Thursday, 31 October 2024

Psalm 62

This post addresses a number of translation and musical issues.

Psalms 62: Syllables: 257; Longest recitation: 7; Tenor: e 26.46%;
Ornament density: 12.5%; Average phrase length: 8.8. (Performance available here)

There are a scattering of rarer accents to note, qadma in verses 5 (the suffixed pronoun his with the root nwa משאת֨ו), 9 (time ע֨ת), and 13 (you את֨ה); zarqa in verse 9 (trust בטח֘ו), its cousin tsinnor in verses 4 (person איש֮), 5 (to entice להדיח֮), 10 (humanity אדם֮)  and 11 (oppression בעשק֮), and one illuy on C (spoke דב֬ר) in verse 12.

My translation is different from the traditional. KJV begins by rendering א֣ך (aç) as truly, and then switches gloss to only. I would not render א֣ך (aç) as only. The Jerusalem Bible renders it in verse 1 as the adverb alone. (In God alone there is rest for my soul.) I think of only and alone as applying to the stem bdd along with solitude and isolation though I occasionally use only as a helping word in a prepositional or conditional phrase (e.g. לו if only - Psalm 81:14).

Translations in the tradition of the King James Version vary the gloss for a word. It was English literary style at the time (and when I was young) not to use the same word too close to another instance. This practice conflicts with  the deliberate recurrence of the sound in Hebrew poetry. In this case א֣ך (aç) an exclamation. It's true that in English the words only and alone can have an exclusive rather than an isolated sense, but they can't behave as an exclamation. They are more like explanation. That is not the function of translation.

I have glossed the stem aleph caf, ac, as surely about half of the instances where it occurs. You can see this word א֣ך (aç) 6 times in this psalm - twice on B and twice on C and twice on e. In this case the emphasis must be a word accented on the first syllable to use the translation to fit the music. So though only or alone might carry the sense (though I don't think they do), these glosses cannot carry the urgency. 

Of course this is not the only translation issue. I don't hear this as a psalm of repose or rest as the JB has it. And my use of mute is double edged - it may well be a sense of quiet, but it is also silence. There are of course several stems in Hebrew with overlapping senses in these domains just as there are in English. Such is the nature of translation, especially difficult in a close translation. To put it bluntly, it is very hard to explain what a psalm means. I don't know the answers in advance of this exploration.

Strangely too, I have not mentioned recently that I never use soul as a gloss. For npw (nefesh) I have a few nouns that are used. My full treatment can be reviewed here: npw. The stem is sometimes just a body part, throat or cadaver, sometimes a collective noun where I use group, sometimes just self or being or even just a personal pronoun. Occasionally I use the gloss integrity. None of these glosses is used in my work for any other Hebrew stem. I work with a 1 to 1 or a 1 to many mapping of glosses, and only rarely am I forced to use many to many. So 98% of the time, my translation can be reverse-translated with some degree of sonar accuracy. In this psalm integrity would work well. Toward God my integrity should surely be mute. That gloss might work for an English setting. There may be some suggestive rhythmic options with it.

The first step in testing a translation with the music is to underlay the music with the English - here's a bit of a start with the first few verses of this psalm.
Preliminary first steps to examining a translation for underlay and melodic suggestions

Note the repeated phrase in verses 3a and 7a, and the music is identical. Perhaps this psalm could be set with an antiphon. Or is this already a built-in refrain? Is there a hint of uncertainty in verse 3? The gloss much could be used for exceedingly רבֽה rbh. 'I will not be much moved' sounds as if I may be moved a little.

Here are some other questions to consider. Why does verse 2 begin on the B? Who is Jeduthun? Verses 4, 5, and 6 are tied together by their first notes as are verses 9 and 10. Does the music follow the literary structure or draw out a different lesson?

1 For the leader. For Jeduthun. A psalm. Of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֥ח עֽל־ידות֗ון מזמ֥ור לדוֽד 13
a lmnxk yl-idutun mzmor ldvid
2 ♪B Surely toward God my being is mute.
From him is my salvation. (B-1-4-1)
ב א֣ך אל־א֭להים דֽומי֣ה נפש֑י
מ֝מ֗נו ישועתֽי
10
7
b aç al-alohim dumiih npwi
mmnu iwuyti
3 Surely he is my rock and my salvation,
my retreat. I will not be exceedingly moved. (1-4-1)
ג אך־ה֣וא צ֭ורי וֽישועת֑י
מ֝שגב֗י לא־אמ֥וט רבֽה
8
7
g aç-hua xuri viwuyti
mwgbi la-amoT rbh
4 How long please will you rail over a person? You will be demolished all of you,
as a bulging house wall,
a fence pushed over. (1-2-4-1)
ד עד־א֤נה תהֽותת֣ו על־איש֮ תרצח֪ו כ֫לכ֥ם
כק֥יר נט֑וי
ג֝ד֗ר הדחויֽה
13
4
5
d yd-anh thottu yl-aiw trxku culcm
cqir nTui
gdr hdkuih
5 ♪C Surely from his lifting up they conspire to entice. They favour a lie.
In his mouth, they bless,
but within they deny. Selah. (C-1-2-4-1)
ה א֤ך משאת֨ו יעצ֣ו להדיח֮ ירצ֪ו כ֫ז֥ב
בפ֥יו יבר֑כו
ו֝בקרב֗ם יקללו־סֽלה
15
6
7
h aç mwato iyxu lhdik irxu czb
bpiv ibrcu
ubqrbm iqllu-slh
6 ♪B Surely of God be mute, my being,
for from him I wait. (B-1-4-1)
ו א֣ך ל֭אלהים ד֣ומי נפש֑י
כי־מ֝מ֗נו תקותֽי
8
6
v aç lalohim domi npwi
ci-mmnu tqvvti
7 Surely he is my rock and my salvation,
my retreat. I will not be moved. (1-4-1)
ז אך־ה֣וא צ֭ורי וֽישועת֑י
מ֝שגב֗י ל֣א אמֽוט
8
6
z aç-hua xuri viwuyti
mwgbi la amoT
8 Upon God is my safety and my glory,
the rock of my strength, my refuge in God. (1-4-1)
ח על־א֭להים ישע֣י וכבוד֑י
צור־עז֥י מ֝חס֗י בֽאלהֽים
9
8
k yl-alohim iwyi ucbodi
xur-yuzi mksi balohim
9 Trust in him for all time, O people. Pour out in his presence your heart.
God is a refuge for us. Selah. (1-4-1)
ט בטח֘ו ב֤ו בכל־ע֨ת ע֗ם שפכֽו־לפנ֥יו לבבכ֑ם
אלה֖ים מחסה־ל֣נו סֽלה
15
10
T bTku bo bcl-yt ym wpcu-lpniv lbbcm
alohim mksh-lnu slh
10 ♪C Surely the children of humanity are futility, a lie, the children - each.
To ascend in the balance,
they are futile altogether. (C-1-2-4-1)
י א֤ך ה֥בל בנֽי־אדם֮ כז֪ב בנ֫י־א֥יש
במאזנ֥ים לעל֑ות
ה֝֗מה מה֥בל יֽחד
11
6
7
i aç hbl bni-adm czb bni-aiw
bmazniim lylot
hmh mhbl ikd
11 Do not trust in oppression or in robbery. Do not become futile.
If wealth profits,
do not set your heart on it. (1-2-4-1)
יא אל־תבטח֣ו בעשק֮ ובגז֪ל אל־ת֫הב֥לו
ח֤יל כֽי־ינ֑וב
אל־תש֥יתו לֽב
14
4
5
ia al-tbTku byowq ubgzl al-thblu
kil ci-inub
al-twitu lb
12 God spoke once. Twice I heard this,
for strength is God's. (1-4-1)
יב אח֤ת דב֬ר אלה֗ים שתֽים־ז֥ו שמ֑עתי
כ֥י ע֝֗ז לאלהֽים
13
5
ib akt dibr alohim wtiim-zu wmyti
ci yoz lalohim
13 And of you my Lord there is mercy,
for you yourself pay each according to its deeds. (1-4-1)
יג ולךֽ־אדנ֥י ח֑סד
כֽי־את֨ה תשל֖ם לא֣יש כֽמעשֽהו
6
12
ig ulç-adonii ksd
ci-ath twlm laiw cmywhu
The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here

