AncientWord

Footnotes

YHWH/YAHWEH/Jehovah also the LORD

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Psalms 19:1 Transliteration

הַשָּׁמַיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹד־אֵל; וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו מַגִּיד הָרָקִיעַ׃ (Ha-shāmayim mesappĕrîm kevōd-’Ēl; û-ma‘ăsê yādāyw maggîd hā-rāqîa‘.)

• הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shāmayim) – the heavens

• מְסַפְּרִים (mesappĕrîm) – are recounting/declaring (piel participle masculine plural)

• כְּבוֹד (kevōd) – glory/honor

• אֵל (’Ēl) – God (generic divine title, not YHWH here)

• וּמַעֲשֵׂה (û-ma‘ăsê) – and the work

• יָדָיו (yādāyw) – His hands

• מַגִּיד (maggîd) – is proclaiming/making known (hifil participle masculine singular)

• הָרָקִיעַ (hā-rāqîa‘) – the expanse/firmament

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Psalms 19:1 Translator Notes

• The verse uses parallelism, a key feature of Hebrew poetry—"heavens" parallels "expanse" and "declaring" parallels "proclaiming."

• אֵל (El) is a general name for God, not the covenantal name YHWH, indicating a universal declaration of His glory.

• The participles imply ongoing, continual action: the heavens are continually declaring.

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Psalms 19:2 Transliteration

יוֹם לְיוֹם יַבִּיעַ אֹמֶר; וְלַיְלָה לְלַיְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּעַת׃ (Yōm le-yōm yabbi‘a ’ōmer; ve-laylāh le-laylāh yeḥawweh-da‘at.)

• יוֹם לְיוֹם (yōm le-yōm) – day to day

• יַבִּיעַ (yabbi‘a) – will pour forth / gush forth (hifil imperfect, 3rd masc. sing.)

• אֹמֶר (’ōmer) – speech / utterance

• וְלַיְלָה לְלַיְלָה (ve-laylāh le-laylāh) – and night to night

• יְחַוֶּה (yeḥawweh) – will reveal / will declare (piel imperfect, 3rd masc. sing.)

• דָּעַת (da‘at) – knowledge

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Psalms 19:2 Translator Notes

• The imagery suggests a continuous cycle—day hands over to day, night to night—each "preaching" the glory of God.

• יַבִּיעַ (yabbi‘a) carries the sense of gushing out abundantly, like a spring or fountain of words.

• The verbs are imperfect, expressing ongoing, habitual action.

• This continues the theme of non-verbal proclamation: the heavens “declare” (v.1), days and nights “pour forth” and “declare” (v.2)—no audible voice, yet an unceasing testimony.

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Psalms 19:3 Transliteration

אֵין־אֹמֶר וְאֵין דְּבָרִים; בְּלִי נִשְׁמָע קוֹלָם׃ (’Ên-’ōmer ve-’ên devarîm; belî nishmā‘ qōlām.)

• אֵין (’ên) – there is not / none

• אֹמֶר (’ōmer) – speech / utterance

• וְאֵין (ve-’ên) – and there is not

• דְּבָרִים (devarîm) – words / things spoken

• בְּלִי (belî) – without

• נִשְׁמָע (nishmā‘) – is heard (niphal participle masculine singular)

• קוֹלָם (qōlām) – their voice

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Psalms 19:3 Translator Notes

• This verse is paradoxical: it says there is no speech or words, yet their "voice" is heard (or rather, exists without being heard in the normal sense).

• The Hebrew בְּלִי נִשְׁמָע (belî nishmā‘) means “without being heard,” not necessarily “they have no sound,” but their proclamation transcends spoken language.

• This deepens the theme: creation testifies silently, yet universally.

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Psalms 19:4 Transliteration

בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ יָצָא קַוָּם; וּבִקְצֵה תֵבֵל מִלֵּיהֶם; לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ שָׂם־אֹהֶל בָּהֶם׃ (’Be-khol hā-’āretz yāṣā qavvām; û-viqtzê tēvēl milleihem; la-shemesh sām-’ohel bāhem.)

• בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ (be-khol hā-’āretz) – in all the earth

• יָצָא (yāṣā) – has gone out (qal perfect 3rd masc. sing.)

• קַוָּם (qavvām) – their line/cord/measure (qav = measuring line, rule; suffix “-ām” = their)

• וּבִקְצֵה (û-viqtzê) – and to the end(s) of

• תֵבֵל (tēvēl) – world / inhabited land

• מִלֵּיהֶם (milleihem) – their words (from מִלָּה – word, utterance, with plural suffix)

• לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ (la-shemesh) – for the sun

• שָׂם (sām) – he placed (qal perfect 3rd masc. sing.)

• אֹהֶל (’ohel) – a tent/tabernacle

• בָּהֶם (bāhem) – in them / among them

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Psalms 19:4 Translator Notes

• The key word קַו (qav) is debated: it often means “measuring line” (Isa 28:10,13), but here it likely means a line of sound, a “voice-line” (as LXX renders it as φωνή—voice, quoted in Rom 10:18).

• This verse bridges the silent testimony (vv.1–3) with a more personified picture of the sun (vv.5–6).

• The phrase “for the sun He has placed a tent among them” indicates the heavens as a dwelling or path for the sun, introducing the next image.

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Psalms 19:5 Transliteration

וְהוּא כְּחָתָן יֹצֵא מֵחֻפָּתוֹ; יָשִׂישׂ כַּגִּבּוֹר לָרוּץ אֹרַח׃ (Ve-hû’ ke-ḥātān yōtze mē-ḥuppātō; yāśîś ka-gibbōr lā-rûṣ ’ōraḥ.)

• וְהוּא (ve-hû’) – and he/it (is)

• כְּחָתָן (ke-ḥātān) – like a bridegroom

• יֹצֵא (yōtze) – coming out / going forth (qal participle masc. sing.)

• מֵחֻפָּתוֹ (mē-ḥuppātō) – from his bridal chamber / canopy

• יָשִׂישׂ (yāśîś) – he rejoices / exults (qal imperfect 3rd masc. sing.)

• כַּגִּבּוֹר (ka-gibbōr) – like a mighty man / warrior

• לָרוּץ (lā-rûṣ) – to run (qal infinitive construct with lamed)

• אֹרַח (’ōraḥ) – path / course / way

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Psalms 19:5 Translator Notes

• The “he/it” (וְהוּא) refers to the sun from the previous verse.

• The imagery shifts to a bridegroom (joyful, radiant) and a warrior/athlete (strong, swift), both figures of vigor and splendor.

• חֻפָּה (ḥuppāh) is the canopy used in Jewish weddings, symbolizing the sun's place of emergence (its “tent” from v.4).

• The verb יָשִׂישׂ (yāśîś) means "rejoices with eagerness," capturing the daily zeal of the sun's circuit.

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Psalms 19:6 Transliteration

מִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם מוֹצָאוֹ; וּתְקוּפָתוֹ עַל־קְצוֹתָם; וְאֵין נִסְתָּר מֵחַמָּתוֹ׃ (Mi-qtzê ha-shāmayim mōtzā’ō; û-teqûfatō ‘al-qetzōtām; ve-’ên nistar mē-ḥammatō.)

• מִקְצֵה (mi-qtzê) – from the end

• הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shāmayim) – of the heavens

• מוֹצָאוֹ (mōtzā’ō) – its going forth / rising

• וּתְקוּפָתוֹ (û-teqûfatō) – and its circuit / revolution

• עַל־קְצוֹתָם (‘al-qetzōtām) – unto their ends

• וְאֵין (ve-’ên) – and there is not

• נִסְתָּר (nistar) – hidden (niphal participle masc. sing.)

• מֵחַמָּתוֹ (mē-ḥammatō) – from its heat

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Psalms 19:6 Translator Notes

• This completes the sun imagery: it rises from one horizon, traverses the heavens, and sets at the other end.

