הַפֹּרְטִ֖ים עַל־פִּ֣י הַנָּ֑בֶל כְּדָוִ֕יד חָשְׁב֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם כְּלֵי־שִֽׁיר׃
Who pluck upon the strings of the harp, like Dawid they devise for themselves instruments of song.
Morphology
- הַפֹּרְטִים (ha-portim) – Root: פרט (parat); Form: Definite participle masculine plural Qal; Translation: “those who pluck”; Notes: Refers to musicians strumming or plucking stringed instruments, here in self-indulgent entertainment rather than true worship.
- עַל־פִּי (ʿal-pi) – Root: פה (peh); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “upon the strings of”; Notes: Literally “upon the mouth of,” an idiomatic expression referring to the opening or soundboard of the harp.
- הַנָּבֶל (ha-navel) – Root: נבל (navel); Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the harp”; Notes: A stringed instrument, similar to a lyre, used in both worship and festive music.
- כְּדָוִיד (ke-Dawid) – Root: דוד (Dawid); Form: Preposition כְּ + proper noun; Translation: “like Dawid”; Notes: Refers to King Dawid, renowned for musical skill and psalm composition; ironic here, as the indulgent emulate his artistry without his devotion.
- חָשְׁבוּ (ḥashvu) – Root: חשב (ḥashav); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they devised” or “they invented”; Notes: Describes creative activity, but in this context, self-serving invention of musical instruments for pleasure.
- לָהֶם (lahem) – Root: ל (lamed); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “for themselves”; Notes: Highlights selfish intent—music made for personal enjoyment, not for YHWH.
- כְּלֵי־שִׁיר (klei-shir) – Root: כלי (keli) + שׁיר (shir); Form: Construct phrase: noun masculine plural construct + noun masculine singular; Translation: “instruments of song”; Notes: Musical instruments, here symbols of luxury and decadence, contrasting Dawid’s worshipful music.