Psalms 55:19

With the Hebrew beneath

Psalms 55:19, word by word

Elאֵלel

El, God, god

"El", an ancient Hebrew word for "God". Alone or with another title it is a name of the God of Israel: El Elyon (God Most High), El Shaddai (God Almighty). Neighboring peoples used the same word for their gods; then this translation writes "god" in lower case. It also means "mighty".

Where else “el” appears

will hearיִשְׁמַעyishma

hear

To hear a sound, or learn of something.

Where else “yishma” appears

and humble themיַעֲנֵyaane

humble

To humble, or humble oneself; to fast.

Where else “yaane” appears

—he who sitsיֹשֵׁבyoshev

sit

To sit; or sit on the throne to reign.

Where else “yoshev” appears

from of oldקֶדֶםkedem

of old

Times long ago, from far back.

Where else “kedem” appears

Selahסֶלָהsela

Selah

Selah: a word found at the end of some stanzas of the psalms. It is probably a direction for the music or a pause; its exact sense is unknown, so it is left in Hebrew.

Where else “sela” appears

changesחֲלִיפוֹתchalifot

change

A change of ways.

Where else “chalifot” appears

fearיָרְאוּyaru

revere

To revere God, or honor one's parents.

Where else “yaru” appears

Elohimאֱלֹהִיםelohim

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohim” appears

Translation note

“Will humble them”: the Hebrew verb can also mean “will answer them.” “He who sits from of old”: it can be understood of him who has reigned forever. “Have no changes”: it can be understood that they do not change their way of acting.

The context