• תְקוּפָה (teqûfāh) suggests a “turning” or “orbit/circuit,” used later for seasons (Exod 34:22).

• The line “nothing is hidden from its heat” points to the sun’s universal influence, preparing for the transition (v.7) to the Torah’s even greater illumination.

• This does not reflect a modern heliocentric model but an ancient observational perspective, describing the sun’s apparent movement across the sky.

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Psalms 19:7 Transliteration

תּוֹרַת־יְהוָה תְּמִימָה מְשִׁיבַת נָפֶשׁ; עֵדוּת יְהוָה נֶאֱמָנָה מַחְכִּימַת פֶּתִי׃ (Torat-YHWH temîmāh, meshivat nāfesh; ‘ēdût YHWH ne’ĕmānāh, maḥkîmat petî.)

• תּוֹרַת (torat) – law / instruction (of)

• יְהוָה (YHWH) – Yahweh (Tetragrammaton)

• תְּמִימָה (temîmāh) – perfect / whole / complete

• מְשִׁיבַת (meshivat) – restoring / turning back (piel participle fem. sing. with noun form)

• נָפֶשׁ (nāfesh) – soul / life / inner being

• עֵדוּת (‘ēdût) – testimony / witness

• נֶאֱמָנָה (ne’ĕmānāh) – faithful / trustworthy

• מַחְכִּימַת (maḥkîmat) – making wise (hiphil participle fem. sing.)

• פֶּתִי (petî) – simple / naive / gullible one

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Psalms 19:7 Translator Notes

• The Psalm now uses YHWH (Yahweh)—covenant name—indicating special revelation, not just general revelation.

• תּוֹרָה (torah) means more than “law”; it is instruction, teaching, guidance.

• מְשִׁיבַת נָפֶשׁ (meshivat nāfesh) can mean “restoring the soul” or “bringing the life back” (renewal, refreshment).

• פֶּתִי (petî) in Proverbs often refers to the one open, naive, or unformed—Torah makes even the unlearned truly wise.

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Psalms 19:8 Transliteration

פִּקּוּדֵי יְהוָה יְשָׁרִים מְשַׂמְּחֵי־לֵב; מִצְוַת יְהוָה בָּרָה מְאִירַת עֵינָיִם׃ (Piqqudê YHWH yeshārîm, mesammĕḥê-lēv; mitzvat YHWH bārāh, me’îrat ‘ênayim.)

• פִּקּוּדֵי (piqqudê) – precepts / instructions (plural construct)

• יְהוָה (YHWH) – Yahweh

• יְשָׁרִים (yeshārîm) – upright / straight

• מְשַׂמְּחֵי (mesammĕḥê) – making rejoice (piel participle masc. pl. construct)

• לֵב (lēv) – heart

• מִצְוַת (mitzvat) – commandment (of)

• בָּרָה (bārāh) – pure / clear

• מְאִירַת (me’îrat) – enlightening / giving light (hiphil participle fem. sing.)

• עֵינָיִם (‘ênayim) – eyes

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Psalms 19:8 Translator Notes

• פִּקּוּדִים (piqqudim) emphasizes instructions or appointed rules, often practical in nature.

• The parallel lines show emotional effect (joy of heart) and intellectual effect (enlightenment of eyes).

• בָּרָה (bārāh) means “radiantly pure, untainted,” distinct from ṭāhôr (ceremonially clean).

• Enlightening the eyes recalls Psalm 13:3 (“lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death”)—it implies restoring vitality and perception.

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Psalms 19:9 Transliteration

יִרְאַת יְהוָה טְהוֹרָה עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד; מִשְׁפְּטֵי יְהוָה אֱמֶת צָֽדְקוּ יַחְדָּו׃ (Yir’at YHWH tehorāh ‘ōmedet lā‘ad; mishpĕtê YHWH ’ĕmet, tzādeqû yaḥdāv.)

• יִרְאַת (yir’at) – fear (of)

• יְהוָה (YHWH) – Yahweh

• טְהוֹרָה (tehorāh) – pure / clean

• עוֹמֶדֶת (‘ōmedet) – standing / enduring (qal participle fem. sing.)

