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Psalms 5:8 — Word Study

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WLCיְהוָ֤ה׀ נְחֵ֬נִי בְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָ לְמַ֥עַן שׁוֹרְרָ֑י הַיְשַׁ֖ר לְפָנַ֣י דַּרְכֶּֽךָ׃

BSAIʼănîy abundancerôb kindnesschêçêd Lebobôwʼ placebayith to bowshâchâh to(wards)ʼêl templehêykâl Holy Placeqôdesh fearyirʼâh

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (dar.Ke.kha) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 5:8quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist asks the LORD to guide him in righteousness, especially in the face of his enemies.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing Yahweh directly.
Where we areThis verse is part of a prayer for guidance and protection amid adversaries.
The hard wordנְחֵ֬נִי
Take awayThe psalmist seeks divine direction to navigate challenges.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbחוה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 5:8

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 — A Prayer for Guidancegenerated

7But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.
8Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.
9For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.
10Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.

Psalm 5:8 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist asking the LORD to lead him in righteousness. This request arises from the presence of adversaries, highlighting the need for divine guidance in difficult times. The psalmist seeks clarity and direction in his path, which reflects a common theme in the Psalms of relying on God for support and wisdom against opposition.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 25:4–5Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
2Psalm 86:11Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
3Psalm 119:10–64With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
4Psalm 143:8–10Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
5Proverbs 3:5–6Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

The Key Word נְחֵ֬נִי, ne.Che.nigenerated

The verb נְחֵ֬נִי (ne.Che.ni) is a qal imperative form, meaning 'lead me.' It conveys a strong request for guidance and direction, emphasizing the psalmist's dependence on God for leadership.

This term is often used in contexts of guidance, whether in moral, spiritual, or physical journeys. The imperative form indicates urgency and a deep need for divine intervention, particularly in the face of challenges posed by enemies.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which uses the phrase lead me.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse is structured around a main verb, נְחֵ֬נִי (lead me), which governs the entire request. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the basis for the request, and a second imperative verb הַיְשַׁ֖ר (make straight) that calls for action regarding the path.

The sentence flows logically, with the request for guidance leading into the need for a clear path, which underscores the urgency of the psalmist's situation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates נְחֵ֬נִי as ἐν (in), indicating a similar plea for guidance but framed within a different grammatical structure. This choice reflects a direct request for divine presence in the journey.

The LXX rendering emphasizes the relational aspect of guidance, suggesting that the psalmist seeks not just direction but a close relationship with God as he navigates his challenges.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 5:8 is a prayer where the psalmist asks the LORD to lead him in righteousness because of his enemies. He desires a clear path to follow, showing his reliance on God for guidance and protection.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by asking the LORD to lead him?

The psalmist is seeking divine guidance and direction in his life, especially in the face of opposition from enemies.

Why is righteousness important in this verse?

Righteousness represents God's nature and serves as the standard for the psalmist's conduct, especially when facing adversaries.

How does this verse reflect the relationship between God and the psalmist?

It shows a deep dependence on God for guidance and support, indicating that the psalmist recognizes his need for divine intervention.

What can we learn from the psalmist's request for a straight path?

It highlights the importance of seeking clarity and direction in our lives, particularly when facing challenges or opposition.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need God's guidance right now?
  2. How can I ensure that I am walking in righteousness as I face challenges?
  3. What does it mean for me to seek a straight path in my daily decisions?
  4. How can I support others who are seeking guidance in difficult times?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of guidance and righteousness, as seen in their writings.

