Psalms 69:23

KJV

Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let their eyes {H5869} be darkened {H2821}{H8799)}, that they see {H7200}{H8800)} not; and make their loins {H4975} continually {H8548} to shake {H4571}{H8685)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see, and let their bodies always be stumbling.

Berean Standard Bible

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

American Standard Version

Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; And make their loins continually to shake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 69:23 is a potent imprecatory prayer, forming a critical part of the psalmist's fervent lament against his relentless persecutors. In this verse, the psalmist, overwhelmed by suffering and betrayal, appeals to God for a specific and comprehensive judgment upon his adversaries: spiritual blindness and profound physical and psychological incapacitation. This plea is rooted in a deep conviction in God's perfect justice and a desperate longing for divine intervention against those who actively oppose God's righteous purposes and inflict harm upon His faithful servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 stands as a profound individual lament, often referred to as one of the "passion psalms" due to its intense portrayal of suffering and persecution. The psalmist, traditionally identified with David, opens with a desperate cry for deliverance from "deep waters" and overwhelming enemies ([Psalm 69:1-2](/psalms/69-1-2 "Psalm 69:1-2 - Overwhelmed by Troubles")). He details the slander, unprovoked hatred, and alienation he experiences, even from his own family, all stemming from his fervent zeal for God's house ([Psalm 69:7-9](/psalms/69-7-9 "Psalm 69:7-9 - Zeal for God's House")). The psalm transitions from a plea for rescue ([Psalm 69:13-18](/psalms/69-13-18 "Psalm 69:13-18 - Prayer for Deliverance")) to a series of intense imprecatory prayers, beginning in [Psalm 69:22](/psalms/69-22 "Psalm 69:22 - Imprecation Begins") and extending through [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Final Imprecation"). These imprecations are not isolated outbursts of personal vengeance but are framed within a broader narrative of intense, unmerited suffering and a passionate appeal for God's righteous justice to prevail against those who actively resist His will and persecute His anointed. The psalm concludes with a renewed commitment to praise and a vision of God's ultimate salvation ([Psalm 69:30-36](/psalms/69-30-36 "Psalm 69:30-36 - Praise and Hope for Salvation")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally linked to David's experiences of betrayal and persecution (e.g., by King Saul or his son Absalom), Psalm 69 also serves as a timeless expression for any righteous individual suffering unjustly. In ancient Israel, the concept of divine justice was foundational to their worldview and covenant relationship with God. God was understood as the ultimate arbiter, who would intervene in human affairs to uphold righteousness and punish wickedness. Imprecatory prayers, though often jarring to modern sensibilities, were a legitimate and theologically grounded form of appeal to God's justice within the covenant framework. They represented a profound trust that God would ultimately bring about deserved consequences for those who actively resisted His will and persecuted His people, rather than a call for personal revenge. Furthermore, in ancient Near Eastern thought, the "eyes" were deeply symbolic of understanding, discernment, and perception, while the "loins" represented physical strength, vitality, and even procreative power. Thus, to pray for the darkening of eyes and the shaking of loins was to invoke a comprehensive judgment targeting both the intellectual/spiritual and the physical/moral core of one's adversaries.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 69:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, asserting God's unwavering commitment to righting wrongs and His role as the supreme judge who will not allow unrepentant wickedness to go unpunished. The psalmist's prayer is a desperate, yet faith-filled, appeal for God to exercise His righteous judgment against those who have inflicted such profound suffering. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Hardening**, particularly in the plea for darkened eyes. This concept, where individuals become unable to perceive divine truth, recognize God's hand, or comprehend the consequences of their actions, is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Prophecy of Spiritual Hardening") and later powerfully applied in the New Testament to those who reject Christ, as seen in [Romans 11:9-10](/romans/11-9 "Romans 11:9-10 - Paul's Application of Psalm 69:22-23"). Lastly, the verse touches upon the theme of **Consequences of Opposition to God's Anointed**, as the psalmist, often seen as a type of Christ, prays for judgment upon those who oppose him, thus foreshadowing the spiritual and physical state of those who would ultimately oppose the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Darkened (Hebrew, _châshak'_):** From the primitive root H2821, this verb means "to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken; be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide." In this context, the darkening of eyes extends beyond mere physical obscurity to encompass a profound spiritual and intellectual blindness. It signifies a judicial act of God, removing the capacity for discernment, moral perception, and the ability to grasp truth or recognize divine activity. It leads to a state of confusion, error, and inability to find one's way, both morally and spiritually.
