Psalm 57:9 (Psalm 57:8)

ע֤וּרָה כְבֹודִ֗י ע֭וּרָֽה הַנֵּ֥בֶל וְכִנֹּ֗ור אָעִ֥ירָה שָּֽׁחַר׃

Awake, my glory; awake, the harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn.

Morphology

1. עוּרָה (ʿurah) – Root: עור (ʿ-w-r); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “awake”; Notes: A call to rouse. The verb עוּר (ʿur, “to awake”) appears here with the paragogic he suffix. In an imperative form, this suffix adds a layer of personal entreaty, emphasis, or poetic extension. The translation “Awake” is accurate, but the Hebrew form carries an intensified surge of energy—as if Dawid is rousing himself or calling upon God with heightened urgency. The suffix stretches the command, giving it a forceful, almost self‑rousing quality that conveys great effort and fervor.
2. כְבוֹדִי (kevodi) – Root: כבד (k-b-d); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “my glory”; Notes: Refers to the inner self or honor. In Hebrew psychology, כבד (kavod) (glory/weight) often refers to the soul or the tongue—the “heaviest” or most significant part of a human being. By calling his “glory” to awake, Dawid is summoning his entire inner being and his capacity for speech to join the song.
3. עוּרָה (ʿurah) – Root: עור (ʿ-w-r); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “awake”; Notes: Repetition intensifies urgency.
4. הַנֵּבֶל (ha-nevel) – Root: נבל (n-b-l); Root Type: Strong; Form: Definite article הַ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “the harp”; Notes: Musical instrument. Often translated as “psaltery” or “harp.” It was a larger stringed instrument, likely with a skin-covered soundbox.
5. וְכִנּוֹר (ve-kinnor) – Root: כנר (k-n-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and lyre”; Notes: The lyre or lute was the instrument most closely associated with David’s worship. It accompanied psalms and praise, serving as his signature means of musical devotion. In the biblical context, the lyre is not merely ornamental—it embodies the union of poetry and melody, giving voice to prayer and lament. Dawid’s use of the lyre situates his worship in both personal expression and communal liturgy, marking him as the archetypal psalmist whose music carried the weight of faith and kingship. “Harp and lyre” provides the best literal contrast between the two sizes/types of ancient stringed instruments.
6. אָעִירָה (ʾaʿirah) – Root: עור (ʿ-w-r); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע) (weak); Binyan: Hiphil; Form: Hiphil cohortative 1st person common singular; Translation: “I will awaken”; Notes: Expresses determination. The verb אָעִירָה is a Hiphil cohortative 1cs. The form places Dawid as the active subject: he is not passively waiting for dawn to rouse him, but rather intends to rouse the dawn itself with his music. The image is bold and pre‑dawn—while others sleep, his worship becomes the very act that summons the morning light. The cohortative underscores resolve and agency, portraying Dawid’s praise as the force that awakens creation.
7. שָּׁחַר (shaḥar) – Root: שׁחר (š-ḥ-r); Root Type: II-Guttural (ח) (weak); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “dawn”; Notes: Early morning time. “I will awaken the dawn” preserves one of the most vivid active metaphors in Hebrew poetry. The cohortative form portrays Dawid as taking initiative: he does not wait passively for the light to arrive but determines that his song will rouse the morning itself. The image is striking—within the cave, in the night, amid fear, he asserts control over his environment by deciding that worship will be the force that shifts the atmosphere. His music becomes the agent of transformation, summoning the dawn and turning darkness into day.