Psalms 38:6

Authorized King James Version

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I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

Original Language Analysis

נַעֲוֵ֣יתִי I am troubled H5753
נַעֲוֵ֣יתִי I am troubled
Strong's: H5753
Word #: 1 of 8
to crook, literally or figuratively
שַׁחֹ֣תִי I am bowed down H7817
שַׁחֹ֣תִי I am bowed down
Strong's: H7817
Word #: 2 of 8
to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 3 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְאֹ֑ד greatly H3966
מְאֹ֑ד greatly
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֝יּ֗וֹם all the day H3117
הַ֝יּ֗וֹם all the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 6 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
קֹדֵ֥ר mourning H6937
קֹדֵ֥ר mourning
Strong's: H6937
Word #: 7 of 8
to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
הִלָּֽכְתִּי׃ I go H1980
הִלָּֽכְתִּי׃ I go
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. Three Hebrew verbs intensify: troubled (עָוָה, avah, twisted/distorted), bowed down (שָׁחַח, shachach, bent over), mourning (קָדַר, qadar, darkened/in gloom). The progression: internal distortion → physical prostration → perpetual grief.

David's posture mirrors his spiritual state—sin doesn't just make us feel bad, it deforms us. The bent-over position suggests inability to look up to God (cf. Luke 13:11, the woman bound 18 years). 'All the day long' indicates unrelenting anguish. Yet this very misery drives David to prayer rather than despair—suffering can be sanctifying when it turns us Godward.

Historical Context

Ancient near eastern mourning customs included tearing garments, wearing sackcloth, sitting in ashes, and assuming bent postures. David's description suggests profound grief akin to mourning the dead—but here he mourns his own spiritual death through sin. This public display of penitence would communicate moral seriousness to observers.

Questions for Reflection