Psalms 31:12

KJV

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am forgotten {H7911} as a dead man {H4191} out of mind {H3820}: I am like a broken {H6} vessel {H3627}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Like a dead man, I have passed from their minds; I have become like a broken pot.

Berean Standard Bible

I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.

American Standard Version

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:12 captures the psalmist's profound anguish, expressing a feeling of utter abandonment and worthlessness. David likens himself to a deceased person whose memory has vanished from the minds of the living, and to a discarded, broken piece of pottery. This verse eloquently portrays the depths of human despair, social ostracism, and the crushing weight of feeling useless and forgotten by others, even as it sets the stage for the psalm's eventual turn towards God's steadfast faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 31 is a deeply personal lament of David, woven with expressions of trust in Yahweh. The psalm opens with David's urgent plea for deliverance from his enemies and distress, declaring his reliance on God as his refuge and strength ([Psalms 31:1-5](/psalms/31-1-5 "Psalms 31:1-5 - David's Plea and Trust")). As the psalm progresses, David vividly describes the intense suffering he endures, including physical affliction, emotional torment, and social alienation. Verses [Psalms 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9-13 "Psalms 31:9-13 - David's Deep Distress") specifically detail his physical wasting, emotional anguish, and the scorn he faces from his neighbors and acquaintances. Verse 12 serves as a poignant climax to this description of his desolation, articulating the ultimate feeling of being erased from human memory and rendered useless, setting the stage for his renewed declaration of trust in [Psalms 31:14](/psalms/31-14 "Psalms 31:14 - David's Renewed Trust").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, a king and warrior, often faced intense opposition, betrayal, and periods of exile or persecution, as seen in his flight from Saul ([1_samuel/21](/1-samuel/21 "1 Samuel 21 - David Flees from Saul")) or Absalom ([2_samuel/15](/2-samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). In ancient Near Eastern societies, community and remembrance were paramount. To be "forgotten" was akin to a second death, erasing one's legacy and significance. The concept of being "out of mind" (from the heart) spoke to a complete emotional and relational detachment, a severe form of social death. Furthermore, a "broken vessel" (כְּלִי, *keli*) was utterly worthless in a time before widespread recycling; pottery was fragile and once shattered, it was discarded as refuse, symbolizing complete ruin and uselessness. This imagery would have resonated powerfully with an audience familiar with the fragility of life and the importance of one's standing within the community.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 31 and the Psalter. It highlights the **depth of human suffering and despair**, validating the raw emotions of feeling abandoned, forgotten, and without purpose, even for a person of faith like David. It underscores the theme of **social ostracism and isolation**, a particularly painful aspect of ancient life where communal ties were vital for survival and identity. Furthermore, it sets up a stark contrast with the theme of **God's unwavering remembrance and faithfulness**. While humans may forget and discard, the psalm ultimately pivots to God as the one who never forgets His covenant people, providing hope for those who feel utterly broken and overlooked, as seen in [Psalms 31:15](/psalms/31-15 "Psalms 31:15 - David's Times Are in God's Hand") where David declares his times are in God's hand.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgotten (Hebrew, _shakach'_):** This verb signifies not merely a lapse in memory but a deliberate act of neglect or abandonment. It implies that the psalmist has been actively pushed out of the thoughts and affections of others, as if his very existence has been erased. In biblical thought, to be forgotten by God is a terrifying prospect, but to be forgotten by humans is a profound social and emotional wound, leading to a sense of non-existence.
* **Out of mind (Hebrew, _milev'_):** Literally meaning "from the heart," this phrase deepens the sense of forgetfulness. The heart (לֵב, *lev*) in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, emotion, and will. Thus, to be "out of mind" or "from the heart" means to be completely removed from the affection, consideration, and even the consciousness of others. It speaks to a total emotional and relational detachment, a profound sense of being unloved and disregarded.
* **Vessel (Hebrew, _keli'_):** This term is broad, referring to any implement, utensil, or container. In the context of "broken vessel," it evokes imagery of a clay pot. Ancient pottery, once broken, was irreparable and considered useless, fit only for the refuse heap. The psalmist's self-description as a "broken vessel" powerfully conveys a feeling of being damaged beyond repair, discarded, and utterly without value or purpose in the eyes of others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind:"** This clause expresses the psalmist's profound sense of abandonment and insignificance. He feels as if he has ceased to exist in the memory and affection of others, much like a person who has died and whose memory fades with time. The phrase "out of mind" (literally "from the heart") emphasizes a complete emotional and relational detachment, suggesting that he is not just forgotten, but actively disregarded and removed from the thoughts of those around him. This is a lament of social death, where one is alive but treated as if they are not.
* **"I am like a broken vessel."** This second clause employs a vivid simile to further illustrate the psalmist's feeling of worthlessness and uselessness. A broken clay pot was garbage in the ancient world, having lost its function and value. By comparing himself to such an object, David conveys his perception of being irreparable, discarded, and without purpose in the eyes of those who once valued him. It speaks to a deep sense of internal damage and external rejection.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:12 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, which powerfully convey the psalmist's emotional state. The phrase "forgotten as a dead man out of mind" uses a vivid **Simile** to compare the psalmist's forgotten state to that of a deceased person, emphasizing the completeness of his erasure from memory. The subsequent declaration, "I am like a broken vessel," employs another potent **Simile**, likening himself to a discarded, useless piece of pottery. This imagery evokes a strong sense of worthlessness and irreparability. The overall effect is one of **Hyperbole**, as David exaggerates his state of abandonment to convey the extreme depth of his despair and isolation. This dramatic language effectively communicates the profound psychological and emotional pain he is experiencing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 31:12 articulates a universal human experience of feeling forgotten, discarded, and without value. Theologically, this verse highlights the stark contrast between human forgetfulness and God's eternal remembrance. While David laments being "forgotten as a dead man," the broader biblical narrative consistently affirms God's unwavering faithfulness and His intimate knowledge of His people. Our worth is not determined by human perception or utility, but by our creation in God's image and His redemptive love. This verse, therefore, serves as a poignant cry that ultimately directs the faithful to seek their true validation and restoration in God, who is the ultimate source of remembrance, healing, and purpose, even for those who feel utterly broken.