Psalm 110

Psalms 110: Syllables: 146; Longest recitation: 7; Tenor: f# 21.92%;
Ornament density: 13.1%; Average phrase length: 9.1.

This psalm, one of two oracles in the psalter, is so special it is followed by two acrostics. There are no performances of the raw data that I am aware of. The psalm has great lines that lend themselves to chorale treatment. The willingness of the people is ornamented by a tsinnor in verse 3. Qadma appear in verses 1 and 4 both ornamenting the divine name. 

The music of some of the verses of Psalm 110 anchors the first part of my oratorio Unleashing Leviathan. Lots more could be done with it.

1 Of David a psalm,
an oracle of Yahweh to my Lord. Sit at my right hand,
till I set your enemies as your footstool. (1-2-4-1)
א לדו֗ד מ֫זמ֥ור
נא֤ם יהו֨ה לֽאדנ֗י ש֥ב לֽימינ֑י
עד־אש֥ית א֝יב֗יך הד֣ם לרגלֽיך
5
11
12
a ldvid mzmor
naum ihvh ladoni wb limini
yd-awit aoibiç hdom lrgliç
2 Yahweh will send the rod of your strength out of Zion.
Rule within and among your enemies. (1-4-1)
ב מטֽה־עזך֗ ישל֣ח י֭הוה מצי֑ון
ר֝ד֗ה בק֣רב איבֽיך
11
8
b mTh-yuzç iwlk ihvh mxion
rdh bqrb aoibiç
3 Your people are willing in the day of your weal.
In the honour of holiness from the womb of the dawn,
yours is the dew of your childhood. (1-2-4-1)
ג עמך֣ נדבת֮ בי֪ום ח֫יל֥ך
בֽהדרי־ק֭דש מר֣חם משח֑ר
ל֝ך֗ ט֣ל ילדתֽיך
10
10
7
g ymç ndbot biom kilç
bhdri-qodw mrkm mwkr
lç Tl ildutç
4 Yahweh has sworn and without a sigh, You are a priest forever,
by the word of Melchizedek. (1-4-1)
ד נשב֤ע יהו֨ה ול֥א ינח֗ם אתֽה־כה֥ן לעול֑ם
על־ד֝ברת֗י מלכי־צֽדק
16
8
d nwby ihvh vla iinkm ath-cohn lyolm
yl-dbrti mlci-xdq
5 My Lord is at your right hand.
He will wound kings in the day of his anger. (1-4-1)
ה אדנ֥י על־ימֽינך֑
מח֖ץ ביום־אפ֣ו מלכֽים
7
9
h adonii yl-iminç
mkx biom-apo mlcim
6 He will advocate among the nations, a fullness of bodies.
He will wound exceedingly a head on earth. (1-4-1)
ו יד֣ין ב֭גוים מל֣א גוי֑ות
מ֥חץ ר֝֗אש על־א֥רץ רבֽה
10
8
v idin bgoiim mla gvviiot
mkx raw yl-arx rbh
7 ♪g He will imbibe from the torrent in the way.
Therefore he will lift a head high. (g-1-4-1)
ז מ֭נחל בד֣רך ישת֑ה
על־כ֝֗ן יר֥ים רֽאש
8
5
z mnkl bdrç iwth
yl-cn irim raw

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Wednesday, 30 October 2024

There is no time

Bosco Peters gives an excellent summary of inspiration in a post entitled Which Bible is Inspired. It's a really helpful way for me to think about why this or that collection of texts seems to work the way it does -- as does the liturgy, I might add.

This God-breathed word is like bringing the creation of Adam into today. As well as the creation of Eve --  and why I'm at it, why not murder - are not Cain and Abel with us today, confusion (not hard to imagine how Babel relates to our politics and our personal mumblings to each other), and natural disaster -- wake up, Rip van Winkle, the climate is changed. 

I wonder if we together today will allow the God who breathes us into life to make such equality possible -- in our time -- within our multifarious 'throats'. I woke up mute after a day of disagreeable things with Qohelet 3 on my mind. And I thought - there is no time. I was definitely feeling out of season. So I am looking for this life-giving breath in us all together as we get through the very troubling era that is present to us. 

Richard Beck continues to post very helpful theology. This one on virtue in non-believers is good like that first chapter of Genesis all of which is present to us, each day unfolding to our hearts. And as Herbert says - we count 300 but we misse - there is but one, and that one ever. Even if ever is a time-laden word. And I think the phrase non-believer is off base to use another metaphor. There must be hosts of people with other beliefs than mine, whatever they are, that I am working with and mutually dependent on.

Psalm 23

Psalms 23: Syllables: 134; Longest recitation: 9; Tenor: f# 32.84%;
Ornament density: 11.9%; Average phrase length: 11.2.

The psalm has a tenor of f# -- pending, not a stable place. Verses 4 and 6 link themselves to the previous verse via their opening pitch. Each on the high C, a note of imprecation - the drop to the tonic in verse 4 gives a low tessitura to the shadow of death. The zarqa underlines the confidence and aids the singer to the leap back to the C before coming to the mid-verse rest on the subdominant. We often forget the adversaries (not enemies -- there's no need for a discordant translation here). But verse 6 returning again to the high note transforms it into a confident conclusion. See further reflections here from Heather Thiessen.