* **Loins (Hebrew, _môthen'_):** From H4975, this noun refers to "the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins." In ancient thought, the loins were considered the seat of physical strength, vitality, and often, courage. They represented the core of one's physical stability and the source of one's ability to act and endure. To target the loins is to strike at the very foundation of a person's physical and moral fortitude, aiming to incapacitate them entirely.
* **Shake (Hebrew, _mâʻad'_):** From the primitive root H4571, this verb means "to waver; make to shake, slide, slip." When applied to the loins, it paints a vivid picture of complete loss of stability, strength, and courage. It suggests an incapacitating terror, a breakdown of resolve, and an inability to stand firm or proceed with any purpose. This shaking implies a state of utter weakness, fear, and disorientation, rendering the enemies powerless and unable to carry out their malicious intentions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not;":** This initial clause is a profound imprecation for spiritual and intellectual judgment. The psalmist implores God to deprive his enemies of the capacity to perceive truth, understand God's ways, or even recognize the consequences of their own wicked actions. This is not merely a physical impairment but a deep spiritual obscuration, preventing them from discerning righteousness or the divine hand at work in the world. It is a judicial act that leaves them morally and spiritually adrift, unable to find their way or comprehend their plight, a just consequence for those who willfully refuse to see God's truth.
* **"and make their loins continually to shake.":** This second clause powerfully complements the first, praying for a comprehensive physical and psychological incapacitation. The "loins" symbolize strength, stability, and courage. For them to "continually shake" signifies a state of perpetual terror, weakness, and instability. It implies an utter collapse of their resolve, rendering them unable to stand firm, pursue their malicious intentions, or even maintain their composure. The adverb "continually" (H8548, _tâmîyd_) emphasizes the ongoing, relentless nature of this judgment, ensuring their constant state of fear and powerlessness, a fitting retribution for their persistent wickedness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 69:23 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its intense plea for divine judgment. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, a direct prayer or invocation of divine curse against enemies, which is a characteristic feature of certain psalms. This is not merely an expression of human anger but a fervent petition to God, the righteous judge, to execute justice. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy** and **Symbolism**: "eyes" stand metonymically for understanding, discernment, and spiritual perception, while "loins" symbolize physical strength, stability, and vitality. The darkening of eyes and the shaking of loins are powerful **Metaphors** for spiritual and physical incapacitation, respectively. The two parallel clauses, "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not" and "make their loins continually to shake," exhibit a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, together describing a comprehensive and devastating state of divine judgment and incapacitation. The adverb "continually" (תָּמִיד, _tamid_) adds an element of **Hyperbole** or intense emphasis, underscoring the severity and ongoing nature of the desired judgment, highlighting the psalmist's deep desire for a thorough and lasting divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: God is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring justice to bear upon those who persistently oppose Him and His purposes. The psalmist's prayer is not an endorsement of personal vengeance but a fervent appeal for divine retribution against systematic evil and unprovoked malice. It underscores the spiritual danger of a hardened heart and the severe consequences of continually rejecting divine truth and persecuting the righteous. The judgment of spiritual blindness and physical incapacitation serves as a vivid illustration of the ultimate futility and collapse awaiting those who stand against God's will, emphasizing that true strength and insight come only from God and are withheld from those who resist Him.

