Psalms 141:7

KJV

Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Our bones {H6106} are scattered {H6340} at the grave's {H7585} mouth {H6310}, as when one cutteth {H6398} and cleaveth {H1234} wood upon the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As when one plows and breaks the ground into clods, our bones are strewn at the mouth of Sh'ol.

Berean Standard Bible

As when one plows and breaks up the soil, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

American Standard Version

As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth, Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 141:7 presents a harrowing image of utter devastation and vulnerability, employing a stark simile to convey the psalmist's profound distress. It depicts a scene of bodies so thoroughly destroyed that their bones are scattered at the very entrance of the grave, likened to wood violently chopped and splintered upon the ground. This verse encapsulates a moment of extreme despair and a desperate cry for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming adversity and the threat of complete annihilation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 141 is a fervent prayer of lament and supplication, likely penned by David, appealing to God for protection and guidance. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for God to hear his prayer and to guard his mouth and heart from sin, particularly from speaking evil or being drawn into the practices of the wicked ([Psalms 141:1-4](/psalms/141-1 "Psalms 141:1-4 - A Prayer for Protection and Guidance")). The psalmist then expresses a desire for righteous rebuke over the flattery of the wicked, anticipating a time when their leaders will be overthrown and God's justice evident ([Psalms 141:5-6](/psalms/141-5 "Psalms 141:5-6 - The Righteous and the Wicked")). Verse 7, however, shifts abruptly to the psalmist's own dire predicament or that of his people, portraying a state of extreme suffering and near-death, which serves to underscore the urgency and depth of the preceding prayers and the desperate need for God's immediate intervention before complete ruin. The psalm concludes with a renewed expression of trust in God as the only refuge from the snares of the wicked ([Psalms 141:8-10](/psalms/141-8 "Psalms 141:8-10 - Trust in God's Deliverance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Psalms 141:7 reflects the brutal realities of ancient warfare and its aftermath. To have one's bones scattered and unburied was a profound disgrace and a curse, signifying a complete lack of proper burial rites and the ultimate indignity in death. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a proper burial was crucial for the deceased's honor and the peace of their family. The scattering of bones implies a violent, perhaps even dismembering, death, leaving the victims exposed and desecrated, often by enemies or scavengers. The "grave's mouth" (Sheol) refers to the Hebrew concept of the underworld, the shadowy abode of the dead. The comparison to cutting and cleaving wood speaks to a common, violent act of manual labor, making the destructive force relatable and visceral. This context highlights the psalmist's fear of not just death, but a death devoid of honor and peace, a fate worse than mere demise.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical literature. Firstly, it emphasizes **Extreme Vulnerability** and **Profound Suffering**, depicting a state of physical and existential agony where death is not only imminent but also utterly dehumanizing. The psalmist feels completely helpless and exposed to overwhelming destructive forces. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Desperate Plea for Deliverance**, as such a vivid depiction of despair serves to heighten the urgency and depth of the psalmist's prayer for God's intervention. This raw cry for help is a recurring motif in the Psalms, often found in David's laments, such as his plea for rescue from enemies in [Psalms 3:7](/psalms/3-7 "Psalms 3:7 - David's Prayer for Deliverance"). Finally, it touches upon the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, as the psalmist implicitly contrasts his current suffering with the anticipated judgment upon the wicked mentioned in the preceding verses, appealing to God to right the wrongs and rescue the afflicted from their oppressors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bones (Hebrew, _ʻetsem'_):** H6106, from a root meaning "to be strong." This word refers to a bone, but by extension, it can signify the body itself, the substance, or even the selfsame person. In this context, "our bones" represents the entirety of the physical being, emphasizing the complete destruction and disintegration of the individuals, reducing them to mere skeletal remains. It conveys a sense of ultimate vulnerability and the dissolution of identity.
* **scattered (Hebrew, _pâzar'_):** H6340, a primitive root meaning "to scatter," whether in enmity or bounty. Here, it clearly denotes scattering in enmity, implying a violent dispersal, breaking apart, and spreading out without order or respect. It paints a picture of dismemberment or bodies left unburied and pulled apart, a stark contrast to the hope of resting in a grave.
* **grave's (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** H7585, referring to Hades or the world of the dead, often translated as "grave," "hell," or "pit." It signifies the subterranean realm where the dead reside. The phrase "grave's mouth" (with H6310, _peh_, for mouth/edge) vividly describes the very entrance or brink of this realm, suggesting that the bodies are not even properly within Sheol but are left exposed and desecrated at its threshold, denied even the dignity of a proper descent into the underworld.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth":** This clause presents a horrifying image of complete physical destruction and desecration. It suggests that the bodies of the psalmist and his people have been so utterly decimated, perhaps in battle or by brutal execution, that their skeletal remains are strewn about, not even afforded the dignity of burial. The phrase "at the grave's mouth" (literally "mouth of Sheol") intensifies the horror, indicating that they are on the very brink of the underworld but denied entry or proper rest, left exposed and vulnerable to further indignity.
* **"as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth":** This powerful simile clarifies and amplifies the nature of the scattering. Just as wood is violently chopped (H6398, _pâlach_, "to slice, break open, pierce") and split (H1234, _bâqaʻ_, "to cleave, rend, break in pieces") into fragmented, disorganized pieces by a laborer, so too have the lives and bodies of the afflicted been brutally broken, dismembered, and dispersed across the ground. The comparison underscores the thoroughness, brutality, and seemingly indiscriminate nature of the destruction. The "earth" (H776, _ʼerets_) emphasizes the public and exposed nature of this desecration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Vivid Imagery**, painting a gruesome picture of scattered bones and dismembered bodies, which immediately evokes a sense of horror and despair. The central device is a powerful **Simile**: "Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, *as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth*." This comparison serves to amplify the brutality and thoroughness of the destruction, making the abstract concept of being "scattered" concrete and visceral by likening it to the violent act of chopping wood. The phrase "at the grave's mouth" uses **Personification** of the grave (Sheol), giving it a "mouth" or entrance, further enhancing the dramatic and terrifying nature of the scene. The description also employs **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the suffering to convey the psalmist's deep anguish and the perceived totality of their defeat, emphasizing that their situation is beyond human repair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 141:7, while stark in its imagery, serves a profound theological purpose by articulating the depths of human suffering and the desperate need for divine intervention. It highlights the biblical understanding that true security and dignity, even in death, ultimately rest in God's hands. The psalmist's lament, even in such extreme circumstances, is not an expression of hopelessness but a fervent appeal to the One who can reverse even the most dire of situations. It underscores the theme that even when life seems utterly broken and scattered, God remains the ultimate refuge and source of restoration, capable of gathering what is dispersed and bringing life out of death. This intense plea for rescue from the brink of annihilation anticipates God's power to deliver from the very jaws of death.