Performances here and here.
1 A psalm of David.
Yahweh is my shepherd. I will not lack. (1-4-1)
א מזמ֥ור לדו֑ד
יהו֥ה ר֝ע֗י ל֣א אחסֽר
5
7
a mzmor ldvid
ihvh royi la aksr
2 In verdant loveliness he makes me recline.
By waters at rest he refreshes me. (1-4-1)
ב בנא֣ות ד֭שא ירביצ֑ני
על־מ֖י מנח֣ות ינהלֽני
8
10
b bnaot dwa irbixni
yl-mi mnukot inhlni
3 My being he repairs.
He guides me in tracks of righteousness for the sake of his name. (1-4-1)
ג נפש֥י ישוב֑ב
יֽנח֥ני במעגלי־צ֝֗דק למ֣ען שמֽו
5
14
g npwi iwobb
inkni bmygli-xdq lmyn wmo
4 ♪C Furthermore because I walk in the gorge shadowing death, I will not fear evil, because you are with me.
Your sceptre and your staff, they re-create me. (C-1-4-1)
ד ג֤ם כֽי־אל֨ך בג֪יא צלמ֡ות לא־א֘יר֤א ר֗ע כי־את֥ה עמד֑י
שבטך֥ ו֝משענת֗ך ה֣מה ינֽחמֽני
19
15
d gm ci-alç bgia xlmvvt la-aira ry ci-ath yimdi
wbTç umwyntç hmh inkmuni
5 You arrange facing me a table in front of my adversaries.
You fatten with oil my head. My cup is saturated. (1-4-1)
ה תער֬ך לפנ֨י שלח֗ן נ֥גד צרר֑י
דש֖נת בש֥מן ר֝אש֗י כוס֥י רויֽה
12
13
h tyroç lpnii wulkn ngd xorrii
diwnt bwmn rawi cosi rvvih
6 ♪C Surely goodness and kindness pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will sit in the house of Yahweh for length of days. (C-1-4-1)
ו א֤ך ט֤וב וח֣סד י֭רדפוני כל־ימ֣י חי֑י
ושבת֥י בבית־י֝הו֗ה לא֣רך ימֽים
14
12
v aç Tob vksd irdpuni cl-imi kii
vwbti bbit-ihvh laorç imim

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Qohelet 3

 I don't have time. There is no time. Some things I cannot fix. Delight? Futility.

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.


Qohelet 3: Syllables: 596; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: B 25.50%;
Ornament density: 12.4%; Average phrase length: 16.1.
No performance available. Arrangement of part of the chapter (1-15)- is here. The return to the tonic in verse 8 is supported in Aleppo. The music is quite different from what we have seen so far in the psalms.
 
1 To everything there is a season,
and a time for every delight under the heavens. (1-4-1)
א לכ֖ל זמ֑ן
וע֥ת לכל־ח֖פץ ת֥חת השמֽים
4
12
a lcol zmn
vyt lcl-kpx tkt hwmiim
2 ♪f A time to give birth and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to root out what is planted, (f-1-4-1)
ב ע֥ת לל֖דת וע֣ת למ֑ות
ע֣ת לט֔עת וע֖ת לעק֥ור נטֽוע
8
12
b yt lldt vyt lmut
yt lTyt vyt lyqor nTuy
3 ♪C a time to slay and a time to heal, a time to breach and a time to build, (C-1-1)
ג ע֤ת להרוג֙ וע֣ת לרפ֔וא ע֥ת לפר֖וץ וע֥ת לבנֽות 15
g yt lhrog vyt lrpoa yt lprox vyt lbnot
4 ♪C a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to wail and a time to skip, (C-1-1)
ד ע֤ת לבכות֙ וע֣ת לשח֔וק ע֥ת ספ֖וד וע֥ת רקֽוד 14
d yt lbcot vyt lwkoq yt spod vyt rqod
5 ♪C a time to fling stones and a time to garner stones,
a time to clasp and a time to be distant from clasping, (C-1-4-1)
ה ע֚ת להשל֣יך אבנ֔ים וע֖ת כנ֣וס אבנ֑ים
ע֣ת לחב֔וק וע֖ת לרח֥ק מחבֽק
14
11
h yt lhwliç abnim vyt cnos abnim
yt lkboq vyt lrkoq mkbq
6 ♪C a time to seek and a time to be lost, a time to keep and a time to fling, (C-1-1)
ו ע֤ת לבקש֙ וע֣ת לאב֔ד ע֥ת לשמ֖ור וע֥ת להשלֽיך 17
v yt lbqw vyt labd yt lwmor vyt lhwliç
7 ♪C a time to rip and a time to sew, a time to be calm and a time to speak, (C-1-1)
ז ע֤ת לקר֙וע֙ וע֣ת לתפ֔ור ע֥ת לחש֖ות וע֥ת לדבֽר 17
z yt lqroy vyt ltpor yt lkwot vyt ldbr
8 ♪C a time to love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace. (C-1-1)
ח ע֤ת לֽאהב֙ וע֣ת לשנ֔א ע֥ת מלחמ֖ה וע֥ת שלֽום 16
k yt lahob vyt lwnoa yt mlkmh vyt wlom
9 What is the advantage for the maker in that it toils? (1-1)
ט מה־יתרון֙ הֽעוש֔ה באש֖ר ה֥וא עמֽל 12
T mh-itron hyowh bawr hua yml
10 I have seen the business that God gives to the children of the human to be busy with. (1-1)
י רא֣יתי את־הֽעני֗ן אש֨ר נת֧ן אלה֛ים לבנ֥י האד֖ם לענ֥ות בֽו 23
i raiti at-hyniin awr ntn alohim lbni hadm lynot bo
11 The whole he has made beautiful in its time,
even the obscurity he has given in their heart without which the human would not find out the doings that this God has done from beginning and to conclusion. (1-4-1)
יא את־הכ֥ל עש֖ה יפ֣ה בעת֑ו
ג֤ם את־העלם֙ נת֣ן בלב֔ם מבל֞י אש֧ר לא־ימצ֣א האד֗ם את־הֽמעש֛ה אשר־עש֥ה האלה֖ים מר֥אש ועד־סֽוף
10
38
ia at-hcol ywh iph byito
gm at-hyolm ntn blibm mbli awr la-imxa hadm at-hmywh awr-ywh halohim mraw vyd-sof
12 I know that there is no good in them,
except to be glad and to do good in each life. (1-4-1)
יב יד֕עתי כ֛י א֥ין ט֖וב ב֑ם
כ֣י אם־לשמ֔וח ולעש֥ות ט֖וב בחיֽיו
7
13
ib idyti ci ain Tob bm
ci am-lwmok vlywot Tob bkiiv
13 And even every human that eats and imbibes and sees good in all its toil,
from the giving of God it is. (1-4-1)
יג וג֤ם כל־האדם֙ שיאכ֣ל ושת֔ה ורא֥ה ט֖וב בכל־עמל֑ו
מת֥ת אלה֖ים הֽיא
21
6
ig vgm cl-hadm wiacl vwth vrah Tob bcl-ymlo
mtt alohim hia
14 I know, because everything that this God does, it is forever. To it, there is nothing to add and from it, there is nothing to be subtracted,
and this God does that which they fear from his presence. (1-4-1)
יד יד֗עתי כ֠י כל־אש֨ר יעש֤ה האלהים֙ ה֚וא יהי֣ה לעול֔ם עליו֙ א֣ין להוס֔יף וממ֖נו א֣ין לגר֑ע
והאלה֣ים עש֔ה שיֽרא֖ו מלפנֽיו
34
13
id idyti ci cl-awr iywh halohim hua ihih lyolm yliv ain lhosif ummnu ain lgroy
vhalohim ywh wiirau mlpniv
15 What is it that becomes? Already it is. And that that is to become? Already it has become.
And this God seeks the one that is pursued. (1-4-1)
טו מה־שֽהיה֙ כב֣ר ה֔וא ואש֥ר להי֖ות כב֣ר הי֑ה
והאלה֖ים יבק֥ש את־נרדֽף
16
11
Tv mh-whih cbr hua vawr lhiot cbr hih
vhalohim ibqw at-nrdf
16 And further I saw, under the sun,
the place of judgment. Heading there was the wicked. And the place of the righteous. Heading there was the wicked. (1-4-1)
טז וע֥וד רא֖יתי ת֣חת הש֑מש
מק֤ום המשפט֙ ש֣מה הר֔שע ומק֥ום הצ֖דק ש֥מה הרֽשע
10
20
Tz vyod raiti tkt hwmw
mqom hmwpT wmh hrwy umqom hxdq wmh hrwy
17 I myself said in my heart, This God will judge the righteous one and the wicked one,
for the time for every delight and concerning every particular deed there. (1-4-1)
יז אמ֤רתֽי אני֙ בלב֔י את־הצדיק֙ ואת־ה֣רש֔ע ישפ֖ט האלה֑ים
כי־ע֣ת לכל־ח֔פץ וע֥ל כל־הֽמעש֖ה שֽם
23
14
iz amrti ani blibi at-hxdiq vat-hrwy iwpoT halohim
ci-yt lcl-kpx vyl cl-hmywh wm
18 I myself said in my heart about the things of the children of the human to purify them for this God,
and to show that they are a beast themselves to themselves. (1-4-1)
יח אמ֤רתֽי אני֙ בלב֔י על־דברת֙ בנ֣י האד֔ם לבר֖ם האלה֑ים
ולרא֕ות שהם־בהמ֥ה ה֖מה להֽם
23
12
ik amrti ani blibi yl-dbrt bni hadm lbrm halohim
vlraot whm-bhmh hmh lhm
19 For what transpires for the children of the human and what transpires for the beast? And what transpires for them is one thing. As death for this so is death for that, and one spirit for all.
And for the human over the beast there is no advantage, for the whole is futility. (1-4-1)
יט כי֩ מקר֨ה בֽני־האד֜ם ומקר֣ה הבהמ֗ה ומקר֤ה אחד֙ לה֔ם כמ֥ות זה֙ כ֣ן מ֣ות ז֔ה ור֥וח אח֖ד לכ֑ל
ומות֨ר האד֤ם מן־הבהמה֙ א֔ין כ֥י הכ֖ל הֽבל
33
17
iT ci mqrh bni-hadm umqrh hbhmh umqrh akd lhm cmot zh cn mot zh vruk akd lcol
umotr hadm mn-hbhmh ain ci hcol hbl
20 The whole ambles to one place.
The whole is from the dust and the whole returns to the dust. (1-4-1)
כ הכ֥ל הול֖ך אל־מק֣ום אח֑ד
הכל֙ הי֣ה מן־הֽעפ֔ר והכ֖ל ש֥ב אל־העפֽר
9
16
c hcol holç al-mqom akd
hcol hih mn-hypr vhcol wb al-hypr
21 ♪B Who knows if the sprite of the human child ascends herself upward,
or the sprite of the beast descends herself to the couch of the earth? (B-1-4-1)
כא מ֣י יוד֗ע ר֚וח בנ֣י האד֔ם העל֥ה ה֖יא למ֑עלה
ור֙וח֙ הבהמ֔ה היר֥דת ה֖יא למ֥טה לאֽרץ
18
17
ca mi iody ruk bni hadm hyolh hia lmylh
vruk hbhmh hiordt hia lmTh larx
22 And I saw that there is no good but that the human should be glad through its deeds for this is its share,
for who will make it come to see into what is that will be after it? (1-4-1)
כב ורא֗יתי כ֣י א֥ין טוב֙ מאש֨ר ישמ֤ח האדם֙ בֽמעש֔יו כי־ה֖וא חלק֑ו
כ֣י מ֤י יביא֙נו֙ לרא֔ות במ֖ה שיהי֥ה אחרֽיו
22
16
cb vraiti ci ain Tob mawr iwmk hadm bmywiv ci-hua klqo
ci mi ibianu lraot bmh wihih akriv

