדְבָרְךָin your wordpreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun (in could be according to if you prefer)
habynényהֲבִינֵנִיgive me understandingImperative hiphil with first person pronoun as object
tabvo)תָּבוֹאlet come jussive - third person imperative (=imperfect form)
txinatyתְּחִנָּתִיmy supplicationsingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun
lpaneykaלְפָנֶיךָto your presencepreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
k)imratkaכְּאִמְרָתְךָin your promisepreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
hàcylényהַצִּילֵנִיdeliver meImperative hiphil with first person pronoun as object
tàbà`nahתַּבַּעְנָהtumble willthird person plural feminine qal imperfect
spatàyשְׂפָתַיmy lips withplural noun subject
thilahתְּהִלָּהpraisesingular noun, object of verb
kyכִּיforconjunction
tlàmdényתְלַמְּדֵנִיyou have taught meimperfect second person singular with singular first person object
xuqeykaחֻקֶּיךָyour statutesplural noun with first person singular possessive pronoun
tà`ànתַּעַןtestify willthird person singular qal imperfect
lshvonyלְשׁוֹנִיmy tonguesingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun
)imratekaאִמְרָתֶךָof your promisesingular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
ky kal micvoteykaכִּי כָל מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָfor all your commandmentspreposition + adjective + plural noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
cedeqצֶּדֶקare righteousadjective predicate, implied copula
thy yadkaתְּהִי יָדְךָthere will be your handimperfect third person singular of 'to be' i.e. an explicit use of this verb + singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
l`azrényלְעָזְרֵנִיto help mepreposition+infinitive+first person singular pronoun
kyכִּיforconjunction
piqvudeykaפִקּוּדֶיךָyour preceptsplural noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
baxartyבָחָרְתִּיI have chosenfirst person singular qal perfect
ta)àbtyתָּאַבְתִּיI have longed to comefirst person singular qal perfect
lyshvu`atkaלִישׁוּעָתְךָto your salvationpreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
yyיְהוָהO LORDDivine name
vtvoratkaוְתוֹרָתְךָand your instructionconjunction+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
shà`ashu`ayשַׁעֲשֻׁעָיis my delightsingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun - predicate, implied copula
txy nàpshyתְּחִי נַפְשִׁיTo live let my beingjussive - third person imperative + singular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun
vuthàllekaוּתְהַלְלֶךָּand it will praise youconnector+third person imperfect qal+second person pornoun as object
vumishpa+ekaוּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָand from your judgmentsconjunction+plural noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
yà`zrunyיַעְזְרֻנִיyou will help mesecond person imperfect qal with singular first person object
ta`ytyתָּעִיתִיTime and again straying II needed the T+ qal perfect first person
ksehכְּשֶׂהam like a sheeppreposition + singular noun
)obédאֹבֵדthat has perishedparticiple
bàqéshבַּקֵּשׁseekimperative
`àbdekaעַבְדֶּךָyour servantsingular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
ky micvoteykaכִּי מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָfor your commandmentspreposition+plural noun with second person singular possessive pronoun
lo)לֹאnotnegative particle
shakaxtyשָׁכָחְתִּיdo I forgetqal perfect first person

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 21 Grammar

שָׂרִים רְדָפוּנִי חִנָּם
וּמִדְּבָרְךָ פָּחַד לִבִּי
Sultans persecute me for nothing
but from your word my heart stands in awe
שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ
כְּמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל רָב
Singing I sing for your promise
as finding great booty
שֶׁקֶר שָׂנֵאתִי וַאֲתַעֵבָה
תּוֹרָתְךָ אָהָבְתִּי
Scandal I hate and abhor
I love your teaching
שֶׁבַע בַּיּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּיךָ
עַל מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ
Seven times a day do I praise you
for the judgments of your righteousness
שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ
וְאֵין לָמוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל
Such great peace to those loving your teaching
and there is no stumbling for them
שִׂבַּרְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ יְהוָה
וּמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי
Steadfast is my hope in your salvation יְהוָה
and I have done your commandments
שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶיךָ
וָאֹהֲבֵם מְאֹד
Savors my being your testimonies
and I love them greatly
שָׁמַרְתִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ וְעֵדֹתֶיךָ
כִּי כָל דְּרָכַי נֶגְדֶּךָ
So I keep your precepts and your testimonies
for all my ways are near you

How is our poet feeling after 21 parts of the poem? Happy to be nearing its end? Still has trouble from external sources and internal sources will be evident in part 22. Likes the superlative in this section.

