חַֽסְדֵ֨י יְהוָ֤ה אַזְכִּיר֙ תְּהִלֹּ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה כְּעַ֕ל כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־גְּמָלָ֖נוּ יְהוָ֑ה וְרַב־טוּב֙ לְבֵ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־גְּמָלָ֥ם כְּֽרַחֲמָ֖יו וּכְרֹ֥ב חֲסָדָֽיו׃
1. Opening with a Construct Chain: חַסְדֵי יְהוָה
The verse begins with the construct phrase חַסְדֵי יְהוָה—“the mercies of the LORD.” Grammatically, חַסְדֵי is the masculine plural construct form of חֶסֶד, linking directly to the Divine Name. This construct chain not only grammatically binds the word “mercies” to YHWH but theologically identifies the very nature of divine mercy as originating in His character. It is not general kindness, but covenantal ḥesed—steadfast, loyal love.
Opening with this phrase elevates mercy as the central theme of the verse and establishes the tone of remembrance and praise.
2. Verb Function and Intentionality: אַזְכִּיר
The verb אַזְכִּיר is a Hifil imperfect 1st person singular of זָכַר (“to remember”). In Hifil, it takes a causative sense: “I will cause to remember” or, more idiomatically, “I will recount.” The imperfect tense indicates intent or future commitment: the speaker sets his will toward publicly declaring YHWH’s acts.
Theologically, remembrance is not passive. In Hebrew thought, to remember (especially in Hifil) is to actualize memory into liturgical or communal expression. Thus, the grammar embeds a call to worship and testimony.
3. Parallel Structure: תְּהִלֹּ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה
Following חַסְדֵי יְהוָה, the phrase תְּהִלֹּ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה (“the praises of YHWH”) continues the construct chain pattern. The dual pairing—“mercies” and “praises”—serves a poetic function of parallelism. Both are plural, both linked to the Divine Name, and both objects of the verb אַזְכִּיר. This syntactic design enriches the theological message: what is to be remembered? Both the faithful actions (חֶסֶד) and the resulting doxology (תְּהִלָּה).
This linkage implies that God’s mercy naturally evokes praise. Grammatically, the structures intensify each other.
4. Deepening the Why: כְּעַל כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־גְּמָלָ֖נוּ יְהוָ֑ה
The prepositional phrase כְּעַל is rare and complex. It likely functions as an emphatic preposition, roughly “in accordance with” or “because of.” It pairs with כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־גְּמָלָ֖נוּ יְהוָ֑ה—“all that YHWH has dealt with us.” The verb גְּמָלָ֖נוּ is Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular with 1st person plural suffix from the root גמל, meaning “to deal with,” often with a sense of bestowal or recompense.
Here, the perfect form emphasizes that the mercies of YHWH are historical and complete—fulfilled in past acts. The grammatical structure places the covenantal acts of God as the ground for present praise.
5. Expanding the Object: וְרַב־טוּב לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל
וְרַב־טוּב (“and abundant goodness”) is a nominal phrase where רַב functions attributively with טוּב. The lack of a verb continues the poetic rhythm, while the construct phrase לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל (“to the house of Yisra’el”) marks the recipients. The preposition לְ here implies benefaction—God’s goodness is bestowed upon His covenantal people.
The juxtaposition of רַב־טוּב with חֶסֶד reinforces a theological portrait of divine generosity that is both steadfast and abundant—language typical of covenant renewal sections in prophetic literature.
6. Relative Clauses and Intensified Motive: אֲשֶׁר־גְּמָלָ֥ם כְּרַחֲמָ֖יו וּכְרֹ֥ב חֲסָדָֽיו
The final clauses contain the relative pronoun אֲשֶׁר introducing a dependent clause that mirrors the earlier one: גְּמָלָ֥ם (“He dealt with them”). The use of כְּ (“according to”) in both כְּרַחֲמָ֖יו (“according to His compassions”) and כְרֹ֥ב חֲסָדָֽיו (“and according to the abundance of His mercies”) amplifies the divine motivation.
These clauses form a poetic crescendo. The repetition of חֶסֶד and the addition of רַחֲמִים (“compassion”) portray God’s actions not as transactional but as deeply personal. Grammatically, the parallelism of these prepositional phrases emphasizes measure: God’s goodness is proportionate not to our merit, but to His overflowing mercy.
7. Poetic and Liturgical Structure
This verse employs multiple literary techniques:
- Parallel construct phrases: “mercies of YHWH” / “praises of YHWH.”
- Anaphora: repetition of אֲשֶׁר גְּמָל, providing a rhythmic litany of divine acts.
- Chiastic alignment: divine character (mercy, compassion) frames human benefit (recollection and reception).
These devices make the verse ideal for liturgical recitation. Its structure helps the community internalize divine generosity and cultivate gratitude.
8. Spiritual and Covenant Reflection
The grammatical repetition and expansion of God’s mercies and goodness serve as a theological anchor for Israel’s hope. In times of judgment, remembrance of past grace becomes an act of faith. Through the imperfect verb אַזְכִּיר and the perfect verb גְּמָלָ֖נוּ, the speaker lives in the tension of past and future—a central theme in biblical spirituality.
This verse exemplifies covenant consciousness: recounting what God has done (perfect), in order to declare what one will do (imperfect)—praise. The grammar becomes doxology, and syntax becomes sanctuary.