Psalm 36

Psalms 36: Syllables: 236; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: e 22.46%;
Ornament density: 9.4%; Average phrase length: 8.7.

This is one of the psalms that begins with a trumpet fanfare - the impact of the illuy as interpreted in this deciphering key derived by Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura. (Or shofar). It is one of two psalms labeled as an oracle. The other is psalm 110. Both these psalms are followed by acrostics. That makes them special. This psalm is about 'me'. It is not any 'other'. The qadma is common in the prose books but rare in the poetry, it occurs in only 353 verses.

1 For the leader. Of a servant of Yahweh. Of David. (1-1)
א למנצ֬ח לעֽבד־יהו֬ה לדוֽד 12
a lmnxk lybd-ihvh ldvid
2 An oracle on the transgression of the wicked within my heart,
there is no dread of God before its eyes. (1-4-1)
ב נאֽם־פ֣שע ל֭רשע בק֣רב לב֑י
אֽין־פ֥חד א֝לה֗ים לנ֣גד עינֽיו
12
11
b naum-pwy lrwy bqrb libi
ain-pkd alohim lngd yiniv
3 For it divides itself in its own eyes,
to find hate for its iniquity. (1-4-1)
ג כֽי־החל֣יק אל֣יו בעינ֑יו
למצ֖א עונ֣ו לשנֽא
8
7
g ci-hkliq aliv byiniv
lmxoa yvono lwnoa
4 The words of its mouth are mischief and deceit.
It leaves off insight to do good. (1-4-1)
ד דברי־פ֭יו א֣ון ומרמ֑ה
חד֖ל להשכ֣יל להיטֽיב
8
8
d dbri-piv avvn umrmh
kdl lhwcil lhiTib
5 ♪C Mischief it devises when it lies down.
It stations itself on a way that is not good.
Evil it does not refuse. (C-1-2-4-1)
ה א֤ון יחש֗ב עֽל־משכ֫ב֥ו
י֭תיצב על־ד֣רך לא־ט֑וב
ר֝֗ע ל֣א ימאֽס
8
8
4
h avvn ikwob yl-mwcbo
itiixb yl-drç la-Tob
ry la imas
6 ♪g Yahweh, to the heavens is your kindness,
your faithfulness to the skies. (g-1-4-1)
ו י֭הוה בהשמ֣ים חסד֑ך
א֝מ֥וּנתך֗ עד־שחקֽים
9
5
v ihvh bhwmiim ksdç
amוּntç yd-wkqim
7 Your righteousness as the hills of God, your judgments an exceeding abyss.
Human and beast you save, Yahweh. (1-4-1)
ז צדקֽתך֨ כֽהררי־א֗ל מ֭שפטך תה֣ום רב֑ה
א֤דֽם ובהמ֖ה תוש֣יע יהוֽה
15
10
z xdqtç chrri-al mwpTiç thom rbh
adm ubhmh towiy ihvh
8 How precious your kindness, O God.
And the children of humanity,
in the shadow of your wings take refuge. (1-2-4-1)
ח מה־יק֥ר חסדך֗ אל֫ה֥ים
ובנ֥י אד֑ם
בצ֥ל כ֝נפ֗יך יחסיֽון
9
4
10
k mh-iqr ksdç alohim
ubni adm
bxl cnpiç iksiun
9 ♪g They will be saturated from the fatness of your house,
and the torrents of your enthrallment they will drink. (g-1-4-1)
ט י֭רוין מד֣שן בית֑ך
ונ֖חל עדנ֣יך תשקֽם
9
9
T irvviun mdwn bitç
vnkl ydniç twqm
10 For with you is the fountain of life.
In your light we see light. (1-4-1)
י כֽי־ע֭מך מק֣ור חי֑ים
ב֝אורך֗ נראה־אֽור
7
6
i ci-yimç mqor kiim
baorç nrah-aor
11 Draw out your kindness to those knowing you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart. (1-4-1)
יא מש֣ך ח֭סדך לידע֑יך
ו֝צדקֽתך֗ לישרי־לֽב
9
8
ia mwoç ksdç liodyiç
vxdqtç liwri-lb
12 Do not let a proud stride come to me,
nor the hand of the wicked make me waver. (1-4-1)
יב אל־ת֭בואני ר֣גל גאו֑ה
ויד־ר֝שע֗ים אל־תנדֽני
10
10
ib al-tboani rgl gavvh
vid-rwyim al-tnidni
13 ♪B There the workers of mischief are fallen.
They are pushed over and will not be able to arise. (B-1-4-1)
יג ש֣ם נ֭פלו פ֣עלי א֑ון
ד֝ח֗ו ולא־י֥כלו קֽום
8
7
ig wm nplu poyli avvn
doku vla-iclu qum

