Psalms 17:5

תָּמֹ֣ךְ אֲ֭שֻׁרַי בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑יךָ בַּל נָמ֥וֹטּוּ פְעָמָֽי

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

תָּמֹ֣ךְ

Root word hold, up, uphold, holdeth, retain, …

Dictionary form: תָּמַךְ · taw-MAHK

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Absolute, absolute state simple action — "he did" adds emphasis — try "surely ___"

In the KJV here: hold up

and him that holdeth ×2 take hold ×2 and he held up ×1 from holding ×1 himself and he shall be holden ×1 hold ×1 hold up ×1 i will uphold ×1

More options

uphold — Best for supporting a person or cause.

sustain — Emphasizes ongoing support or maintenance.

grasp — More physical; gripping or seizing firmly.

support — Broad, neutral; works for literal and figurative use.

hold fast — Stresses firm, determined retention or grip.

maintain — Good for abstract contexts like justice or truth.

BDB9187 H8551

[תָּמַךְ] verb grasp, support, attain (Aramaic תְּמַךְ Pa`el hold fast; compare Phoenician and Old Aramaic תמכאל El hath sustained Lzb³⁸⁶ SAC¹²¹ Cooke³⁶¹); —

Qal Perfect. 3 feminine singular תָּֽמְכָה Ps 63:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִתְמֹךְ Prov 29:23, 3 masculine plural יִתְמֹ֑כוּ Job 36:17; Prov 5:5, etc., Infinitive absolute תָּמֹךְ Ps 17:5 construct תְּמֹךְ Isa 33:15 Participle תּוֺמֵךְ Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8, תּוֺמִיךְ Ps 16:5 (? read מֵיךְ- Ges^{«GKC:51e»§ 51e}, or תֹּמֵךְ, compare Vrss Du; > 0l תּוֺסִיף, Bi Che תָּמִיד), etc.; —

1. grasp, lay hold of, with accusative of thing Gen 48:17 (E), Prov 31:19 (|| שׁלּח יד בְּ); accusative of person (wisdom) Prov 3:18 (|| מַחֲזִיק); accusative of thing (grasp and) wield Amos 1:5; Amos 1:8; Ps 16:5 (see above) thou dost grasp my lot (i.e. take and cast it for me, compare modern Palestinian may Allah uphold my lot Bergheim^{PEF 1894, 194}); figurative, Job 36:17 judgment and justice seize (thee; but see obscure and doubtful); Prov 5:5 her steps lay hold of Sh®°ôl (keep the path to it); literal, with ב of thing Isa 33:15, ב person Prov 28:17 (or below 3; meaning dubious); lay hold of, attain, honour, wealth (accusative) Prov 11:16 (twice in verse).

2. hold up, support, with בְּיָדָיו Exod 17:2 (E); figurative, ב person Isa 42:1; Ps 41:13; Ps 63:9 accusative of person Isa 41:10 (ב instrumental), Prov 29:23 (opposed to הִשְׁפִּיל),

3. hold, keep, with accusative of thing Prov 4:4 let thy heart keep my words (|| שָׁמַר); hold firmly Ps 17:5 (ב location; opposed to נָמֹ֫טוּ). Niph`al Imperfect וּבְחַבְלֵי חַטָּאתוֺ יִתָּמֵ֑ךְ Prov 5:22 in the cords of his sin is he seized (|| לָכַד).

hold, up, uphold, holdeth, retain, …

tāmak

to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast

(Qal)

to grasp, lay hold of, attain

אֲ֭שֻׁרַ י

אֲ֭שֻׁרַ

Root word steps, goings, step, going

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: אָשֻׁר · aw-SHOOR

Noun — Common, feminine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: my goings

my goings ×2 his steps ×1 my step ×1 my steps ×1 neither have our steps ×1 of his steps ×1 to his going ×1 us in our steps ×1

More options

step — Most direct equivalent; works in literal and figurative contexts.

stride — Slightly more dynamic; suits descriptions of purposeful movement.

footstep — Emphasizes the physical mark or sound of walking.

path — Figurative sense; good when referring to a course of life or conduct.

gait — Focuses on manner of walking; suits poetic or evaluative contexts.

track — Highlights the trail left; useful when following or being followed.

