Psalms 31:10

KJV

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

KJV (with Strong's)

For my life {H2416} is spent {H3615} with grief {H3015}, and my years {H8141} with sighing {H585}: my strength {H3581} faileth {H3782} because of mine iniquity {H5771}, and my bones {H6106} are consumed {H6244}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For my life is worn out with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength gives out under my guilt, and my bones are wasting away.

Berean Standard Bible

For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.

American Standard Version

For my life is spent with sorrow, And my years with sighing: My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, And my bones are wasted away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:10 powerfully articulates the Psalmist's profound physical and emotional deterioration, directly attributing his failing strength and internal decay to the burden of his own iniquity. It is a raw and honest lament, revealing the deep anguish and corrosive impact that unconfessed or acknowledged sin can have on an individual's entire being, leading to a sense of exhaustion and consumption from within.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 31:10 is situated within a deeply personal lament psalm, traditionally attributed to David, where the speaker pours out his heart to God in a time of intense suffering. The psalm begins with an urgent plea for deliverance and refuge in God ([Psalm 31:1-2](/psalms/31-1 "Psalm 31:1-2 - A Plea for Deliverance")). Verses 9-13 specifically detail the overwhelming nature of the Psalmist's affliction, encompassing emotional distress, physical decay, and social ostracism. Verse 10 stands out as a stark confession, linking his suffering not just to external enemies or circumstances, but to an internal spiritual reality—his own sin. This confession is a pivotal moment, preceding a renewed declaration of trust in God's steadfast love and faithfulness, which culminates in a shift towards praise and confidence later in the psalm ([Psalm 31:14-24](/psalms/31-14 "Psalm 31:14-24 - David's Trust and Praise")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, suffering was often, though not exclusively, understood as a consequence of sin, either personal or corporate. While the book of Job famously challenges a simplistic cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character")), the lament psalms frequently include confessions of sin as part of the appeal for divine intervention. The physical manifestations of distress described in this verse—failing strength, consumed bones—were common expressions of profound internal anguish, reflecting a holistic view of human existence where spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being were intimately interconnected. The act of lament itself was a culturally accepted and theologically vital means for individuals to express their pain, confess their failings, and appeal to God for mercy and restoration within the covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **overwhelming nature of suffering**, portraying a life consumed by grief and sighing, indicative of prolonged and profound emotional and spiritual weariness. Secondly, it vividly illustrates the **physical decay resulting from distress**, using metaphors of failing strength and consumed bones to convey a deep, internal wasting away that impacts the very core of one's being. Most critically, the verse introduces the theme of the **burden of iniquity**, directly attributing the Psalmist's physical and emotional decline to his own sin. This connection underscores the biblical teaching that unaddressed sin can have debilitating consequences, not only spiritually but also psychologically and even physically, as seen in other passages like [Psalm 32:3-4](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-4 - The Physical Toll of Unconfessed Sin"), where David describes his bones wasting away before he confesses his transgression. This theme emphasizes the gravity of sin and the need for confession and divine forgiveness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grief (Hebrew, _yagon'_):** This term (יָגוֹן) denotes deep sorrow, distress, or anguish. It signifies a profound, often prolonged, emotional pain that weighs heavily on the soul, leading to a state of weariness and exhaustion. The Psalmist's life is not merely touched by grief but "spent with" it, indicating a pervasive and consuming experience.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʿavon'_):** The Hebrew word (עָוֹן) is significant. It refers not just to a mistake or a simple transgression, but to perversity, guilt, or the punishment due to sin. It carries the nuance of a twisting or bending away from God's righteous standard, implying a moral culpability that results in a heavy burden on the conscience and spirit. This word directly links the Psalmist's internal and external suffering to his own moral failing.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _'akal'_):** This verb (אָכַל) literally means "to eat" or "to devour." When applied to bones, as in "my bones are consumed," it powerfully conveys a sense of being eaten away, wasted, or completely worn out from within. It is a vivid metaphor for a deep, internal, and destructive process, suggesting that the very framework of his being is disintegrating under the weight of his distress and iniquity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For my life is spent with grief":** This clause reveals the depth of the Psalmist's emotional exhaustion. His entire existence, his "life" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_, often referring to the whole person or soul), is not just experiencing grief, but is utterly consumed and worn out by it. It suggests a prolonged period of intense sorrow that has depleted his vital energy.
* **"and my years with sighing":** Parallel to the first clause, this emphasizes the chronic and enduring nature of his distress. "Sighing" (אֲנָחָה, _anachah_) indicates deep groans, lamentation, and an expression of profound suffering and weariness. The reference to "years" underscores the long-term, pervasive impact of this anguish on his life.
* **"my strength faileth because of mine iniquity":** This is the pivotal confession. The Psalmist directly attributes his physical and emotional weakening ("my strength faileth") to his personal sin or guilt ("mine iniquity"). This is not merely a consequence of external pressures but a debilitating effect stemming from an internal moral failing. It highlights the spiritual and psychological toll that sin can exact, manifesting as a loss of vitality.
* **"and my bones are consumed":** This powerful metaphorical statement reinforces the idea of deep, internal decay. "Bones" (עֶצֶם, _'etsem_) often represent the core or essence of a person's being, including their physical strength and vitality. To say they are "consumed" suggests a complete internal wasting away, as if his very foundation is being eaten away by the corrosive effects of his distress and sin, leading to a state of utter physical and spiritual depletion.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:10 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the Psalmist's profound suffering. **Hyperbole** is evident in phrases like "my life is spent with grief" and "my bones are consumed," which are not literal descriptions but exaggerated expressions designed to emphasize the overwhelming and all-consuming nature of his distress. This exaggeration underscores the severity of his internal and external affliction. **Metaphor** is powerfully used, particularly in "my bones are consumed," where the physical structure of the body (bones) is used to represent the core of his being, and the act of "consuming" vividly illustrates a deep, internal wasting away caused by his anguish and guilt. Finally, **Parallelism** is employed in the first two clauses ("my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing"), where similar ideas are expressed in successive phrases, reinforcing the theme of prolonged and pervasive sorrow. These devices collectively amplify the emotional intensity and theological weight of the Psalmist's confession and lament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that sin, when unaddressed, carries severe consequences that can impact every dimension of human existence—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. It underscores the concept of a holistic human being, where inner turmoil and moral failing can manifest as outward physical decay and deep emotional exhaustion. While not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin, the Psalmist's confession highlights the corrosive power of guilt and iniquity, which can indeed "consume" a person from within. Yet, within the broader context of the Psalms of lament, this confession is often a prelude to seeking God's mercy and finding restoration, demonstrating that acknowledging one's sin is a crucial step towards divine healing and renewed strength. This verse thus serves as a stark reminder of sin's debilitating effects and the profound need for God's grace and forgiveness.