Details
sarymשָׂרִיםsultansplural noun
rdapvunyרְדָפוּנִיpersecute methird person plural qal+object first person pronoun
xinamחִנָּםfor nothingadverb - derived from grace חֵן
vumidbarkaוּמִדְּבָרְךָbut from your wordprefix conjunction+singular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
paxàdפָּחַדstands in awethird person (root) form qal perfect
libyלִבִּיmy heartsingular noun with first person singular pronoun
sasשָׂשׂsingingits even a participle!
)anoky `àl )imratekaאָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָI for your promisestand-alone pronoun+preposition+singular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
kmvocé)כְּמוֹצֵאas findingpreposition+participle
shalal rabשָׁלָל רָבgreat bootynoun+modifier
sheqrשֶׁקֶרscandalnoun
sané)tyשָׂנֵאתִיI hatefirst person singular qal perfect
và)atà`ébahוַאֲתַעֵבָהand abhorconnector+first person singular qal imperfect
tvoratkaתּוֹרָתְךָyour instructionsingular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
)ahabtyאָהָבְתִּיI lovefirst person singular qal perfect
shebà`שֶׁבַעseven timesnumber
bàyvomבַּיּוֹםa daypreposition+noun
hilàltykaהִלַּלְתִּיךָdo I praise youfirst person singular must be piel perfect + object second person singular pronoun
`àlעַלforpreposition
mishp+éyמִשְׁפְּטֵיthe judgments ofplural noun in construct (loses its ending)
cidqkaצִדְקֶךָyour righteousnesssingular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
shalvomשָׁלוֹםpeacenoun
rabרָבsuch greatmodifier
l)ohabéyלְאֹהֲבֵיto those lovingpreposition+participle in construct
tvoratekaתוֹרָתֶךָyour instructionsingular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
v)éyn lamvoוְאֵין לָמוֹand there is for them noconjunction+particle of not being+ preposition+archaic third person possessive pronoun
mikshvolמִכְשׁוֹלstumblingnoun (derived from verb)
sibàrtyשִׂבַּרְתִּיsteadfast my hopeqal perfect first person phrased for the S
lyshvu`atkaלִישׁוּעָתְךָin your salvationpreposition+singular noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
yyיְהוָהO LORDdivine name
vumicvoteykaוּמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָand your commandmentsprefix conjunction+plural noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
`asytyעָשִׂיתִיI have doneqal perfect first person
shamrahשָׁמְרָהsavoursthird person qal perfect feminine
nàpshyנַפְשִׁיmy beingsingular noun+possessive first person pronoun
`édoteykaעֵדֹתֶיךָyour testimoniesplural noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
va)ohabémוָאֹהֲבֵםand I love themconnector+first person imperfect+object pronoun
m)odמְאֹדgreatlyadverb
shamàrtyשָׁמַרְתִּיso I keepqal first person perfect (extra s)
piqvudeykaפִקּוּדֶיךָyour preceptsplural noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
v`édoteykaוְעֵדֹתֶיךָand your testimoniesprefix conjunction+plural noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
ky kal drakàyכִּי כָל דְּרָכַיfor all my waysconjunction+modifier+plural noun - truncated ending from possessive first person pronoun
negdekaנֶגְדֶּךָare before youpreposition+second person possessive pronoun

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 20 Grammar

רְאֵה עָנְיִי וְחַלְּצֵנִי
כִּי תוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי
Regard my affliction and deliver me
for your teaching I do not forget
רִיבָה רִיבִי וּגְאָלֵנִ
לְאִמְרָתְךָ חַיֵּנִי
Reason my reason and redeem me
in your promise give me life
רָחוֹק מֵרְשָׁעִים יְשׁוּעָה
כִּי חֻקֶּיךָ לֹא דָרָשׁוּ
Remote is salvation from the wicked
for your statutes they do not seek
רַחֲמֶיךָ רַבִּים יְהוָה
כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ חַיֵּנִי
Rich are your mercies יְהוָה
by your judgments give me life
רַבִּים רֹדְפַי וְצָרָי
מֵעֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָ לֹא נָטִיתִי
Running after me are my many troublers
from your testimonies I do not waver
רָאִיתִי בֹגְדִים וָאֶתְקוֹטָטָה
אֲשֶׁר אִמְרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁמָרוּ
Regarded I transgressors and I was distressed
that your promise they disregard
רְאֵה כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ אָהָבְתִּי יְהוָה
כְּחַסְדְּךָ חַיֵּנִי
Regard how I love your precepts יְהוָה
in your loving kindness give me life
רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ אֱמֶת
וּלְעוֹלָם כָּל מִשְׁפַּט צִדְקֶךָ
Right away your word is truth
and for ever is every judgment of your righteousness

R has at least the benefit of many words in English.There are three pleas for life in part 20. They are all at the end of a colon - why should English poetry change their place? (In my prior versions I smoothed out the English. There was in these cases no need to do this. There was no need to do this in these cases. In these cases to do this there was no need. No need was there in these cases this to do. Seven cola end with action in the Hebrew. Since we all share the same linear time, seven English cola should with action also end. The ending actions follow a pattern: I - give me life - then - give me life - I - they - give me life - you.

