Psalms 113:8 — Word Study
WLCלְהוֹשִׁיבִ֥י עִם־ נְדִיבִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם נְדִיבֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹ׃
BSAto seat themyâshab [with great honor, in a position of dignity] withʻim noblesnâdîyb [noble and generous leaders, princes of high rank] withʻim the princesnâdîyb [leaders, rulers, or officials] of His peopleʻam [His nation, Amaw, a people belonging to Him]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְהוֹשִׁיבִ֥י | to make [him] sit | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common |
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| נְדִיבִ֑ים | noble [people] | Adj |
| עִ֝֗ם | with | Preposition |
| נְדִיבֵ֥י | [the] noble [people] of | Adj |
| עַמּֽוֹ׃ | people his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people. |
| KJV | That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. |
| ASV | That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people. |
| YLT | To cause to sit with princes, With the princes of His people. |
| WEB | that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. |
| BBE | To give him a place among the rulers, even with the rulers of his people. |
Where they part company is נְדִיבֵ֥י — see How Translations Differ.
The main action is clear, with two prepositional phrases providing detail about the seating arrangement.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 113:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Care for the Humblegenerated
Psalm 113:8 speaks of God's compassion and willingness to uplift those in lowly positions, seating them alongside the noble and influential. This verse follows a description of God's greatness and His attention to the humble, illustrating His desire to honor those who are often overlooked. The psalmist emphasizes God's active role in changing the social status of the needy and the poor, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 45:16 | Your sons will succeed your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. |
| 2 | Psalm 68:13 | Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.” |
| 3 | Genesis 41:41 | Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” |
| 4 | Philippians 2:8–11 | And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. |
| 5 | Revelation 5:9–10 | And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָשַׁב, le.ho.shi.Vigenerated
The verb יָשַׁב (yashab) means to sit or dwell, and can imply a sense of permanence or establishment. In this context, it suggests a significant act of seating someone with honor, indicating a change in status from lowly to esteemed.
This form is a hiphil infinitive construct, indicating causation — God causes them to sit in a position of dignity. The use of this verb here highlights the transformative power of God's grace, as He elevates the humble to sit among the noble.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as to seat them with nobles, which aligns with the KJV and ASV that also use nobles to convey the idea of honor.
However, where translations differ is in the rendering of נְדִיבֵ֥י. The FBV translates it as leaders, while the BBE opts for rulers, highlighting different nuances of authority and rank.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb הוֹשִׁיבִ֥י (hoshivi, to seat) governs the entire clause, indicating the action that God performs. The structure includes prepositional phrases that detail the nature of the seating — with nobles and with the princes of His people — emphasizing the relationships involved.
The sentence flows from the main action to the details of who is being seated and with whom, creating a clear picture of God's intention to elevate the humble.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יָשַׁב is rendered as καθίσαι (kathisai), which also means to seat. This choice maintains the focus on the act of seating, but the Greek word may carry a slightly different connotation of authority and placement.
The translation of נְדִיבִ֑ים as ἀρξόντων (archontōn) emphasizes leadership and governance, aligning with the themes of nobility and rank in the context of God's people.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 113:8 tells us that God lifts the humble from lowly positions and seats them with noble leaders. This shows how God cares for those who are often overlooked, giving them honor and dignity among the influential.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To be seated with nobles means to receive honor and recognition, being placed in a position of dignity alongside those of high rank.
God elevates the humble by changing their circumstances and giving them a place of honor, as seen in His actions throughout the Bible.
This verse is significant because it illustrates God's compassion and His desire to uplift those who are marginalized or in need.
We can learn about God's heart for the humble and how He values every person, regardless of their social status.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's elevation in my own life?
- How can I extend honor to those who are often overlooked in my community?
- What does this passage teach me about God's character?
