Psalm 34 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 Speech Act Sections Addressee
David v. 1 By David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, and Abimelek drove him out, and he went. Others
v. 2 I will bless YHWH at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth.

TESTIMONY
(vv. 2–11)

Taste and see that YHWH is good!
Supporting statements
YHWH rescued me, and he can rescue you, too!
v. 3 My soul boasts in YHWH. May the afflicted hear and be glad!
v. 4 Extol YHWH with me, and let us exalt his name together!
v. 5 I sought YHWH and he answered me and he rescued me from all my terrors.
v. 6 Gaze at him and glow, and do not let your faces be ashamed!
v. 7 This is a poor man who called out and YHWH heard and saved him from all his troubles.
v. 8 YHWH’s angel encamps all around those who fear him and he delivers them.
v. 9 Taste and see that YHWH is good! Happy is the man who seeks refuge in him.
v. 10 Fear YHWH, you holy ones of his! For those who fear him have no lack.
v. 11 Young lions have suffered want and been hungry, but those who seek YHWH will not lack any good.
v. 12 Come, children! Listen to me! I will teach you the fear of YHWH.

TEACHING
(vv. 12–23)

I will teach you the fear of YHWH…
v. 13 Who is the person who desires life, who wants to live a long time, who loves to see good?
v. 14 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit!
v. 15 Turn away from evil and do good! Seek peace and pursue it!
v. 16* YHWH’s eyes are directed towards the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cries for help.
v. 17* YHWH’s face is against those who do evil, so as to remove the memory of them from the earth.
v. 18 They called for help, and YHWH heard, and he delivered them from all their troubles.
v. 19 YHWH is near to the broken-hearted and he saves the crushed in spirit.
v. 20 The hardships of the righteous are many, but YHWH rescues him from all of them.
v. 21 He protects all his bones. Not one of them has broken.
v. 22 Hardship finishes off a wicked person, and those who hate a righteous person bear their guilt
v. 23 YHWH redeems his servants’ lives, and no one who seeks refuge in him will ever bear guilt.