Origen of AlexandriaSELECTIONS FROM THE Psalms 5:11 c. 185–253
One who wishes to know and to act rightly has many adversaries. There are people and demons full of envy whom the good deeds of those acting uprightly torment.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →
JeromeHOMILY ON Psalms 5 c. 347–420
What is this way of yours? The reading of holy Scripture. Direct my steps, therefore, lest I stumble in the reading of your Word through which I desire to enter your church,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →
John ChrysostomCOMMENTARY ON THE Psalms 5:4-5 c. 347–407
There is … a human righteousness that depends on external laws, but it is inferior, possessing nothing perfect and complete, arising from human deliberation.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 5:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness,.... Not in mine, but thine; in the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the Gospel, from faith to faith, and is imputed by God, and received by faith; in

Read John Gill on Psalms 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. The matter of Psa 5:8-12 is parallel to that Psalms 5:3-7. A prayer; the plea whereon it rests; the hope resulting thence.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Lead me; direct my heart, and counsels, and affairs, and all the course and actions of my life. In thy righteousness; in thy righteous laws; which sometimes are called righteousness, as . Or, for, or because of, or according to thy righteousness; which is a phrase and argument frequently used in this Book of Psalms. Because of mine enemies; either, 1. That I may give them no occasion of slandering me, or religion for my sake. Or rather, 2. Because they are most malicious and mischievous, and withal cunning and treacherous, as he describes them in the next verse, (which he useth as an argument to enforce this petition,) and they lay snares for me, and if thou dost not assist me, will be too…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.Ver. 8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness] That is, in thy faithfulness, and according to thy promise in that behalf made unto me, to be my God and guide even unto death, to lead me in the way everlasting, to direct my footsteps in thy fear, &c. Deduc me ut non titubem, saith R. David, Lead me, that I stumble not; or if I do, yet that I fall not; for he that stumbleth and falleth not gets ground. Because of mine enemies] Or, because of mine observers, who narrowly watch for my halting, that they might blaspheme thee, and thy religion through my default, 1 Samuel 18:9. Saul…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) Enemies.—Literally, those watching for, or lying in wait. Aquila and Jerome both give “those lying in ambush.” God’s guidance and protection would enable the good man to avoid their snares, and to walk straight in the way of righteousness. To walk in God’s way is to walk in safety.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness] When entered into the house, and prostrated before the temple, he knew that, unless God continued to lead and direct, he was not likely to profit even by such great advantages. We need God not only to bring us to his house, but to keep our feet while we are there. Because of mine enemies] His conduct was marked; his enemies looked upon and watched him with an evil eye. They would have been glad of his halting, that they might have brought a reproach on the good cause which he had espoused. O how cautiously should those walk who make a profession of living to God, of knowing themselves to be in his favour, and of being delivered from all sin in…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. The prayer for guidance which is the main object and central thought of the Psalm. Lead me … in thy righteousness] i.e. because Thou art righteous. A comparison of Psa 23:3; Proverbs 8:20; Proverbs 12:28; might incline us to understand the meaning to be, ‘Lead me in the path of right conduct which Thou hast marked out for me:’ but the true parallels are Psalms 31:1, Psalms 71:2, Psalms 119:40, Psalms 143:1; Psalms 143:11; which shew clearly that God’s own righteousness is meant. One element of that righteousness is faithfulness to His saints in the fulfilment of covenant promises, and to this the Psalmist appeals. because of mine enemies] A peculiar word found only in Psalms 27:11…

Read Cambridge on Psalms 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness - That is, conduct me safely in the manifestation of the principles of justice or righteousness which belong to thy nature.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 5 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way plain before my face.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness, because of my enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Leade me, O Lord, in thy righteousnes, because of mine enemies: make thy way plaine before my face.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Lead me, Jehovah, in thy righteousness, because of my foes; make thy way plain before me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

O Jehovah, lead me in Thy righteousness, Because of those observing me, Make straight before me Thy way,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

O YHWH, lead me in Your righteousness, || Because of those observing me, || Make Your way straight before me,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(5:9) O Lord, lead me in thy righteousness because of those that regard me enviously; make straight before me thy way.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Oh Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your path straight before me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy, I will come into thy house; I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Lead me, Lord, you who always does what is right, save me from my enemies. Make your way clear to me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Be my guide, O Lord, in the ways of your righteousness, because of those who are against me; make your way straight before my face.

