Psalms 31:9

Authorized King James Version

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Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

Original Language Analysis

חָנֵּ֥נִי Have mercy H2603
חָנֵּ֥נִי Have mercy
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 1 of 10
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
יְהוָה֮ upon me O LORD H3068
יְהוָה֮ upon me O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
צַ֫ר for I am in trouble H6887
צַ֫ר for I am in trouble
Strong's: H6887
Word #: 4 of 10
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
לִ֥י H0
לִ֥י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 10
עָשְׁשָׁ֖ה is consumed H6244
עָשְׁשָׁ֖ה is consumed
Strong's: H6244
Word #: 6 of 10
probably to shrink, i.e., fail
בְכַ֥עַס with grief H3708
בְכַ֥עַס with grief
Strong's: H3708
Word #: 7 of 10
vexation
עֵינִ֗י mine eye H5869
עֵינִ֗י mine eye
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 8 of 10
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
נַפְשִׁ֥י yea my soul H5315
נַפְשִׁ֥י yea my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וּבִטְנִֽי׃ and my belly H990
וּבִטְנִֽי׃ and my belly
Strong's: H990
Word #: 10 of 10
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

Analysis & Commentary

Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. David returns to petition, demonstrating that faith's assurance doesn't eliminate honest acknowledgment of suffering. This presents totality of human affliction—emotional, spiritual, physical.

Have mercy (Hebrew chanan—show favor, be gracious) appeals not to deserving but to God's character. Reformed theology emphasizes all blessing flows from grace, not merit. Even in extremity, David doesn't claim rights but begs mercy—recognizing position as dependent creature before sovereign Creator.

Mine eye is consumed with grief (Hebrew 'ashash—waste away) uses vivid physical imagery for emotional pain. Grief (ka'as) denotes vexation and provocation. David's weeping has literally affected physical vision—authenticating suffering and showing how psychological pain manifests somatically.

Yea, my soul and my belly extends affliction's reach. Soul (nephesh) represents essential being. Belly (beten) refers to innermost parts, gut-level anguish. This comprehensive suffering prepares readers for Christ, the Man of Sorrows who experienced grief's fullness.

Historical Context

Eyes consumed with grief appears elsewhere (Psalms 6:7, 88:9), common Hebrew poetry for describing depression. David's court life included many occasions for such grief—family betrayals, national crises, personal failures.

Ancient medicine didn't separate physical and emotional health. David's description reflects Hebrew anthropology's integrated view of human nature. Person couldn't experience purely emotional suffering without physical manifestation.

Questions for Reflection