Details
r)éh `anyyרְאֵה עָנְיִיRegard my afflictionqal imperative+singular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun affix
vxàlcényוְחַלְּצֵנִיand deliver meconnecting conjunction+qal imperative+object pronoun
ky tvoratkaכִּי תוֹרָתְךָfor your instructionconjunction+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix
lo)לֹאnotnegative particle
shakaxtyשָׁכָחְתִּיdo I forgetqal perfect first person
rybahרִיבָהreasonqal imperative
rybyרִיבִיmy reasonsingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun affix
vug)alényוּגְאָלֵנִיand redeem meconnector+qal imperative+object pronoun
l)imratkaלְאִמְרָתְךָin your promisepreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix
xàyényחַיֵּנִיgive me lifepiel imperative+object pronoun
raxvoqרָחוֹקremoteadjective
mérsha`ymמֵרְשָׁעִיםfrom the wickedpreposition+plural noun
yshvu`ahיְשׁוּעָהis salvationnoun
kyכִּיforconjunction
xuqeykaחֻקֶּיךָyour statutesplural noun with second person possessive pronoun
lo) darashvuלֹא דָרָשׁוּthey do not seeknegative particle+third person qal perfect
ràxameykaרַחֲמֶיךָyour merciesplural noun with second person possessive pronoun
ràbymרַבִּיםare rich (great /...)plural adjective
yyיְהוָהO LORDdivine name
kmishpa+eykaכְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָby your judgmentspreposition+plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
xàyényחַיֵּנִיgive me lifepiel imperative+object pronoun
ràbymרַבִּיםare manyplural adjective
rodpàyרֹדְפַיrunners after me (my persecutors)participle with first person possessive pronoun
vcarayוְצָרָיand my troublersconjunction+plural noun with first person possessive pronoun
mé`édvoteykaמֵעֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָfrom your testimoniespreposition+plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
lo)לֹאnotnegative particle
na+ytyנָטִיתִיdo I waverqal perfect first person
ra)ytyרָאִיתִיregarded Iqal perfect first person
bogdymבֹגְדִיםtransgressorsplural noun
va)etqvo+a+ahוָאֶתְקוֹטָטָהand I was distressedhithpolel imperfect note the double tet! And the extra taf in the prefix
)asherאֲשֶׁרthatrelative pronoun
)imratkaאִמְרָתְךָyour promisesingular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix
lo) shamarvuלֹא שָׁמָרוּthey disregardnegative particle+third person qal perfect
r)éhרְאֵהregardimperative
ky piqvudeykaכִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָfor your preceptsconjunction + plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
)ahabtyאָהָבְתִּיI lovefirst person qal perfect - note how many of these I have rendered as continuing present
yyיְהוָהO LORDdivine name
kxàsdkaכְּחַסְדְּךָby your loving kindnesspreposition+singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix
xàyényחַיֵּנִיgive me lifethird time this request - pronoun affixed as object
ro)sh dbarkaרֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָright away your wordnoun in construct + singular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix
)emetאֱמֶתis truthnoun predicate - implied copula
vul`volamוּלְעוֹלָםand for everconnector + preposition+noun - why move it in the sentence?
kal mishpà+כָּל מִשְׁפַּטevery judgment ofadjective+noun
cidqkaצִדְקֶךָyour righteousnesssingular noun with second person singular possessive pronoun affix

Monday, March 08, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 19 Grammar

קָרָאתִי בְכָל לֵב עֲנֵנִי יְהוָה
חֻקֶּיךָ אֶצֹּרָה
Queried I with a whole heart, hear me יְהוָה
I will observe your statutes
קְרָאתִיךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי
וְאֶשְׁמְרָה עֵדֹתֶיךָ
Queried I you, save me
and I will keep your testimonies
קִדַּמְתִּי בַנֶּשֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּעָה
 לִדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי
Quested I in a twilight hour and I cried out
on your word I wait
קִדְּמוּ עֵינַי אַשְׁמֻרוֹת
לָשִׂיחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶךָ
Quested my eyes in the night watches
to meditate on your promise
קוֹלִי שִׁמְעָה כְחַסְדֶּךָ יְהוָה
כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ חַיֵּנִי
Quest of mine, hear by your loving kindness יְהוָה
give me life by your judgments
קָרְבוּ רֹדְפֵי זִמָּה
מִתּוֹרָתְךָ רָחָקוּ
Quite near are those following mischief
they are far from your teaching
קָרוֹב אַתָּה יְהוָה
וְכָל מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ אֱמֶת
Quite near are you יְהוָה
and all your commandments are truth
קֶדֶם יָדַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶיךָ
כִּי לְעוֹלָם יְסַדְתָּם
Quite from of old I knew from your testimonies
for you established them from everlasting

Details - two queries, three quests and three quites - no wonder Q is worth 10 points as a first letter!
I have done some oddball glosses for some of these prepositions - I don't want explanations to get in the way of the poem - for instance, does the poet quiet a little during this segment? What could be known 'from' testimonies? Is it that they in their presence in us speak even before we have knowledge?

