Psalms 80:10 — Word Study
WLCכָּסּ֣וּ הָרִ֣ים צִלָּ֑הּ וַ֝עֲנָפֶ֗יהָ אַֽרְזֵי־ אֵֽל׃
BSACorner (Gate)pânâh facepânîym to uprootshârash rootsheresh to fillmâlêʼ landʼerets
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כָּסּ֣וּ | they were covered | Verb, Pual, perfect third person common plural |
| הָרִ֣ים | mountains | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| צִלָּ֑הּ | shade its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַ֝עֲנָפֶ֗יהָ | and branches its | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אַֽרְזֵי־ | [the] cedars of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| אֵֽל׃ | God | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. |
| KJV | The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. |
| ASV | The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, And the boughs thereof were like cedars of God. |
| YLT | Covered have been hills [with] its shadow, And its boughs [are] cedars of God. |
| WEB | The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars. |
| BBE | The mountains were covered with its shade, and the great trees with its branches. |
The translations agree on the meaning of כָּסּ֣וּ as covered.
The sentence features a main clause with a subject and predicate, along with additional descriptive phrases that enhance the imagery.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectלְ
verbפָּנָה
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 80:10
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 Metaphor of Divine Protectiongenerated
Psalm 80:10 describes the protective nature of God's presence as symbolized by mountains and mighty cedars. The psalmist reflects on how these natural elements are covered and shaded, illustrating a divine shelter over creation. This imagery evokes a sense of safety and abundance, similar to how God nurtures His people, as seen in other passages like Psalm 104:16.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 104:16 | The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּסּ֣וּ, ka.Sugenerated
The verb כָּסָּה (*kacah*) means 'to cover' and is a Pual perfect form, indicating a completed action. It conveys the idea of something being enveloped or hidden, often for protection. In this verse, it describes how the mountains are enveloped in shade, suggesting a protective covering.
This verb can also imply overwhelming or spreading over, which adds depth to the imagery of shade as a sheltering presence. The use of this verb here emphasizes the nurturing aspect of God's creation, as the mountains are not just covered, but are provided with a sense of safety and comfort.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses covered for כָּסּ֣וּ, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb כָּסּ֣וּ governs the main clause, with two noun phrases following: הָרִ֣ים (mountains) as the subject and צִלָּ֑הּ (shade) as the predicate. This structure emphasizes the action of covering.
The additional phrase וַ֝עֲנָפֶ֗יהָ (and its branches) extends the imagery, linking the mighty cedars to the act of being covered, thus enhancing the overall picture of divine protection.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, כָּסּ֣וּ is rendered as ὡδοποίησας, which suggests a sense of making a way or providing a path. This choice indicates a broader interpretation of divine provision, emphasizing not just coverage but also direction and purpose.
The translation reflects a nuanced understanding of the Hebrew text, where God's protective shade is seen as a guiding presence in addition to being a shelter.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 80:10 describes how the mountains are covered by shade, and the mighty cedars are adorned with branches. This imagery illustrates God's protective presence over creation, showing how He provides shelter and abundance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's protective presence over creation, providing safety and comfort, much like a sheltering tree.
Mighty cedars symbolize strength and durability, representing God's enduring protection and care.
The themes of protection and nurture are prevalent throughout the Bible, often depicted through nature, as seen in other psalms.
Shade often represents safety and refuge, symbolizing God's care for His people in times of trouble.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's protective presence in my life?
- How can I find comfort in the imagery of shade and shelter when facing challenges?
- What does the strength of the cedars teach me about God's character?
