רָחַשׁ לִבִּי דָּבָר טֹוב אֹמֵר אָנִי מַעֲשַׂי לְמֶלֶךְ לְשֹׁונִי עֵט סֹפֵר מָהִיר׃
My heart overflows a good matter, I am saying my works for the king, my tongue is the pen of a swift scribe.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | רָחַשׁ | raḥash | “it overflows” | Qal perfect 3ms |
| 2 | לִבִּי | libbi | “my heart” | N(ms) + suff 1cs |
| 3 | דָּבָר | davar | “a matter” | N(ms) |
| 4 | טֹוב | tov | “good” | Adj(ms) |
| 5 | אֹמֵר | ʾomer | “speaking” | Qal participle ms |
| 6 | אָנִי | ʾani | “I” | Pron 1cs |
| 7 | מַעֲשַׂי | maʿasai | “my works” | N(mp) + suff 1cs |
| 8 | לְמֶלֶךְ | le-melekh | “for a king” | Prep לְ + N(ms) |
| 9 | לְשֹׁונִי | le-shoni | “my tongue” | Prep לְ + N(fs) + suff 1cs |
| 10 | עֵט | ʿet | “pen” | N(fs) |
| 11 | סֹפֵר | sofer | “scribe” | Qal participle ms |
| 12 | מָהִיר | mahir | “swift” | Adj(ms) |
Morphology
- רָחַשׁ (raḥash) – Root: רחשׁ (r-ḥ-sh); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “it overflows”; Notes: Describes inner stirring or bubbling emotion within the heart. The Hebrew רָחַשׁ is a rare and evocative word. It literally means to “bubble up” or “stir,” like a pot of boiling water or a deep spring. “Overflows” is good, but it’s a passive result. רָחַשׁ is the active process of the heart being so stirred by inspiration that it can’t stay still. Phrases like “My heart is stirred by…” or “My heart bubbles over with…” to capture that internal motion.
- לִבִּי (libbi) – Root: לבב (l-b-b); Root Type: Geminate; Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my heart”; Notes: The seat of thought and emotion in Hebrew anthropology.
- דָּבָר (davar) – Root: דבר (d-b-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a matter”; Notes: Refers to a spoken or conceived message. In Hebrew, דָּבָר means both “word” and “thing/matter.” In a royal context, a “good word” is often an oracle or a tribute. The translation “a good matter” stays true to the literal text, but “a noble theme” is a popular way to capture the “royal” feeling of the passage.
- טֹוב (tov) – Root: טוב (ṭ-w-b); Root Type: Hollow (weak); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “good”; Notes: Qualifies the nature of the matter as beneficial or pleasing.
- אֹמֵר (ʾomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Participle masculine singular; Translation: “speaking”; Notes: Expresses ongoing verbal expression.
- אָנִי (ʾani) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Independent pronoun 1st person common singular; Translation: “I”; Notes: Explicit subject for emphasis.
- מַעֲשַׂי (maʿasai) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-ś-h); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Noun masculine plural construct (state: construct) + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my works”; Notes: Refers to compositions or deeds attributed to the speaker. The Hebrew מַעֲשַׂי (from ma’aseh) literally means “my deeds” or “my works.” In the context of a poet or a songwriter, “works” refers to his composition or his poem. While “works” is accurate, “my song” or “my verses” clarifies that he is reciting a literary creation to the king.
- לְמֶלֶךְ (le-melekh) – Root: מלך (m-l-k); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “for a king”; Notes: Indicates dedication or direction of the composition.
- לְשֹׁונִי (le-shoni) – Root: לשׁן (l-sh-n); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition לְ + noun feminine singular + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my tongue”; Notes: The instrument of speech and expression.
- עֵט (ʿet) – Root: עט (ʿ-ṭ); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע) (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “pen”; Notes: Metaphor for expressive capability.
- סֹפֵר (sofer) – Root: ספר (s-p-r); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Participle masculine singular; Translation: “scribe”; Notes: One skilled in writing or recording.
- מָהִיר (mahir) – Root: מהר (m-h-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “swift”; Notes: Describes speed and skill in writing.
- The word מָהִיר (swift) also implies “skillful” or “ready.” The poet isn’t just fast; he’s an expert.