* [Psalm 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-5 - The Blessing of Forgiven Sin")
* [Proverbs 17:22](/proverbs/17-22 "Proverbs 17:22 - A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:10 offers a profound validation for those experiencing deep, consuming distress, reminding us that it is permissible and even healthy to express such raw honesty before God. The Psalmist's candid confession of his "iniquity" as a source of his failing strength challenges us to engage in honest self-examination. While we must carefully avoid the simplistic conclusion that all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin, this verse prompts us to consider if unconfessed sin, unresolved guilt, or a persistent turning away from God's ways might be contributing to our own spiritual, emotional, or even physical burdens. It calls us to acknowledge the heavy toll that sin can exact on our inner being. Ultimately, this verse, within the larger Psalm of lament, encourages us not to wallow in despair but to bring our burdens, including our confessed sins, to the Lord. It teaches us that true strength and restoration are found not in hiding our weaknesses or denying our failings, but in humbly turning to God, trusting in His mercy, and seeking the forgiveness and healing that only He can provide.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What hidden "grief" or "sighing" might be consuming parts of my life, and am I willing to acknowledge them before God?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed "iniquity" or guilt be impacting my spiritual, emotional, or even physical well-being?**
* **How does the Psalmist's honesty encourage me to be more transparent with God about my struggles and failings?**
* **What steps can I take to seek God's forgiveness and experience the restorative power He offers for the burdens I carry?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 31:10 mean that all physical suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: Not necessarily. While Psalms 31:10 clearly links the Psalmist's failing strength and physical decline to his "iniquity," the Bible presents a more nuanced view of suffering. The book of [Job](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Blameless Character") famously demonstrates that righteous individuals can suffer immensely without direct personal sin being the cause. Other passages, like [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Man Born Blind"), show Jesus refuting the idea that a man's blindness was due to his or his parents' sin. However, this verse does highlight that sin can indeed have debilitating consequences, not only spiritually and emotionally but also physically, as guilt, stress, and broken relationships can take a real toll on the body. The Psalmist's confession here is specific to his own experience, acknowledging a personal connection between his sin and his distress, which is a common theme in many lament psalms where confession precedes a plea for mercy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:10, with its raw depiction of a life "spent with grief" and strength failing "because of mine iniquity," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Psalmist's experience of being "consumed" by the weight of sin and its consequences points to the universal human condition under the curse of sin, where death and decay are inevitable. However, Christ, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly bore the full weight of human iniquity on the cross. He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His suffering was not for His own iniquity, but for ours, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant"), where it states He "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows... and by His stripes we are healed." Through His sacrificial death, Jesus offers complete forgiveness for our iniquity, removing the guilt that consumes and restoring the strength that fails. He invites all who are weary and burdened by the weight of sin to come to Him, promising rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). In Christ, the consuming power of sin is broken, and new life, strength, and spiritual vitality are offered to all who believe, transforming a life spent in grief into one filled with hope and peace.

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 88:15

I [am] afflicted and ready to die from [my] youth up: [while] I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

Psalms 38:3

[There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.

Psalms 78:33

Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Romans 9:2

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Psalms 13:2

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?