Psalm 33 Speech Act

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Speech Act Analysis

What is Speech Act Analysis?

The Speech Act layer presents the text in terms of what it does, following the findings of Speech Act Theory. It builds on the recognition that there is more to communication than the exchange of propositions. Speech act analysis is particularly important when communicating cross-culturally, and lack of understanding can lead to serious misunderstandings, since the ways languages and cultures perform speech acts varies widely.

For a detailed explanation of our method, see the Speech Act Analysis Creator Guidelines.

Summary Visual

Speaker Verses Macro Speech Acts Addressee
Choir Director v. 1 Shout for joy in YHWH, righteous people! Praise is fitting for upright people.

EXHORTATION
(vv. 1–3)

Make Music to YHWH
Supporting statements
Make a song for him with a ten-string harp! (v. 2)
 Israel
v. 2 Give YHWH praise with a lyre! Make a song for him with a ten-string harp!
v. 3 Sing a new song to him! Play skillfully with a blast!
v. 4 Because YHWH’s word is upright, and all of his work is [done] in faithfulness.

EXTOLLING
(vv. 4–9)

YHWH Has Done Mighty Acts in Creation
Supporting statements
He is the one who gathers the sea waters as a heap. (v. 7)
v. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of YHWH’s loyal-love.
v. 6 The heavens were made by YHWH’s word, and all their hosts [were made] by the breath of his mouth.
v. 7 He is the one who gathers the sea water as a heap! He is the one who places the deep oceans into storehouses!
v. 8 All the earth should be afraid of YHWH! All the dwellers of the inhabited world should be in dread because of him!
v. 9 For he spoke, and it was; he commanded, and it came about.
v. 10 YHWH has thwarted the nations’ plan; he has blocked the peoples’ intentions.

EXTOLLING
(vv. 10–19)

YHWH Has Power in Battle
Supporting statements
YHWH has thwarted the nations’ plan (v. 10); A horse is a deceptive means for victory (v. 17)
v. 11 YHWH’s plan stands forever; the intentions of his heart [stand] forever and ever.
v. 12 Happy is the nation whose god is YHWH, [happy are] the people [whom YHWH] chose as a permanent possession for himself.
v. 13 YHWH looked from heaven: he saw all of humanity,
v. 14 he gazed from his dwelling place, at all the dwellers of the earth,
v. 15 the one who forms all their hearts, the one who discerns all their works.
v. 16 A king is not saved by a great force; a warrior is not delivered by great might.
v. 17 A horse is a deceptive means for victory, and it will not rescue by its great force.
v. 18 Consider: YHWH’s eye is upon those who fear him; upon those who wait for his loyal-love,
v. 19 to deliver their lives from death, and to keep them alive during famine.
Choir Director and People v. 20 We ourselves wait longingly for YHWH –he is our help and our shield–

PROFESSION OF CONFIDENCE
(vv. 20–21)

He is our Helper and Shield
v. 21 because our hearts rejoice in him; because we have come to trust in his holy name.
v. 22 YHWH, may your loyal-love be upon us, just as we have been waiting for you!

PETITION
(v. 22)

May your loyal-love be upon us
 YHWH

Speech Act Analysis Chart

The following chart is scrollable (left/right; up/down).

  Legend

Verse Hebrew CBC Sentence type Illocution (general) Illocution with context Macro speech act Intended perlocution (Think) Intended perlocution (Feel) Intended perlocution (Do)
Verse number and poetic line Hebrew text English translation Declarative, Imperative, or Interrogative

Indirect Speech Act: Mismatch between sentence type and illocution type		 Assertive, Directive, Expressive, Commissive, or Declaratory

Indirect Speech Act: Mismatch between sentence type and illocution type		 More specific illocution type with paraphrased context Illocutionary intent (i.e. communicative purpose) of larger sections of discourse

These align with the "Speech Act Summary" headings		 What the speaker intends for the address to think What the speaker intends for the address to feel What the speaker intends for the address to do



If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.