What can I say below word by word that is not now obvious grammatically?  Oh well - what I have to do is go through the motions as if this were a final exam and something pops out that I wasn't expecting when I began - like correcting a few errors.
qara)tyקָרָאתִיQueried IFirst person qal perfect
bkal lébבְכָל לֵבwith all heartpreposition + qualifier + noun
`anényעֲנֵנִיhear meimperative with object pronoun
yyיְהוָהLORDdivine name
xuqeykaחֻקֶּיךָyour statutesplural noun with second person possessive pronoun
)ecorahאֶצֹּרָהI will observefirst person qal imperfect
qra)tykaקְרָאתִיךָQueried I youFirst person qal perfect+object pronoun
hvoshy`ényהוֹשִׁיעֵנִיsave mehiphil imperative+object pronoun
v)eshmrahוְאֶשְׁמְרָהand I will keepconnector+first person qal imperfect
`édoteykaעֵדֹתֶיךָyour testimoniesplural noun with second person possessive pronoun
qidàmtyקִדַּמְתִּיquested Ifirst person piel perfect
bàneshephבַנֶּשֶׁףin a twilight hourpreposition+noun indefinite
va)ashàvué`ahוָאֲשַׁוֵּעָהand I cried outconnector+first person qal imperfect
lidbarkaלִדְבָרְךָon your wordpreposition+singular noun with second person possessive pronoun
yixaltyיִחָלְתִּיI waitfirst person piel perfect
qidmvuקִדְּמוּquestedthird person plural piel perfect (piel is invisible without the dot in these cases)
`éynàyעֵינַיmy eyesplural noun with first person singular possessive pronoun as subject
)àshmurvotאַשְׁמֻרוֹתin the night watchesno preposition but required in English + plural noun
lasyàxלָשִׂיחַto meditatepreposition+qal infinitive
b)imratekaבְּאִמְרָתֶךָon your promisepreposition+singular noun with second person possessive pronoun
qvolyקוֹלִיQuest of minesingular noun with first person singular possessive pronoun as object of 
shim`ahשִׁמְעָהhearimperative (qal)
kxàsdekaכְחַסְדֶּךָby your loving kindnesspreposition+singular noun with second person possessive pronoun
yyיְהוָהLORDdivine name
kmishpa+ekaכְּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָby your judgmentspreposition+plural noun with second person possessive pronoun - my gloss for as/ /according to is short and unexpected
xàyényחַיֵּנִיgive me lifeimperative (piel note dot in yod) with object pronoun
qarbvuקָרְבוּquite nearthird person plural (they come near)
rodpéyרֹדְפֵיare those followingparticiple in construct
zimahזִמָּהmischiefnoun
mitvoratkaמִתּוֹרָתְךָfrom your instructionpreposition+singular noun with second person possessive pronoun
raxaqvuרָחָקוּthey are farthird person plural
qarvobקָרוֹבquite nearadjective as predicate
)àtahאַתָּהare youpronoun as subject
yyיְהוָהLORDdivine name
vkal micvoteykaוְכָל מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָand all your commandmentsconnector+qualifier+plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
)emetאֱמֶתare truthnoun - implied copula
qdemקֶדֶםquite from of oldtemporal reference
yadà`tyיָדַעְתִּיI knewfirst person qal perfect
mé`édoteykaמֵעֵדֹתֶיךָfrom your testimoniespreposition+plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
kyכִּיforconjunction indicating cause
l`volamלְעוֹלָםto everlastingpreposition+noun
ysàdtamיְסַדְתָּםyou established themsecond person qal perfect+object pronoun

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 18 Grammar

צַדִּיק אַתָּה יְהוָה
וְיָשָׁר מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ
So just you are יְהוָה
and your judgments are straightforward
צִוִּיתָ צֶדֶק עֵדֹתֶיךָ
וֶאֱמוּנָה מְאֹד
Set you have the righteousness of your testimonies
and great faithfulness
צִמְּתַתְנִי קִנְאָתִי
כִּי שָׁכְחוּ דְבָרֶיךָ צָרָי
Struck me out did my zeal
for my troublers forgot your words
צְרוּפָה אִמְרָתְךָ מְאֹד
וְעַבְדְּךָ אֲהֵבָהּ
Smeltered greatly is your promise
and your servant loves it
צָעִיר אָנֹכִי וְנִבְזֶה
פִּקֻּדֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי
Small am I and of no account
I have not forgotten your precepts
צִדְקָתְךָ צֶדֶק לְעוֹלָם
וְתוֹרָתְךָ אֱמֶת
Saving righteousness - yours - is righteousness for ever
and your teaching is truth
צַר וּמָצוֹק מְצָאוּנִי
מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי
Strain and struggle stress me
your commandments are my delight
צֶדֶק עֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָ
לְעוֹלָם הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֶחְיֶה
Such righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting
let me understand and I will live
Alas, English has no corresponding initial sound to Tsade so I am reduced to an S. Look for my compensating repetition of s's and t's. Above is my usual grammar colour and a few keywords in this segment of the poem. Below I will try and indicate subject and predicate.