BDB811 H804 H838

אַשּׁוּר proper name, of a people & territory Asshur, Assyria (Assyrian Aššur, land & city Dl^{Pa 252} COT on Gen 2:14 Persian Athura, Syriac ; on the connection with name of god Ašur, & with √ אשׁר = ישׁר good, gracious, compare COT^l.c.; see also Jen^{ZA, 1886, 1 f.} Schr^{ib. 209 f.} Nö^{ib. 268 f.})

1. Asshur as person, 2nd son of Shem Gen 10:22 (P, in table of nations) 1Chr 1:17.

2. people of Asshur (often as invading army & even world-power) Num 24:22; Num 24:24 (poem of Balaam) Hos 12:2; Hos 14:4; Isa 10:5; Isa 14:25; Isa 19:23 (twice in verse); Isa 19:24; Isa 19:25; Isa 23:13; Isa 30:31; Isa 31:8; Isa 52:4; Lam 5:6; Ezek 23:5; Ezek 27:23; Ezek 32:22 (here feminine) Zech 10:11; Ps 83:9 perhaps read גְּשׁוּר, compare 2Sam 2:9 below אֲשׁוּרִי; or (if Ps 83 be late) regard אַשּׁוּר (like עֲמָלֵק ib.) as used because of ancient significance; sometimes personified as one Isa 10:5; Ezek 31:3 (but strike out Co q. v.), compare also Mic 5:4; Mic 5:5; Zeph 2:13 ׳מַחֲנֵה א 2Kgs 19:32 = Isa 37:36 ׳בְּנֵי א Ezek 16:28; Ezek 23:7; Ezek 23:9; Ezek 23:12; Ezek 23:23.

3. land of Assyria Gen 2:14; Gen 10:11; Hos 5:13; Hos 7:11; Hos 8:9; Hos 9:3; Hos 10:6; Isa 11:11; Isa 11:16; Isa 19:23; Jer 2:18; Jer 2:36; Mic 7:12; Zech 10:10 אַשּׁ֫וּרָה Gen 25:18; Isa 19:23; 2Kgs 15:29; 2Kgs 17:6; 2Kgs 17:23; 2Kgs 18:11 אֶרֶץ אַשּׁוּר Isa 7:18; Isa 27:13; Hos 11:11; Mic 5:5.

4. especially מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר Isa 8:4; Isa 10:12; Isa 20:1; Isa 20:4; Isa 20:6 (probably gloss Isa 7:17; Isa 7:20; Isa 8:7) 2Kgs 15:19 + 41 t. 2 Kings; 14 t. Isa 36-38; 1Chr 5:6 (אַשֻּׁר) + 13 t. Chronicles; also Jer 50:17; Jer 50:18; Nah 3:18; Ezra 4:2 (only Ezra 6:22 of Persian or any king not strictly Assyrian); note also ׳הַמֶּלֶךְ א Isa 36:8; Isa 36:16 (׳א perhaps gloss, compare Di who holds same view as to 2Kgs 18:23; 2Kgs 18:31); ׳מַלְכֵי א 2Kgs 19:11; 2Kgs 19:17 = Isa 37:11; Isa 37:18; 2Chr 28:16; 2Chr 30:6; Neh 9:32.

BDB837 H838

[אֲשׁוּר, אָשׁוּר] noun feminine^{Ps 44:19} step, going (compare Arabic , , Ethiopic footstep) only suffix אֲשֻׁרוֺ Job 23:11; Prov 14:15 אֲשׁוּרַי Prov 17:5 אֲשֻׁרָ֑י Ps 40:3; Ps 73:2 אֲשֻׁרֵנוּ Ps 44:19 אֲשֻׁרָיוּ Ps 37:31, all poetic & figurative of mode of life, etc.

