יִשֵּׂ֤מוֹת עָלֵ֗ימוֹ יֵרְד֣וּ שְׁאֹ֣ול חַיִּ֑ים כִּֽי־רָעֹ֖ות בִּמְגוּרָ֣ם בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃
Desolations are upon them; they go down to Sheʾol alive, for evils are in their dwelling, in their midst.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | יִשֵּׂמוֹת | yissemot | “desolations” | N(fp) |
| 2 | עָלֵימוֹ | ʿaleimo | “upon them” | Prep עַל + suff 3mp |
| 3 | יֵרְדוּ | yerdu | “they go down” | Qal imperfect 3mp |
| 4 | שְׁאֹול | Sheʾol | “Sheʾol” | N(fs) proper |
| 5 | חַיִּים | ḥayyim | “alive” | Adj(mp) |
| 6 | כִּי | ki | “for” | Conj |
| 7 | רָעֹות | raʿot | “evils” | N(fp) |
| 8 | בִּמְגוּרָם | bi-meguram | “in their dwelling” | Prep בְּ + N(ms) + suff 3mp |
| 9 | בְּקִרְבָּם | be-qirbam | “in their midst” | Prep בְּ + N(ms) + suff 3mp |
Morphology
- יִשֵּׂמוֹת (yissemot) – Root: שׂם (ś-m); Root Type: Geminate/Irregular; Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “Desolations”; Notes: Likely denotes sudden destruction or ruin coming upon them. The word יִשֵּׂמוֹת is a hapax legomenon, rare and difficult in form. Many scholars treat it as a compound or a Kethiv/Qere issue, but a literal approach reads it as a noun linked to שָׁמֵם (shamam, “desolation”). Rendering it as “Desolations” preserves the lexical tie to God’s shattering power in Psalm 46:9, suggesting sudden, appalling ruin.
- עָלֵימוֹ (ʿaleimo) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle with suffix; Form: Preposition עַל + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “upon them”; Notes: Indicates direction or impact of judgment. The suffix ‑מוֹ in עָלֵימוֹ is an archaic poetic ending, found also in Psalm 45. The translation “upon them” is correct, but the presence of this form adds a high‑style, ancient weight to the curse. A strict rendering respects the elevated tone by not over‑explaining, allowing the archaic cadence to carry its force.
- יֵרְדוּ (yerdu) – Root: ירד (y-r-d); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they go down”; Notes: Suggests descent into death or destruction.
- שְׁאֹול (Sheʾol) – Root: —; Root Type: Proper noun; Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “Sheʾol”; Notes: The realm of the dead in Hebrew thought. The phrase יֵרְדוּ שְׁאֹול חַיִּים (“they shall go down alive into She’ol”) is the Psalm’s most terrifying image. It directly echoes the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16:33, who descended “alive into She’ol.” Retaining “alive” preserves the sense of judgment as swift and total—the enemies are swallowed without even the passage of a normal death before entering the realm of the dead.
- חַיִּים (ḥayyim) – Root: חיה (ḥ-y-h); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “alive”; Notes: Emphasizes sudden destruction without dying first.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces explanation.
- רָעֹות (raʿot) – Root: רעע (r-ʿ-ʿ); Root Type: II-Guttural (ע) (weak); Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “evils”; Notes: Moral corruption and wrongdoing.
- בִּמְגוּרָם (bi-meguram) – Root: גור (g-w-r); Root Type: Hollow (weak); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “in their dwelling”; Notes: Their place of habitation is filled with evil.
- בְּקִרְבָּם (be-qirbam) – Root: קרב (q-r-b); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “in their midst”; Notes: Emphasizes internal corruption. The final clause contrasts בִּמְגוּרָם (“in their dwelling, neighborhood”) with בְּקִרְבָּם (“in their midst, inner‑part”). The root גור suggests an external environment of sojourning or habitation, while קֶרֶב points to the internal heart. Together, the terms form concentric circles of corruption: evil is not merely an action but both the space they inhabit and the essence of their being.