בֵּֽ֭אלֹהִים אֲהַלֵּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר בַּ֝יהוָ֗ה אֲהַלֵּ֥ל דָּבָֽר׃
In God I will praise a word; in YHWH I will praise a word.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | בֵּאלֹהִים | be-ʾelohim | “in God” | Prep בְּ + N(mp) |
| 2 | אֲהַלֵּל | ʾahallel | “I will praise” | Piel imperfect 1cs |
| 3 | דָּבָר | davar | “a word” | N(ms) |
| 4 | בַּיהוָה | ba-YHWH | “in YHWH” | Prep בְּ + PN |
| 5 | אֲהַלֵּל | ʾahallel | “I will praise” | Piel imperfect 1cs |
| 6 | דָּבָר | davar | “a word” | N(ms) |
Morphology
- בֵּאלֹהִים (be-ʾelohim) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural used as singular proper noun; Translation: “in God”; Notes: Indicates the sphere or ground of praise. The preposition בְּ (be) here can mean “in,” “by,” or “through.” “In God” preserves the sense of the speaker’s location—his praise is anchored within the sphere of God’s character.
- אֲהַלֵּל (ʾahallel) – Root: הלל (h-l-l); Root Type: Geminate; Binyan: Piel; Form: Piel imperfect 1st person common singular; Translation: “I will praise”; Notes: Expresses intentional praise or boasting in God.
- דָּבָר (davar) – Root: דבר (d-b-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a word”; Notes: Refers to a divine word, promise, or matter being praised. In this verse, דָּבָר appears without the definite article (הַ). Most translations smooth it into “His word,” but rendering “a word” reflects the raw Hebrew more faithfully. The absence of the article keeps the term indefinite, highlighting “word” as an objective entity rather than a specific utterance. Dawid is praising God’s capacity to speak—any word, promise, or decree that comes from Him is worthy of praise. The indefinite form preserves the sense that every divine utterance carries truth and authority, not just one particular statement.
- בַּיהוָה (ba-YHWH) – Root: —; Root Type: Proper noun with preposition; Form: Preposition בְּ + proper name; Translation: “in YHWH”; Notes: Identifies YHWH as the covenant name in whom praise is grounded.
- אֲהַלֵּל (ʾahallel) – Root: הלל (h-l-l); Root Type: Geminate; Binyan: Piel; Form: Piel imperfect 1st person common singular; Translation: “I will praise”; Notes: Repetition reinforces the speaker’s trustful praise. The verb is Piel (intensive). “Praise” is the correct standard, but in the Piel, it implies a vigorous, celebratory boast. Since it is imperfect, it denotes a resolve or a continuous action: “I will [continually] praise.”
- דָּבָר (davar) – Root: דבר (d-b-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a word”; Notes: Repeated object of praise, likely God’s promise or spoken assurance.