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Psalm 145

Psalms 145: Syllables: 406; Longest recitation: 9; Tenor: A 25.12%;
Ornament density: 7.9%; Average phrase length: 9.

In this psalm you can see that we begin with a tricolon 1-2-4-1 and end with a 1-2-1 bi-colon. These are the only two verses in the psalm with an ole veyored (a cadence on the supertonic).

Nine verses, 4 to 7, 11, 15, 16, 18, and 20 are all without ornaments. The remaining verses except verse 20 have the usual combinations of revia and geresh. Verse 13, the Mem verse, drops to the tonic after the cadence on the supertonic. It was a suspicious drop but the same melody is in the Aleppo codex also.

As for the rarer ornaments, verse 3 has a zarqa. Zarqa and its offset tsinnor occur in 416 verses, fewer than 10% of the 4,465 verses of the poetry books. Verse 13 includes a pazer. The pazer is part of my reconstruction from the Septuagint of the missing N verse. Pazer occurs only in 90 verses, 2% of the poetry verses. In contrast revia and geresh occur in more than 76% of the poetry verses.

Psalm 145 is the celebration of psalm 144, as Psalms 9 and 10 are the celebration of Psalm 8. Psalms 8 and 144 are related through the question they share, and they are the only two psalms to mention fingers. The contrast is instructive. In psalm 8 the fingers of God made the heavens and the earth that the psalmist observes. In psalm 143, the fingers of the psalmist learn war. We might ask what battles are we fighting and how well trained are we? The content of the battle looks like praise and thanksgiving to me. We are all handling a lot of conflict these days. How do we respond?

1 A praise of David.
I will exalt you my God the king,
and I will bless your name forever and ever. (1-2-4-1)
א תהל֗ה לד֫ו֥ד
ארוממך֣ אלוה֣י המ֑לך
ואברכ֥ה ש֝מך֗ לעול֥ם ועֽד
6
10
12
a thilh ldvid
arommç alohii hmlç
vabrch wmç lyolm vyd
2 Bless you I will in every day,
and I will praise your name forever and ever. (1-4-1)
ב בכל־י֥ום אברכ֑ך
ואהלל֥ה ש֝מך֗ לעול֥ם ועֽד
8
11
b bcl-iom abrcç
vahllh wmç lyolm vyd
3 ♪~ Great is Yahweh and much to be praised,
and his greatness is beyond examining. (~1-4-1)
ג ג֘ד֤ול יהו֣ה ומהל֣ל מא֑ד
ו֝לגדלת֗ו א֣ין חֽקר
9
8
g gdol ihvh umhull maod
vlgdulto ain kqr
4 ♪B Down through the generations the commendation of your deeds,
and your valour will be conspicuous. (B-1-4-1)
ד ד֣ור ל֭דור ישב֣ח מעש֑יך
וגב֖ורת֣יך יגֽידו
10
8
d dor ldor iwbk mywiç
ugburotiç igidu
5 ♪g Honour, glory, your splendour,
and the words of your wonders I ponder. (g-1-4-1)
ה ה֭דר כב֣וד הוד֑ך
ודבר֖י נפלאות֣יך אשֽיחה
7
11
h hdr cbod hodç
vdbri nplaotiç awikh
6 Vocal they will be of strength and your fearfulness,
and I will recount your greatness. (1-4-1)
ו ועז֣וז נוראת֣יך יאמ֑רו
וגדולתך֥ אספרֽנה
10
8
v vyzuz noraotiç iamru
ugdultç asprnh
7 ♪B Zealous in the memory of your abundant goodness,
they will shout aloud of your righteousness. (B-1-4-1)
ז ז֣כר רב־טובך֣ יב֑יעו
וצדקתך֥ ירנֽנו
8
8
z zcr rb-Tubç ibiyu
vxdqtç irnnu
8 How gracious and compassionate is Yahweh,
slow to anger and of great kindness. (1-4-1)
ח חנ֣ון ורח֣ום יהו֑ה
א֥רך א֝פ֗ים וגדל־חֽסד
7
8
k knun vrkum ihvh
arç apiim ugdol-ksd
9 To all Yahweh is good,
and his compassion is over all he has made. (1-4-1)
ט טוב־יהו֥ה לכ֑ל
ו֝רחמ֗יו על־כל־מעשֽיו
5
9
T Tob-ihvh lcol
vrkmiv yl-cl-mywiv
10 Yahweh, all you have made will give you thanks,
and those under your mercy will bless you. (1-4-1)
י יוד֣וך י֭הוה כל־מעש֑יך
ו֝חסיד֗יך יברכֽוכה
10
10
i ioduç ihvh cl-mywiç
vksidiç ibrcuç
11 Kingdom glory will be their talk,
and of your valour they will speak. (1-4-1)
יא כב֣וד מלכותך֣ יאמ֑רו
וגבורתך֥ ידבֽרו
8
8
ia cbod mlcutç iamru
ugburtç idbru
12 Letting his valour be known to the children of the human,
and the glorious honour of his reign. (1-4-1)
יב להוד֤יע לבנ֣י ה֭אדם גבורת֑יו
ו֝כב֗וד הד֣ר מלכותֽו
13
7
ib lhodiy lbni hadm gburotiv
ucbod hdr mlcuto
13 Making your reign a reign for every era,
and your governance in all generations.
Note that faithful is Yahweh in his words,
and merciful in all his deeds. (1-4-1)
יג מֽלכותך֗ מלכ֥ות כל־עלמ֑ים
ו֝מֽמשלתך֗ בכל־ד֥ור ודֽור
נאמ֗ן יהו֣ה בדבר֑יו
וחס֝יד בכו֗ל מעשֽיו
9
10
8
8
ig mlcutç mlcut cl-yolmim
ummwltç bcl-dor vdor
namn ihvh bdbriv
vksid bcol mywiv
14 Supports Yahweh all the fallen,
and he uplifts all the disturbed. (1-4-1)
יד סומ֣ך י֭הוה לכל־הנפל֑ים
ו֝זוק֗ף לכל־הכפופֽים
9
8
id somç ihvh lcl-hnoplim
vzoqf lcl-hcpupim
15 Eyes all rely on you,
and you yourself give them their food in its time. (1-4-1)
טו עֽיני־כ֭ל אל֣יך ישב֑רו
ואת֤ה נֽותן־לה֖ם את־אכל֣ם בעתֽו
10
13
Tv yini-col aliç iwbru
vath notn-lhm at-aoclm byito
16 Perfect, you open your hand,
satisfying acceptance of all that lives. (1-4-1)
טז פות֥ח את־יד֑ך
ומשב֖יע לכל־ח֣י רצֽון
7
9
Tz potk at-idç
umwbiy lcl-ki rxon
17 So righteous is Yahweh in all his ways,
and merciful in all his deeds. (1-4-1)
יז צד֣יק י֭הוה בכל־דרכ֑יו
ו֝חס֗יד בכל־מעשֽיו
9
8
iz xdiq ihvh bcl-drciv
vksid bcl-mywiv
18 Quick is Yahweh to all calling him,
to all who call him in truth. (1-4-1)
יח קר֣וב י֭הוה לכל־קרא֑יו
לכ֤ל אש֖ר יקרא֣הו באמֽת
8
11
ik qrob ihvh lcl-qoraiv
lcol awr iqrauhu bamt
19 Reasoned acceptance he will make for those who fear him,
and he will hear their cry and will save them. (1-4-1)
יט רצון־ירא֥יו יעש֑ה
וֽאת־שועת֥ם י֝שמ֗ע ויושיעֽם
8
11
iT rxon-iraiv iywh
vat-wvvytm iwmy viowiym
20 Shelters Yahweh all loving him,
and all the wicked he will exterminate. (1-4-1)
כ שומ֣ר י֭הוה את־כל־אהב֑יו
וא֖ת כל־הרשע֣ים ישמֽיד
9
8
c womr ihvh at-cl-aohbiv
vat cl-hrwyim iwmid
21 To the praise of Yahweh my mouth will speak,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (1-2-1)
כא תהל֥ת יהו֗ה יֽדב֫ר־פ֥י
ויבר֣ך כל־ב֭שר ש֥ם קדש֗ו לעול֥ם ועֽד
9
14
ca thilt ihvh idbr-pi
vibrç cl-bwr wm qodwo lyolm vyd

