זַמְּר֣וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים זַמֵּ֑רוּ זַמְּר֖וּ לְמַלְכֵּ֣נוּ זַמֵּֽרוּ׃
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | זַמְּרוּ | zammeru | “sing praises” | Piel imperative mp |
| 2 | אֱלֹהִים | Elohim | “God” | N(mp) |
| 3 | זַמֵּרוּ | zammeru | “sing praises” | Piel imperative mp |
| 4 | זַמְּרוּ | zammeru | “sing praises” | Piel imperative mp |
| 5 | לְמַלְכֵּנוּ | le-malkenu | “to our King” | Prep לְ + N(ms) + suff 1cp |
| 6 | זַמֵּרוּ | zammeru | “sing praises” | Piel imperative mp |
Morphology
- זַמְּרוּ (zammeru) – Root: זמר (z-m-r); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Piel; Form: Imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “sing praises”; Notes: A command directed to the community to perform musical praise. The verb זַמְּרוּ (zammeru) is a Piel imperative masculine plural. The root זמר specifically refers to making music, often with instrumental accompaniment (like a mizmor or “psalm”). ”Sing praises” is a very accurate functional literalism. While a hyper-literalist might use “Make music” or “Psalmodize,” “Sing praises” captures the intensive nature of the Piel stem; it’s not just humming a tune; it’s an active, energetic communal proclamation.
- אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “God”; Notes: Though morphologically plural, it refers here to the singular God of Yisraʾel.
- זַמֵּרוּ (zammeru) – Root: זמר (z-m-r); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Piel; Form: Imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “sing praises”; Notes: Repetition intensifies the exhortation to praise.
- זַמְּרוּ (zammeru) – Root: זמר (z-m-r); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Piel; Form: Imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “sing praises”; Notes: Continues the rhythmic imperative pattern.
- לְמַלְכֵּנוּ (le-malkenu) – Root: מלך (m-l-k); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular + suffix 1st person common plural; Translation: “to our King”; Notes: Identifies God as the King of the worshiping community.
- זַמֵּרוּ (zammeru) – Root: זמר (z-m-r); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Piel; Form: Imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “sing praises”; Notes: Final repetition concludes the verse with emphatic praise. The Hebrew order is: Verb – Noun – Verb / Verb – Noun – Verb. By keeping the fourfold repetition of “sing praises,” you maintain the liturgical “chant” feel of the verse. It emphasizes that the act of praise is just as important as the subject of the praise.