Details
càdyqצַדִּיקso justpredicate
)àtahאַתָּהyou subject
yyיְהוָהO LORDsubject, apposition
vyasharוְיָשָׁרand straightforwardconjunction+predicate
mishpa+eykaמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָyour judgmentssubject
civuytaצִוִּיתָset (commanded, constituted, appointed) you haveverb second person singular
cedeqצֶדֶקthe righteousness ofCan righteousness modify testimonies as an adjective when it is not in agreement in number? I don't think so - so I am taking this as construct
`édoteykaעֵדֹתֶיךָyour testimoniescompleting the construct predicate - usual plural noun with second person possessive pronoun
ve)emvunahוֶאֱמוּנָהand faithfulnessnow what does this phrase modify?
m)odמְאֹדgreatdoes it apply to the testimonies or does it stand alone as a second predicate? Adjective modifying faithfulness I think.
cimtàtnyצִמְּתַתְנִיstruck me outThis is a very amusing gloss - but it does mean what it says if you allow the baseball idiom!
qin)atyקִנְאָתִיmy zealsingular pronoun subject of the prior verb
ky shakxvuכִּי שָׁכְחוּfor they forgotthe reason for the strikeout
dbareykaדְבָרֶיךָyour wordsplural noun with second person possessive pronoun
carayצָרָיmy troublersplural noun with first person possessive pronoun
crvupahצְרוּפָהsmeltered ispure - so smeltered as refined
)imratkaאִמְרָתְךָyour promisesingular noun with second person possessive pronoun
m)odמְאֹדgreatlymodifying the verb
v`àbdkaוְעַבְדְּךָand your servantsingular noun with second person possessive pronoun
)ahébahאֲהֵבָהּloves itThird person singular qal perfect with feminine object pronoun. I sometimes miss these. Of course you have to read the entire Lambdin before you can start on anything. It's not the way I live. I learn by doing and my sieve has holes in it so I miss things.
ca`yrצָעִירsmallPredicate
)anokyאָנֹכִיam Isubject - stand-alone pronoun
vnibzehוְנִבְזֶהand of no accountconnector+niphal participle
piqudeykaפִּקֻּדֶיךָyour preceptsplural noun with second person possessive pronoun object of the verb to come
lo)לֹאnotnegative particle
shakaxtyשָׁכָחְתִּיhave I forgottenfirst person qal perfect
cidqatkaצִדְקָתְךָsaving righteousness yourssingular noun with second person possessive pronoun
cedeqצֶדֶקis righteousnessimplied copula
l`volamלְעוֹלָםfor everto the age, preposition+noun
vtvoratkaוְתוֹרָתְךָand your instructionconnector+singular noun with second person possessive pronoun
)emetאֱמֶתis truthimplied copula+noun
càr vumacvoqצַר וּמָצוֹקstrain and strugglethe poet is showing off assonance
mca)vunyמְצָאוּנִיstress meread the st backwards and you have ts! This is of course a third person plural with an object pronoun
micvoteykaמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָyour commandmentsplural noun with second person possessive pronoun - subject
shà`ashu`ayשַׁעֲשֻׁעָיare my delightpredicate implied copula singular noun with first person possessive pronoun
cedeqצֶדֶקsuch righteousness ofNeed the s but 'such' isn't there
`édvoteykaעֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָyour testimoniesplural noun with second person possessive pronoun - subject
l`volamלְעוֹלָםis everlastingpreposition+noun predicate with implied copula
habynényהֲבִינֵנִיhave me understandmust he a hiphil imperative+pronoun object
v)exyehוְאֶחְיֶהand I will liveconnector+first person imperfect

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 17 Grammar

פְּלָאוֹת עֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָ
עַל כֵּן נְצָרָתַם נַפְשִׁי
Plenty of wonders are your testimonies
therefore my being will observe them
פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר
מֵבִין פְּתָיִים
Penetration of your words gives light
making wise the peon
פִּי פָעַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָפָה
כִּי לְמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ יָאָבְתִּי
Part I my mouth and sigh heavily
for to your commandments is my desire
פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי
כְּמִשְׁפָּט לְאֹהֲבֵי שְׁמֶךָ
Put your face to me and have mercy on me
according to the judgment of those loving your name
פְּעָמַי הָכֵן בְּאִמְרָתֶךָ
וְאַל תַּשְׁלֶט בִּי כָל אָוֶן
Place my steps in your promise
and do not let any mischief have grasp over me
פְּדֵנִי מֵעֹשֶׁק אָדָם
וְאֶשְׁמְרָה פִּקּוּדֶיךָ
Preserve me from the oppression of a human
and I will keep your precepts
פָּנֶיךָ הָאֵר בְּעַבְדֶּךָ
וְלַמְּדֵנִי אֶת חֻקֶּיךָ
Pyre your face on your servant
and teach me Oh! your statutes
פַּלְגֵי מַיִם יָרְדוּ עֵינָי
עַל לֹא שָׁמְרוּ תוֹרָתֶךָ
Pouring streams run down from my eyes
that they do not keep your teaching