BDB838 H838

[אַשֻּׁר] noun feminine^{Job 31:7} step, going, same usage, אַשֻּׁרַי Job 31:7 אַשֻּׁרֵנוּ Ps 17:11.

steps, goings, step, going

ʾāšur

a step

step, going

בְּ מַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑י ךָ

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

מַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑י

Root word paths, trench, path, goings, ways

ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: מַעְגָּל · ma-ɡAWL

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: in thy paths

the path ×2 and her paths ×1 and thy paths ×1 her ways ×1 his goings ×1 in the trench ×1 in their goings ×1 in their paths ×1

More options

path — Most natural modern equivalent; fits most contexts.

track — Implies a worn or habitual route; good for repeated action.

course — Suits metaphorical or life-direction contexts well.

way — Broad and idiomatic; prefer when direction is emphasized.

trench — Use only in clear military or literal excavation contexts.

rut — Vivid for a deeply worn groove; use sparingly.

BDB5797 H4570

מַעְגָּל noun masculine^{Ps 65:12}

1. entrenchment;

2. track; — absolute ׳מ 1Sam 26:5 +, with ה locative הַמַּעְגָּ֫לָה 1Sam 17:20 construct מַעְגַּל Prov 5:26 +; plural construct מַעְגְּלֵי Ps 23:3; Prov 4:11 suffix מַעְגָּלֶיךָ Ps 65:12, elsewhere מַעְגְּלוֺתֶיךָ Ps 17:5, מַעְגְּלֹתָיו Prov 5:21, תֶיהָ- Prov 2:12; Prov 5:6, תָם- Prov 2:15; Isa 59:8 —

1. circumvallation, entrenchment 1Sam 17:20; 1Sam 26:5; 1Sam 26:7.

2. track (properly wagon-track), only figurative:
a. in figurative of snares of wicked Ps 140:6.
b. = course of action, or life, רַגֱל֑ךָ ׳מ Prov 4:26, ׳מ Prov 5:21 (|| דַּרְכֵיאִֿישׁ); specifically good, right, צֶדֶק ׳מ Ps 23:3, ישֶׁר ׳מ Prov 4:11, טוֺב ׳מ Prov 2:9, צַדִּיק ׳מ Isa 26:7 bad sense Prov 2:15; Prov 2:18; Prov 5:6; Isa 59:8 tracks of ׳י are those approved by him Ps 17:5 or those traversed by him, מַעְגָּלֶיךָ וִרְעֲפוּן דָּ֑שֶׁן Ps 65:12 figurative of richly-laden cart dropping its contents in its track.

paths, trench, path, goings, ways

maʿgāl

a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)

entrenchment, track

circumvallation, entrenchment

בַּל

Particle not

Dictionary form: בַּל · bahl

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: not

not ×7 shall not ×5 they shall not ×5 he shall not ×3 nor ×3 i shall not ×2 neither ×2 that they may not ×2

More options

not — General negation; suits most poetic and prose contexts.

never — Stresses absolute or emphatic negation; strong assertion.

nor — Use when continuing a negative clause in a series.

cannot — Highlights inability rather than mere negation.

no — Blunt, forceful denial; works well before a noun or verb.

nothing — Use when בַּל negates an implied object or quantity.

