| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the Qal imperative tamok {תָּמֹךְ | tā-mōḵ} ‘uphold’, expressing an urgent plea for divine support. The construct noun ashurai {אֲשֻׁרַי | ʾă-šu-ray} ‘my steps’ personalizes the request, while the prepositional phrase bemaʿgelotekha {בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתֶיךָ | bə-maʿ-gə-lō-ṭe-ḵā} ‘in Your paths’ locates dependence within Your ordained way. The emphatic particle bal {בַּל־ | bal} ‘not’ introduces a negative-result clause with the Nifal imperfect namotu {נָמֹטּוּ | nā-mōṭ-ṭū} ‘they slip’, emphasizing prevention of faltering. The synonymous parallelism between ashurai {אֲשֻׁרַי | ʾă-šu-ray} and pe’amaim {פְעָמָי | fə-ʿă-maim} ‘my footsteps’ reinforces continuous sustaining presence. The imperative + locative phrase + negative-result structure underscores uninterrupted stewardship throughout the psalmist’s journey. |