אִסְפוּ־לִ֥י חֲסִידָ֑י כֹּרְתֵ֖י בְרִיתִ֣י עֲלֵי־זָֽבַח׃
Gather to Me My faithful ones, cutters of My covenant upon sacrifice.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | אִסְפוּ | isfu | “gather” | Qal imperative 2mp |
| 2 | לִי | li | “to me” | Prep לְ + suff 1cs |
| 3 | חֲסִידָי | ḥasidai | “my faithful ones” | N(mp) + suff 1cs |
| 4 | כֹּרְתֵי | kortei | “cutters of” | Qal participle mp construct |
| 5 | בְרִיתִי | beriti | “my covenant” | N(fs) + suff 1cs |
| 6 | עֲלֵי־זָבַח | ʿalei-zavaḥ | “upon sacrifice” | Prep עַל + N(ms) |
Morphology
- אִסְפוּ (isfu) – Root: אסף (ʾ-s-f); Root Type: I-Guttural (א); Binyan: Qal; Form: Imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “Gather”; Notes: A direct command calling for assembly. The verb אִסְפוּ is an imperative plural. God is likely commanding the “witnesses” (the heavens and earth from the previous verse) to act as bailiffs and round up the defendants.
- לִי (li) – Root: ל (prep); Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “to me”; Notes: Indicates direction or purpose toward the speaker. This emphasizes that the gathering isn’t for a general assembly; it is a summons to stand directly before the Divine Judge.
- חֲסִידָי (ḥasidai) – Root: חסד (ḥ-s-d); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine plural + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my faithful ones”; Notes: Refers to those loyal in covenant relationship. The word Chasid comes from Chesed (loving-kindness, loyalty, or covenant-faithfulness). By calling them “My Chasidim,” God is using a term of endearment and relationship. However, in the context of a trial, it’s also a reminder of the standard they are expected to live up to.
- כֹּרְתֵי (kortei) – Root: כרת (k-r-t); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Participle masculine plural construct (state: construct); Translation: “cutters of”; Notes: Refers idiomatically to making or establishing a covenant. In English, we “make” or “sign” a contract; in Hebrew, you “cut” (karat) a covenant. This refers to the ancient ritual (seen in Genesis 15) where animals were split in half, and the parties walked between the pieces. The “cutting” was a graphic way of saying: “May I be cut in pieces like these animals if I break this deal.”
- בְרִיתִי (beriti) – Root: ברית (b-r-y-t); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my covenant”; Notes: The covenant belonging to the speaker, emphasizing relationship and obligation. The suffix -i makes it personal. It isn’t just a law; it is His agreement.
- עֲלֵי־זָבַח (ʿalei-zavaḥ) – Root: על (ʿ-l) + זבח (z-b-ḥ); Root Type: Particle (Strong) + Strong; Form: Preposition עַל (in plural form עֲלֵי) + noun masculine singular; Translation: “upon sacrifice”; Notes: Indicates the covenant being established or confirmed in connection with sacrificial ritual. The covenant wasn’t just a mental agreement; it was ratified “upon” or “by” a sacrifice. This points to the blood-bond that initiated the relationship between God and Israel at Sinai.
The Contrast of the “Cut”
There is a powerful irony in the translation. These people are “cutters of the covenant”—they performed the rituals, cut the animals, and went through the motions of sacrifice. Yet, as the rest of the Psalm reveals, God is about to judge them because they “cut” the animals but did not give Him their hearts. By keeping the word “cutters,” the link between physical ritual and legal obligation is preserved. The verse feels far more bloody and weighty than it would with a generic word like “made.”