- How can I embody the values of humility and generosity in my interactions with others?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 113:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat he may set [him] with princes,.... As all the saints are by birth, being the sons of God, the King of kings; born of him, and not of the will of man; and are of a princely spirit, have a free
Read John Gill on Psalms 113 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThat he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. That he may set him with princes - (Job 36:7.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 113 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSet him with princes; in equal honour and power with them, as he did Joseph, David, and others. The princes of his people; which in God’ s account and in truth are far more honourable and happy that, the princes of heathen and barbarous nations, because their subjects are more noble, and they have God’ s special presence and providence among them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 113 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 113:8 That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.Ver. 8. That he may set him with princes] See 1 Samuel 2:8, Hannah’ s song, whereof this seemeth to be an abridgment.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 113 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7-8) See 1 Samuel 2:8, from which the verses are taken; and comp. Luke 1:52. So the heathen poet sang of Jove (Hor.: Odes i., 34, 35).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 113 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. With the princes] נדיבים nedebim, very properly translated by the Anglo-Saxon [A.S.], the aldermen, the most respectable of his people.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 113 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. ‘To dwell’ or ‘sit with princes’ is a figure for elevation to the highest rank and dignity[72]. So Job 36:7, “[God] withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings upon the throne he setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.” Cp. 2 Samuel 9:7. [72] According to the Massoretic text the Chireq compaginis or binding vowel, which is characteristic of this Psalm (Psalms 113:5-7; Psalms 113:9), is here attached to the infinitive. But it is almost certain that, with the LXX, μּ ?δεωιαε ‘to set him,’ should be read for μδεωιαι.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 113 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThat he may set him with princes - May give him a rank - a position - with nobles and great people upon the earth. Many instances of this nature have occurred in the history of the world.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 113 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.
that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.
that he might seat him with princes, with the princes of his people.
Tyndale line
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people.
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
That he may set him with the princes, euen with the princes of his people.
Strictly literal
To set [him] among nobles, among the nobles of his people.
To cause to sit with princes, With the princes of His people.
To cause [them] to sit with princes, || With the princes of His people.
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
so that he may seat him with princes, with the princes of his people.
From the Latin
Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters.
Simplified
He gives them positions of honor together with important leaders, with leaders of his own people.
To give him a place among the rulers, even with the rulers of his people.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, matching six out of six words. This correspondence indicates a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions, affirming the central message of God's elevation of the humble.
לְהוֹשִׁיבִ֥י עִם־ נְדִיבִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם נְדִיבֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 113:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct commonHR/Vhcc
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
נָדִיב (nadiyb) conveys meanings of being inclined, generous, and noble. It is derived from a root meaning voluntary or willing, and can refer to a noble person or grandee, sometimes with a connotation of tyranny. The word appears in contexts related to nobility and willingness, including a mention in Song of Solomon 6:12.
נָדִיב adj. and n.m. inclined, generous, noble
incited, inclined, willing
noble, princely, in rank
noble in mind and character
base
H5081 נָדִיב inclined, generous, noble
5081 nadiyb naw-deeb'
from 5068; properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence,
magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant):--free,
liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ((hearted)).
see HEBREW for 05068
נָדִיב (na.div) — noble: willing.
: willing
n m
1) noble one
adj
2) inclined, willing, noble, generous
1a) incited, inclined, willing
1b) noble, princely (in rank)
1c) noble (in mind and character)
Also means: na.div (נָדִיב ": noble" H5081H)
§ A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
נָדִיב (na.div) — noble.
: noble
n m
1) noble one
adj
2) inclined, willing, noble, generous
1a) incited, inclined, willing
1b) noble, princely (in rank)
1c) noble (in mind and character)
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
נָדִיב (nadiyb) conveys meanings of being inclined, generous, and noble. It is derived from a root meaning voluntary or willing, and can refer to a noble person or grandee, sometimes with a connotation of tyranny. The word appears in contexts related to nobility and willingness, including a mention in Song of Solomon 6:12.
נָדִיב adj. and n.m. inclined, generous, noble
incited, inclined, willing
noble, princely, in rank
noble in mind and character
base
H5081 נָדִיב inclined, generous, noble
5081 nadiyb naw-deeb'
from 5068; properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence,
magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant):--free,
liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ((hearted)).
see HEBREW for 05068
נָדִיב (na.div) — noble: willing.
: willing
n m
1) noble one
adj
2) inclined, willing, noble, generous
1a) incited, inclined, willing
1b) noble, princely (in rank)
1c) noble (in mind and character)
Also means: na.div (נָדִיב ": noble" H5081H)
§ A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
נָדִיב (na.div) — noble.
: noble
n m
1) noble one
adj
2) inclined, willing, noble, generous
1a) incited, inclined, willing
1b) noble, princely (in rank)
1c) noble (in mind and character)
Adj — AdjHAampc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