Emendations/Revocalizations legend
*Emended text* Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation.
*Revocalized text* Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization.
Verse Text (Hebrew) Text (CBC) Sentence type Illocution (general) Illocution with context Macro speech act Intended perlocution (Think) Intended perlocution (Feel) Intended perlocution (Do) Speech Act Notes
1 רַנְּנ֣וּ צַ֭דִּיקִים בַּֽיהוָ֑ה Shout for joy in YHWH, righteous people! Imperative Directive Exhorting people to praise YHWH Exhorting the listener to praise YHWH Exhorting the listener to praise YHWH Listeners will be reminded to praise YHWH with joy Listeners will feel joy in praising YHWH Listeners will praise YHWH joyfully  
  לַ֝יְשָׁרִ֗ים נָאוָ֥ה תְהִלָּֽה׃ Praise is fitting for upright people. Declarative Directive Exhorting upright people to praise YHWH  
2 הוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה בְּכִנּ֑וֹר Give YHWH praise with a lyre! Imperative Directive Exhorting people to praise YHWH  
  בְּנֵ֥בֶל עָ֝שׂ֗וֹר זַמְּרוּ־לֽוֹ׃ Make a song for him with a ten-string harp! Imperative Directive Exhorting people to praise YHWH  
3 שִֽׁירוּ־ל֭וֹ שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ Sing a new song to him! Imperative Directive Exhorting people to praise YHWH  
  הֵיטִ֥יבוּ נַ֝גֵּ֗ן בִּתְרוּעָֽה׃ Play skillfully with a blast! Imperative Directive Exhorting people to praise YHWH  
4 כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֥ר דְּבַר־יְהוָ֑ה Because YHWH’s word is upright, Declarative Assertive Explaining the reasons for praise Explaining why people should praise YHWH Extolling YHWH's power in creation Listeners will acknowledge YHWH's character Listeners will be assured by YHWH's faithful character Listeners will praise YHWH because of his character  
  וְכָל־מַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָֽה׃ and all of his work is [done] in faithfulness. Declarative Assertive Explaining the reasons for praise  
5 אֹ֭הֵב צְדָקָ֣ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט He loves righteousness and justice; Declarative Assertive Describing YHWH's character as a grounds for praise (explaining by means of praising)  
  חֶ֥סֶד יְ֝הוָ֗ה מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃ the earth is full of YHWH’s loyal-love. Declarative Assertive Describing YHWH's activity in the world as a grounds for praise (explaining by means of praising)  
6 בִּדְבַ֣ר יְ֭הוָה שָׁמַ֣יִם נַעֲשׂ֑וּ The heavens were made by YHWH’s word, Declarative Assertive Describing YHWH for his power to create (explaining by means of praising) Listeners will be reminded of YHWH's act of creation Listeners will be in awe of YHWH's power in creating the world Listeners will praise God because of his work in creation  
  וּבְר֥וּחַ פִּ֝֗יו כָּל־צְבָאָֽם׃ and all their hosts [were made] by the breath of his mouth. Declarative Assertive Describing YHWH for his power to create (explaining by means of praising)  
7 כֹּנֵ֣ס כַּ֭נֵּד מֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם He is the one who gathers the sea water as a heap! Fragment Expressive Describing YHWH's power in history (explaining by means of praising) Listeners will acknowledge YHWH's continued power over creation Listeners will be in awe of YHWH's power over creation Listeners will praise God because of his power over creation  
  נֹתֵ֖ן בְּאֹצָר֣וֹת תְּהוֹמֽוֹת׃ He is the one who places the deep oceans into storehouses! Fragment Expressive Describing YHWH's power in history (explaining by means of praising)  
8 יִֽירְא֣וּ מֵ֭יְהוָה כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ All the earth should be afraid of YHWH! Imperative Directive Asserting that everyone needs to fear and dread YHWH Reminding YHWH's people that they ought to respond to YHWH's power with fear Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH Listeners will praise YHWH with reverent fear  
  מִמֶּ֥נּוּ יָ֝ג֗וּרוּ כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י תֵבֵֽל׃ All the dwellers of the inhabited world should be in dread because of him! Imperative Directive Asserting that everyone needs to fear and dread YHWH  
9 כִּ֤י ה֣וּא אָמַ֣ר For he spoke, Declarative Assertive Narrating a summary of creation to ground the warning to fear and dread Listeners will acknowledge YHWH's authority and power Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH Listeners will praise YHWH with reverent fear  
  וַיֶּ֑הִי and it was; Declarative Assertive  
  הֽוּא־צִ֝וָּ֗ה he commanded, Declarative Assertive Narrating past instances of YHWH's manifest power to ground the warning to fear and dread  
  וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽד׃ and it came about. Declarative Assertive  
10 יְֽהוָ֗ה הֵפִ֥יר עֲצַת־גּוֹיִ֑ם YHWH has thwarted the nations’ plan; Declarative Assertive Narrating a past instance of YHWH overcoming the nations Reminding the people that YHWH has won before, which leads to reassurance that he will win again Extolling YHWH's power over threats to YHWH's people Listeners will be reminded of YHWH's power and authority over the nations Listeners will be assured by YHWH's power and authority over the nations Listeners will profess trust in YHWH  