Details - in line with my reading of the Verbless Cause in Biblical Hebrew book, I am going to begin to identify the subject / predicate in each of the cola. Some results that I see in narrative verses from the subject book I find quite unexpected - like places where the adjective is postponed till the end of the sentence. E.g. Numbers 32:1 - where's the subject? Where's the predicate? I think there is a mistranslation when the translator collects all the bits of the subject together and makes it sound like 'natural' English. If you are translating a story, then don't mess up the original story-teller's drama. How would you phrase this opening of the chapter?
and livestock many there were to the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad - substantial - lots
וּמִקְנֶה רַב הָיָה לִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן וְלִבְנֵי־גָד עָצוּם מְאֹד
Here's my suggestion
And there were many livestock belonging to the children of Reuben and the children of Gad,
a substantial amount.

pla)votפְּלָאוֹתPlenty of wondersplural adjective feminine form - predicate
`édvoteykaעֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָare your testimoniesplural noun with second person personal possessive pronoun - subject
`àl kénעַל כֵּןthereforeconjunction
ncaratàmנְצָרָתַםwill observe themthird person singular with pronoun object - predicate
nàpshyנַפְשִׁיmy beingsoul, life, me, singular noun with possessive first person pronoun - subject
pétàxפֵּתַחPenetration ofOpening construct subject
dbareykaדְּבָרֶיךָyour wordscompleting the construct plural possessive - subject
ya)yrיָאִירgives lightpredicate (hiphil?) singular third person imperfect
mébynמֵבִיןmaking wisehiphil participle
ptayymפְּתָיִיםthe simplepeon and penetrate match the sound game in the Hebrew - the phrase is consequential, the word is plural masculine form
py pa`àrtyפִּי פָעַרְתִּיPart I my mouthobject-verb (perfect)
va)esh)apahוָאֶשְׁאָפָהand sigh heavilyconnector + preterite both verbs first person
kyכִּיforconjunction
lmicvoteykaלְמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָin your commandmentspredicate plural feminine possessive singular second person - this needs some longing for an effective translation
ya)abtyיָאָבְתִּיI have longedperfect first person
pnéh )élàyפְּנֵה אֵלַיPut your face to meqal imperative with preposition and first person pronoun as object
vxanényוְחָנֵּנִיand have mercy on meqal imperative with first person object
kmishpa+כְּמִשְׁפָּטfor judgmentthe kaf preposition makes me want to get across the 'like' aspect rather than a 'causative' aspect - that forces me into construct thinking
l)ohabéyלְאֹהֲבֵיto those lovingthe lamed preposition makes me wonder if I have missed the point - what kind of vindication does the poet have in mind?
shmekaשְׁמֶךָyour namepredicate noun with possessive second person singular pronoun
p`amàyפְּעָמַיmy stepsThis is a tall order - plural noun object with first person possessive pronoun thus truncating the usual plural ending
hakénהָכֵןPlaceimperative
b)imratekaבְּאִמְרָתֶךָin your promisewhat a secure place
v)àl tàshle+וְאַל תַּשְׁלֶטand let not have graspconjunction + negative particle + imperfect jussive
byבִּיover mepreposition + pronoun
kal )avenכָל אָוֶןany mischiefsubject of the prior verb
pdényפְּדֵנִיpreserve meimperative
mé`osheqמֵעֹשֶׁקfrom the oppressionpreposition + construct as object
)adamאָדָםof a humanrest of the construct
v)eshmrahוְאֶשְׁמְרָהand I will keepqal imperfect first person
piqvudeykaפִּקּוּדֶיךָyour preceptsplural possessed noun
paneykaפָּנֶיךָyour facesingular possessed noun
ha)érהָאֵרpyrehiphil - from the fire of creation - let there be light
b`àbdekaבְּעַבְדֶּךָon your servantyou can do this one
vlàmdényוְלַמְּדֵנִיand teach meand this one
)et xuqeykaאֶת חֻקֶּיךָOh your statutesthe 'Oh' is not needed!
pàlgéy màyimפַּלְגֵי מַיִםpouring streamsthese flowing waters remind us of Psalms 1, 42, 46
yardvuיָרְדוּdescend fromdescending - flowing - running down like the dew of Hermon in Psalm 133
`éynayעֵינָיmy eyesclear grammar, right?
`àl lo) shamrvuעַל לֹא שָׁמְרוּthat they do not keepthere is no because here - the preposition is simpler
tvoratekaתוֹרָתֶךָyour instructionteaching or instruction is preferable to law

Friday, February 12, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 16 Grammar

עָשִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּט וָצֶדֶק
בַּל תַּנִּיחֵנִי לְעֹשְׁקָי

I have dealt judgment and righteousness
do not leave me to those oppressing me
עֲרֹב עַבְדְּךָ לְטוֹב
אַל יַעַשְׁקֻנִי זֵדִים