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.

clauseclauseיְהוָ֤הO.Yahwehclauseverbנְחֵ֬leadobjectנִיmeprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinnoun phraseצִדְקָתֶ֗righteousnessךָyourprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְמַ֥עַןon.account.ofnoun phraseשׁוֹרְרָ֑enemiesיmyclauseverbהַיְשַׁ֖רmake.straightprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְbeforenoun phraseפָנַ֣יmenoun phrase · objectדַּרְכֶּֽwayךָyour

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 supported by the Septuagint, which matches all eight words in this verse. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains two supplied words, indicating some textual preservation but lacks the full verse.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

יְהוָ֤ה׀ נְחֵ֬נִי בְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָ לְמַ֥עַן שׁוֹרְרָ֑י הַיְשַׁ֖ר לְפָנַ֣י דַּרְכֶּֽךָ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יְהוָ֤ה׀δὲנְחֵ֬נִיἐνבְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָσουלְמַ֥עַןεἰσελεύσομαιשׁוֹרְרָ֑יσουהַיְשַׁ֖רπροσκυνήσωלְפָנַ֣יἅγιόνדַּרְכֶּֽךָ׃ἐν

8 of the 8 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.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q98ba copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[קדש׳כה] [ביראת׳כה]

2 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 supplied entire by an editor.

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.

Psalms 5:8יהוהO YahwehO Yahwehיהוהנָחָהlead melead meנָחָהצְדָקָהin righteouin righteousnesצְדָקָהמַ֫עַןon account on account ofמַ֫עַןשׁוֹרֵרenemies myenemies myשׁוֹרֵריָשַׁרmake straigmake straightיָשַׁרפָּנֶהbefore mebefore meפָּנֶהדֶּ֫רֶךְway yourway yourדֶּ֫רֶךְפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָההָיָהto beto beהָיָהצָדֵקto justifyto justifyצָדֵקעוּןto dwellto dwellעוּןדָּרַךְto treadto treadדָּרַךְנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאמִישׁוֹרplainplainמִישׁוֹריוֹמָםby dayby dayיוֹמָםמִשְׁפָּטjustice: jjustice: judgemמִשְׁפָּטצַדִּיקrighteousrighteousצַדִּיקאָרַךְto prolongto prolongאָרַךְיָטַבbe goodbe goodיָטַבמַ֫עַןbecausebecauseמַ֫עַןאֹ֫רַחwaywayאֹ֫רַחצְדָקָהrighteousnrighteousnessצְדָקָהסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּס
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 5:8

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.

O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
יְהוָ֤ה׀Yah.weh O Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
נְחֵ֬נִיne.Che.ni lead me H5148 Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To lead or guide is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also imply transporting people into exile or as colonists. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Exodus and 1 Kings, to describe leadership and migration.
Tyndale gloss
to lead
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָחָה (nachah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lead or guide. It can imply bringing someone or something to a destination, governing, or even transporting into exile. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, suggesting a range of meanings related to leadership and guidance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָחָה] vb. lead, guide

Qal lead, bring

Hiph. lead, guide

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5148 נָחָה lead, guide

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5148 nachah naw-khaw'

a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport

(into exile, or as colonists):--bestow, bring, govern, guide,

lead (forth), put, straiten.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָחָה (na.chah) — to lead.

1) to lead, guide

1a) (Qal) to lead, bring

1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqv2ms/Sp1bs — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffix
HVqv2ms/Sp1bs
O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
בְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָve.tzid.ka.Te.cha in righteousness your H6666 Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
157× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Tyndale gloss
righteousness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It can refer to God's attribute of sovereignty, righteousness in governance, and even justification or salvation. The term also implies righteous acts and has an Aramaic equivalent, צִדְקָה (tsid.qah).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

צְדָקָה 157 n.f. righteousness

righteousness, in government

God's attribute as sovereign

righteousness, in a case or cause

righteousness = truthfulness

righteousness, as ethically right

righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

pl. righteous acts

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6666 צְדָקָה righteousness . righteousness, in government

. God's attribute as sovereign

. righteousness, in a case or cause

. righteousness = truthfulness

. righteousness, as ethically right

. righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.

