| 36. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the causative verb tarchiv {תַּרְחִיב | tar-ḥîḇ} ‘you make wide’ in the Hiphil imperfect indicating divine agency, followed by the object tsaadi {צַעֲדִי | tsa-ʿă-ḏî} ‘my steps’ marked by a first person suffix. The prepositional phrase tahtai {תַּחְתָּי | taḥ-tāy} ‘under me’ establishes location, and the conjunction velo {וְלֹא | wə-lō} introduces the result clause. The Qal perfect verb maadu {מָעֲדוּ | mā-ʿă-ḏû} ‘they slipped’ refers back to kersullai {קְרְסֻלָּי | kər-su-llāy} ‘my ankles,’ forming a causative–result relationship that emphasizes divine provision of stability. The preserved Hebrew word order highlights God’s active protection. |