Psalms 136:23

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

to the one who remembered us when we were down, for his loyal love endures,

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ זָ֣כַר לָ֑נוּ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ

Transliteration

that-in-šiplēnû zākar to-us because to-ʿôlām ḥasdô

Grammar Details

• שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ: relative particle + preposition bet + noun, masculine singular with 1st person plural suffix - that in our low estate
• *zākar*: qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he remembered
• לָ֑נוּ: preposition lamed with 1st person plural suffix - to/for us
• *ʿôlām*: noun, masculine singular with prefixed preposition lamed - to/for eternity/forever
• *ḥasdô*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd person masculine singular possessive suffix - his steadfast love/mercy/kindness

Word Meanings

• *šiplēnû*: our low estate/our humiliation/our lowliness
• *zākar*: remembered/thought of/was mindful of
• *ʿôlām*: eternity/long duration/antiquity
• *ḥasdô*: his steadfast love/mercy/kindness/covenant faithfulness

Referenced Verses

• Gen 8:1 : 1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and domestic animals that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind to blow over the earth and the waters receded.
• Deut 32:36 : 36 The LORD will judge his people, and will change his plans concerning his servants; when he sees that their power has disappeared, and that no one is left, whether confined or set free.
• Ps 113:7 : 7 He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile,
• Ps 102:17 : 17 when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, and does not reject their request.
• Ps 106:43-45 : 43 Many times he delivered them, but they had a rebellious attitude, and degraded themselves by their sin. 44 Yet he took notice of their distress, when he heard their cry for help. 45 He remembered his covenant with them, and relented because of his great loyal love.
• Ps 116:6 : 6 The LORD protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.
• Ps 142:6 : 6 Listen to my cry for help, for I am in serious trouble! Rescue me from those who chase me, for they are stronger than I am.
• Isa 63:9 : 9 Through all that they suffered, he suffered too. The messenger sent from his very presence delivered them. In his love and mercy he protected them; he lifted them up and carried them throughout ancient times.
• Ezek 16:3-9 : 3 and say,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4 As for your birth, on the day you were born your umbilical cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water; you were certainly not rubbed down with salt, nor wrapped with blankets. 5 No eye took pity on you to do even one of these things for you to spare you; you were thrown out into the open field because you were detested on the day you were born. 6 “‘I passed by you and saw you kicking around helplessly in your blood. I said to you as you lay there in your blood,“Live!” I said to you as you lay there in your blood,“Live!” 7 I made you plentiful like sprouts in a field; you grew tall and came of age so that you could wear jewelry. Your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, but you were still naked and bare. 8 “‘Then I passed by you and watched you, noticing that you had reached the age for love. I spread my cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I swore a solemn oath to you and entered into a marriage covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. 9 “‘Then I bathed you in water, washed the blood off you, and anointed you with fragrant oil. 10 I dressed you in embroidered clothing and put fine leather sandals on your feet. I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 I adorned you with jewelry. I put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. 12 I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 You were adorned with gold and silver, while your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidery. You ate the finest flour, honey, and olive oil. You became extremely beautiful and attained the position of royalty.
• Luke 1:48 : 48 because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed,
• Luke 1:52 : 52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position;
• 1 Sam 2:7-8 : 7 The LORD impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He lifts the weak from the dust; he raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes– he bestows on them an honored position. The foundations of the earth belong to the LORD– he placed the world on them.
• Ps 72:12-14 : 12 For he will rescue the needy when they cry out for help, and the oppressed who have no defender. 13 He will take pity on the poor and needy; the lives of the needy he will save. 14 From harm and violence he will defend them; he will value their lives.