Psalms 102:4

KJV

My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

KJV (with Strong's)

My heart {H3820} is smitten {H5221}, and withered {H3001} like grass {H6212}; so that I forget {H7911} to eat {H398} my bread {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am stricken and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

Berean Standard Bible

My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.

American Standard Version

My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:4 powerfully articulates the psalmist's profound and debilitating suffering, depicting a state of such overwhelming emotional and spiritual distress that it has physically withered his very being and extinguished even the most basic instinct for self-sustenance. This verse is a visceral cry from one consumed by affliction, illustrating how deep anguish can manifest in a complete loss of vitality and a neglect of fundamental human needs, underscoring the interconnectedness of body and soul in times of intense sorrow and despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 102 stands as a profound individual lament, specifically identified in its superscription (in some traditions) as a "prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord." The psalm begins with an urgent, desperate plea for God to hear his prayer and not hide His face from him in his distress, setting a tone of profound urgency and vulnerability, as seen in [Psalms 102:1-2](/psalms/102-1-2 "Psalms 102:1-2 - A Desperate Plea to the Lord"). Following this opening, the psalmist launches into a detailed, almost morbid, description of his physical and emotional decay, using vivid imagery of wasting away, burning bones, and groaning. This verse, describing a heart "smitten, and withered like grass," is nestled within this outpouring of personal suffering, immediately following descriptions of his bones burning like a hearth and his heart being struck down. It serves to underscore the depth of his internal anguish by showing its direct impact on his external, physical well-being, specifically his inability to eat, a fundamental act of self-preservation. The lament then shifts dramatically to a broader reflection on God's eternal nature and faithfulness, providing a stark contrast to the psalmist's fleeting suffering, as seen in [Psalms 102:11-12](/psalms/102-11-12 "Psalms 102:11-12 - God's Enduring Nature Contrasted with Human Frailty"). This structural shift offers a theological anchor amidst the profound personal distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalms 102 is not explicitly stated, its themes of desolation, the yearning for Jerusalem's restoration, and the suffering of God's people (e.g., [Psalms 102:13-17](/psalms/102-13-17 "Psalms 102:13-17 - The Restoration of Zion")) strongly suggest a post-exilic or exilic setting, perhaps during the Babylonian captivity or the challenging period of return and rebuilding. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical ailments were often seen as manifestations of divine displeasure or as direct consequences of sin, though the psalmist here presents his suffering as an affliction from which he desperately seeks relief from God. The imagery of "withered like grass" is a common biblical motif reflecting human frailty and transience, particularly in the face of hardship or divine judgment, resonating deeply with agricultural societies where the life cycle of vegetation was a daily reality. The act of eating "bread" was not merely sustenance but a communal and foundational aspect of daily life, symbolizing well-being, stability, and even covenant fellowship. To "forget to eat my bread" therefore signifies an extreme state of distress where even the most basic and essential life-sustaining activities are abandoned due to overwhelming sorrow, indicating a complete breakdown of normal human function.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 102, and particularly [Psalms 102:4](/psalms/102-4 "Psalms 102:4 - The Psalmist's Deep Anguish"), powerfully explores several core themes. First, it highlights the **overwhelming nature of human suffering and despair**, demonstrating how profound emotional and spiritual pain can consume an individual entirely, leading to a sense of utter devastation. The psalmist's heart is not merely sad but "smitten" and "withered," conveying a complete loss of vitality and hope. Second, the verse underscores the **physical manifestation of emotional and spiritual distress**. The psalmist's inability to eat illustrates the deep interconnectedness of the human psyche and body; intense internal agony can directly impact physical health and even basic survival instincts. This theme is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 17:22](/proverbs/17-22 "Proverbs 17:22 - A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine"), which notes the physical benefits of a joyful heart. Third, the simile "withered like grass" emphasizes the **frailty and transience of human life** in contrast to God's enduring nature. This motif is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, reminding humanity of its ephemeral existence before an eternal God, as seen in [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Grass Withers, the Word Endures") and [Psalms 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalms 90:5-6 - Human Life Like Grass"). Finally, the psalm as a whole, despite its deep lament, ultimately points to the **hope found in God's faithfulness and eternal nature**, suggesting that even in the darkest valleys of human experience, there is a divine anchor and a promise of restoration for those who call upon Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smitten (Hebrew, _nâkâh_ H5221):** This primitive root means to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively). In this context, applied to the heart, it conveys a sense of being profoundly struck down, afflicted, or wounded by an external force or overwhelming circumstances. It implies a sudden, devastating impact that has left the psalmist's inner core shattered and broken, as if by a severe blow.