Insure your servant for good
the proud will not oppress me
עֵינַי כָּלוּ לִישׁוּעָתֶךָ
וּלְאִמְרַת צִדְקֶךָ

I - I - my eyes - faint for your salvation
and for the promise of your righteousness
עֲשֵׂה עִם עַבְדְּךָ כְחַסְדֶּךָ
וְחֻקֶּיךָ לַמְּדֵנִי

I ask you to deal with your servant according to your mercy
and teach me your statutes
עַבְדְּךָ אָנִי הֲבִינֵנִי
וְאֵדְעָה עֵדֹתֶיךָ

I am your servant, let me understand
that I may know your testimonies
עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת לַיהוָה
הֵפֵרוּ תּוֹרָתֶךָ

It is time for dealing - for יְהוָה
they have frustrated your teaching
עַל כֵּן אָהַבְתִּי מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ
מִזָּהָב וּמִפָּז

I have loved your commandments therefore
above gold and fine gold
עַל כֵּן כָּל פִּקּוּדֵי כֹל יִשָּׁרְתִּי
כָּל אֹרַח שֶׁקֶר שָׂנֵאתִי

Indeed all your precepts - all - I find agreeable
every path of deceit I hate

While following Hebrew word order is sometimes slavish - and I do not always do it, the reversal of predicate and subject in English poetry is common. So I do delay the subject as Hebrew does, especially when I am reading parallels. Slow down to read. This is a bumpy road with many flowers by the wayside, not to mention several ditches. Here is where we deal.

Details - Google has made table processing very difficult. Software changes have been made to their online editor without testing. There are many bugs in it. So the following legal but uneditable table is left without comments. Still it is a good exercise to check word by word for grammar or my idiosyncratic renderings.
`asytyעָשִׂיתִיI have dealt
mishpa+מִשְׁפָּטjudgment
vacedeqוָצֶדֶקand righteousness
bàl tànyxényבַּל תַּנִּיחֵנִיdo not leave me
l`oshqayלְעֹשְׁקָיto those oppressing me
`arobעֲרֹבInsure
`àbdkaעַבְדְּךָyour servant
l+vobלְטוֹבfor good
)àl yà`àshqunyאַל יַעַשְׁקֻנִיnot will they oppress me
zédymזֵדִיםthe proud
`éynàyעֵינַיIyiyi - my eyes
kalvuכָּלוּfaint
lyshvu`atekaלִישׁוּעָתֶךָfor your salvation
vul)imràtוּלְאִמְרַתand for the promise of
cidqkaצִדְקֶךָyour righteousness
`aséhעֲשֵׂהI ask you to deal
`im `àbdkaעִם עַבְדְּךָwith your servant
kxàsdekaכְחַסְדֶּךָaccording to your mercy
vxuqeykaוְחֻקֶּיךָand your statutes
làmdényלַמְּדֵנִיteach me
`àbdka )anyעַבְדְּךָ אָנִיI am your servant
habynényהֲבִינֵנִיhave me understand
v)éd`ahוְאֵדְעָהthat I may know
`édoteykaעֵדֹתֶיךָyour testimonies
`étעֵתIt is time
là`asvotלַעֲשׂוֹתfor dealing
là-yyלַיהוָהfor יהוָהI find this ambiguous - does the repeated preposition mean for the Lord to work or for the individual / community to work for the Lord? Deal of course is my play for this part.
hépérvuהֵפֵרוּthey have frustrated
tvoratekaתּוֹרָתֶךָyour teaching
`àl kénעַל כֵּןtherefore
)ahàbtyאָהַבְתִּיI have loved
micvoteykaמִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָyour commandments
mizahabמִזָּהָבabove gold
vumipazוּמִפָּזand fine gold
`àl kénעַל כֵּןindeed
kal piqvudéyכָּל פִּקּוּדֵיall your precepts
kolכֹלall
yishartyיִשָּׁרְתִּיI find agreeable
kal )oràxכָּל אֹרַחevery path of
sheqrשֶׁקֶרdeceit
sané)tyשָׂנֵאתִיI hate

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Psalm 119 - Part 15 Grammar

סֵעֲפִים שָׂנֵאתִי
וְתוֹרָתְךָ אָהָבְתִּי

Schismatics I hate
and I have loved your teaching
סִתְרִי וּמָגִנִּי אָתָּה
לִדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי

Secret mine and my shield are you
in your word have I hoped
סוּרוּ מִמֶּנִּי מְרֵעִים
וְאֶצְּרָה מִצְו‍ֹת אֱלֹהָי

Separate from me, you evildoers
for I will observe the commandments of my God
סָמְכֵנִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ וְאֶחְיֶה
וְאַל תְּבִישֵׁנִי מִשִּׂבְרִי

Support me according to your promise so I will live
let me not be ashamed of my expectation
סְעָדֵנִי וְאִוָּשֵׁעָה
וְאֶשְׁעָה בְחֻקֶּיךָ תָמִיד