. pl. righteous acts

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw'

from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude),

objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively

(prosperity):--justice, moderately, right(-eous)

(act, -ly, -ness).

see HEBREW for 06663

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

צְדָקָה (tse.da.qah) — righteousness.

1) justice, righteousness

1a) righteousness (in government)

1a1) of judge, ruler, king

1a2) of law

1a3) of Davidic king Messiah

1b) righteousness (of God's attribute)

1c) righteousness (in a case or cause)

1d) righteousness, truthfulness

1e) righteousness (as ethically right)

1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation

1f1) of God

1f2) prosperity (of people)

1g) righteous acts

Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
לְמַ֥עַןle.Ma.'an on account of H4616 Particle
272× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.
Tyndale gloss
because
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַ֫עַן (ma`an) is a preposition and conjunction meaning 'for the sake of' or 'on account of.' It conveys purpose or intent, indicating a motive or aim, and is used adverbially. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heed' or 'purpose' and appears in contexts that express reasons or intentions.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מַ֫עַן] subst. purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן 271 prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4616 מַ֫עַן prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4616 ma`an mah'-an

from 6030; properly, heed, i.e. purpose; used only

adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim),

teleologically, in order that:--because of, to the end

(intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), + lest, that, to.

see HEBREW for 06030

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַ֫עַן (ma.an) — because.

1) purpose, intent prep

1a) for the sake of

1b) in view of, on account of

1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj

1d) to the end that

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
שׁוֹרְרָ֑יsho.Rai enemies my H8324 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes an enemy or opponent, someone who is hostile towards others, like the enemies of Israel in the Old Testament.
Tyndale gloss
enemy
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוֹרֵר (shorer) refers to an insidious watcher or an enemy. It is derived from a primitive root meaning to be hostile. The term primarily denotes an opponent, emphasizing the active role of hostility.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שׁוֹרֵר] n.m. (insidious) watcher

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8324 שׁוֹרֵר (insidious) watcher

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8324 sharar shaw-rar'

a primitive root; to be hostile (only active participle an

opponent):--enemy.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוֹרֵר (sha.rar) — enemy.

(Qal) to be an enemy

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
הַיְשַׁ֖רho.shar make straight H3474 Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singular
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be straight or smooth is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe something as right or pleasant. It is used in Proverbs 11:5 to describe a righteous person, and in Psalm 23:3 to describe a path that is straight and right.
Tyndale gloss
to smooth
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right

Qal

go straight

fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right

in ethical sense, straightforward, upright

Pi.

make smooth, straight

lead straight along, direct

esteem right, approve

Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work

Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3474 yashar yaw-shar'

a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be

(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,

fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right

(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be

upright(-ly).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.

1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go straight

1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)

1a3) to be straightforward, be upright

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight

1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along

1b3) to esteem right, approve

1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out

1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVhv2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singular
HVhv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Name of a street in Damascus Ac 9:11

→ FIGURATIVE

Of righteousness, “straight paths,” Isa 40:3,4; Mt 3:3; Heb 12:13

O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
לְפָנַ֣יle.fa.Nai before me H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

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

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
O Yahweh lead me in righteousness your on account of enemies my make straight before me way your
דַּרְכֶּֽךָ׃dar.Ke.kha way your H1870 Noun common both singular construct · suffix
708× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Tyndale gloss
way: road
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner

way, road, path

journey

of direction, almost or quite = toward

way, manner

fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

of moral action and character

of duty

specif.: in good sense

oftener in bad sense

way of י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path

. journey

. of direction, almost or quite = toward

. way, manner

. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings

. . of moral action and character

. of duty

. specif.: in good sense

. oftener in bad sense

. way of י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1870 derek deh'-rek

from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of

life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because

of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,

passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),

whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 01869

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.

: conduct/lifestyle

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.

This name means way, road

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.

This name means way, road

Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.

: direction

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.

: road/route

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner

1a) road, way, path

1b) journey

1c) direction

1d) manner, habit, way

1e) of course of life (fig.)

1f) of moral character (fig.)

דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.

: journey

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcbsc/Sp2ms — Noun common both singular construct · suffix
HNcbsc/Sp2ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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