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Monday, 28 October 2024

The state of affairs for my new project presenting the music

If all goes to plan, I will be able to finish this task. Of the 10 steps I had to do for each psalm, 5 are now fully automated and produce the frame and content for the blog post in one operation.

Non automated steps are these:

  • I need to review suspicious returns to the tonic against the Aleppo codex and 
  • clean up the automated musical score for presentation in reasonable chunks. 
  • Add comments on things I notice in the music, 
  • links to any performances of the Biblical melodies, 
  • add labels to the post, 
  • and verify the syllable counts through a second method - the first method has an occasional single count shortfall that I and my generic pretrained transformer haven't found yet. Of course, you probably wouldn't notice if I didn't have the syllable counts just right. After all there are some oddball bugs in the transcriptions too that sometimes lead to extra notes or missing notes. Performers and arrangers beware.

I will also give us a break from psalms occasionally put out some examples from the prose books -- at least my favorite passages, instead of the obscure begats which we did late spring earlier this year.

A table of contents for the psalms is emerging. 

2 Samuel 1:19-27

This is an example of sheer beauty in the composition and execution of the passage. It clearly demonstrates what can be done with music and limited melodic structures.

2 Samuel 1: Syllables 267 Longest recitation 12 Tenor B 35.58%

There is a performance here. You will hear variations from the above. I have not checked the accents against Aleppo. For the most part the performance is not marred by the differences. I have also not heard the 6 other performances that are on the shared resource here and here. I did a string accompaniment to this that you can hear also here.

19 O estate of Israel, on your high places, profanation.
How are fallen the valiant. (1-4-1)
יט הצבי֙ ישרא֔ל על־במות֖יך חל֑ל
א֖יך נפל֥ו גבורֽים
12
6
iT hxbi iwral yl-bmotiç kll
aiç nplu giborim
20 Do not make it clear in Gath. Do not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the fore-skinned exult. (1-4-1)
כ אל־תג֣ידו בג֔ת אֽל־תבשר֖ו בחוצ֣ת אשקל֑ון
פן־תשמ֙חנה֙ בנ֣ות פלשת֔ים פֽן־תעל֖זנה בנ֥ות הערלֽים
16
20
c al-tgidu bgt al-tbwru bkuxot awqlon
pn-twmknh bnot plwtim pn-tyloznh bnot hyrlim
21 You hills of Gilboa, no dew, and no rain on you, nor fields lifted high,
for there the shield of the valiant is loathed, the shield of Saul, without anointing with oil. (1-4-1)
כא הר֣י בגלב֗ע אל־ט֧ל ואל־מט֛ר עליכ֖ם ושד֣י תרומ֑ת
כ֣י ש֤ם נגעל֙ מג֣ן גבור֔ים מג֣ן שא֔ול בל֖י מש֥יח בשֽמן
20
21
ca hri bglboy al-Tl val-mTr ylicm uwdi trumot
ci wm ngyl mgn giborim mgn waul bli mwik bwmn
22 From the blood of the profaned, from the choicest of the valiant, the bow of Jonathan did not relocate backward,
and the sword of Saul did not return empty. (1-4-1)
כב מד֣ם חלל֗ים מח֙לב֙ גבור֔ים ק֚שת יה֣ונת֔ן ל֥א נש֖וג אח֑ור
וח֣רב שא֔ול ל֥א תש֖וב ריקֽם
22
10
cb mdm kllim mklb giborim qwt ihontn la nwog akor
vkrb waul la twub riqm
23 O Saul and Jonathan, so loved and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths were not separated,
than eagles more fleet, than lions more valiant. (1-4-1)
כג שא֣ול ויהונת֗ן הנאהב֤ים והנעימם֙ בחייה֔ם ובמות֖ם ל֣א נפר֑דו
מנשר֣ים ק֔לו מארי֖ות גבֽרו
26
12
cg waul vihontn hnahbim vhnyimim bkiihm ubmotm la nprdu
mnwrim qlu mariot gbru
24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet, with enthrallments, who brought up trappings of gold upon your clothing. (1-4-1)
כד בנות֙ ישרא֔ל אל־שא֖ול בכ֑ינה
המלבֽשכ֤ם שני֙ עם־עדנ֔ים הֽמעלה֙ עד֣י זה֔ב ע֖ל לבושכֽן
11
22
cd bnot iwral al-waul bcinh
hmlbiwcm wni ym-ydnim hmylh ydi zhb yl lbuwcn
25 ♪C How are fallen the valiant in the midst of the battle.
Jonathan on your high places is profaned. (C-1-4-1)
כה א֚יך נפל֣ו גבר֔ים בת֖וך המלחמ֑ה
יה֣ונת֔ן על־במות֖יך חלֽל
12
11
ch aiç nplu giborim btoç hmlkmh
ihontn yl-bmotiç kll
26 So troubled I am over you, my brother Jonathan. Very pleasant you have been for me.
So wonderful was your love for me, more than the love of women. (1-4-1)
כו צר־ל֣י על֗יך אחי֙ יה֣ונת֔ן נע֥מת ל֖י מא֑ד
נפלא֤תה אהבֽתך֙ ל֔י מאהב֖ת נשֽים
17
15
cv xr-li yliç aki ihontn nymt li maod
nplath ahbtç li mahbt nwim
27 ♪C How are fallen the valiant and perished the inner pouches of battle. (C-1-1)
כז א֚יך נפל֣ו גבור֔ים ויאבד֖ו כל֥י מלחמֽה פ 15
cz aiç nplu giborim viabdu cli mlkmh p

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Psalm 144


Psalms 144: Syllables: 330; Longest recitation: 11; Tenor: f# 25.76%;
Ornament density: 14%; Average phrase length: 9.4.
I have automated some of the analysis by listing the harmonics in parenthesis for each verse below. This frees us up to listen to the line shapes and ornaments. I can include a table of ornament density measurements to show the verses that may have some interest. In this psalm verse 1 ornaments 6 syllables of 24, or 25% and verse 5 has no accents above the text.

