Psalms 69:23
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Paul quotes verses 22-23 in Romans 11:9-10 as part of his complex argument about Israel's partial hardening. Their rejection of Messiah wasn't random but fit the pattern of Scripture—privileges meant for blessing became occasion for stumbling. Yet Paul emphasizes this hardening is partial and temporary (Romans 11:11, 25-26).
Judicial hardening—where God confirms people in their chosen rebellion by removing opportunity for repentance—appears throughout Scripture (Exodus 4:21, Isaiah 6:9-10, Romans 1:24-28). It's terrifying judgment but not arbitrary. God hardens those who've persistently hardened themselves, confirming their choice.
The imagery of darkened eyes and shaking loins describes consequences of divine judgment in prophetic literature (Isaiah 13:7-8, 21:3-4, Jeremiah 30:6, Nahum 2:10). These aren't sadistic wishes but descriptions of covenant curse—what happens when God removes restraining grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding judicial hardening as God confirming people in their chosen rebellion affect your view of divine justice?
- What warning does this verse provide about persistent rejection of God's truth leading to inability to perceive truth?
- In what ways does Paul's use of this verse in Romans 11 show that even severe judgment serves God's redemptive purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. This imprecation prays for comprehensive judgment affecting both perception and strength. "Let their eyes be darkened" (תֶּחְשַׁכְנָה עֵינֵיהֶם מֵרְאוֹת/techshakhnah eineihem mere'ot) requests judicial blindness—that enemies lose ability to perceive truth. This is covenant curse language (Deuteronomy 28:28-29) where God gives rebels over to hardened hearts and darkened minds as judgment for persistent rejection.
"That they see not" emphasizes permanence of this blindness. This isn't temporary confusion but judicial hardening as judgment. Isaiah prophesied similar blindness (Isaiah 6:9-10), which Jesus quoted regarding those who rejected Him despite witnessing His miracles (Matthew 13:14-15, John 12:40). Paul applied it to Israel's partial hardening (Romans 11:8-10, quoting this very psalm).
"Make their loins continually to shake" (וּמָתְנֵיהֶם תָּמִיד הַמְעַד/umotneihem tamid ham'ad) prays for constant weakness and instability. Loins represent strength, vitality, and ability to stand firm (Ephesians 6:14, 1 Peter 1:13). Shaking loins indicate terror, weakness, inability to resist or fight (Psalm 38:7, Nahum 2:10). David prays enemies lose both insight (darkened eyes) and strength (shaking loins)—comprehensive inability to oppose God's purposes.