• לָעַד (lā‘ad) – forever / perpetually

• מִשְׁפְּטֵי (mishpĕtê) – judgments / ordinances (of)

• אֱמֶת (’ĕmet) – truth / true

• צָֽדְקוּ (tzādeqû) – they are righteous / they have been righteous (qal perfect 3rd pl.)

• יַחְדָּו (yaḥdāv) – together / altogether

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Psalms 19:9 Translator Notes

• “Fear of YHWH” here is unusual among the Torah synonyms—it likely represents the reverent obedience produced by the Torah, not a new category separate from it.

• טְהוֹרָה (tehorāh) often means ceremonially clean but here more likely morally pure.

• עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד (‘ōmedet lā‘ad) = “standing forever,” expressing permanence of God’s Word.

• The second half is a collective statement: all His rulings are true and righteous together as one whole, not in isolation.

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Psalms 19:10 Transliteration

הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב, וּמִפַּז רָב; וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ, וְנֹפֶת צוּפִים׃ (Ha-neḥemādîm mizāhāv, û-mippaz rāv; û-metûqîm mi-dĕvash, ve-nōfet tzûfîm.)

• הַנֶּחֱמָדִים (ha-neḥemādîm) – the ones being desired / the desirable ones (niphal participle masc. pl.)

• מִזָּהָב (mizāhāv) – than gold (from זהב, gold)

• וּמִפַּז (û-mippaz) – and than fine gold (פַּז = refined/pure gold)

• רָב (rāv) – much / abundance

• וּמְתוּקִים (û-metûqîm) – and sweeter / more pleasant (participle masc. pl.)

• מִדְּבַשׁ (mi-dĕvash) – than honey

• וְנֹפֶת (ve-nōfet) – and drippings (flowing honeycomb)

• צוּפִים (tzûfîm) – of the honeycomb (from צוּף = to flow/drip)

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Psalms 19:10 Translator Notes

• The subject is still the Torah, testimony, precepts, commandments, fear, and judgments of YHWH from vv.7–9.

• פַּז (paz) refers to refined, high-grade gold, often poetic for “finest gold” (cf. Ps 21:3; Prov 8:19).

• נֹפֶת צוּפִים (nōfet tzûfîm) is a vivid image: fresh honeycomb oozing with honey.

• The verse uses poetic parallelism: first line = value, second line = pleasure.

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Psalms 19:11 Transliteration

גַּם עַבְדְּךָ נִזְהָר בָּהֶם; בְּשָׁמְרָם עֵקֶב רָב׃ (Gam ‘avdĕkha nizhar bāhem; be-shāmrām ‘ēqev rāv.)

• גַּם (gam) – also / moreover

• עַבְדְּךָ (‘avdĕkha) – your servant

• נִזְהָר (nizhar) – is warned / made cautious (niphal participle masc. sing.)

• בָּהֶם (bāhem) – by them / in them (referring to YHWH’s words/laws)

• בְּשָׁמְרָם (be-shāmrām) – in keeping them / by keeping them

• עֵקֶב (‘ēqev) – reward / consequence / result (can mean “heel, outcome”)

• רָב (rāv) – great / abundant

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Psalms 19:11 Translator Notes

• נִזְהָר (nizhar) carries the idea of being made careful, enlightened, warned, showing the Torah’s role in preventing error.

• עֵקֶב (‘ēqev) often means “as a result of” or “heel-end,” but here it signifies reward/consequence (cf. Deut 7:12).

• The verse transitions from objective praise (vv.7–10) to personal testimony (v.11).

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Psalms 19:12 Transliteration

שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי׃ (Shegi’ōt mî-yābîn; min-nistarōt naqqēnî.)

• שְׁגִיאוֹת (shegi’ōt) – errors / unintended sins (from שְׁגִיאָה = error, mistake, often unintentional)

• מִי־יָבִין (mî-yābîn) – who can discern/understand?