The ornaments above the text are very clear in the Hebrew below -- and I have increased the size of the font in the stylesheet for the blog. I could also identify rarer ornament combinations in a psalm, but I think that might be better in a separate post -- and I have probably already done it in some obscure table in a blog post. Instant musical criticism is difficult to imagine. We need to take time to listen either internally with sight reading or explicitly with performance. I can't shorten this necessary learning experience.

One shape in this psalm that I have not noted elsewhere so far is the approach to the cadence on the supertonic (ole-veyored) from lower single syllable bars. Note yerah in bars 8, 61, and 71. It turns out there is a rule. If a d is in the music and the music cadences on f#, then the d always precedes the f#. There are constraints on the sequences of the accents. The yerah may appear without an ole but not after it. There are 25 verses with atnah (A) and a d preceding it. The d always is in the earlier part of the verse. There are 2 verses in the Psalms with a d and no inner verse cadence. (There is no such constraint on the tevir, the d used only in the 21 books.)

1 Of David. Blessed is Yahweh my rock, the teacher of my hands to close combat,
my fingers to war. (1-4-1)
א לדו֨ד ב֘ר֤וך יהו֨ה צור֗י הֽמלמ֣ד יד֣י לקר֑ב
א֝צבעות֗י למלחמֽה
16
8
a ldvid bruç ihvh xuri hmlmd idii lqrb
axbyotii lmlkmh
2 My kindness and my fortress, my retreat and my security, mine,
my shield, and in him I have taken refuge,
wrapping my people under me. (1-2-4-1)
ב חסד֥י ומצודתי֮ משגב֪י וֽמפלט֫י־ל֥י
מ֭גני וב֣ו חס֑יתי
הרוד֖ד עמ֣י תחתֽי
13
8
7
b ksdi umxudti mwgbi umplTi-li
mgini ubo ksiti
hrodd ymi tktii
3 Yahweh, what is this humanity that you know it,
a mortal child that you devised it? (1-4-1)
ג יֽהו֗ה מה־א֭דם ותדע֑הו
בן־א֝נ֗וש וֽתחשבֽהו
10
7
g ihvh mh-adm vtdyhu
bn-anow vtkwbhu
4 ♪g Humanity is like futility,
its days as a shadow passing away. (g-1-4-1)
ד א֭דם לה֣בל דמ֑ה
י֝מ֗יו כצ֣ל עובֽר
7
6
d adm lhbl dmh
imiv cxl yobr
5 ♪g Yahweh, bend your heavens and come down.
Touch hills and they will smoke. (g-1-4-1)
ה י֭הוה הט־שמ֣יך ותר֑ד
ג֖ע בהר֣ים וֽיעשֽנו
9
9
h ihvh hT-wmiç vtrd
gy bhrim viywnu
6 A lightning bolt and you will disperse them.
Send out your arrows and you will confuse them. (1-4-1)
ו בר֣וק ב֭רק ותפיצ֑ם
של֥ח ח֝צ֗יך ותהמֽם
7
8
v broq brq utpixm
wlk kixiç uthumm
7 Send out your hands from on high.
Set me free and deliver me from abundant waters,
from the hand of the children of the alien, (1-2-4-1)
ז של֥ח יד֗יך ממ֫ר֥ום
פצ֣ני ו֭הצילני ממ֣ים רב֑ים
מ֝י֗ד בנ֣י נכֽר
8
12
6
z wlk idiç mmrom
pxni vhxilni mmim rbim
mid bni ncr
8 whose mouths speak vanity,
and their right hand a right hand of falsehood. (1-4-1)
ח אש֣ר פ֭יהם דבר־ש֑וא
וֽ֝ימינ֗ם ימ֣ין שֽקר
7
7
k awr pihm dibr-wva
viminm imin wqr
9 O God, a new song I will sing to you.
On a ten-stringed lute I will sing a psalm to you. (1-4-1)
ט א‍ֽלה֗ים ש֣יר ח֭דש אש֣ירה ל֑ך
בנ֥בל ע֝ש֗ור אזמרה־לֽך
9
9
T alohim wir kdw awirh lç
bnbl ywor azmrh-lç
10 Giving salvation to kings,
setting even David his servant free from a sword of evil. (1-2-1)
י הנות֥ן תשוע֗ה למל֫כ֥ים
ה֭פוצה את־דו֥ד עבד֗ו מח֥רב רעֽה
9
13
i hnotn twuyh lmlcim
hpoxh at-dvid ybdo mkrb ryh
11 Set me free and deliver me from the hand of the children of the alien,
whose mouths speak vanity,
and their right hand a right hand of falsehood, (1-2-4-1)
יא פצ֥ני והצילני֮ מי֪ד בֽני־נ֫כ֥ר
אש֣ר פ֭יהם דבר־ש֑וא
וֽ֝ימינ֗ם ימ֣ין שֽקר
13
7
7
ia pxni vhxilni mid bni-ncr
awr pihm dibr-wva
viminm imin wqr
12 that our sons may be as plants developed in their youth,
with our daughters as cornerstones,
dressed in the manner of a temple, (1-2-4-1)
יב אש֤ר בנ֨ינו כנטעים֮ מגדל֪ים בֽנעור֫יה֥ם
בנות֥ינו כזוי֑ת
מ֝חטב֗ות תבנ֥ית היכֽל
16
8
8
ib awr bninu cnTiyim mgudlim bnyurihm
bnotinu czvviiot
mkuTbot tbnit hicl
13 so our granaries are full furnished from kind to kind,
our sheep by thousands, to ten thousands in our streets, (1-2-1)
יג מזו֣ינו מלאים֮ מפיק֥ים מז֗ן א֫ל־ז֥ן
צאונ֣נו מ֭אליפות מרבב֗ות בחוצותֽינו
14
16
ig mzvvinu mlaim mpiqim mzn al-zn
xannu malipot mrubbot bkuxotinu
14 our droves bearing burdens,
without breach without sally,
without complaint in our piazzas. (1-2-4-1)
יד אלופ֗ינו מֽסב֫ל֥ים
אֽין־פ֭רץ וא֣ין יוצ֑את
וא֥ין צ֝וח֗ה ברחבתֽינו
8
7
10
id alupinu msublim
ain-prx vain ioxat
vain xvvkh brkobotinu
15 Happy the people who are such to him.
Happy the people who have Yahweh as their God. (1-4-1)
טו אשר֣י ה֭עם שכ֣כה ל֑ו
אֽשר֥י ה֝ע֗ם שיהו֥ה אלהֽיו
8
10
Tv awri hym wcch lo
awri hym wihvh alohiv

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.

