Psalms 41:12 — Word Study
WLCוַאֲנִ֗י בְּ֭תֻמִּי תָּמַ֣כְתָּ בִּ֑י וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי לְפָנֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָֽם׃
BSAthiszôʼth to knowyâdaʻ forkîy to delight inchâphêts forkîy notlôʼ to shoutrûwaʻ enemyʼôyêb uponʻal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַאֲנִ֗י | and I | Conjunction, pronoun |
| בְּ֭תֻמִּי | in integrity my | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תָּמַ֣כְתָּ | you have supported | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| בִּ֑י | me | Preposition, suffix |
| וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי | and you have set me | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| לְפָנֶ֣יךָ | before you | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לְעוֹלָֽם׃ | for ever | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever. |
| KJV | And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. |
| ASV | And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever. |
| YLT | As to me, in mine integrity, Thou hast taken hold upon me, And causest me to stand before Thee to the age. |
| WEB | As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. |
| BBE | And as for me, you are my support in my righteousness, giving me a place before your face for ever. |
The translations agree on the meaning of God's support and presence, using similar terms across versions.
The structure features a main clause with supporting phrases, emphasizing God's actions and their implications for the psalmist.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבְּ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 41:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Conclusion of Psalm 41generated
Psalm 41:12 reflects the psalmist's assurance in God's support due to his integrity. The verses surrounding it highlight a plea for grace and acknowledgment of God's delight in the psalmist, contrasting the triumph of enemies with divine favor. This psalm emphasizes the relationship between moral uprightness and God's faithfulness, culminating in a declaration of eternal presence with God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 25:21 | May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You. |
| 2 | Psalm 94:18 | If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me. |
| 3 | Psalm 16:11 | You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. |
| 4 | Psalm 17:15 | As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence. |
| 5 | Psalm 34:15 | The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תָּמַ֣כְתָּ, ta.Makh.tagenerated
The verb תָּמַךְ (tamak) means to support or uphold. It is a Qal verb in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action by the subject, which in this case is God. The psalmist expresses that God has actively supported him, suggesting a personal and ongoing relationship.
This word conveys a sense of strength and reliability, emphasizing that God's support is a response to the psalmist's integrity. The use of the second-person masculine singular form indicates a direct address to God, highlighting the intimate nature of this relationship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term uphold.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs תָּמַ֣כְתָּ and תַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי govern the clauses, indicating actions performed by God. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's integrity as the basis for God's support, with the prepositional phrases providing additional context about the psalmist's position before God.
The word order places emphasis on the actions of God in relation to the psalmist, highlighting the personal nature of the relationship and the assurance of being in God's presence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb תָּמַךְ is rendered as ἐξθρός, which suggests a strong support or establishment. This choice indicates a close alignment with the original Hebrew meaning, emphasizing God's active role in supporting the psalmist.
The translation reflects a similar understanding of God's faithfulness, while the differences in wording may highlight nuances in the Greek interpretation of the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 41:12 shows the psalmist declaring that God supports him because of his integrity. He expresses confidence that God will always be with him, highlighting the importance of moral uprightness in his relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's active support and protection, which is linked to the psalmist's integrity.
The psalmist believes that living with integrity allows him to be in close relationship with God, who favors the upright.
It indicates a lasting relationship with God, emphasizing eternal security and fellowship.
His confidence stems from his moral integrity, which he believes aligns him with God's favor.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I demonstrate integrity in my own life, and how might that affect my relationship with God?
- How do I perceive God's support in my life, especially during challenging times?
- What does being in God's presence mean to me, and how can I cultivate that awareness daily?
- How can I encourage others to seek integrity and experience God's support in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers have commented on this verse, often reflecting on the themes of integrity and divine support.
"But as for Me, You uphold Me, because of my innocence" [Psalms 41:12]. Truly innocence; integrity without sin, requiting without debt, scourging without desert.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
What a truly holy innocence and simplicity, a truly blessed humility!.… He did not defend himself with any struggle. He was moving toward the cross with a peaceful spirit, going to die with a tranquil mind.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
Be not offended, careful reader, that we draw a mystical matter from a moral explanation. For just as the Pharisees beset Judas to betray the Lord by offering him his own safety to turn him over,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 41 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 41:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity,.... In the innocence of his nature, being free from sin, original and actual; in the uprightness of his life and conversation before God and men;
Read John Gill on Psalms 41 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. And as for me - in contrast to the doomed "enemy" (Psalms 41:11).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 41 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn mine integrity; as I have kept my integrity, so thou hast kept me in and with it. Or, for mine integrity; because thou hast seen my innocency, notwithstanding all the calumnies of mine enemies; and thou hast promised and usest to afford thy protection to the innocent and upright. Settest me before thy face for ever; or, hast confirmed or established me in thy presence (i.e. either under thine eye and special care; or to minister unto thee, not only in thy temple, but as a king over thy people, or in that land, where thou art peculiarly present) for ever; either, 1. Properly; and so this was done to David, either in his own person, partly here, and partly in the next life; or in regard of…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 41 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 41:12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.Ver. 12. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity] Which earth and hell had conspired to rob me of, but in vain, through thy help. My shield is yet in safety. My faith faileth me not, nor yet mine innocence in regard of men, or the righteousness of my cause. And settest me before thy face for ever] So that, being never out of thy sight, I cannot possibly be out of thy mind. Confer 1 Kings 17:1.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 41 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Thou upholdest.—Here we seem to have the acknowledgment that the prayer just uttered is answered.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 41 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. Thou upholdest me] I am still enabled to show that my heart was upright before God. Settest me before thy face for ever.] Thou showest that thou dost approve of me: that I stand in thy presence, under the smiles of thy approbation. This also has been applied to our Lord, and considered as pointing out his mediatorial office at the right hand of God.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 41 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. Cp. Psalms 26:11; Psalms 63:8. Thou upholdest (lit. hast upheld) is either a reference to past mercies, or more probably a retrospect from the standpoint of deliverance granted. In mine integrity is no contradiction to Psalms 41:4. Integrity (Psalms 7:8; Psalms 15:2) is not synonymous with sinlessness. and settest me before thy face for ever] His enemies hope that his name will perish. He knows that he will be admitted to stand in the presence of the King of Kings. Cp. Psalms 11:7 (note); Psalms 16:11; Psalms 17:15; Psalms 61:7; and the fundamental promise in 2 Samuel 7:16 (read before me with LXX). Thus the first book of the Psalter ends with a hope, destined to be illuminated with a…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 41 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd as for me - literally, “and I;” as if there were some verb understood. The reference is turned on himself; on all that was suggested by this train of remark as bearing on himself.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 41 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.
