Psalms 68:13

With the Hebrew beneath

Psalms 68:13, word by word

you lie downתִּשְׁכְּבוּtishkvu

lie down

To lie down to sleep or rest.

Where else “tishkvu” appears

the sheepfoldsשְׁפַתָּיִםshefatayim

sheepfold

Pens for the flock; the sense is debated.

Where else “shefatayim” appears

the wingsכַּנְפֵיkanfe

wing

A bird's wing; shelter under God's wings.

Where else “kanfe” appears

of the dove areיוֹנָהyona

dove

A gentle bird that flies out and returns to the place it came from.

Where else “yona” appears

coveredנֶחְפָּהnechpa

overlay

To overlay with wood, gold or silver.

Where else “nechpa” appears

with silverכֶּסֶףkesef

silver

A white, valuable metal, the one most used after gold.

Where else “kesef” appears

and its feathersאֶבְרוֹתֶיevrote

pinions

The long wing feathers with which a bird flies and carries.

Where else “evrote” appears

with greenishירַקְרַקyrakrak

greenish

Greenish, yellow-green; said of the pale color of a mark, and of mildew in grain.

Where else “yrakrak” appears

goldחָרוּץcharuts

gold

A precious yellow metal of great value.

Where else “charuts” appears

Translation note

A difficult verse. Compare Judges 5:16, where those who stayed “among the sheepfolds” instead of going to battle are reproached. The dove covered with silver and gold may be an image of the spoil.

The context