- How can I share the message of God's protection with others?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 80:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe hills were covered with the shadow of it,.... Alluding to the land of Canaan, which was a mountainous and hilly country, at least some part of it; hence we read of the hill country of Judea, Lu
Read John Gill on Psalms 80 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. The hills were covered with the shadow of it.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 80 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey grew so numerous, that they filled not only the fruitful valleys, but even the barren mountains. Goodly cedars; far differing from ordinary vines, whose boughs are weak and small, and creep upon the walls or ground.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 80 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof [were like] the goodly cedars.Ver. 10. The hills were covered, &c.] The Israelites grew amain in wealth, power, and multitude of men; witness their huge armies and valiant acts, though the country was not above 200 miles long, and 50 miles broad.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 80 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) Goodly cedars.—Literally, cedars of God. The branches of the vine are to grow to resemble the luxuriance of the most magnificent of all forest trees.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 80 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 10. The hills were covered] 6. The vine, carefully cultivated in a suitable soil, may be spread to any extent. In the land of Judea it formed shades under which the people not only sheltered and refreshed themselves in times of sultry heats; but it is said they even ate, drank, and dwelt under the shelter of their vines. See 1Kg 4:25; Micah 4:4; 1Mac 14:12. God so blessed the Jews, particularly in the days of David and Solomon, that all the neighbouring nations were subdued-the Syrians, Idumeans, Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 80 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. The hills] The mountains. the goodly cedars] Cedars of God (El), those “which he hath planted,” the indigenous cedars of Lebanon, noblest of forest trees. Cp. “mountains of God” (Psalms 36:6). The alternative rendering of R.V. marg., And the cedars of God with the boughs thereof, gives the same sense as the LXX. The vine grew so that it overshadowed the mountainous country to the South, and the cedars of Lebanon on the North, an allusion to the ideal boundaries of the Promised Land, as described in Deuteronomy 11:24 (where ‘the wilderness’ = ‘the mountains’ here). That the next verse clearly refers to the Eastern and Western boundaries is an argument in favour of this interpretation.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 80 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe hills were covered with the shadow of it - That is, It made a shade, by its luxuriant foliage, on the hills in every part of the land; it seemed to cover all the hills.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 80 →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
The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.
The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.
The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.
The mountains were covered by its shadow, the highest cedars by its branches.
Tyndale line
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, And the boughs thereof were like cedars of God.
The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like cedars of God.
The hills were covered with the shade of it, and its boughs were like the goodly cedars.
The mountaines were couered with the shadowe of it, and the boughes thereof were like the goodly cedars.
Strictly literal
The mountains were covered with its shadow, and the branches thereof were [like] cedars of God;
Covered have been hills [with] its shadow, And its boughs [are] cedars of God.
Hills have been covered [with] its shadow, || And its boughs [are] cedars of God.
(80:11) Mountains were covered with its shadow, and with its boughs the cedars of God.
The mountains were covered with its shade, the cedars of God by its branches.
From the Latin
There shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.
Simplified
The mountains were covered by its shade; its branches covered the great cedars.
The mountains were covered with its shade, and the great trees with its branches.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree, with five out of six words matched. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the original meaning across these ancient texts, reinforcing the imagery of divine protection.
כָּסּ֣וּ הָרִ֣ים צִלָּ֑הּ וַ֝עֲנָפֶ֗יהָ אַֽרְזֵי־ אֵֽל׃
5 of the 6 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 80:10
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.
The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[כָּסָה] vb. cover
Qal
conceal
pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
Niph. covered
Pi.
cover, clothe
cover, conceal blood
cover (with covering of protection)
cover, spread over
cover, overwhelm
cover over
Pual.
be covered
be clothed
Hithp. cover, clothe oneself
base
H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal
. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
. covered
. . cover, clothe
. cover, conceal blood
. cover (with covering of protection)
. cover, spread over
. cover, overwhelm
. cover over
. . be covered
. be clothed
. cover, clothe oneself
3680 kacah kaw-saw'
a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;
by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad
self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,
overwhelm. Compare 3780.
see HEBREW for 03780
כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.
1) to cover, conceal, hide
1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be covered
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cover, clothe
1c2) to cover, conceal
1c3) to cover (for protection)
1c4) to cover over, spread over
1c5) to cover, overwhelm
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be covered
1d2) to be clothed
1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself
HVPp3cp — Verb · Pual · perfect third person common pluralHVPp3cp
הַר (har) means 'mountain' or 'hill,' and can refer to a range of hills or hill-country. It is derived from a root that suggests elevation and can be used figuratively. The entries consistently highlight its geographical connotations without significant disagreement.
הַר 568 n.m. mountain, hill, hill-country
mountain, hill
hill-country, mountain-region
base
H2022 הַר mountain, hill, hill-country
2022 har har
a shortened form of 2042; a mountain or range of hills
(sometimes used figuratively):--hill (country), mount(-ain), X
promotion.
see HEBREW for 02042
הַר (har) — mountain: mount.