* **Withered (Hebrew, _yâbêsh_ H3001):** This primitive root means to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage); to be ashamed, confused, or disappointed. When applied to the heart, it powerfully depicts a complete loss of vitality, moisture, and life. Just as grass dries up under a scorching sun, the psalmist's heart has lost its vigor, hope, and emotional resilience, becoming desolate and barren. This imagery emphasizes a process of decay and decline, leading to a state of profound emptiness.
* **Forget (Hebrew, _shâkach_ H7911):** This primitive root means to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention. In this context, it signifies a profound neglect or abandonment of a basic function due to overwhelming preoccupation. The psalmist is not merely absent-minded; his distress is so consuming that the fundamental instinct for self-preservation, specifically eating, is overridden and ignored. This highlights the severity of his mental and emotional state, where even the most primal needs are eclipsed by his suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My heart is smitten,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the internal nature of the psalmist's suffering. The "heart" (לֵב, _lêb_ H3820) in Hebrew thought represents not just emotions but the totality of one's inner being—intellect, will, and affections. To be "smitten" implies a devastating blow, a deep wound inflicted upon his core self, suggesting a profound spiritual or emotional trauma that has left him utterly broken and incapacitated, unable to function normally.
* **"and withered like grass;"**: This simile extends the description of the heart's condition, comparing its state to grass that has dried up and lost its life. Grass (עֵשֶׂב, _ʻeseb_ H6212) is a common biblical metaphor for human transience and fragility. The "withered" state conveys a complete loss of vitality, freshness, and strength, indicating that the psalmist's inner being is depleted, barren, and on the verge of perishing, devoid of hope or vigor. This imagery underscores the rapid and irreversible decline he perceives in himself.
* **"so that I forget to eat my bread."**: This final clause describes the tangible, physical consequence of his profound internal distress. The inability to eat "bread" (לֶחֶם, _lechem_ H3899)—a staple of life and a symbol of basic sustenance—is a stark indicator of the extremity of his suffering. It's not a conscious decision to fast, but an overwhelming preoccupation with his anguish that has extinguished even the most fundamental instinct for survival. This detail makes the abstract emotional pain concrete and relatable, demonstrating how deeply his sorrow has impacted his physical existence, leading to a complete neglect of self-preservation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 102:4 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of the psalmist's suffering. The primary device is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "withered like grass." This comparison vividly illustrates the rapid and complete decline of the psalmist's vitality, drawing on a common biblical image for human frailty and the fleeting nature of life. The image of grass drying up under the scorching sun immediately evokes a sense of decay and loss of life-giving moisture. Related to this is **Metaphor**, as the "heart" itself is implicitly portrayed as a living entity that can be "smitten" and "withered," giving a concrete, almost personified, sense to an abstract emotional state. Furthermore, the statement "so that I forget to eat my bread" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or extreme exaggeration to emphasize the severity of his distress. While he might not literally forget how to eat, the phrase powerfully conveys that his anguish is so overwhelming that it has overridden even his most basic biological needs and instincts, making the act of eating seem utterly irrelevant or impossible. This dramatic portrayal intensifies the reader's understanding of his profound despair and the all-consuming nature of his affliction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:4 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of human suffering and God's relationship to it. It validates the reality of debilitating grief and despair, affirming that such profound anguish can indeed consume one's entire being, affecting both soul and body. The psalmist's raw honesty in articulating this extreme state of physical and emotional desolation provides a template for authentic prayer, demonstrating that God is capable of receiving even the most desperate and broken expressions of human pain. The verse implicitly underscores the biblical understanding of humanity as a holistic being, where spiritual and emotional states profoundly impact physical well-being. While the psalmist's suffering is intense, the broader psalm ultimately pivots to God's enduring nature and faithfulness, suggesting that even in the deepest valleys of despair, there is a divine constant to whom one can appeal for mercy and restoration. This tension between human frailty and divine steadfastness is central to the psalm's message of hope.