Sunday, 27 October 2024

Psalm 10

Psalm 10 continues the broken acrostic started in Psalm 9.

Psalms 10: Syllables: 370; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: f# 25.41%;
Ornament density: 14.6%; Average phrase length: 9.7. 1/2

1 LORD why do you stand in the distance,
obscure in times of trouble? (1-4-1)
א למ֣ה י֭הוה תעמ֣ד ברח֑וק
ת֝על֗ים לעת֥ות בצרֽה
10
8
a lmh ihvh tymod brkoq
tylim lyitot bxrh
2 In pride criminal hotly pursues poor.
Let them be arrested in those schemes they have devised. (1-4-1)
ב בגאו֣ת ר֭שע ידל֣ק ענ֑י
יתפש֓ו במזמ֖ות ז֣ו חשֽבו
10
10
b bgavvt rwy idlq yni
iitpwu bmzimot zu kwbu
3 For criminal boasted over its own desire,
and blessed extortion, spurning Yahweh. (1-4-1)
ג כֽי־הל֣ל ר֭שע על־תאו֣ת נפש֑ו
ובצ֥ע ב֝ר֗ך נ֘א֥ץ יהוֽה
11
10
g ci-hill rwy yl-tavvt npwo
uboxy birç niax ihvh
4 Criminal looks down its un-searching nose.
There is no God in all its multifarious schemes. (1-4-1)
ד רש֗ע כג֣בה א֭פו בל־ידר֑ש
א֥ין א֝לה֗ים כל־מזמותֽיו
10
9
d rwy cgobh apo bl-idrow
ain alohim cl-mzimotiv
5 ♪~ Its ways are twisted. In all times, high is your judgment, out of its sight.
All its troubles, It snorts at them. (~-1-4-1)
ה י֘ח֤ילו דרכ֨יו בכל־ע֗ת מר֣ום מ֭שפטיך מנגד֑ו
כל־צ֝ורר֗יו יפ֥יח בהֽם
18
8
h ikilu drciv bcl-yt mrom mwpTiç mngdo
cl-xorriv ipik bhm

6
It said in its heart, I will not be moved,
from generation to generation, in which there is no evil. (1-4-1)
ו אמ֣ר ב֭לבו בל־אמ֑וט
לד֥ר ו֝ד֗ר אש֣ר לֽא־ברֽע
8
9
v amr blibo bl-amoT
ldor vdor awr la-bry
7 Pucker full of imprecation and deceit and fraud,
under its tongue toil and mischief, (1-4-1)
ז אל֤ה פ֣יהו מ֭לא ומרמ֣ות ות֑ך
ת֥חת ל֝שונ֗ו עמ֥ל ואֽון
11
10
z alh pihu mla umrmot vtoç
tkt lwono yml vavvn
8 it sits in the lurking places of the villages. In hidden places it slays the innocent,
its eyes treasuring the hapless. (1-4-1)
ח יש֤ב במאר֬ב חצר֗ים בֽ֭מסתרים יהר֣ג נק֑י
ע֝ינ֗יו לֽחלכ֥ה יצפֽנו
17
8
k iiwb bmarb kxrim bmstrim ihrog nqi
yiniv lklch ixponu
9 It lies in wait in its hiding place like lion in lair. It lies in wait to seize the poor.
It seizes the poor. It draws him away in Its net. (1-4-1)
ט יאר֬ב במסת֨ר כארי֬ה בסכ֗ה י֭ארב לחט֣וף ענ֑י
יחט֥ף ע֝נ֗י במשכ֥ו ברשתֽו
20
10
T iarob bmstr carih bsuco iarob lkTof yni
ikTof yni bmowco brwto
10 It crushes. It presses down,
and hapless falls by its sheer numbers. (1-4-1)
י ידכ֥ה יש֑ח
ונפ֥ל ב֝עצומ֗יו ח֣יל כאֽים
5
10
i idch iwok
vnpl byxumiv kil caim
11 It said in its heart, God has forgotten.
He hides his face. He will never see. (1-4-1)
יא אמ֣ר ב֭לבו ש֣כֽח א֑ל
הסת֥יר פ֝נ֗יו בל־רא֥ה לנֽצח
8
10
ia amr blibo wck al
hstir pniv bl-rah lnxk
Psalms 10: Syllables: 370; Longest recitation: 12; Tenor: f# 25.41%;
Ornament density: 14.6%; Average phrase length: 9.7. 2/2

12
Quickly arise! Yahweh God. Lift up your hand.
Do not forget the afflicted. (1-4-1)
יב קומ֤ה יהו֗ה א֭ל נש֣א יד֑ך
אל־תשכ֥ח ענוֽים
10
6
ib qumh ihvh al nwa idç
al-twck ynvvim
13 Since when does criminal spurn God?
It said in its heart, He will not search. (1-4-1)
יג על־מ֤ה נא֖ץ רש֥ע אלה֑ים
אמ֥ר ב֝לב֗ו ל֣א תדרֽש
9
8
ig yl-mh niax rwy alohim
amr blibo la tdrow
14 Regard you will, for you yourself take note of toil and grief to give by your hand.
To you the hapless defer.
The orphan you yourself will help. (1-2-4-1)
יד רא֡תה כֽי־את֤ה ע֘מ֤ל וכ֨עס תביט֮ לת֪ת בי֫ד֥ך
ע֭ליך יעז֣ב חל֑כה
י֝ת֗ום את֤ה הי֬ית עוזֽר
19
9
9
id rait ci-ath yml vcys tbiT ltt bidç
yliç iyzob klch
itom ath hiit yozr
15 ♪g Shatter the arm of criminal,
and for an evil one, search out its crimes till none is found. (g-1-4-1)
טו ש֭בר זר֣וע רש֑ע
ו֝ר֗ע תֽדרוש־רשע֥ו בל־תמצֽא
7
9
Tv wbor zroy rwy
vry tdrow-rwyo bl-tmxa
16 Yahweh is king now and for ever.
Perished are the nations from his land. (1-4-1)
טז יהו֣ה מ֭לך עול֣ם וע֑ד
אבד֥ו ג֝וי֗ם מֽארצֽו
8
7
Tz ihvh mlç yolm vyd
abdu goiim marxo
17 The desire of the afflicted you have heard Yahweh.
Establish their heart. You will make your ear attend, (1-4-1)
יז תאו֬ת ענו֣ים שמ֣עת יהו֑ה
תכ֥ין ל֝ב֗ם תקש֥יב אזנֽך
11
9
iz tavvt ynvvim wmyt ihvh
tcin libm tqwib aoznç
18 to judge orphan and crushed.
Adding no longer,
to ruthlessness is mortal from the earth. (1-2-4-1)
יח לשפ֥ט ית֗ום ו֫ד֥ך
בל־יוס֥יף ע֑וד
לער֥ץ א֝נ֗וש מן־האֽרץ
6
4
9
ik lwpoT itom vdç
bl-iosif yod
lyrox anow mn-harx

The music in these posts is derived from the accents in the Hebrew Bible. Introductions - letters, music, text and music, and terminology, are here.