* [Psalms 22:14](/psalms/22-14 "Psalms 22:14 - A Cry of Despair")
* [Job 19:26](/job/19-26 "Job 19:26 - Hope in Resurrection")
* [Ezekiel 37:11-12](/ezekiel/37-11 "Ezekiel 37:11-12 - The Valley of Dry Bones")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 141:7 offers a profound insight into the human condition when facing overwhelming adversity. While its imagery is graphic, it provides a powerful voice for those who feel utterly broken, discarded, and without hope. It reminds us that even in the most desperate and seemingly hopeless situations, where one feels completely shattered and scattered, prayer remains a powerful and essential recourse. The psalmist brings his raw anguish directly to God, trusting that even from the "grave's mouth," the Lord can hear and deliver. This verse encourages believers to voice their deepest fears and suffering to God, clinging to the hope of divine rescue and restoration. It teaches us that authentic faith does not shy away from expressing the full extent of pain and despair, but rather brings it honestly before the compassionate God who is able to gather what is scattered and breathe life into what is dead. It challenges us to maintain our trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem to mock any possibility of hope or dignity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "scattered" or utterly broken, as if at the "grave's mouth"?**
* **How does the psalmist's raw honesty in this verse encourage you to bring your own deepest fears and despair before God?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the nature of God's power and His capacity to intervene even in seemingly hopeless situations?**

### FAQ

**What does "Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth" literally mean?**

Answer: This phrase literally describes a scene of extreme violence and desecration. "Our bones are scattered" implies that bodies have been dismembered or left unburied after a massacre, with their skeletal remains strewn about. "At the grave's mouth" (or "mouth of Sheol") means at the very entrance or brink of the underworld, the realm of the dead. It signifies that the victims are not even afforded the dignity of a proper burial within the grave, but are left exposed and dishonored at its threshold, emphasizing a complete lack of peace or proper rest in death. It's an image of utter annihilation and indignity.

**Why is the comparison to "cutting and cleaving wood" used here?**

Answer: The simile "as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth" serves to amplify the brutality and thoroughness of the destruction. Just as wood is violently chopped and split into fragmented, disorganized pieces by an axe, so too are the lives and bodies of the afflicted broken apart and dispersed across the ground. This comparison makes the abstract concept of being "scattered" concrete and visceral, highlighting the violent, indiscriminate, and complete nature of the destruction faced by the psalmist and his people. It underscores the feeling of being utterly helpless before a destructive force, much like an inanimate object being violently processed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 141:7 vividly portrays the depths of human suffering and the threat of ultimate destruction, its Christ-centered fulfillment points to the ultimate victory of life over death through Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament of scattered bones at the grave's mouth finds its most profound answer not in the mere avoidance of death, but in the resurrection of Christ. Jesus himself experienced a death that, to human eyes, seemed to lead to utter defeat, yet His body was not "scattered" but preserved, and He famously conquered the "mouth" of the grave. His resurrection from the dead, as described in [Matthew 28:6](/matthew/28-6 "Matthew 28:6 - He is not here, for He has risen!"), demonstrates God's power to gather what is scattered and bring life out of the most profound death. For believers, Christ's victory over the grave means that even if our physical bodies face decay or are "scattered" in death, our ultimate hope is in the resurrection, where God will reassemble and transform our mortal bodies into glorious ones ([1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Resurrection Body")). Thus, the despair of Psalms 141:7 is transformed into the hope of eternal life and bodily resurrection, secured by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and has "the keys of Hades and of Death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")).

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

Romans 8:36

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Psalms 53:5

There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

Psalms 44:22

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Revelation 11:8

And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Revelation 11:9

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

2 Corinthians 1:9

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

1 Samuel 22:18

And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.