Psalm 6:4 (Psalm 6:3)

וְ֭נַפְשִׁי נִבְהֲלָ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וְאַתָּה֙ יְ֝הוָ֗ה עַד־מָתָֽי׃

And my soul is greatly dismayed; but You, O YHWH, until when?

 

# Hebrew Transliteration Literal Gloss Morph Tag
1 וְנַפְשִׁי ve-nafshi “and my soul” Conj וְ + N(fs) + suff 1cs
2 נִבְהֲלָה nivhalah “is dismayed” Niphal perfect 3fs
3 מְאֹד meʾod “greatly” Adverb
4 וְאַתָּה ve-attah “but You” Conj וְ + Pron 2ms
5 יְהוָה YHWH “YHWH” Proper N
6 עַד־ ʿad “until” Prep עַד
7 מָתָי matay “when?” Interrogative adverb

 

Morphology

  1. וְנַפְשִׁי (ve-nafshi) – Root: נפשׁ (n-p-sh); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + noun feminine singular + suffix 1st common singular; Translation: “And my soul”; Notes: “Soul” expresses the inner self, the seat of emotion and life.
  2. נִבְהֲלָה (nivhalah) – Root: בהל (b-h-l); Root Type: I-Guttural (weak); Binyan: Niphal; Form: Perfect 3rd feminine singular; Translation: “Is dismayed”; Notes: Passive/reflexive nuance indicating inward trembling or terror.
  3. מְאֹד (meʾod) – Root: אוד (ʾ-w-d) or treated adverbially; Root Type: I-Guttural (weak); Form: Adverb; Translation: “Greatly”; Notes: Intensifies the emotional state described.
  4. וְאַתָּה (ve-attah) – Root: —; Root Type: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + independent pronoun 2nd masculine singular; Translation: “But You”; Notes: Abrupt shift from self-description to direct appeal.
  5. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: —; Root Type: —; Form: Proper noun (Divine Name); Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant Name invoked in lament.
  6. עַד־ (ʿad) – Root: —; Root Type: —; Form: Preposition עַד; Translation: “Until”; Notes: Introduces temporal limit in lament formula.
  7. מָתָי (matay) – Root: —; Root Type: —; Form: Interrogative adverb; Translation: “When?”; Notes: Classic lament expression meaning “How long?” directed toward YHWH.

 

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