* [Psalms 38:8](/psalms/38-8 "Psalms 38:8 - Groaning from Anguish")
* [Lamentations 3:19-20](/lamentations/3-19-20 "Lamentations 3:19-20 - Remembering Affliction and Hope")
* [Job 3:24](/job/3-24 "Job 3:24 - My Groaning Comes Before I Eat")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 102:4 serves as a powerful validation of the human experience of profound suffering. It reminds us that it is not only permissible but often necessary to acknowledge and express the full depth of our pain, even when it feels utterly debilitating and all-consuming. The psalmist's raw honesty in admitting that his anguish has withered his heart and caused him to neglect even basic self-care offers immense comfort to those who have felt similarly overwhelmed by grief, anxiety, depression, or chronic illness. This verse encourages us to bring our whole, broken selves before God, trusting that He understands and empathizes with our deepest struggles, for He is a God who draws near to the brokenhearted. It challenges us to cultivate empathy for others who are suffering, recognizing that their internal battles may manifest in ways that are physically debilitating or outwardly inexplicable, requiring patient understanding and compassionate support. Ultimately, it calls us to remember the interconnectedness of our emotional, spiritual, and physical health, urging us to seek holistic healing and to lean into God's presence even when our strength and will to live seem to have withered away, finding in Him the source of true sustenance and renewal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways has profound emotional or spiritual distress manifested physically in your own life or in the lives of those you know?**
* **How does the psalmist's raw honesty in this verse encourage you to be more authentic and vulnerable in your prayers and expressions of pain to God?**
* **What practical steps can we take to care for our holistic well-being (emotional, spiritual, physical) when we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, even when basic tasks feel impossible?**
* **How can this verse deepen your empathy for others who are experiencing debilitating suffering, prompting you to offer support and understanding rather than judgment?**

### FAQ
**Does "smitten" imply God's judgment, or simply affliction?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word for "smitten" (נָכָה, _nâkâh_ H5221) can indeed be used in contexts of divine judgment or punishment (e.g., God "smote" Egypt with plagues in [Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "Exodus 12:29 - The Tenth Plague")), in Psalms 102:4, it primarily conveys the severe impact of the psalmist's overwhelming circumstances and the feeling of being struck down by profound distress. It reflects the psalmist's subjective experience of being deeply wounded and afflicted, rather than necessarily a direct theological statement about God's punitive action. The focus is on the debilitating effect of the suffering on his inner being, regardless of its ultimate source. The broader context of the psalm, which is a desperate plea for God's mercy and intervention and a lament over the desolation of Zion, suggests a cry from affliction and a yearning for restoration rather than an admission of specific judgment for personal sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 102:4, with its raw depiction of a heart smitten and withered by suffering, finds profound resonance and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's experience of being so consumed by anguish that he "forgets to eat his bread" foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the Son of God, who fully entered into human frailty and sorrow. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, experienced the depths of human grief, famously weeping at the tomb of Lazarus ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")). More profoundly, in the Garden of Gethsemane, His soul was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), a suffering so intense that it caused Him to sweat drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony")). On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its resulting curse, becoming "smitten by God" and "afflicted" on our behalf, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant"). His physical body was literally withered and broken, and He cried out, "I thirst" ([John 19:28](/john/19-28 "John 19:28 - Jesus' Thirst on the Cross")), a stark echo of the psalmist's inability to sustain himself. Through His perfect suffering, death, and resurrection, Christ transforms the withered heart of humanity, offering not just empathy for our pain but true spiritual nourishment and eternal life. He is the Bread of Life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who, by enduring the ultimate "withering" on the cross, ensures that those who believe in Him will never truly perish or forget the sustenance of His grace, but will find their hearts revived and made whole in Him, experiencing abundant life through His sacrifice ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Isaiah 40:7

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people [is] grass.

Ezra 10:6

¶ Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and [when] he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

Psalms 77:3

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Psalms 102:11

My days [are] like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

Job 10:1

¶ My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

Psalms 69:20

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked [for some] to take pity, but [there was] none; and for comforters, but I found none.