BDB1126 H1077

בַּל₆₉ adverb not (Phoenician id.: e.g. CIS^{i. 165, 15} בל יכן לכהן shall not be for the priest; :3, 3 בל עתי = before my time) a poetic synonym of לֹא, of comparatively rare occurrence, Hos 7:2; Hos 9:16 (Qr) Isa 14:21; Isa 35:9; Isa 43:17; Prov 9:13; Prov 14:7; Prov 19:23; Prov 22:29; Prov 23:7; Prov 23:35 (twice in verse); Prov 24:23; 1Chr 16:30 ( = Ps 96:10), only besides, except in the passages cited, in other Psalms: often repeated in the same context, as Isa 26:10 (twice in verse); Isa 26:11; Isa 26:14 (twice in verse); Isa 26:18 (twice in verse); Isa 33:20 (twice in verse); Isa 33:21; Isa 33:23 (twice in verse); Isa 33:24; Isa 44:8; Isa 44:9 (3 t. in verse); Ps 10:4; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:15; Ps 10:18; Ps 16:2; Ps 16:4 (twice in verse); Ps 16:8; Ps 17:3 (twice in verse); Ps 17:5; Ps 21:3; Ps 21:8; Ps 21:12 also used often with אֶמּוֺט, יִמּוֺט, תִּמּוֺט Ps 10:6; Ps 16:8; Ps 21:8; Ps 30:7; Ps 46:6; Ps 93:1; Ps 96:10; Ps 104:5; Prov 10:30; Prov 12:3; Job 41:15. In Isa 40:24 it is probably that it acquires from the context the sense of hardly: yea, hardly are they planted, yea, hardly are they sown ..., when he even bloweth upon them, and they wither; compare לֹא 2Kgs 20:4. Joined anomalously with an infin., Ps 32:9 בַּל קְרוֺב אֵלֶיךָ (else) there is not coming nigh thee (i.e. else they will not approach thee).

not, nor, neither, no, cannot, …

bal

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

not, hardly, else

נָמ֥וֹטּוּ

Root word moved, removed, slippeth, shaketh, slide, …

Dictionary form: מוֹט · mote

Verb — Niphal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural passive or reflexive — "it was done" / "he did it to himself" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: slip

be moved ×14 be removed ×5 moved ×2 slippeth ×2 and fallen in decay ×1 and those that are ready ×1 are out of course ×1 be carried ×1

More options

totter — Best for unstable footing or wavering; vivid and precise.

shake — Good for physical or metaphorical instability; broadly applicable.

slip — Prefer when sudden loss of footing or control is in view.

stagger — Emphasizes disorientation or near-collapse; strong imagery.

give way — Suits contexts of structural or foundational collapse.

falter — Softer register; fits moral or spiritual wavering contexts.

BDB4542 H4131

[מוֺט] verb totter, shake, slip (usually in poetry) (Late Hebrew id., derived species; Aramaic , מוּט; Arabic (medial י) remove, retire; deviate from right course; repel, push, thrust; Ethiopic turn; Assyrian ma‰û is dwindle, diminish, grow weak Dl^{HWB 405}; > denominative from מוט pole, bar Dl^Prol.184 Gerber^{Verb. denominative 195 f.}, compare Buhl); —