As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.
In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.
As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence.
Tyndale line
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever.
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
And as for me, thou upholdest me in my integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
And as for me, thou vpholdest me in mine integritie, and doest set me before thy face for euer.
Strictly literal
But as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
As to me, in mine integrity, Thou hast taken hold upon me, And causest me to stand before Thee to the age.
As for me, in my integrity, || You have taken hold on me, || And cause me to stand before You for all time.
(41:13) But as for me, thou upholdest me in my integrity, and placest me before thy presence for ever.
As for me, you support me in my integrity and will keep me before your face forever.
From the Latin
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
Simplified
You have supported me because of my integrity, you have brought me into your presence forever.
And as for me, you are my support in my righteousness, giving me a place before your face for ever.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is preserved in the Septuagint, with five out of seven words matched. This indicates a strong agreement between the two texts, affirming the core message of God's support based on the psalmist's integrity.
וַאֲנִ֗י בְּ֭תֻמִּי תָּמַ֣כְתָּ בִּ֑י וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי לְפָנֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָֽם׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 41:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
HC/Pp1bs — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp1bs
תֹּם (tom) refers to completeness or integrity, encompassing notions of fullness, innocence, and simplicity. It is derived from a root meaning to be complete or perfect. The word appears in contexts related to moral uprightness and wholeness, though the specific verses are not detailed in the entries.
תֹּם n.[m.] completeness, integrity
completeness, fulness
innocence, simplicity
integrity
תֻּמִּים
base
H8537 תֹּם completeness, integrity
8537 tom tome
from 8552; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually
(morally) innocence:--full, integrity, perfect(-ion),
simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See 8550.
see HEBREW for 08552
see HEBREW for 08550
תֹּם (tom) — integrity.
1) integrity, completeness
1a) completeness, fulness
1b) innocence, simplicity
1c) integrity
HR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word תָּמַךְ (tamak) is a primitive root meaning to grasp, support, or attain. It covers actions like holding fast, maintaining, and helping. The Qal form includes meanings such as to hold up or keep, while the Niphal form suggests being seized or held. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[תָּמַךְ] vb. grasp, support, attain
Qal
grasp, lay hold of
hold up, support
hold, keep
Niph. in the cords of his sin is he seized
base
H8551 תָּמַךְ grasp, support, attain
8551 tamak taw-mak'
a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep
fast; figuratively, to help, follow close:--(take, up-)hold
(up), maintain, retain, stay (up).
תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) — to grasp.
1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain
1a2) to hold up, support
1a3) to hold, keep
1a4) to take hold of each other
1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
HVqp2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
נָצַב (natsab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stand or take one's stand, with various applications including to be stationed, appointed, or established. It can refer to standing upright, setting up a pillar, or fixing a boundary. The entries highlight its use in different forms, such as Niphal and Hiphil, indicating both active and passive meanings.
[נָצַב] vb. Niph. take one's stand, stand
Niph.
station oneself, take one's stand, for definite purpose
stand = be stationed (by appointment, or in fulfillment of duty)
take an upright position, stand
be stationed = appointed over
Pt. as subst. deputy = prefect (as appointed, deputed)
stand firm
Hiph.
station, set
set up, erect pillar
cause to stand erect, waters
fix, establish boundary
Hoph. fixed, determined
base
H5324 נָצַב Niph. take one's stand, stand . . . station oneself, take one's stand, for definite purpose
. stand = be stationed (by appointment, or in fulfillment of duty)
. take an upright position, stand
. be stationed = appointed over
. Pt. as subst. deputy = prefect (as appointed, deputed)
. stand firm
. . station, set
. set up, erect pillar
. cause to stand erect, waters
. fix, establish boundary
. fixed, determined
5324 natsab naw-tsab'
a prim root; to station, in various applications (literally
or figuratively):--appointed, deputy, erect, establish, X
Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar,
present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish,
(make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.
נָצַב (na.tsav) — to stand.
1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand
1a2) to stand, be stationed
1a3) to stand, take an upright position
1a4) to be stationed, be appointed
1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst)
1a6) to stand firm
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to station, set
1b2) to set up, erect
1b3) to cause to stand erect
1b4) to fix, establish
1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Hc/Vhw2ms/Sp1bs — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhw2ms/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa