Psalm 102 5

Psalm 102:5 kjv

By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

Psalm 102:5 nkjv

Because of the sound of my groaning My bones cling to my skin.

Psalm 102:5 niv

In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones.

Psalm 102:5 esv

Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.

Psalm 102:5 nlt

Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.

Psalm 102 verses

Psalm 102 5 Meaning

Psalm 102:5 vividly describes a state of extreme physical decay and emaciation, brought about by profound inner suffering and distress. The "groaning" is so intense and continuous that it consumes the Psalmist's being, leading to severe weight loss and physical wasting. His body has become so gaunt that his bones appear to cling to his shrunken flesh, a stark image of advanced physical deterioration, akin to someone nearing death from starvation or a debilitating illness. It conveys the complete breakdown of the physical self under overwhelming emotional or spiritual anguish.

Psalm 102 5 Context

Psalm 102 is a "prayer of an afflicted man," voiced from a state of deep personal and communal distress. The Psalmist is experiencing severe physical illness and emotional agony, likely compounded by feelings of divine abandonment or judgment, and perhaps reflecting the lament of the exiled people of Zion. Prior verses (102:3-4) detail his wasting strength, burning fever, withered heart, and refusal to eat, all of which culminate in the stark image of physical emaciation presented in verse 5. This verse is part of a series describing a comprehensive bodily and mental breakdown, setting the stage for his plea to God, who remains eternal amidst the changing creation.

Psalm 102 5 Word analysis

• Because of: This phrase establishes a causal relationship, directly linking the physical state described to the profound distress expressed.
• the voice of my groaning:
  • voice: From Hebrew qol (קול), meaning sound, voice, noise. Here, it signifies the audible, continuous sound of the Psalmist's inner torment. It's not just a thought or feeling, but a deep, vocal expression.
  • my groaning: From Hebrew ankhah (אנחה), meaning sighing, groaning, lamentation. It denotes a deep, heavy sigh or moan, typically expressing grief, anguish, or physical pain. This "groaning" is overwhelming, relentless, and audible, consuming the Psalmist's existence.
  Words-group analysis: "The voice of my groaning" encapsulates the extreme anguish and suffering so severe that it manifests as an unending, audible expression. It suggests that his sorrow is so profound that it cannot be contained internally but overflows in sounds of lament, which paradoxically exhaust him further.
• my bones: From Hebrew atzami (עצמי), plural of etzem (עצם), referring to bones. In biblical thought, bones often represent the deepest physical structure, strength, or core of a person. Here, they symbolize the very framework of his being, now starkly exposed.
• cling: From Hebrew davaq (דבק), meaning to cleave, stick, cling, or be joined together. While often used positively for devotion (as in marriage, Gen 2:24) or spiritual adherence, in this context, it depicts a terrible negative: the lack of flesh between bones and skin, making them appear unnaturally fused. It indicates an extreme, skeletal thinness.
• to my flesh: From Hebrew b'sarim (בשרי), referring to the flesh, body, or human physical being. The contrast between "bones" and "flesh" emphasizes the loss of the typical soft tissue, muscle, and fat that normally covers the skeleton.
Words-group analysis: "my bones cling to my flesh" paints a stark and distressing picture of extreme emaciation. This phrase conveys that the Psalmist has lost so much bodily mass that his skeleton is visibly protruding and pressed directly against his skin, devoid of insulating flesh. It’s a visceral image of severe physical decay, reflecting internal distress consuming the very body. This condition is often seen in cases of prolonged starvation, severe illness, or deep grief that drains the life force.

Psalm 102 5 Bonus section

This verse subtly contributes to the biblical understanding of human anthropology, emphasizing that humans are integrated beings where the spiritual, emotional, and physical are deeply interconnected. The profound "groaning" of the soul leads directly to the visible "wasting" of the body, illustrating that distress in one realm cannot be isolated from another. It also serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of human life and the severity of suffering in a fallen world, while also grounding the act of prayer and lament in genuine human experience, no matter how dire. The psalmist's open declaration of his desolate state validates all forms of human suffering before the Creator, asserting that even the most desperate cries are heard and are worthy of divine attention.

Psalm 102 5 Commentary

Psalm 102:5 is a deeply evocative statement of the comprehensive impact of suffering. It illustrates that intense internal distress, be it spiritual anguish, emotional torment, or a consuming illness, can profoundly affect the physical body. The Psalmist's condition is beyond mere sadness; it's a consuming despair so great that it has withered his physical being to the point of emaciation, leaving his bones visibly clinging to his depleted flesh. This verse highlights the raw honesty and visceral reality of human brokenness, demonstrating that lament is not just a psychological state but a holistic experience affecting the very core of one's existence. It underscores the Psalmist's vulnerability before God, pouring out a desperate, unvarnished depiction of his suffering as an appeal for divine mercy and intervention. This intense description serves not merely as a diagnosis but as an eloquent cry from a soul pushed to the limits of physical and emotional endurance.