  הֵ֝נִ֗יא מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת עַמִּֽים׃ he has blocked the peoples’ intentions. Declarative Assertive Narrating a past instance of YHWH overcoming the nations  
11 עֲצַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה לְעוֹלָ֣ם תַּעֲמֹ֑ד YHWH’s plan stands forever; Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH's plan and intentions stand forever  
  מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת לִ֝בּ֗וֹ לְדֹ֣ר וָדֹֽר׃ the intentions of his heart [stand] forever and ever. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH's plan and intentions stand forever  
12 אַשְׁרֵ֣י הַ֭גּוֹי Happy is the nation Fragment Expressive Asserting the benefits of the nation in good relationship with YHWH Reminding the people of their identity, relationship with YHWH, which leads to reassurance Listeners will acknowledge YHWH as their God Listeners will feel happy that they are YHWH's people Listeners will be faithful to YHWH their God  
  אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו whose god is YHWH,  
  הָעָ֓ם ׀ [happy are] the people  
  בָּחַ֖ר לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לֽוֹ׃ [whom YHWH] chose as a permanent possession for himself.  
13 מִ֭שָּׁמַיִם הִבִּ֣יט יְהוָ֑ה YHWH looked from heaven: Declarative Assertive Narrating a past instance of YHWH evaluating all peoples Explaining YHWH's authority, intimate knowledge, and active discernment towards judgment Listeners will be aware of YHWH's omniscience Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH Listeners will be faithful to YHWH their God  
  רָ֝אָ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם׃ he saw all of humanity, Declarative Assertive Narrating a past instance of YHWH evaluating all peoples  
14 מִֽמְּכוֹן־שִׁבְתּ֥וֹ הִשְׁגִּ֑יחַ אֶ֖ל כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ he gazed from his dwelling place, at all the dwellers of the earth, Declarative Assertive Narrating a past instance of YHWH evaluating all peoples  
15 הַיֹּצֵ֣ר יַ֣חַד לִבָּ֑ם the one who forms all their hearts,  
  הַ֝מֵּבִ֗ין אֶל־כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃ the one who discerns all their works.  
16 אֵֽין־הַ֭מֶּלֶךְ נוֹשָׁ֣ע בְּרָב־חָ֑יִל A king is not saved by a great force; Declarative Assertive Claiming that traditional means of warfare are ineffective Exposing and challenging the value system of the world that tempts the people Listeners will acknowledge that earthly power is unreliable Listeners will trust YHWH more than worldly power Listeners will be faithful to YHWH their God  
  גִּ֝בּ֗וֹר לֹֽא־יִנָּצֵ֥ל בְּרָב־כֹּֽחַ׃ a warrior is not delivered by great might. Declarative Assertive Claiming that traditional means of warfare are ineffective  
17 שֶׁ֣קֶר הַ֭סּוּס לִתְשׁוּעָ֑ה A horse is a deceptive means for victory, Declarative Assertive Claiming that traditional means of warfare are ineffective  
  וּבְרֹ֥ב חֵ֝יל֗וֹ לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּֽט׃ and it will not rescue by its great force. Declarative Assertive Claiming that traditional means of warfare are ineffective  
18 הִנֵּ֤ה עֵ֣ין יְ֭הוָה אֶל־יְרֵאָ֑יו לַֽמְיַחֲלִ֥ים לְחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ Consider: YHWH’s eye is upon those who fear him; upon those who wait for his loyal-love, Declarative Directive Reassuring the people that YHWH cares for them and will save them. Exhorting the people to fear and wait for YHWH Listeners will consider YHWH's care for those who fear him Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH; listeners will be assured of YHWH's care Listeners will be faithful to YHWH their God  
19 לְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם to deliver their lives from death,  
  וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם בָּרָעָֽב׃ and to keep them alive during famine.  
20 נַ֭פְשֵׁנוּ חִכְּתָ֣ה לַֽיהוָ֑ה We ourselves wait longingly for YHWH Declarative Expressive Professing longing as application of YHWH’s reassurance Professing confidence in YHWH Professing confidence in YHWH Listeners will feel joy and trust as they wait upon YHWH to act Listeners will praise YHWH  
  עֶזְרֵ֖נוּ וּמָגִנֵּ֣נוּ הֽוּא׃ –he is our help and our shield– Declarative Assertive Claiming that traditional means of warfare are ineffective  
21 כִּי־ב֭וֹ יִשְׂמַ֣ח לִבֵּ֑נוּ because our hearts rejoice in him; Declarative Expressive Professing joy and trust as application of YHWH’s reassurance Verse 21 is technically dependent upon v. 20a, with v. 20b interrupting as an expressive exclamation.
  כִּ֤י בְשֵׁ֖ם קָדְשׁ֣וֹ בָטָֽחְנוּ׃ because we have come to trust in his holy name.  
22 יְהִֽי־חַסְדְּךָ֣ יְהוָ֣ה עָלֵ֑ינוּ YHWH, may your loyal-love be upon us, Imperative Directive Imploring YHWH to act to save his people Imploring YHWH to act to save his people Imploring YHWH to act to save his people YHWH will be reminded of the people's patient loyalty YHWH will feel loyal love towards his people YHWH will act on behalf of his people  
  כַּ֝אֲשֶׁ֗ר יִחַ֥לְנוּ לָֽךְ׃ just as we have been waiting for you!