• מִן־ (min) – from

• נִסְתָּרוֹת (nistarōt) – hidden things / secret faults

• נַקֵּנִי (naqqēnî) – cleanse me / make me innocent (piel imperative with 1st person suffix)

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Psalms 19:12 Translator Notes

• שְׁגִיאוֹת (shegi’ōt) refers to inadvertent sins (cf. Lev 4:2, Num 15:27), not high-handed rebellion.

• נִסְתָּרוֹת (nistarōt) includes both unknown sins (hidden from self) and secret sins (hidden from others).

• The verse reflects a theology of human limitation: full self-knowledge is impossible without God’s cleansing.

• Begins a series of imperatives/petitions (vv.12–14) that contrast with the earlier declarative praise of the Torah.

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Psalms 19:13 Transliteration

גַּם מִזֵּדִים חֲשֹׂךְ עַבְדֶּךָ; אַל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִי; אָז אֵיתָם; וְנִקֵּיתִי מִפֶּשַׁע רָב׃ (Gam miz-zēdîm ḥăsōk ‘avdĕkha; ’al-yimshĕlû-bî; ’āz ’êthām; ve-nikkêtî mi-pesha‘ rāv.)

• גַּם (gam) – also / moreover

• מִזֵּדִים (miz-zēdîm) – from presumptuous / arrogant sins (זֵדִים = proud, deliberate sinners)

• חֲשֹׂךְ (ḥăsōk) – withhold / restrain (qal imperative masc. sing.)

• עַבְדֶּךָ (‘avdĕkha) – your servant

• אַל־ (’al) – do not

• יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִי (yimshĕlû-bî) – let them rule over me (qal imperfect 3rd pl. with suffix)

• אָז (’āz) – then

• אֵיתָם (’êthām) – I will be blameless (from תָּם = complete, innocent)

• וְנִקֵּיתִי (ve-nikkêtî) – and I shall be cleansed (niphal perfect 1st sing.)

• מִפֶּשַׁע רָב (mi-pesha‘ rāv) – from great transgression

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Psalms 19:13 Translator Notes

• זֵדִים (zēdîm) are the opposite of shegi’ōt (v.12): these are high-handed, deliberate sins (Num 15:30).

• The prayer moves from inner, hidden faults (v.12) to outer, willful acts (v.13).

• אַל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִי (’al-yimshĕlû-bî) asks that sin would not become a master—echoes Genesis 4:7 (“sin desires to rule over you, but you must rule over it”).

• אָז אֵיתָם (’āz ’êthām) indicates a conditional outcome: “then I shall be innocent/blameless.”

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Psalms 19:14 Transliteration

יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי־פִי; וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי; לְפָנֶיךָ; יְהוָה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי׃ (Yihyû l’rāṣôn ’imrê-pî; ve-hegyôn libbî; lefanekha; YHWH ṣûrî ve-go’ălî.)

• יִהְיוּ (yihyû) – may they be / let them be (qal imperfect 3rd pl. jussive)

• לְרָצוֹן (l’rāṣôn) – for acceptance / for favor

• אִמְרֵי־פִי (’imrê-pî) – the sayings of my mouth

• וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי (ve-hegyôn libbî) – and the meditation of my heart

• לְפָנֶיךָ (lefanekha) – before You (lit. “to Your face”)

• יְהוָה (YHWH) – Yahweh

• צוּרִי (ṣûrî) – my rock (lit. massive rock, refuge)

• וְגֹאֲלִי (ve-go’ălî) – and my redeemer (kinsman-redeemer, one who rescues)

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Psalms 19:14 Translator Notes

• יִהְיוּ … לְרָצוֹן is a priestly phrase (cf. Lev 1:3) meaning acceptable as an offering. The psalmist is offering his words and thoughts like a sacrifice.

• הֶגְיוֹן (hegyôn) suggests deep murmuring, reflection, or meditation (cf. Ps 1:2).

• צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי combines two covenantal images: rock (stability/refuge) and redeemer (one who delivers, rescues, or vindicates).

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