Qal Perfect 3 feminine singular מָ֫טָה Ps 60:4 + 2 t.; 3 plural מָ֫טוּ Ps 46:7 Imperfect 3 feminine singular תָּמוּט Deut 32:35; Isa 54:10 3 feminine plural תְּמוּטֶינָה Isa 54:10 Infinitive construct מוֺט Ps 38:17; Ps 46:3 absolute id. Isa 24:19 Participle מָט Isa 25:26 plural מָטִים Prov 24:11 — totter, slip, subject רֶגֶל (figurative of insecurity) Deut 32:35; Ps 38:17; Ps 94:18: compare (without רֶגֶל) Prov 24:11 לַהֶרֶד ׳מ; לִפְנֵירָֿשָׁע ׳מ Prov 25:26 shake, intransitive, subject יָד Lev 25:35 (H; of feebleness); subject גְּבָעוֺת Isa 54:10 (|| מוּשׁ); הָרִים בְלֵב יַמִּים ׳מ Ps 46:3 (|| הֵמִיר, compare מור) (both symbolic of extreme insecurity); compare subject בְּרִית Isa 54:10 subject מַמְלָכוֺת Ps 46:7 subject אֶרֶץ (= land) Ps 60:4 compare Isa 24:19 (see below Hithpa`el) Niph`al Perfect 3 plural נָמ֫וֺטוּ Ps 17:5 Imperfect יִמּוֺט Ps 15:5 + 8 t., etc.; — all in poetry, mostly with negative (בַּל 13 t.; לֹא 6 t.), be shaken, moved, overthrown, of idols Isa 40:20; Isa 41:7 of scales of crocodile Job 41:15 of תֵּבֵל 1Chr 16:30 = Ps 93:1; Ps 96:10 of אֶרֶץ Ps 104:5 of הַרצִֿיּוֺן Ps 125:1, compare Ps 46:6 figurative of general disorder (no negative), subject מוֺסְדֵי אֶרֶץ Ps 82:5 often of righteous, as secure, Ps 10:6; Ps 15:5; Ps 16:8; Ps 21:8; Ps 30:7; Ps 62:3; Ps 62:7; Ps 112:6; Prov 10:30; Prov 12:3 (subject צַדִּיקִים שֹׁרֶשׁ); compare (without negative) Ps 13:5; Ps 140:11 Qr (so apparently ᵐ5 AV RV; but meaning of Niph`al not suitable; Kt Hiph`il q. v.); figurative of steadfast obedience (subject פְּעָמַי) Ps 17:5. Hiph`il Imperfect 3 masculine plural יָמִ֫יטוּ Ps 55:4; Ps 140:11 Kt (Qr Niph`al); — dislodge, let fall, drop יָמִיטוּ עָלַי אָ֫וֶן Ps 55:4 compare גֶּחָלִים וימיטו עֲלֵיהֶם Ps 140:11 Kt, and may they drop coals upon them, De and others; < read יַמְטִיר (Hup Gr Bae Dr), which Bi Che insert. Hithpo`el. Perfect 3 feminine singular הִתְמוֺטְטָה מוֺט Isa 24:19 be greatly shaken (subject אֶדֶץ in judgment of' ׳י; || רעע, פרר, Hithpa`el)

moved, removed, slippeth, shaketh, slide, …

môṭ

to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall

to totter, shake, slip

(Qal) to totter, shake, slip

פְעָמָֽ י

פְעָמָֽ

Root word times, time, once, now, feet, …

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: פַּעַם · pa-AM

Noun — Common, feminine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: that my footsteps

times ×38 time ×9 once ×6 as at other times ×5 now ×5 this once ×4 twice ×4 corners ×3

More options

time — Default choice for counting occurrences or instances.

occasion — Prefer when emphasizing a specific, notable moment.

once — Use for single occurrence; modernizes KJV 'this once'.

step — Use when context refers to feet, footsteps, or movement.

beat — Rhythmic or repeated motion; e.g. hoofbeats, pulse, anvil.

corner — Use for architectural or spatial sense of the noun.

BDB6718 H6471

פַּ֫עַם₁₁₈ noun feminine^{Exod 8:28} (masculine only Judg 16:23 [text suspicious, see GFM Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 76} Kö^{synt. § 248m}], 2Sam 23:8 [Qr feminine], 1Kgs 7:30 [corrupt, see below]) beat, foot, anvil, occurrence; — absolute ׳מ Gen 2:23 +; פָּ֑עַם Gen 46:30 +; dual פַּעֲמַיִם Gen 27:36 +, etc.; plural פְּעָמִים Gen 33:3 +; also (concrete) construct פַּעֲמֵי Judg 5:28 +; suffix פְּעָמַי Ps 57:7; Ps 119:133, etc.; פַּעֲמֹתָיו (only 1 c) Exod 25:12 + 2 t.; —

