Psalms 31:9 - Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Psalms 31:9" mean?
Psalm 31:9 expresses a deep and profound plea for divine mercy rooted in intense suffering. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"Have mercy on me, Yahweh..."
"Have mercy": This is the core request. It's a call for God's compassion, pity, and forgiving grace. The psalmist acknowledges their vulnerability and dependence on God's kindness.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. Using this name indicates a direct and intimate relationship with God. The psalmist is not appealing to some abstract power but to the God they know and trust.
"...for I am in distress."
"Distress": This is the justification for the plea for mercy. It speaks to a state of overwhelming trouble, affliction, and hardship. The psalmist is facing significant challenges and needs God's help to overcome them.
"My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief."
This is where the intensity of the suffering is described.
"My eye": This could refer to the physical effect of prolonged weeping or simply a weakened state.
"My soul": This signifies the emotional and spiritual part of the psalmist. Grief has deeply affected their inner being, causing despair, anxiety, and perhaps even a sense of separation from God.
"My body": This emphasizes the physical toll that the distress and grief have taken. It suggests illness, exhaustion, or a general decline in health.
"Waste away with grief": The combined effect on the body, soul and eyes is that the grief is consuming them and they are becoming weaker and weaker.
In summary, the verse means:
The psalmist is crying out to God (Yahweh) for mercy because they are experiencing severe distress. This distress is not just a fleeting feeling but is profoundly impacting their entire being—their physical health (body), their emotional and spiritual well-being (soul), and even their physical appearance (eye). The suffering is so intense that it is causing them to deteriorate. This verse illustrates a raw, honest expression of pain and a desperate reliance on God's mercy as the only hope for relief.
Theological Implications:
Acknowledgement of Suffering: The verse validates the reality and intensity of human suffering. It shows that it's acceptable to express pain to God.
Dependence on God: The plea for mercy underscores the human need for divine help in times of trouble.
Holistic Impact of Suffering: It recognizes that suffering affects the whole person—body, soul, and spirit.
God's Compassion: The verse implies that God is a merciful God who hears the cries of those in distress and is willing to offer comfort and healing.
The verse is a powerful reminder that it's okay to be vulnerable before God, especially when facing difficult times. It's a call to seek God's mercy and trust in His ability to heal and restore.
Psalms 31:9 - Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
What does "Psalms 31:9" mean?
Psalm 31:9 expresses a deep and profound plea for divine mercy rooted in intense suffering. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"Have mercy on me, Yahweh..."
"Have mercy": This is the core request. It's a call for God's compassion, pity, and forgiving grace. The psalmist acknowledges their vulnerability and dependence on God's kindness.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. Using this name indicates a direct and intimate relationship with God. The psalmist is not appealing to some abstract power but to the God they know and trust.
"...for I am in distress."
"Distress": This is the justification for the plea for mercy. It speaks to a state of overwhelming trouble, affliction, and hardship. The psalmist is facing significant challenges and needs God's help to overcome them.
"My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief."
This is where the intensity of the suffering is described.
"My eye": This could refer to the physical effect of prolonged weeping or simply a weakened state.
"My soul": This signifies the emotional and spiritual part of the psalmist. Grief has deeply affected their inner being, causing despair, anxiety, and perhaps even a sense of separation from God.
"My body": This emphasizes the physical toll that the distress and grief have taken. It suggests illness, exhaustion, or a general decline in health.
"Waste away with grief": The combined effect on the body, soul and eyes is that the grief is consuming them and they are becoming weaker and weaker.
In summary, the verse means:
The psalmist is crying out to God (Yahweh) for mercy because they are experiencing severe distress. This distress is not just a fleeting feeling but is profoundly impacting their entire being—their physical health (body), their emotional and spiritual well-being (soul), and even their physical appearance (eye). The suffering is so intense that it is causing them to deteriorate. This verse illustrates a raw, honest expression of pain and a desperate reliance on God's mercy as the only hope for relief.
Theological Implications:
Acknowledgement of Suffering: The verse validates the reality and intensity of human suffering. It shows that it's acceptable to express pain to God.
Dependence on God: The plea for mercy underscores the human need for divine help in times of trouble.
Holistic Impact of Suffering: It recognizes that suffering affects the whole person—body, soul, and spirit.
God's Compassion: The verse implies that God is a merciful God who hears the cries of those in distress and is willing to offer comfort and healing.
The verse is a powerful reminder that it's okay to be vulnerable before God, especially when facing difficult times. It's a call to seek God's mercy and trust in His ability to heal and restore.