Psalms 88:9

Authorized King James Version

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Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

עֵינִ֥י Mine eye H5869
עֵינִ֥י Mine eye
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 1 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
דָאֲבָ֗ה mourneth H1669
דָאֲבָ֗ה mourneth
Strong's: H1669
Word #: 2 of 11
to pine
מִנִּ֫י H4480
מִנִּ֫י
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עֹ֥נִי by reason of affliction H6040
עֹ֥נִי by reason of affliction
Strong's: H6040
Word #: 4 of 11
depression, i.e., misery
קְרָאתִ֣יךָ I have called H7121
קְרָאתִ֣יךָ I have called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 5 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֣ה LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
י֑וֹם daily H3117
י֑וֹם daily
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 11
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
שִׁטַּ֖חְתִּי upon thee I have stretched out H7849
שִׁטַּ֖חְתִּי upon thee I have stretched out
Strong's: H7849
Word #: 9 of 11
to expand
אֵלֶ֣יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֣יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 11
near, with or among; often in general, to
כַפָּֽי׃ my hands H3709
כַפָּֽי׃ my hands
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 11 of 11
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

Analysis & Commentary

Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction (דָּאֲבָה מִנִּי עֵינִי, daavah minni eyni)—The eye grows dim, fails, languishes from weeping and suffering. Physical symptom mirrors inner anguish. Yet notice the steadfast persistence: LORD, I have called daily upon thee (קְרָאתִיךָ יְהוָה בְּכָל־יוֹם, keratikha YHWH bekhol-yom)—The covenant name YHWH appears, affirming relationship despite feeling abandoned. "Daily" emphasizes unrelenting faithfulness in prayer despite apparent divine silence.

I have stretched out my hands unto thee (שִׁטַּחְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ כַפָּי, shitachti eleikha khapai)—Hands extended in supplication, the universal gesture of desperate need. Spreading out the palms signifies total vulnerability and dependence. This posture anticipates Christ on the cross, hands stretched out in the ultimate prayer of abandonment and trust—"Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

Historical Context

Daily prayer was central to Jewish piety, reflected in the Shema's call to constant devotion (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and later formalized in the temple's morning and evening sacrifices. The psalmist maintains this discipline even when prayer seems futile—a model of persistent faith that Jesus commended in His teaching on prayer (Luke 18:1-8).

Questions for Reflection