1. a. in poetry, hoof-beat Judg 5:28 late, of human footfall, footstep, figurative Ps 17:5 (|| אֲשׁוּרַי), Ps 119:113 וְיָשֵׂם לְדֶרֶךְ פְּעָמָיו Ps 85:14.
b. foot, figurative, Ps 57:7; Ps 58:11; Ps 74:3; Ps 140:5; Prov 29:5 literal Isa 26:6 (|| רֶגֶל), Song 7:2 ׳בְּכַף פ 2Kgs 19:24 = Isa 37:25.
c. foot, of ark Exod 25:12; Exod 37:3 (P). — פַּעֲמֹתָיו 1Kgs 7:30 read פִּנּוֺתָיו (compare v1Kgs 7:34).

2. = anvil (struck by hammer) Isa 41:7.

3. occurrence, time (originally stroke, beat):
a. אֶחָ֑ת ׳מ [אַחַת] one time, once Josh 6:3; Josh 6:11; Josh 6:14 (JE), Josh 10:42 (D) + 3 t. +2Sam 23:8 Qr (>Kt אחד); פַּעֲמָ֑יִם twice Gen 41:32 + 6 t.; ׳פ Nah 1:9 second time; ׳אַרְבַּע פ Neh 6:4 four times; ׳חָמֵשׁ אוֺ שֵׁשׁ פ 2Kgs 13:19, compare ׳מ חֲמִישִׁית Neh 6:5 also with שָׁלשׁ, שֶׁבַע, q. v.; ׳עֶשֶׂר פ (וֶה) Num 14:22 (JE) Neh 4:6; Job 19:3, all indefinite = over and over; indefinite also פַּעַם וּשְׁתָּ֑יִם Neh 13:20 once and [i.e. or] twice; פַּעֲמַיִם שָׁלוֺשׁ Job 33:29 twice (or) thrice; מֵאָה פְעָמִים 2Sam 24:3 = 1Chr 21:3, ׳אֶלֶף פ Deut 1:11 רַבּוֺת ׳פ Ps 106:43; Eccl 7:22 עַדכַּֿמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 = 2Chr 18:15.
b. כְּפַעַםבְּֿפַעַם as time on time, i.e. as formerly, as usual, Num 24:1 (E) Judg 16:20; Judg 20:30; Judg 20:31; 1Sam 3:10 (compare Dr) 1Sam 20:25.
c. הַוּאֹת (גַּם) בַּפַּעַם at this repetition (this time) also Exod 8:28; Exod 9:14 (J) + 3 t.; הַהִוא ׳גַּם בַּפּ Deut 9:19; Deut 10:10.
d. הַפַּעַם (Hexateuch only J): (1) = this once Gen 18:32, ׳אַךְ הַפּ Exod 10:17; Judg 6:39, ׳רַקהַֿפּ vJudg 6:39, הַזֶּה ׳אַךְ הַפּ Judg 16:28 (הַזֶּה dubious, see above); (2) = now at lenth Gen 2:23; Gen 29:34; Gen 29:35; Gen 30:20; Gen 46:30; Judg 15:3; Judg 16:18, compare also Exod 9:27 now at length (it is clear that) I have sinned.
e. פַּעַם ֗֗֗ פָּ֑עַם Prov 7:12 now ... now, at one time ... at another.

times, time, once, now, feet, …

paʿam

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence

foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep

one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

תָּמֹ֣ךְ אֲ֭שֻׁרַי Dechi — a lesser break בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתֶ֑יךָ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here בַּל נָמ֥וֹטּוּ פְעָמָֽי Silluq — end of the verse

תָּמֹךְ אֲשֻׁרַי בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתֶיךָ בַּל-נָמוֹטּוּ פְעָמָֽי׃

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Cross References

Psalms 44:18

לֹא-נָסוֹג אָחוֹר לִבֵּנוּ וַתֵּט אֲשֻׁרֵינוּ מִנִּי אָרְחֶֽךָ׃