* [Isaiah 49:15](/isaiah/49-15 "God Will Not Forget His People")
* [Psalms 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "God's Omniscience and Presence")
* [Jeremiah 18:1-6](/jeremiah/18-1-6 "The Potter and the Clay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw lament in Psalms 31:12 resonates deeply with the human condition, validating the profound pain of feeling forgotten, overlooked, or utterly broken by life's circumstances. In a world that often values utility and visibility, the experience of insignificance can be crushing. This verse reminds us that even figures of great faith and prominence experienced such depths of despair. It invites us to acknowledge our own feelings of brokenness and abandonment without shame, knowing that Scripture itself gives voice to these very emotions. The psalmist's journey from lament to trust encourages us to bring our deepest hurts and feelings of worthlessness before God, who sees, remembers, and values us beyond human perception. Our identity and worth are not defined by what others think of us, or by our perceived usefulness, but by the steadfast love of our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you felt "forgotten" or "out of mind" by others?**
* **When have you felt like a "broken vessel," useless or beyond repair? How did you respond?**
* **How does knowing that David, a man after God's own heart, experienced such despair validate your own difficult emotions?**
* **What does it mean to find your worth and purpose in God, rather than in human approval or utility?**

### FAQ
**Does feeling like a "broken vessel" mean I am beyond God's use or repair?**

Answer: Absolutely not. While David's lament in [Psalms 31:12](/psalms/31-12 "Psalms 31:12 - The Broken Vessel") expresses a profound feeling of worthlessness and irreparable damage from a human perspective, the biblical narrative consistently demonstrates God's ability to redeem, restore, and repurpose that which is broken. The prophet Jeremiah, in [Jeremiah 18:1-6](/jeremiah/18-1-6 "Jeremiah 18:1-6 - The Potter's Power"), illustrates God as the divine Potter who can reshape even a marred vessel into something new and beautiful. Our brokenness does not disqualify us from God's love or purpose; rather, it often becomes the very canvas upon which His grace and strength are most powerfully displayed. As [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness") teaches, God's "power is made perfect in weakness."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:12, with its raw depiction of feeling forgotten and like a broken vessel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. During His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced unparalleled social ostracism and abandonment. He was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). On the cross, He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), experiencing a unique and terrifying sense of being "out of mind" by His Father as He bore the sin of the world. He truly became like a "broken vessel," His body shattered and His life poured out as an offering. Yet, it is precisely through this ultimate brokenness and apparent abandonment that God's greatest act of redemption was accomplished. Jesus' resurrection transformed the brokenness of the cross into the means of new creation and eternal life, demonstrating that God never forgets His Beloved, and that even the most utterly "broken vessel" can be raised up, restored, and given eternal purpose through Him ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit Raises the Dead")). In Christ, our own experiences of feeling forgotten or broken are met with divine empathy and the promise of ultimate restoration and newness of life ([2_corinthians/5-17](/2-corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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 88:4

I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength:

Psalms 88:5

Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Isaiah 30:14

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit.

Romans 9:21

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Romans 9:22

[What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Psalms 119:83

¶ For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget thy statutes.