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 לְדָוִ֗ד בְּשַׁנּוֹת֣וֹ אֶת־טַ֭עְמוֹ לִפְנֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַֽ֝יְגָרֲשֵׁ֗הוּ וַיֵּלַֽךְ׃ By David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, and Abimelek drove him out, and he went. Superscription                
2 אֲבָרֲכָ֣ה אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּכָל־עֵ֑ת I will bless YHWH at all times. Imperative Commissive Resolving to praise YHWH continually. Resolving to praise YHWH continually. Encouraging the afflicted to trust in YHWH. Listeners will realize what YHWH did for David and recognize YHWH's praiseworthiness.   Listeners will praise YHWH.  
  תָּ֝מִ֗יד תְּֽהִלָּת֥וֹ בְּפִֽי׃ His praise will continually be in my mouth. Declarative Commissive Resolving to praise YHWH continually.   • v. 2b. The clause "His praise will continually be in my mouth" is declarative—in Hebrew, a verbless clause (תָּ֝מִ֗יד תְּֽהִלָּת֥וֹ בְּפִֽי׃). Following the cohortative (אֲבָרֲכָה) in the first half of the verse, which has a commissive function, this clause is probably also commissive. The psalmist is committing himself to praising YHWH (not just occasionally, but) continually.
3 בַּ֭יהוָה תִּתְהַלֵּ֣ל נַפְשִׁ֑י My soul boasts in YHWH. Declarative Expressive Boasting in YHWH. Boasting in YHWH.    
  יִשְׁמְע֖וּ עֲנָוִ֣ים וְיִשְׂמָֽחוּ׃ May the afflicted hear and be glad! Imperative Directive Summoning the afflicted to hear and (as a result of their hearing) to be glad. Summoning the afflicted to hear and (as a result of their hearing) to be glad. Listeners will be glad. Listeners will pay attention to the psalmist's words.  
4 גַּדְּל֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה אִתִּ֑י Extol YHWH with me, Imperative Directive Exhorting the afflicted to join him in exalting YHWH. Exhorting the afflicted to join him in exalting YHWH. Listeners will recognize YHWH's greatness. Listeners will extol YHWH.  
  וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה שְׁמ֣וֹ יַחְדָּֽו׃ and let us exalt his name together! Imperative Directive Exhorting the afflicted to join him in exalting YHWH.  
5 דָּרַ֣שְׁתִּי אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה וְעָנָ֑נִי I sought YHWH and he answered me Declarative Assertive Narrating how he sought YHWH and YHWH heard. Narrating how YHWH rescued him. Listeners will realize what YHWH did for David. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's ability to rescue them just like he rescued David. Listeners will seek YHWH.  
  וּמִכָּל־מְ֝גוּרוֹתַ֗י הִצִּילָֽנִי׃ and he rescued me from all my terrors. Declarative Assertive Narrating how YHWH rescued him.  
6 *הַבִּיטוּ* אֵלָ֣יו *וּנְהָרוּ* Gaze at him and glow, Imperative Directive Exhorting the afflicted to trust in YHWH. Exhorting the afflicted to trust in YHWH. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's ability to deliever them from shame. Listeners will trust YHWH.  
  *וּפְנֵיכֶם* אַל־יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃ and do not let your faces be ashamed! Imperative Directive Exhorting the afflicted to trust in YHWH.  
7 זֶ֤ה עָנִ֣י קָ֭רָא וַיהוָ֣ה שָׁמֵ֑עַ This is a poor man who called out and YHWH heard Declarative Assertive Narrating how he called out to YHWH and YHWH heard Narrating how YHWH rescued him. Listeners will realize what YHWH did for David. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's ability to rescue them just like he rescued David. Listeners will call out to YHWH when they are in trouble.  
  וּמִכָּל־צָ֝רוֹתָ֗יו הוֹשִׁיעֽוֹ׃ and saved him from all his troubles. Declarative Assertive Narrating how YHWH rescued him.  
8 חֹנֶ֤ה מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָ֓ה YHWH’s angel encamps Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH protects those who fear him. Asserting that YHWH protects those who fear him. Listeners will recognize YHWH's current protection of his people. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's ability to rescue them. Listeners will trust YHWH.  
  סָ֘בִ֤יב לִֽירֵאָ֗יו וַֽיְחַלְּצֵֽם׃ all around those who fear him and he delivers them. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH delivers those who fear him.  
9 טַעֲמ֣וּ וּ֭רְאוּ כִּי־ט֣וֹב יְהוָ֑ה Taste and see that YHWH is good! Imperative Directive Exhorting the afflicted to trust in YHWH. Exhorting the afflicted to trust in YHWH. Listeners will recognize that YHWH is good, and that he is a source of protection. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's goodness and protection. Listeners will trust YHWH.  
  אַֽשְׁרֵ֥י הַ֝גֶּ֗בֶר יֶחֱסֶה־בּֽוֹ׃ Happy is the man who seeks refuge in him. fragment Expressive Celebrating the person who trusts in YHWH. Celebrating the person who trusts in YHWH.  
10 יְר֣אוּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה קְדֹשָׁ֑יו Fear YHWH, you holy ones of his! Imperative Directive Exhorting YHWH's people to fear YHWH. Exhorting YHWH's people to fear YHWH. Listeners will realize the benefits of fearing YHWH. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's provision and fear YHWH. Listeners will seek YHWH.  
  כִּי־אֵ֥ין מַ֝חְס֗וֹר לִירֵאָֽיו׃ For those who fear him have no lack. Declarative Assertive Giving a reason for why YHWH's people should fear him.  
11 כְּ֭פִירִים רָשׁ֣וּ וְרָעֵ֑בוּ Young lions have suffered want and been hungry, Declarative Assertive Asserting that even the most capable of predators has gone hungry.  