Sustain me and I will be saved
and I will look to your statutes continually
סָלִיתָ כָּל שׁוֹגִים מֵחֻקֶּיךָ
כִּי שֶׁקֶר תַּרְמִיתָם
Suspended have you all who stray from your statutes
for falsehood is their deceit
סִגִים הִשְׁבַּתָּ כָל רִשְׁעֵי אָרֶץ
לָכֵן אָהַבְתִּי עֵדֹתֶיךָ

Swill you stilled of all the wicked of the earth
therefore I have loved your testimonies
סָמַר מִפַּחְדְּךָ בְשָׂרִי
וּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ יָרֵאתִי

Shivers from your dread my flesh
and from your judgments I fear

After the fear of part 14, this section asks for a strengthening. (Schismatics eh? and shiver me timbers! Swill - some love of enemies - but note how the wicked are stilled as in Psalm 8 and 46. It is Shabbat. Imagine the closing of Bach's St John Passion.) My greening of the grammar letters has not failed me yet. I think this is a valuable pedagogical tool. Below I summarize them instead of the usual annotation. I think only 'he' is missing - seconded as umpire perhaps - in a grammatical usage here (definite, interrogative, or feminine).
Details
sé`apymסֵעֲפִיםschismaticsmasculine plural shown by yod and mem
sané)tyשָׂנֵאתִיI hatetaf and yod form first person qal suffix
vtvoratkaוְתוֹרָתְךָand your instructionvav as connector and taf and kaf with the attached equivalent to construct form and with second person pronoun
)ahabtyאָהָבְתִּיI have lovedtaf and yod form first person qal suffix (aleph is part of the root)
sitryסִתְרִיsecret mineyod as mine
vumaginyוּמָגִנִּיand my shieldvav connects, yod as my
)atahאָתָּהare youtake it or leave it - they are a standalone pronoun which I did not include in the grammatical forms (though one could if het is allowed one entrance)
lidbarkaלִדְבָרְךָin your wordlamed as preposition, kaf as pronoun
yixaltyיִחָלְתִּיI have hopedtaf and yod form first person qal suffix
svurvu mimenyסוּרוּ מִמֶּנִּיseparate from mesecond person plural vav (imperative) and mem (mn with nunnated n) and object connector n and me yod
mré`ymמְרֵעִיםevil doersyod and mem as plural - also possible mem as forming a noun from evil
v)ecrahוְאֶצְּרָהfor I will observevav connector and aleph as first perosn imperative
micvotמִצְו‍ֹתthe commandments oftaf forming feminine plural lacking vav due to vav in root
)elohayאֱלֹהָיmy Godyod as my
samkényסָמְכֵנִיsupport menun connecting yod as object pronoun of verb
k)imratkaכְאִמְרָתְךָaccording to your promisekaf as preposition, taf as similar to construct form, kaf as pronoun
v)exyehוְאֶחְיֶהso I will livevav connecting, aleph as first person imperfect (future)
v)àl tbyshényוְאַל תְּבִישֵׁנִיlet me not be ashamed ofvav and negative particle taf as imperfect prefix, nun softening the connection and yod as following pronoun object
misibryמִשִּׂבְרִיmy expectationmem forming noun, yod as my
s`adényסְעָדֵנִיsustain menun and yod as usual in object formation
v)ivuashé`ahוְאִוָּשֵׁעָהand I will be savedvav and aleph, + vav as helper (yod disappeared)
v)esh`ahוְאֶשְׁעָהand I will lookvav and aleph - salvation gives sight
bxuqeykaבְחֻקֶּיךָto your statutesbet as preposition, yod plural truncated by pronoun kaf
tamydתָמִידcontinuallyall consonants!
salytaסָלִיתָsuspended have youtaf as second person subject
kal shvogymכָּל שׁוֹגִיםall who strayyod and mem as plural
méxuqeykaמֵחֻקֶּיךָfrom your statutesmem as preposition, yod plural truncated by pronoun kaf
ky sheqrכִּי שֶׁקֶרfor falsehood isall consonants
tàrmytamתַּרְמִיתָםtheir deceittaf forming noun, plural yod truncated by pronoun their taf+mem
sigym hishbàtaסִגִים הִשְׁבַּתָּswill you eradicatedyod and mem plural, taf as second person singular subject
kal rish`éy )arecכָל רִשְׁעֵי אָרֶץall the wicked of the earthyod as truncated plural in construct
lakénלָכֵןthereforeall consonants
)ahàbtyאָהַבְתִּיI have lovedtaf and yod as first person singular perfect
`édoteykaעֵדֹתֶיךָyour testimoniesyod plural truncated by pronoun
samàrסָמַרshiversall consonants - simplest form of root - 3rd person singular qal
mipàxdkaמִפַּחְדְּךָfrom your dreadmem and kaf as usual
bsaryבְשָׂרִיmy fleshyod my
vumimishpa+eykaוּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָand from your judgmentsvav connector and mem as preposition and plural truncated by pronoun kaf
yaré)tyיָרֵאתִיI feartaf and yod again as first person singular