Psalms 31:10

Authorized King James Version

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For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל֪וּ is spent H3615
כָל֪וּ is spent
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 2 of 11
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
בְיָג֡וֹן with grief H3015
בְיָג֡וֹן with grief
Strong's: H3015
Word #: 3 of 11
affliction
חַיַּי֮ For my life H2416
חַיַּי֮ For my life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 4 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּשְׁנוֹתַ֪י and my years H8141
וּשְׁנוֹתַ֪י and my years
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 5 of 11
a year (as a revolution of time)
בַּאֲנָ֫חָ֥ה with sighing H585
בַּאֲנָ֫חָ֥ה with sighing
Strong's: H585
Word #: 6 of 11
sighing
כָּשַׁ֣ל faileth H3782
כָּשַׁ֣ל faileth
Strong's: H3782
Word #: 7 of 11
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
בַּעֲוֺנִ֣י because of mine iniquity H5771
בַּעֲוֺנִ֣י because of mine iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 8 of 11
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
כֹחִ֑י my strength H3581
כֹחִ֑י my strength
Strong's: H3581
Word #: 9 of 11
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
וַעֲצָמַ֥י and my bones H6106
וַעֲצָמַ֥י and my bones
Strong's: H6106
Word #: 10 of 11
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
עָשֵֽׁשׁוּ׃ are consumed H6244
עָשֵֽׁשׁוּ׃ are consumed
Strong's: H6244
Word #: 11 of 11
probably to shrink, i.e., fail

Analysis & Commentary

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. David traces suffering to root cause—iniquity—while describing all-encompassing effects across time, vitality, physicality. This demonstrates Reformed conviction about sin's destructiveness.

My life is spent with grief uses economic terminology. Hebrew kalah means to complete, finish, use up. David's life force is being depleted. Combined with years with sighing, David conveys chronic, wearing suffering over extended time.

My strength faileth (Hebrew kashal—stumble, totter, grow feeble) reveals cumulative effect. David, the mighty warrior, admits weakness. Reformed theology recognizes that even strongest human strength fails under persistent affliction. True strength comes only from the Lord who doesn't grow weary.

Because of mine iniquity provides theological diagnosis. David connects suffering to sin—recognizing human misery fundamentally stems from the fall. My bones are consumed presents deepest physical deterioration. This comprehensive destruction—life, years, strength, bones—illustrates total depravity's effects, requiring divine intervention for restoration.

Historical Context

David's consciousness of iniquity causing suffering reflects Deuteronomic theology—obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curse. However, David's theology is more nuanced than crude retribution. He acknowledges general sinfulness in fallen world.

Language of bones being consumed appears in penitential psalms (32:3, 51:8), suggesting David may be experiencing consequences of own sins. Reformers saw penitential psalms as essential for understanding justification—must acknowledge iniquity before receiving grace.

Questions for Reflection