Psalms 31:12

Authorized King James Version

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

נִ֭שְׁכַּחְתִּי

H7911

I am forgotten

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

כְּמֵ֣ת

H4191

as a dead man

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

מִלֵּ֑ב

H3820

out of mind

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הָ֝יִ֗יתִי

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּכְלִ֥י

H3627

vessel

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

אֹבֵֽד׃

I am like a broken

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine revelation reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does this verse's literary context within Psalms chapter 31 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?