שָׁאֲפ֣וּ שֹׁ֭ורְרַי כָּל־הַיֹּ֑ום כִּֽי־רַבִּ֨ים לֹחֲמִ֖ים לִ֣י מָרֹֽום׃
My watchers have trampled all the day, for many are fighting against me from on high.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | שָׁאֲפוּ | shaʾafu | “they have trampled” | Qal perfect 3cp |
| 2 | שֹׁורְרַי | shoreray | “my watchers” | Qal ptc mp + suff 1cs |
| 3 | כָּל־הַיֹּום | kol-ha-yom | “all the day” | N(ms construct) + Def. art. הַ + N(ms) |
| 4 | כִּי | ki | “for” | Conj |
| 5 | רַבִּים | rabbim | “many” | Adj/N mp |
| 6 | לֹחֲמִים | loḥamim | “fighting” | Qal ptc mp |
| 7 | לִי | li | “against me” | Prep לְ + suff 1cs |
| 8 | מָרֹום | marom | “from on high” | N(ms) adv |
Morphology
- שָׁאֲפוּ (shaʾafu) – Root: שׁאף (š-ʾ-p̄); Root Type: II-Guttural (א) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “they have trampled”; Notes: In this context it conveys hostile panting after or pressing down upon the speaker. The verb שָׁאֲפוּ is a Qal perfect 3cp from the root שׁאף (“to gasp, pant, snuff up”). It evokes the sound of a predator breathing heavily as it closes in on prey. Many connect it with שׁוּף (“to crush, bruise”), extending the image toward trampling. Rendered as “trampled,” the sense is visceral: overwhelmed, stepped on, pressed down by the weight of opposition.
- שֹׁורְרַי (shoreray) – Root: שׁרר (š-r-r); Root Type: Geminate; Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal participle masculine plural + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my watchers”; Notes: Refers to hostile observers or enemies lying in wait against the speaker. The term שֹׁורְרַי is a Qal participle with a 1cs suffix, from the root שׁוּר (“to watch, lie in wait”). These are not generic enemies but watchers—specialized observers tracking every move, waiting for weakness. The participial form conveys ongoing surveillance, emphasizing that Dawid’s adversaries are relentless in their vigilance.
- כָּל־הַיֹּום (kol-ha-yom) – Root: כל (k-l) + יום (y-w-m); Root Type: Strong + Hollow (weak); Form: Noun masculine singular construct (state: construct) + definite article הַ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “all the day”; Notes: Indicates continuous hostility throughout the day.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces the reason or explanation for the complaint.
- רַבִּים (rabbim) – Root: רבב (r-b-b); Root Type: Geminate; Form: Adjective/substantive masculine plural; Translation: “many”; Notes: Emphasizes the number of adversaries.
- לֹחֲמִים (loḥamim) – Root: לחם (l-ḥ-m); Root Type: II-Guttural (ח) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal participle masculine plural; Translation: “fighting”; Notes: Describes ongoing hostile action. The phrase לֹחֲמִים לִי uses the root לחם (“to fight”) in the Qal participle.
- לִי (li) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle with suffix; Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “against me”; Notes: Here the preposition marks hostile direction toward the speaker. The preposition לִי (“to/for me”) functions adversatively here, meaning “against me.” The translation “fighting against me” correctly interprets the participial form and the combative relationship, emphasizing the ongoing hostility directed toward the speaker.
- מָרֹום (marom) – Root: רום (r-w-m); Root Type: Hollow (weak); Form: Noun masculine singular used adverbially; Translation: “from on high”; Notes: May express height, exalted position, or proud opposition. The word מָרֹום means “height” or “loftiness.” Many modern versions render it adverbially as “haughtily,” but “from on high” preserves the spatial metaphor. It suggests enemies occupying the high ground, whether political, military, or psychological, arrayed above Dawid. The image intensifies the imbalance: he looks upward at adversaries elevated in power, while God alone remains the true height.