: mount/hill
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
הַר (har) — mountain: hill country.
: hill_country
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
A sub-meaning of har (הַר ": mount" H2022)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Are among the most sublime and impressive of the Creator’s works on earth, and from the noblest and most enduring monuments of great events. Most of the mountains of Scripture thus stand as witnesses for God—every view of their lofty summits, and every recurrence to them in thought reminding us of the sacred facts and truths connected with them. Thus Mount Ararat is a standing memorial of the deluge of man’s sin, God’s justice, and God’s mercy. Mount Sinai asserts the terrors of the divine law. Mount Carmel summons us, like the prophet Elijah of old, not to "halt between two opinions;" but if Jehovah is God, to love and serve him. The mount of the Transfiguration still shines with the glory of the truths there taught, and Mounts Ebal and Gerizim still echo the curses and the blessings once so solemnly pronounced from them. So Mount Hor, Nebo, Lebanon, and Gilboa have been signalized by…
- The elevated parts of the earth
Ge 7:19,20
- GOD
. Formed
. Set fast
. Gives strength to
. Weighs, in a balance
. Waters, from his chambers
צֵל (tsel) means 'shadow' or 'shade,' encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It can refer to a physical shadow, as well as a protective shade or a symbol of life's transience. The word is derived from a root meaning to shade, and it is related to another term, צֵלֶל (tselel), which also means 'shadow.'
H6738 צֵל shadow
6738 tsel tsale
from 6751; shade, whether literal or figurative:--defence,
shade(-ow).
see HEBREW for 06751
צֵל (tsel) — shadow.
1) shadow, shade
1a) shadow (on dial)
1b) shadow, shade (as protection)
1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)
Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)
HNcmsc/Sp3fs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3fs
עָנָף (anaph) refers to branches or boughs. It is derived from an unused root meaning to cover, suggesting a connection to twigs that cover limbs. The word is straightforwardly defined across entries, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
עָנָף n.[m.] branch(es), bough(s)
base
H6057 עָנָף branch(es), bough(s)
6057 `anaph aw-nawf'
from an unused root meaning to cover; a twig (as covering the
limbs):--bough, branch.
עָנָף (a.naph) — branch.
bough, branch
Aramaic equivalent: a.naph (עֲנַף "bough" H6056)
HC/Ncmpc/Sp3fs — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word אֶ֫רֶז (*erez*) means 'cedar' and refers to the cedar tree, its timber, and its use in building and purification. It is derived from a root indicating the tenacity of its roots. The entries consistently highlight its significance in construction and ritual practices.
אֶ֫רֶז n.m. cedar
cedar-tree
cedar-timber, cedar-wood for building
cedar-wood used in purification
base
H730 אֶ֫רֶז cedar
730 'erez eh-rez'
from 729; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its
roots):--cedar (tree).
see HEBREW for 0729
אֶ֫רֶז (e.rez) — cedar.
1) cedar
1a) cedar tree
1b) cedar timber, cedar wood (in building)
1c) cedar wood (in purifications)
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word אֵל (*'el*) primarily means 'god' and conveys the idea of might or strength. It can refer to the one true God of Israel, as well as to other deities, angels, and mighty men. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including nature and power, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵל n.m. god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might
applied to men of might and rank
angels
gods of the nations
Ēl
as characterizing mighty things in nature
God, the one only and true God of Israel
אֵל strength, power
base
H410 אֵל god, but with various subordinate applications to express the idea of might . applied to men of might and rank
. angels
. gods of the nations
. Ēl
. as characterizing mighty things in nature
. God, the one only and true God of Israel
. אֵל strength, power
410 'el ale
shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty;
especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God
(god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong.
Compare names in "-el."
see HEBREW for 0352
אֵל (el) — God.
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֵל (el) — El (Berith).
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "Berith" (berith בְּרִית H1286)
אֵל (el) — El (Elohe).
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "God" (elohim אֱלֹהִים H0430)
אֵל (el) — El (Most High).
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means god, god-like one, mighty one, strength, power
Combined with "Most High" (el.yon עֶלְיוֹן H5945B)
אֵל (el) — god.
: god
1) god, god-like one, mighty one
1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes
1b) angels
1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations)
1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah
2) mighty things in nature
3) strength, power
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…