  וְדֹרְשֵׁ֥י יְ֝הוָ֗ה לֹא־יַחְסְר֥וּ כָל־טֽוֹב׃ but those who seek YHWH will not lack any good. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH's people are better off than even young lions.  
12 לְֽכוּ־בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י Come, children! Listen to me! Imperative Directive Summoning an audience to listen to his teaching. Summoning an audience to listen to his teaching. Teaching (למּד) the fear of YHWH. Listeners will understand the value of fearing YHWH. Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH. Listeners will turn from evil and do good.  
  יִֽרְאַ֥ת יְ֝הוָ֗ה אֲלַמֶּדְכֶֽם׃ I will teach you the fear of YHWH. Declarative Assertive Presenting the topic of his lecture. Presenting the topic of his lecture.  
13 מִֽי־הָ֭אִישׁ הֶחָפֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים Who is the person who desires life, Interrogative Assertive Getting the attention of his audience. Getting the attention of his audience. • v. 13a. The NET does an excellent job of translating the pragmatic force of this question into English: "Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life?" (NET). As they, note, "The rhetorical question is used to grab the audience’s attention" (NET note). The technique is similar to that used today in advertisements (e.g., "Do you want to make more money?" "Do you want to lose twenty pounds in a week?" "Are you tired of X?"). When Peter quotes this verse in the NT (1 Pet. 3:10-11), he changes the form but maintains the pragmatic force: “Whoever would love life (ὁ γὰρ θέλων ζωὴν ἀγαπᾶν)... let him restrain (παυσάτω)... let him turn from (ἐκκλινάτω)... let him seek (ζητησάτω)."
  אֹהֵ֥ב יָ֝מִ֗ים לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב׃ who wants to live a long time, who loves to see good?  
14 נְצֹ֣ר לְשׁוֹנְךָ֣ מֵרָ֑ע Keep your tongue from evil Imperative Directive Exhorting his audience. Teaching his audience what it means to fear YHWH and exhorting them to live accordingly.  
  וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ מִדַּבֵּ֥ר מִרְמָֽה׃ and your lips from speaking deceit! Imperative Directive Exhorting his audience.  
15 ס֣וּר מֵ֭רָע וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֑וֹב Turn away from evil and do good! Imperative Directive Exhorting his audience.  
  בַּקֵּ֖שׁ שָׁל֣וֹם וְרָדְפֵֽהוּ׃ Seek peace and pursue it! Imperative Directive Exhorting his audience.  
17* פְּנֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה בְּעֹ֣שֵׂי רָ֑ע YHWH’s face is against those who do evil, Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH opposes the wicked. Teaching his audience that YHWH protects and provides for the righteous (those who fear YHWH), and not for the wicked. Listeners will recognize how YHWH deals with the righteous and the wicked. Listeners will be in reverent fear of YHWH. Listeners will be confident in YHWH's ability to rescue them. Listeners will turn from evil and do good. Listeners will trust YHWH.  
  לְהַכְרִ֖ית מֵאֶ֣רֶץ זִכְרָֽם׃ so as to remove the memory of them from the earth.  
16* עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה אֶל־צַדִּיקִ֑ים YHWH’s eyes are directed towards the righteous, Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH sees the righteous.  
  וְ֝אָזְנָ֗יו אֶל־שַׁוְעָתָֽם׃ and his ears are attentive to their cries for help. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH stands ready to hear the righteous.  
18 צָעֲק֣וּ וַיהוָ֣ה שָׁמֵ֑עַ They called for help, and YHWH heard, Declarative Assertive Narrating a time (as characteristic) when the righteous called for help and YHWH heard.  
  וּמִכָּל־צָ֝רוֹתָ֗ם הִצִּילָֽם׃ and he delivered them from all their troubles. Declarative Assertive Narrating a time (as characteristic) when YHWH delivered the righeous.  
19 קָר֣וֹב יְ֭הוָה לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵ֑ב YHWH is near to the broken-hearted Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH hears and rescues the afflicted.  
  וְֽאֶת־דַּכְּאֵי־ר֥וּחַ יוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ and he saves the crushed in spirit. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH hears and rescues the afflicted.  
20 רַ֭בּוֹת רָע֣וֹת צַדִּ֑יק The hardships of the righteous are many, Declarative Assertive Acknowledging that the righteous face hardships.  
  וּ֝מִכֻּלָּ֗ם יַצִּילֶ֥נּוּ יְהוָֽה׃ but YHWH rescues him from all of them. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH protects the righteous.  
21 שֹׁמֵ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑יו He protects all his bones. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH protects the righteous.  
  אַחַ֥ת מֵ֝הֵ֗נָּה לֹ֣א נִשְׁבָּֽרָה׃ Not one of them has broken. Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH protects the righteous.  
22 תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת רָשָׁ֣ע רָעָ֑ה Hardship finishes off a wicked person, Declarative Assertive Asserting that hardship finishes off a wicked person.  
  וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י צַדִּ֣יק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃ and those who hate a righteous person bear their guilt Declarative Assertive Asserting that the wicked will bear their guilt.  
23 פּוֹדֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲבָדָ֑יו YHWH redeems his servants’ lives, Declarative Assertive Asserting that YHWH redeems his servants' lives.  
  וְלֹ֥א יֶ֝אְשְׁמ֗וּ כָּֽל־הַחֹסִ֥ים בּֽוֹ׃ and no one who seeks refuge in him will ever bear guilt. Declarative Assertive Asserting that no one who seeks refuge in YHWH will bear guilt.