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Psalms 32:3

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

When I kept silence {H2790}, my bones {H6106} waxed old {H1086} through my roaring {H7581} all the day {H3117} long.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long;

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.

When I kept silence, my bones wasted away Through my groaning all the day long.

Commentary

Psalms 32:3 powerfully illustrates the profound physical and emotional toll that unconfessed sin can inflict upon an individual. This verse is part of a Maskil, a psalm of instruction, often attributed to King David, reflecting on the blessedness of forgiveness after a period of deep spiritual struggle and inner torment.

Context

This psalm opens by declaring the blessedness of having one's transgression forgiven and sin covered. Following this joyful proclamation, David recounts his own painful experience of withholding confession. The preceding verses set the stage for understanding the immense relief that comes from repentance. Many scholars link this period of "silence" to David's guilt after his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, before the prophet Nathan confronted him, a narrative found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.

Key Themes

  • The Burden of Unconfessed Sin: The phrase "When I kept silence" speaks to David's deliberate refusal or delay in acknowledging his sin before God. This withholding of confession created an immense spiritual and psychological burden.
  • Physical and Emotional Deterioration: "My bones waxed old" vividly portrays a profound weakening, aging, and decay. This is not merely metaphorical; unconfessed guilt and spiritual distress can manifest in real physical symptoms, chronic stress, and deep mental anguish, draining one's vitality and well-being.
  • Internal Anguish: The "roaring all the day long" signifies a deep, constant groaning and lamentation from within. It suggests a relentless, agonizing internal battle and a silent cry of a conscience burdened by guilt, even if no outward sound was made. It underscores the relentless nature of the spiritual torment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "kept silence" is charash (חרש), which implies being mute or deaf, highlighting a deliberate withholding of confession or communication with God. The phrase "my bones waxed old" uses balah (בָּלָה), meaning to wear out, decay, or consume, emphasizing the corrosive and debilitating effect of guilt on one's entire being. "Roaring" comes from sha'ag (שָׁאַג), typically describing a lion's roar, but here it metaphorically conveys intense, agonizing groans or laments, suggesting the depth of David's internal suffering and distress.

Practical Application

Psalms 32:3 serves as a timeless warning about the destructive nature of unconfessed sin. It encourages believers to promptly acknowledge their transgressions before God rather than allowing guilt to fester. Just as David found immense relief and renewal upon confession (as described in Psalms 32:5), so too can individuals today experience the freedom and cleansing that comes from genuine repentance and God's abundant mercy. This verse underscores the critical importance of spiritual honesty and transparency for holistic well-being and a vibrant relationship with God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 38:8 (7 votes)

    I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

  • Psalms 38:3 (6 votes)

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

  • Lamentations 3:8 (5 votes)

    Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

  • Psalms 22:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

  • Proverbs 28:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

  • Hosea 7:14 (4 votes)

    And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me.

  • Job 30:30 (4 votes)

    My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.