* [Romans 11:9-10](/romans/11-9-10 "Romans 11:9-10 - Paul's Application of Psalm 69:22-23 to Israel's Hardening")
* [Deuteronomy 28:28](/deuteronomy/28-28 "Deuteronomy 28:28 - Blindness and Confusion as Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Prophecy of Spiritual Hardening and Dullness of Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 69:23, while an imprecatory prayer, offers profound and sobering insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in the world, upholding justice and righteousness, even when His timing and methods differ from our expectations. For those who suffer unjustly, this psalm validates the deep pain and righteous indignation felt when faced with malice, betrayal, and unprovoked hostility. It teaches us to bring our rawest emotions and most fervent appeals for justice directly to God, trusting in His perfect judgment and sovereign timing, rather than seeking personal vengeance or retribution (compare [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")). Furthermore, the prayer for darkened eyes serves as a sober warning about the insidious dangers of spiritual hardening and the severe consequences of continually rejecting God's truth and light. It compels us to earnestly pray for open eyes, both for ourselves and for others, that we may perceive God's truth, understand His ways, and respond in humble faith, lest we fall into a state of spiritual blindness from which true repentance becomes increasingly difficult. Ultimately, this verse directs our gaze to God as the one who will ultimately right all wrongs, establish His kingdom in perfect justice, and bring low all who oppose His righteous reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as a righteous judge influence your prayers for justice in a world filled with injustice and oppression?**
* **In what ways might spiritual blindness manifest in our own lives, in the church, or in the broader culture today, leading to a diminished capacity to discern truth?**
* **How can we reconcile the psalmist's intense imprecation with the New Testament call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, finding a Christ-like response to injustice?**

### FAQ

**What is an "imprecatory psalm" and how should Christians understand them?**

Answer: An imprecatory psalm is a psalm that contains fervent prayers or invocations for divine judgment, calamity, or curses upon the psalmist's enemies. Psalm 69:23 is a prime example of such a prayer. For Christians, understanding these psalms requires careful theological nuance. They are not a license for personal vengeance, nor do they encourage hatred or malice toward others. Instead, they are deeply rooted appeals to God's justice, reflecting a profound faith that God is righteous and will ultimately right all wrongs. They express the psalmist's righteous indignation against systemic evil and unprovoked malice, trusting that God, and not the individual, is the proper agent of retribution. The New Testament, while teaching us to love our enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) and to bless those who curse us, also affirms God's ultimate judgment and that vengeance belongs to Him alone ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord")). Imprecatory psalms, therefore, remind us that God is sovereign over justice, and we can bring our deepest hurts, our cries for righteousness, and our desire for evil to be vanquished directly to Him, trusting in His perfect and just character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 69:23 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, particularly through the interpretive lens of the New Testament. The psalmist, suffering unprovoked hatred and betrayal, is often understood as a prophetic type of Christ, whose own experience mirrored this intense animosity, being hated without cause ([John 15:25](/john/15-25 "John 15:25 - Hated Without Cause")). The imprecation for darkened eyes and shaking loins is strikingly applied by the Apostle Paul in [Romans 11:9-10](/romans/11-9-10 "Romans 11:9-10 - Paul's Application of Psalm 69:22-23 to Israel's Hardening") to describe the spiritual hardening of a segment of Israel who rejected their Messiah. This spiritual blindness, a judicial act of God, prevented them from seeing the truth of Christ, leading to their inability to stand firm in faith or embrace the salvation offered through Him. Thus, the psalmist's prayer for judgment on his enemies becomes a prophetic declaration against those who would ultimately reject God's Anointed One, Jesus Christ. While Jesus Himself exemplified profound love, even praying for His persecutors ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Prays for His Persecutors")), the ultimate consequence for persistent rejection of the light He offered is indeed spiritual darkness and an inability to stand in God's presence. This foreshadows the final judgment where those who reject Christ will face eternal separation and an utter collapse of their worldly strength and perceived security ([Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Revelation 6:15-17 - The Terrified Cry of the Kings of the Earth")). The fulfillment in Christ highlights that true spiritual sight and enduring strength come only through Him, the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") and the ultimate source of all spiritual and moral vitality.

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

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Romans 11:10

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Jeremiah 30:6

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.